Master Spec for Tile Installers Offered

JACKSON, Miss. – Architects looking to ensure high-quality installation of tile can make it official with a new master specification, courtesy of industry cooperation.

The new spec – developed by installation-products giant MAPEI – assists the National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) and the Tile Contractors Association of America (TCAA) in their ongoing efforts to promote professional work and minimize installation failures and call-backs.

The new spec is included in the 2012 edition of the Tile Counctil of North America (TCNA) Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installation. The TCNA Handbook language was approved by an overwhelming majority of committee members, and was submitted by a joint effort from representatives of the NTCA and TCAA.  

In addition, the International Masonry Institute recently worked closely with ARCOM to have similar language approved in MasterSpec, the guide specification system designed for engineers, architects, specification writers and owners.

To accompany the 150 published methods in the handbook, the publication also includes the following under Part I (General), Section 1.5 (Quality Assurance), Paragraph B:

B. Installer Qualifications:

1. Installer is [a five-star member of the National Tile Contractors Association] [or] [a Trowel of Excellence member of the Tile Contractors’ Association of America]

2. Installer’s supervisor for the Project holds the International Masonry Institute’s Foreman Certification.

3. Installer employs [Ceramic Tile Education Foundation Certified Installers] [or] [installers recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor as Journeyman Tile Layers].

“We are pleased that one of our association members has taken the lead to develop wording that architects can easily use in their specifications, and we thank MAPEI for so quickly delivering the information in a concise and easily understood language,” said Bart Bettiga, NTCA executive director.

“We believe, when this wording is added to architects’ specifications for projects – both residential and commercial – the bar will be raised, contractors will move to the next level in providing sustainable, error-free tile and stone installations,” added Carole Damon, TCAA executive director.

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