CSIRO Guide to the Specification of Dimension Stone

Quoted text begins.Stone Standards for architects
End of quote.

Hi Elaine, thanks for the feedback about the technical information. The
guide is aimed at architects because they are responsible for specifying
natural stone installations in buildings (as well as stone producers who
market stone products). Few architects that I have dealt with understand the
difference between marble and granite, let alone gneiss and gabbro. They
rely on people like us (who work with stone every day) to fill the gaps in
their knowledge - yes, it is very technical, but we all should attempt to
absorb at least some of the basic stone facts so we can operate more
professionally.

One way in which sculptors would need to comply with the building code is in
relation to the slip resistance of a floor. The architect must be guaranteed
that natural stone artwork designed to be walked on (say, inlaid tiles in or
around an installation), be slip-resistant at the time of installation and
for a nominated period after.

Other instances could relate to the structural and weathering
characteristics of exterior (natural stone) installations. Artists must
communicate their needs to architects and builders, reinforcing their
argument with technical references.

An interesting note in the 3rd paragraph of the guide is that 'In Europe, EN
Standards are evolving that will replace existing national stone standards.'
Even though we in Australia are removed geographically from European stone
markets, the European standard developed for naming stone (BS EN 12440) and
its two associated standards still under development, will become an
accepted way of deciding which stone is to be used in installations,
together with the specification and testing methods.

Apologies for the serious tone - please ignore all of the above if you are
just happy carving stone!

Simon
moonsong[AT]optusnet.com.au