Corpus sync: neutrality remakes, note hygiene, datasheet relocation, transformer-split cross-refs
---
title: Solid Surface and Quartz Countertops
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```
−### The selected material family shall be a single, locked selection for each countertop type and shall not be substituted after contract award without resubmittal of shop drawings and product data. {note}
+### The selected material family shall be a single, locked selection for each countertop type and shall not be substituted after contract award without resubmittal of shop drawings and product data.
# Referenced Standards {toc}
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```
−### Shop drawings shall locate every seam and shall be approved before any material is cut. {note}
+### Shop drawings shall locate every seam and shall be approved before any material is cut.
−### Samples shall represent the full range of color and pattern variation expected in the delivered material. {note}
+### Samples shall represent the full range of color and pattern variation expected in the delivered material.
## Informational Submittals {toc}
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## Fabricator Qualifications {toc}
−### The fabricator shall be certified or licensed by the material manufacturer to fabricate and install the specified product line. {note}
+### The fabricator shall be certified or licensed by the material manufacturer to fabricate and install the specified product line.
−### The fabricator shall have completed at least three commercial projects of comparable scope and material within the preceding five years. {note}
+### The fabricator shall have completed at least three commercial projects of comparable scope and material within the preceding five years.
−### The fabricator shall maintain the manufacturer's required dust-control and fabrication equipment for the specified material family. {note}
+### The fabricator shall maintain the manufacturer's required dust-control and fabrication equipment for the specified material family.
## Source and Single-Source Responsibility {toc}
−### Each countertop material family shall be furnished by a single manufacturer for the entire project to ensure color, pattern, and physical-property consistency. {note}
+### Each countertop material family shall be furnished by a single manufacturer for the entire project to ensure color, pattern, and physical-property consistency.
−### For continuous runs of engineered quartz, all slabs in a single visually continuous run shall be drawn from the same production lot. {note}
+### For continuous runs of engineered quartz, all slabs in a single visually continuous run shall be drawn from the same production lot.
### Engineered quartz color and pattern can vary measurably between manufacturing batches; lot mismatch in a continuous run is visible under normal lighting and is a common rejection cause. {note}
## Mockups {toc}
−### Where required by the project, the Contractor shall provide a full-size mockup of a representative countertop section including one seam, one edge profile, one backsplash condition, and one sink cutout. {note}
+### Where required by the project, the Contractor shall provide a full-size mockup of a representative countertop section including one seam, one edge profile, one backsplash condition, and one sink cutout.
−### The approved mockup shall establish the standard of quality for seam flatness, edge finish, and color match for the remaining work. {note}
+### The approved mockup shall establish the standard of quality for seam flatness, edge finish, and color match for the remaining work.
# Physical Properties {toc}
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## Solid Surface Properties {toc}
−### Solid surface sheet shall be homogeneous and non-porous throughout its full thickness, with color and pattern continuous through the sheet. {note}
+### Solid surface sheet shall be homogeneous and non-porous throughout its full thickness, with color and pattern continuous through the sheet.
### Solid surface tensile strength shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D638. {note}
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### Solid surface water absorption shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D570 and shall not exceed the manufacturer's published maximum for the product. {note}
−### Solid surface at plumbing fixture locations shall meet the physical and performance minimums of ANSI Z124.3 for lavatories and ANSI Z124.6 for sinks. {note}
+### Solid surface at plumbing fixture locations shall meet the physical and performance minimums of ANSI Z124.3 for lavatories and ANSI Z124.6 for sinks.
```datasheet
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## Engineered Quartz Properties {toc}
−### Engineered quartz shall be a vibrocompacted, vacuum-processed composite of natural quartz aggregate and polymer resin, non-porous on its finished surface. {note}
+### Engineered quartz shall be a vibrocompacted, vacuum-processed composite of natural quartz aggregate and polymer resin, non-porous on its finished surface.
### Engineered quartz flexural strength shall be tested in accordance with ASTM D790 and shall exceed 4,500 psi. {note}
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### The low water absorption of engineered quartz is what gives it its stain resistance; a value above 0.05 percent indicates a porous or under-cured slab. {note}
+### The engineered quartz nominal slab thickness shall be specified for the countertop application.
+
```datasheet
label: Engineered quartz nominal slab thickness
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```
+### The minimum flexural strength of the engineered quartz per ASTM D790 shall be specified for the countertop application.
+
```datasheet
label: Engineered quartz minimum flexural strength (ASTM D790)
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```
+### The maximum water absorption of the engineered quartz per ASTM D570 shall be specified, limited low enough to avoid the staining associated with a porous or under-cured slab.
