Install Collaborates with 9 Manufacturers on Substrate Prep Cert.

Glassboro, NJ, January 24, 2017—Install, the International Standards and Training Alliance, collaborated with nine industry leading substrate and underlayment manufacturers on a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The MOU, signed at an event at the International Training Center in Las Vegas on January 12, signifies a collective industry endorsement of Install’s Substrate Prep Certification program.

The program is a collaborative effort between Install and its manufacturer partners. It requires that each manufacturer specify that the installer of its underlayment products be an Install certified installer or equal. After this, and the successful completion of manufacturer proprietary testing, the installation will be eligible for an extended product warranty.

The manufacturers partnered in this effort include AC Tech, Ardex Americas, CMP Specialty Products – CGM, H.B. Fuller/Tec, Mapei Corporation, Schönox, SIKA, UFloor Systems and USG.

Finalized in early January, the Install Substrate Prep Certification was developed using the same process adopted for Install curriculum and other certifications—collaboration with industry subject matter experts representing installers, employers and manufacturers. By leveraging existing resources, capabilities and tapping into its deep-seated commitment to strengthening floorcovering industry standards, the manufacturer partners agreed upon the following standards:

• Four-hour orientation to ensure awareness of industry and the certification’s standards

• One hundred question written test requiring knowledge of substrate evaluation, products and the installation. (This test must be passed before proceeding to the hands-on skill set testing)

• Multiple skill set demonstrations showing mastery of mixing, skim coating, ramping, self-leveling and proper use of tools

The MOU language will take effect immediately and reads as follows:

“Acceptable to the manufacturer – installers will be experienced in performing work of this section and specialized in work similar to that required for this project; INSTALL certified or equal.”