Re: Australian Standards Committee BD/094 – Pedestrian Slip Resistance of Flooring Surfaces in the Revision of Handbook 197.

The task of the above Committee is to assess how best to measure and determine the accurate slip resistance of a wide range of flooring materials including natural stone and ceramic tile.

After lengthy discussion the Committee has before it Table 3 entitled, ‘Pedestrian Area Selection Guide for Normal Conditions. Minimum Pendulum or Ramp Recommendation for Specific Locations.’

Table 3 (in its current form) contains contentious material that could persuade specifiers and consumers that use of materials with a polished surface in certain residential locations is unsafe. Previously the standard primarily covered commercial applications.

Ultimately, the Table will be published in Handbook 197 (HB 197) which will contain the Committee’s findings in relation to this subject. The Committee consists of approximately 15 individuals who share a variety of concerns and opinions.

The Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) is represented by the Chair of the Committee Richard Bowman. Richard will eventually write HB 197.

This is an extremely complex subject, given that local government (councils) need to provide potential occupants with guidance regarding floor covering selection.

Currently the Committee’s recommendations are not favourable in relation to stone or tile. Many of you rely on the sale of these materials to specifiers, builders, home owners and resellers of tile and stone.

It is therefore in your interest to read Richard’s article Ramping up the Slip Debate, (click on the link) or visit the homepage of www.infotile.com.au (News Section) [now Advice under Archived Articles].

The Committee in question meet next Monday in Sydney. One of the prime subjects for debate will relate to the inclusion of Table 3 in HB 197. Richard is opposed to the inclusion of residential floors in this Table and he will enter an objection on behalf of ASAA. Gary Jones will also register an objection on behalf of the Australian Tile Council (ATC).

As Richard is responsible for writing HB 197, I am confident that it will be written in such a way that materials, which do not meet certain recommendations, will still be capable of being used in traditional locations.

I urge you to seek a thorough understanding of this vital issue. It’s imperative that home owners retain the freedom to use appropriate natural stone and ceramic tile materials in residential environments. These materials have a long history of successful use in both residential and commercial locations.

If you wish to make a specific comment please send your email to tonys@infotile.com.au. Copies of all submissions will be given to Richard prior to the Committee meeting. By registering you support for ASAA, the ATC and Richard’s position you indicate to the Committee the need for them to take great care in relation to making correct and well balanced decisions.

If you require any additional information, please give me a call on (03) 9888 2246.

Following the announcement of the release of an additional 1,200 square metres of floor space, ASAA is delighted to announce that it has reached a fruitful agreement with the FFTSE.

COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT

1. The purpose of this agreement is to facilitate the responsible development of the Australian stone industry, principally through the conduct of Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expositions.
2. Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo Pty Ltd ( FFTSE) will pay an annual sponsorship of $3,000 to the Australian Stone Advisory Association (ASAA) starting in March 2007. This will be payable in March each year, conditional on ASAA fulfilling its undertakings to FFTSE.
3. Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo Pty Ltd will be able to use the ASAA logo as ASAA endorsement for all promotional activities associated with the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Exposition, ” the show”.
4. ASAA will acknowledge the FFTSE sponsorship:
   • on its National website;
   • specifically in association with appropriate educational initiatives, which are funded from the FFTSE sponsorship, wherever such initiatives are publicised.
5. The ASAA, through promotion on its website and all other possible means, will encourage its members to
   • exhibit at the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Exposition;
   • participate in the FFTSE seminar programmes and training activities.
6. Financial members of the ASAA will receive a 6% discount on the advertised rates for FFTSE floor space, at the time of final invoicing.
7. The ASAA will receive a complimentary 6 x 3 m stand for approved promotional purposes, where the stand will include the complimentary shell scheme, lights, tables, chairs and signage.
8. The ASAA will receive a free full page colour advertisement in the FFTSE show catalogue each year.
9. After the conclusion of the show, the ASAA will receive the following discount-adjusted rebates, subject to the sales of exhibition space to ASAA members exceeding 500 m2, where the ASAA receives 50% of the space credit for exhibitors who are members of both the ASAA and the Australian Tile Council (ATC):
   • 3% rebate for members exhibiting at 2008 FFTSE who are financial in 2006, 2007 and 2008;
   • 2% rebate for members exhibiting at 2008 FFTSE who are financial from 30 June 2007 and throughout 2008;
   • 1% rebate for members exhibiting at 2008 FFTSE who are financial from 1 July 2007 to 15 February 2008;
   • 3% rebate for members exhibiting at 2009 FFTSE who are financial in 2007, 2008 and 2009, except that ASAA will receive a 2% rebate where the member is also a member of ATC;
   • 2% rebate for members exhibiting at 2009 FFTSE who are financial from 31 January 2008 and throughout 2009;
   • 1% rebate for members exhibiting at 2009 FFTSE who are financial from 1 July 2008 to 15 February 2009.
10. ASAA will provide FFTSE with a complete list of currently financial members as of 31 December 2006, 30 June 2007, 31 December 2007, 15 February 2008, 31 December 2008, and 15 February 2009.
11. FFTSE and the ASAA acknowledge and accept that their representatives may not:
    • make statements on behalf of or indicate that they represent the other organisation;
    • represent that their views or opinions are those of the other organisation;
    • do any act, matter or thing which criticises or may be interpreted as critical of the other organisation, or which may adversely impact the reputation or good standing of the other organisation.
12. The term of this agreement shall extend until the conclusion of FFTSE 2009, whereupon both parties shall use their best endeavours to secure a subsequent agreement that will facilitate the ongoing responsible development of the stone industry.