+
```datasheet
label: Engineered quartz maximum water absorption (ASTM D570)
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### The countertop material shall be tested for surface burning characteristics in accordance with ASTM E84. {note}
−### Where a Class A (Class I) interior finish is required by the occupancy, the material shall have a flame-spread index of 25 or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less. {note}
+### Where a Class A (Class I) interior finish is required by the occupancy, the material shall have a flame-spread index of 25 or less and a smoke-developed index of 450 or less.
```datasheet
label: Required surface burning class (ASTM E84)
type: radio
options:
− - Class A (FSI <= 25, SDI <= 450)
− - Class B (FSI <= 75, SDI <= 450)
− - Class C (FSI <= 200, SDI <= 450)
−default: Class A (FSI <= 25, SDI <= 450)
+ - Class A (FSI ≤ 25, SDI ≤ 450)
+ - Class B (FSI ≤ 75, SDI ≤ 450)
+ - Class C (FSI ≤ 200, SDI ≤ 450)
+default: Class A (FSI ≤ 25, SDI ≤ 450)
```
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### Health-department inspections reject non-certified materials on breakroom, cafeteria, and food-prep countertops regardless of appearance; the certification is a code condition, not a preference. {note}
+### Whether the countertop is in a food-contact or food-splash zone requiring NSF/ANSI 51 certification shall be specified, since the certification is a code condition rather than a preference.
+
```datasheet
label: NSF/ANSI 51 food-zone designation required
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```
+### Whether low-emission certification under GREENGUARD Gold or UL 2818 is required for the countertop shall be specified.
+
```datasheet
label: Low-emission certification (GREENGUARD Gold / UL 2818)
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## Surface Finish {toc}
−### The exposed surface finish shall be uniform across each countertop and shall match the approved sample. {note}
+### The exposed surface finish shall be uniform across each countertop and shall match the approved sample.
−### Polished quartz shows micro-scratches and wear readily in high-traffic and laboratory settings; a honed or matte finish is more appropriate there and shall be specified explicitly when those conditions apply. {note}
+### Polished quartz shows micro-scratches and wear readily in high-traffic and laboratory settings; a honed or matte finish is more appropriate there and shall be specified explicitly when those conditions apply.
−### Solid surface finish is renewable in the field by abrasion to the specified sheen; this is one of its principal lifecycle advantages over quartz. {note}
−
```datasheet
label: Surface finish
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```
+### Solid surface finish is renewable in the field by abrasion to the specified sheen; this is one of its principal lifecycle advantages over quartz. {note}
+
## Edge Profiles {toc}
−### The edge profile shall be fabricated to the approved shop drawing and sample for every exposed edge. {note}
+### The edge profile shall be fabricated to the approved shop drawing and sample for every exposed edge.
### Eased and straight edges are recommended for healthcare and food-service environments because they are easiest to clean and have no crevice to trap soil. {note}
−### Laminated buildup edges, formed by bonding strips beneath the deck to increase apparent thickness, increase fabrication lead time and shall use the same material family as the deck. {note}
+### Laminated buildup edges, formed by bonding strips beneath the deck to increase apparent thickness, increase fabrication lead time and shall use the same material family as the deck.
```datasheet
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### Undermount sinks in engineered quartz require a silicone-sealed joint at the sink rim that must be maintained over the life of the installation. {note}
−### The sink configuration shall be coordinated with the plumbing fixtures specified under [[sync/plumbing-fixtures]]; this standard governs the countertop and integral sink, not the supply or drain. {note}
+### The sink configuration shall be coordinated with the plumbing fixtures specified under [[sync/plumbing-fixtures]]; this standard governs the countertop and integral sink, not the supply or drain.
```datasheet
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```
−### Integral sinks shall be specified only where the deck material family is solid surface. {note}
+### Integral sinks shall be specified only where the deck material family is solid surface.
## Cutout Coordination {toc}
−### The cutout size for an undermount or drop-in sink shall be taken from the approved plumbing fixture submittal before any slab is cut. {note}
+### The cutout size for an undermount or drop-in sink shall be taken from the approved plumbing fixture submittal before any slab is cut.
−### Cutout corners shall be radiused, not square, to relieve stress concentration that initiates cracking. {note}
+### Cutout corners shall be radiused, not square, to relieve stress concentration that initiates cracking.
−### Sink and faucet cutout locations shall be coordinated with the plumbing rough-in shown on the drawings. [[drawing: fixture rough-in plan]] {note}
+### Sink and faucet cutout locations shall be coordinated with the plumbing rough-in shown on the drawings. [[drawing: fixture rough-in plan]]
```datasheet
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## Substrate Under Laminated Buildups {toc}
−### Where a continuous substrate is used beneath the countertop or within a laminated buildup, it shall be moisture-resistant MDF or exterior-grade plywood. {note}
+### Where a continuous substrate is used beneath the countertop or within a laminated buildup, it shall be moisture-resistant MDF or exterior-grade plywood.
