![]() Therefore, it is important to have a QA process and QC plan to ensure tradespersons are knowledgeable and the products are being stored and installed correctly. This at times may result in subpar installations. As mentioned earlier, installers of thin bricks are not fully aware of industry standards or manufacturers’ directions and rely on their on-the-job training experience. Products have to be installed per manufacturers’ directions and industry standards for the warranty to be valid, and therein is the challenge. It is important to note labor and material warranties are not like ‘no-fault insurance’ policies. The TCNA installation methods also apply to adhered thin brick applications. In this author’s experience, the best way forward would be the use of the Tile Council of North America (TCNA) Handbook for Ceramic, Glass, and Stone Tile Installation that will help specifiers select and reference in the documents the appropriate installation method. The installer is a craftsman with the skills to do the work, but they need the architect to specify the method. Reference standards do not provide the detailed installation methods an installer needs to know. They also tend to rely on calling out the standards without providing detailed execution instructions, thereby deferring responsibility to the installer. It is advisable to specify ‘or equal’ performance as long as manufacturers can provide the required performance and warranty.Īrchitects often provide a reference specification that only mentions industry standards and building codes. For instance, the installation system employed in the Brickyard Campus project qualified for a 15-year labor and material warranty. In this author’s experience, it is best to specify a single source installation system as they ensure compatibility between the products and usually come with extended warranties. Installation system Figure 3: This image shows shrinkage cracks in the plaster substrate. reviewed shop drawings and submittals by the installer and.performed QA testing of the thin brick before and during installations, including the mockups.assisted in selecting the installation company.Of the thin brick over the plaster substrate prepared installation guidelines as well as a MasterFormat specification for the installation.evaluated the specified thin brick to verify its suitability for the project.This author began by reviewing existing project plans and specifications for the installation of the thin brick tiles and then performed the following work: Per their directions, this author was hired through the GC about two years prior to the completion of the project. In the case of the Brickyard Campus, the developer was committed and willing to pay the price to ensure the building was constructed correctly. ![]() Consultants are often brought into projects only after ill-informed decisions have been taken and QA testing cannot be done without causing delays. In this author’s experience, QA and QC could add approximately two percent to the total cost of the application in projects similar in scale to the Brickyard Campus. Undoubtedly, it costs more to do diligent QA testing and to implement a meaningful QC plan. ![]() QC could be employed to verify the specified products are stored and used correctly and the work is being performed according to the specification, manufacturers’ directions, and industry standards. Figure 2: Movement joints blend in with grout joints.
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