About Q-CAT|NITTAI-KOGYO Co., Ltd. – The experts in tiles

The Q-CAT quality certification system for the combination of exterior tiles and organic adhesives is a certification system that enables customers to easily select tiles and adhesives that provide the safety, assurance, and environmental consideration that the public want in the application of exterior tiles with organic adhesives (exterior adhesive application).

Q-CAT stands for Quality accreditation system for Combination of organic Adhesive and exterior Tile.

Outline of Q-CAT

To ensure the construction quality of exterior adhesive application, there are three key elements: appropriate materials, appropriate construction techniques and appropriate work site management. Of these elements, Q-CAT is the quality standard system for appropriate materials, and as such it establishes and certifies tile standards, adhesive standards and combination standards, thereby promoting the wide use of appropriate tiles and adhesives.

Q-CAT quality standards for appropriate materials

Q-CAT certification standards(For details, see the website of the Japan Ceramic Tile Manufacturers’ Association.)

Tile standards

Standards suitable for exterior adhesive application (the condition of the back of the tile, etc.) are set based on JIS A 5209 (ceramic tiles). Also, from the perspective of environmental awareness, adherence to the Act on Promotion of Procurement of Eco-friendly Goods and Services is an essential requirement.

Adhesive standards

JIS A 5557 (organic adhesive for application of exterior tiles) certification is an essential requirement for basic quality in regard to durability. Standards are also set for adhesion to the substrate, slippage resistance, and appearance quality when joint filling is not performed, which are not specified in JIS A 5557.

Combination standards

In order to ensure construction quality, the construction conditions (method of adhesive application) suitable to the tiles in question are established, and standards are set for ensuring the bonding surface area of the adhesive on the back of the tile and for slippage resistance at the time of construction.

Improving the construction
quality of adhesive applications

About Q-CAT certification

There are two types of certification: type certification and individual certification.

①Type certification

Type certification is an easy certification system that indicates the combination quality of the tiles and adhesives that meet the quality standards, without the need for individual evaluation of various combinations. However, this system does specify the construction method (adhesive comb/notched trowel conditions). The types of tiles are categorized as Types T1, T2 and T3, according to length, area and mass per unit area. The types of adhesive are categorized as Types C1, C2 and C3 and Types Y1, Y2 and Y3, depending on their slippage resistance in accordance with the type of tile.

②Individual certification

Individual certification is a certification method for tiles that fall outside the scope of type certification. In this system, the adhesive and application method (adhesive comb/notched trowel conditions) are specified, and that combination is separately evaluated and certified. There is no individual certification for adhesives, ceramic siding, joint tape and adhesives for ceramic-based siding.

①Type certification

Type certification is an easy certification system that indicates the combination quality of the tiles and adhesives that meet the quality standards, without the need for individual evaluation of various combinations. However, this system does specify the construction method (adhesive comb/notched trowel conditions). The types of tiles are categorized as Types T1, T2 and T3, according to length, area and mass per unit area. The types of adhesive are categorized as Types C1, C2 and C3 and Types Y1, Y2 and Y3, depending on their slippage resistance in accordance with the type of tile.

②Individual certification

Individual certification is a certification method for tiles that fall outside the scope of type certification. In this system, the adhesive and application method (adhesive comb/notched trowel conditions) are specified, and that combination is separately evaluated and certified. There is no individual certification for adhesives, ceramic siding, joint tape and adhesives for ceramic-based siding.

Tile	Type certification			Individual certification
Tile	Type T1	Type T2	Type T3	Individual certification
Single tiles	○	○	○	○
Face-mounted tiles	−	−	○	○
Plastic-bound tiles	−	−	−	○
Mesh-backed tiles	−	−	−	○
Other backed tiles	−	−	−	○

	Type certification			Individual certification
	Type T1	Type T2	Type T3	Individual certification
Adhesive for mortar-based substrate	○	○	○	−
	Type certification			Individual certification
	Type Y1	Type Y2	Type Y3	Individual certification
Combination of ceramic siding, joint tape and adhesives for ceramic-based siding	○	○	○	−

* “○” indicates items with certification standards. “–” indicates items without certification standards.

Q-CAT scope for substrates

Cement substrate	Ceramic siding substrate
Mortar (JASS15)	Ceramic siding registered in Q-CAT
Concrete (JASS5)
Extruded cement panel (JIS A 5441)
ALC panel (JISS A 5416)