−### Particleboard shall not be used as substrate at sink cutouts or other wet locations. {note}
+### Particleboard shall not be used as substrate at sink cutouts or other wet locations.
−### ANSI/AWI 1236-2022 disqualifies particleboard at wet locations because its 24-hour swell exceeds 5.5 percent, which fails the joint and the bond at the sink. {note}
−
```datasheet
label: Substrate material at wet locations
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```
+### ANSI/AWI 1236-2022 disqualifies particleboard at wet locations because its 24-hour swell exceeds 5.5 percent, which fails the joint and the bond at the sink. {note}
+
## Overhangs and Reinforcement {toc}
−### Unsupported overhangs shall be sized to the material family and slab thickness and shall not rely on the deck alone where live load is expected. {note}
+### Unsupported overhangs shall be sized to the material family and slab thickness and shall not rely on the deck alone where live load is expected.
−### A 2 cm engineered quartz slab shall not be used for an unsupported overhang greater than 8 in. without a buildup apron or steel-rod reinforcement; 2 cm slabs crack under live load at long overhangs. {note}
+### A 2 cm engineered quartz slab shall not be used for an unsupported overhang greater than 8 in. without a buildup apron or steel-rod reinforcement; 2 cm slabs crack under live load at long overhangs.
−### Thicker slabs reduce the need for buildup strips and increase overhang capacity. {note}
−
−### Countertop support framing, cleats, and corbels shall be provided by the casework specified under [[sync/wood-and-laminate-casework]] and shall be in place before countertop installation. {note}
−
```datasheet
label: Maximum unsupported overhang (2 cm quartz, unreinforced)
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```
+### Thicker slabs reduce the need for buildup strips and increase overhang capacity. {note}
+
+### Countertop support framing, cleats, and corbels shall be provided by the casework specified under [[sync/wood-and-laminate-casework]] and shall be in place before countertop installation. {note}
+
# Seams and Joints {toc}
## Seam Layout {toc}
−### Seam locations shall be shown on the approved shop drawings and shall be approved before fabrication. {note}
+### Seam locations shall be shown on the approved shop drawings and shall be approved before fabrication.
−### A seam shall not be located at a cutout corner or within a cantilevered overhang; locating a seam in these high-stress zones is a leading cause of field cracking claims. {note}
+### A seam shall not be located at a cutout corner or within a cantilevered overhang; locating a seam in these high-stress zones is a leading cause of field cracking claims.
−### Seams shall align with support framing so the joint is fully backed. {note}
+### Seams shall align with support framing so the joint is fully backed.
−### Solid surface seams shall be chemically bonded with the manufacturer's joint adhesive, sanded flush, and finished to be inconspicuous. {note}
+### Solid surface seams shall be chemically bonded with the manufacturer's joint adhesive, sanded flush, and finished to be inconspicuous.
−### Engineered quartz seams shall be set with color-matched epoxy and finished flush. {note}
+### Engineered quartz seams shall be set with color-matched epoxy and finished flush.
```datasheet
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## Backsplash Configuration {toc}
−### The backsplash height and return shall be selected for the application and shown on the shop drawings. {note}
+### The backsplash height and return shall be selected for the application and shown on the shop drawings.
### A coved backsplash base, integral to the deck, eliminates the grout or caulk line at the wall and is required in many healthcare and food-service health codes because a square-caulked joint at the wall collects bacteria and fails inspection. {note}
−### A square-set backsplash shall be sealed to the wall with a movement-capable sealant per the sealant requirements of this standard. {note}
+### A square-set backsplash shall be sealed to the wall with a movement-capable sealant per the sealant requirements of this standard.
```datasheet
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### A siliconized acrylic latex sealant complying with ASTM C834 may be used only at non-movement, decorative joints. {note}
−### Sealant color shall match the adjacent countertop or wall finish as directed. {note}
+### Sealant color shall match the adjacent countertop or wall finish as directed.
```datasheet
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## Fabrication shall conform to the tolerances of ANSI/AWI 1236-2022 except where this standard is more stringent. {note}
−### The finished top surface shall be flat within the specified tolerance measured across any seam and across the full run. {note}
+### The finished top surface shall be flat within the specified tolerance measured across any seam and across the full run.
−### Exposed edges shall be straight and square within the specified tolerance. {note}
+### Exposed edges shall be straight and square within the specified tolerance.
−### The installed countertop shall be level within the specified tolerance and shall not rock on its supports. {note}
+### The installed countertop shall be level within the specified tolerance and shall not rock on its supports.
