Ansi Standards And Specifications
The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) publishes a list of tile standards that are used by professionals in all segments of the industry
. Like all standards, the ANSI tile standards (designated as ANSI A108 Standards) represent a consensus view, a minimum line that cannot be crossed without a definite loss of quality. The ANSI Standards are incorporated into the Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation, published and updated yearly by the Tile Council of America (TCA). The TCA Handbook describes all the structural details and materials required for building most tile installations from the ground up.
STRUCTURAL TOLERANCES Careful study of the ANSI Standards and the Handbook reveals two sets of tolerances: one for mortar-bed work, and one for thinbed installations. Because the thickness of a mortar bed is easily adjusted, tolerances are somewhat loose on mortar-bed work (roughly double those of the thinbed specs). Framing, subflooring and drywalling in areas to be tiled with thick mortar beds can be roughed in--the responsibility for finishing lies almost entirely with the tile mechanic and his or her deftness with mortar.
Tolerances with the thinbed method are more exacting. Here are the accepted industry specifications:
1.Subfloors must be level and flat to within 1/2 in. in 10 ft.
2.Wall surfaces must be plumb and flat to within 1/8 in. in 8 ft.
3.There must be no abrupt irregularities in sub or finished layers greater than 1/32 in.
4.All functional tile installations require expansion joints.
5. All finished tiles must be installed on a smooth, even plane to within 1/8 in. in 8 ft.
These tolerances put much of the responsibility for the outcome of the tile-work on carpenters, drywallers and concrete handlers--none of the people who would normally be installing the tiles. Unlike mortar-bed work, the thinbed method provides very limited space to make corrections. But if the setting bed is within the above specifications, the tile installer's job is made considerably easier.
Because thinbed work does not require the skills of mortar-bed work, more and more people are installing tiles. Unfortunately, many installations suffer from the lack of attention, understanding or skill on the part of the installer. Add to this the obvious need for precision when preparing surfaces or installing adhesives and the potential for problems or failure increases.
The ANSI Standards and the TCA Handbook are the prime sources that knowledgeable tilesetters turn to for structural, material and other installation details. However, the material found in these two documents can be daunting, even for professionals, because it tells only how a specific installation should be done, not how to do it.
It is the responsibility of the tile installer to produce quality tile-work that is up to the task for which it is specified. This can be quite different from just meeting minimum specifications. It will require that you spend more time and resources, but the results of your extra efforts will reward you with a lifetime of service. The existence of a building code, or the fact that you or your contractor must obtain a permit, however, does not necessarily mean that your tile installation will be done correctly. Like anything else, if you want to ensure that the quality goes in, the responsibility is yours.
Citation:
American National Standards Institute Handbook
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by: Matt Millsap
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