Sources: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.; CP staff
The charter operators in the NCMA Manufactured Stone Veneer Product Certification Program are Coastal Stone Co. of Denton, Md., and ProVia LLC of Sugarcreek, Ohio. Developed by members of the NCMA Manufactured Stone Veneer committee, the program recognizes precast concrete stone that meets or exceeds product standards set by producers with demonstrated quality control systems and educated plant personnel.
A key requirement for certification is submission of results from a qualified, third-party testing laboratory affirming that product conforms to ASTM C1670/C1670M, Standard Specification for Adhered Manufactured Stone Masonry Veneer Units. The document lists requirements for physical properties of MSV units, including compressive strength, freeze-thaw durability, drying shrinkage, shear bond strength and dimensional tolerances. In addition to test results, MSV Product Certification applicants must maintain a quality system manual for production and prove that personnel have completed education courses relative to MSV. An “NCMA MSV Certified Manufactured Stone Veneer Product” mark indicates a commitment to quality, and can be displayed on certified-product packaging or promotional materials.
“Quality units lead to quality projects,” says NCMA President Bob Thomas. “The MSV Product Certification Program communicates this commitment to specifiers and the design community. Coastal Stone and ProVia are commended for becoming the first NCMA members to have completed the certification process.”