The Concrete Polishing Council (CPC), a specialty council of the American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC), St. Louis, Mo., has just released the revision to the Bonded Abrasive Polished Concrete Specification, a document of significance to polishing contractors, concrete contractors, designers and facility owners.
The original polished concrete specification, published by the Concrete Polishing Association of America (CPAA, now the CPC), did not meet standard specification terminology or layout. “It was also often buried in Division 03 00 00, the Concrete Division of the Construction Specification Institute’s master format,” says Bruce Suprenant, technical director, ASCC. “Due to the number of polishing specifications concealed in 03 00 00, this specification for the slab to be polished, was not acknowledged or fully understood by concrete contractors, and was overlooked in the planning of the floor”.
“Assigned a separate number, 03 00 01, and written in proper specification terminology, the document now better defines the intended use of the concrete, helps the cast-in-place contractors understand how the slab will be finished, and opens the door for communication between the specifier, place and finish contractor, and the polisher,” says Chad Gill, council director, CPC.
“The founders and charter members of the CPAA kick started the polishing industry by creating standards to help achieve acceptance by the design/build community,” says Todd Scharich, ASCC director of member services. "However as polishing continues to achieve tremendous growth as a flooring option it became necessary to update these documents. Updated standards will continue to make polished concrete a primary flooring choice that owners can count on for its durability and low maintenance features."
The CPC was formed to provide standards, education and a professional network for polishing contractors and others serving in the industry. The primary goals are to furnish training opportunities and certification programs for members and to share information on best practices with the design and construction community.