Visit FFTSE

ASAA ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING DATE IS SET

The ASAA AGM will be held at Designbuild in Sydney at Darling Harbour on Sunday, 3 June 2007. Financial members will receive ballot forms in due course and more information about the precise location and timing.

ASAA PARTICIPATE IN DESIGNBUILD SEMINARS

ASAA will be participating in the Designbuild seminars that will feature a variety of stone and tile related topics

ECO LABELLING DEVELOPMENT

ASAA is providing assistance to a financial member that is submitting a product for eco labelling. This process will evaluate and determine the quality of the stone in relation to the stress that its production places on the environment. ASAA will actively support this socially responsible endeavour.

15,000 HITS ON ASAA WEB SITE IN FEBRUARY

Finally we are pleased to report that visitors to Google.com.au who search the web for Australian stone will discover that ASAA is the first link they find. In April we will upgrade the site which attracted 15,000 hits in February. Approximately 40% of this traffic emanates from overseas.

Date: Sunday 18th March – Tuesday 20th March
Venue: Holiday Inn Burswood Perth, Western Australia

We welcome new member Mr Graeme Wall ( Laticrete P/L ). If you would like to join ASAA click here

ASAA CEO Anthony Stock, publisher of Tile Today, Discovering Stone and Creative Tiling magazines and Richard Bowman of Intertile Research Pty Ltd have joined forces to launch the Full Frontal Tile & Stone Expo (FFTSE) at Sydney Showground, 17th-19th April, 2008.

The prime objectives are to highlight the ‘green’ attributes of tile and stone and to inform specifiers, designers, buyers and members of industry about the latest products, technologies and installation materials.

Major exposure in Tile Today, Discovering Stone and relevant architecture and design journals, and an extensive direct and electronic mail campaign will promote FFTSE to building industry professionals and members of industry.

FFTSE is Australia’s only exposition that is entirely dedicated to tile and stone.

Within 14 days of announcing the launch of FFTSE more than 40% of the available floor space has been snapped up by leading local and international manufacturers, distributors and retailers of tile and stone. It is anticipated that extra space will be made available in due course.

Financial members of ASAA will receive a 6% discount against the value of the nett floor space that they book. A rebate will be paid to ASAA which will be based on the total meterage booked by ASAA members.

Leading quarriers of stone like Melocco Stone and Gosford Quarries have already booked space.

With two sets of seminars running concurrently, and a number of special exhibits and interactive demonstrations, FFTSE will showcase tile and stone to a discerning audience of buyers and specifiers.

Members of the public (15 years plus) will be admitted during two specific time slots.

For more information visit www.fullfrontalexpo.com or call Anthony Stock on (03) 9888 3459 / 2246.