```datasheet
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## Field Conditions {toc}
−### Installation shall not begin until the space is enclosed, weathertight, and at a stable temperature, and until base cabinets and support framing are installed and level. {note}
+### Installation shall not begin until the space is enclosed, weathertight, and at a stable temperature, and until base cabinets and support framing are installed and level.
−### Dry-cutting of engineered quartz on site is prohibited; field cutting shall be performed wet with local exhaust ventilation in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.1153. {note}
+### Dry-cutting of engineered quartz on site is prohibited; field cutting shall be performed wet with local exhaust ventilation in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.1153.
### Engineered quartz contains crystalline silica, and cutting or grinding it generates respirable silica dust regulated by OSHA; wet methods with local exhaust are the required engineering control. {note}
## Expansion Clearance {toc}
−### A minimum expansion clearance shall be provided between the countertop and any fixed wall or rigid restraint. {note}
+### A minimum expansion clearance shall be provided between the countertop and any fixed wall or rigid restraint.
−### Both material families expand and contract with temperature; without a clearance at fixed restraints, the slab cracks or buckles. {note}
−
−### The expansion clearance shall be sized using the material's coefficient of linear thermal expansion determined per ASTM D696 and the expected service temperature range. {note}
−
```datasheet
label: Minimum expansion clearance at fixed walls and restraints
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```
+### Both material families expand and contract with temperature; without a clearance at fixed restraints, the slab cracks or buckles. {note}
+
+### The expansion clearance shall be sized using the material's coefficient of linear thermal expansion determined per ASTM D696 and the expected service temperature range. {note}
+
## Anchorage {toc}
−### The countertop shall be mechanically fastened or adhered to the base cabinets or support framing in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions. {note}
+### The countertop shall be mechanically fastened or adhered to the base cabinets or support framing in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.
−### Fasteners shall not be over-driven into the underside of the deck in a manner that telegraphs through the surface. {note}
+### Fasteners shall not be over-driven into the underside of the deck in a manner that telegraphs through the surface.
−### Anchorage clips and adhesives shall allow the deck to move with thermal expansion without restraint at fixed points. {note}
+### Anchorage clips and adhesives shall allow the deck to move with thermal expansion without restraint at fixed points.
## Protection {toc}
−### The installed countertop shall be protected from impact, abrasion, staining, and heat damage until Substantial Completion. {note}
+### The installed countertop shall be protected from impact, abrasion, staining, and heat damage until Substantial Completion.
−### Hot items shall not be placed directly on engineered quartz, because thermal shock can craze the resin binder. {note}
+### Hot items shall not be placed directly on engineered quartz, because thermal shock can craze the resin binder.
# Delivery, Storage, and Handling {toc}
−## Material shall be delivered in the manufacturer's protective packaging with material family, color, and lot identification intact. {note}
+## Material shall be delivered in the manufacturer's protective packaging with material family, color, and lot identification intact.
−## Slabs and fabricated sections shall be stored and transported on edge in A-frames or vertical racks, never stacked flat. {note}
+## Slabs and fabricated sections shall be stored and transported on edge in A-frames or vertical racks, never stacked flat.
## Stacking slabs flat induces a bending stress that can crack them under their own weight; vertical storage is mandatory for both families. {note}
−## Material shall be acclimated to the interior service temperature before fabrication and installation. {note}
+## Material shall be acclimated to the interior service temperature before fabrication and installation.
# Warranty {toc}
−## The manufacturer shall provide a written warranty against defects in material and against failure of the finished surface under normal use. {note}
+## The manufacturer shall provide a written warranty against defects in material and against failure of the finished surface under normal use.
−### The warranty period shall begin at Substantial Completion. {note}
+### The warranty period shall begin at Substantial Completion.
−### Field repairability of solid surface shall not void the warranty when the repair is performed by a certified fabricator using the manufacturer's methods. {note}
+### Field repairability of solid surface shall not void the warranty when the repair is performed by a certified fabricator using the manufacturer's methods.
```datasheet
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# Spare Parts {toc}
−## The Contractor shall furnish attic stock of each installed material, finish, and color for future repair and replacement. {note}
+## The Contractor shall furnish attic stock of each installed material, finish, and color for future repair and replacement.
−### Attic stock shall be from the same production lot as the installed work where lot consistency matters, and shall be labeled with material family, color, lot, and the location it serves. {note}
−
```datasheet
label: Attic stock quantity per material/finish/color
…5 unchanged lines
default: 10
```
+
+### Attic stock shall be from the same production lot as the installed work where lot consistency matters, and shall be labeled with material family, color, lot, and the location it serves. {note}