Importance of GRC Manufacturing Standards

A key issue to recognise about GRC is that it is not an homogeneous substance. There is good quality GRC, bad quality GRC and various different levels of quality in-between. In other words, you could have two large GRC planters sitting next to each other that to the naked eye look to be of similar quality. However, one may be significantly stronger and more waterproof than the other depending on the quality of the raw materials, the mix design of the GRC slurry and the overall quality control processes used in their manufacture and curing. A phrase that is often used in the GRC manufacturing industry is that “anyone can make GRC but not many make it well” and buying poor quality GRC that cracks or leakes can be an expensive mistake. So how can you ensure that you are buying good quality GRC products?

The best answer to the question about how to determine the quality of GRC products is to test them. However, GRC product testing is generally not a practical option for most buyers of GRC products. Therefore, the next best option is to ensure that you are sourcing your GRC products from a reputable manufacturer that is commited to the consistent use of appropriate GRC manufacturing standards and will back up this commitment with acceptable product warranties.

Satu Bumi’s Commitment to Standards

The following is a summary of the various standards with which Satu Bumi complies as part of its continuous drive for quality and the development of an outstanding company that takes pride in the products and services it offers to its customers and the opportunities it offers its employees.

Compliance with General GRC Manufacturing Standards

Satu Bumi is committed to the application of industry standards in all aspects of its business where it is realistically possible, including compliance with the "Specification for the Manufacture, Curing & Testing of Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete (GRC) Products" produced by the International Glassfibre Reinforced Concrete Association (GRCA) in the UK. Compliance with these standards has required Satu Bumi to provide on-going staff training, implement standard operating procedures for all aspects of its manufacturing processes and regularly test the strength of its products at external laboratories. It is adherence to these standards that enables Satu Bumi to commit to the long term product warranties required by the commercial construction and landscaping market.

Click on the image to the right to view Satubumi’s “GRC Product Data Sheet”.

ISO 9001:2015 Certified

Satu Bumi has been certified for the ISO 9001:2015 standard for the “Manufacturing of Glass Fibre Reinforced Concrete Products (GFRC)” by the internationally recognised BSI Group. ISO certification has been a major quality control initiative by Satu Bumi to support its internal focus on the consistent reliability of its product quality and to provide its customers with credible external evidence to that effect.

AS1530.3 - Fire Testing Compliance

Satu Bumi’s Polymer GRC has been tested by AWTA, which is NATA accredited for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, in relation to the Australian and New Zealand AS/NZS 1530.3-1999 standard, “Methods for Fire Testing on Building Materials, Components and Structures Part3: Simultaneous Determination of Ignitability, Flame Propagation, Heat Release and Smoke Release”.

Click on the image to the right to view the successful results of this testing.

AS1530.1 - Fire Testing Compliance

For GRC planter applications that require a higher level of combustibilty certification than that provided by the AS 1530.3 testing, Satu Bumi’s Non-Polymer GRC has been tested by the CSIRO, which is also NATA accredited for compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, in relation to the Australian and New Zealand AS/NZS 1530.1 standard, “Methods for Fire Testing on Building Materials, Components and Structures Part3: Simultaneous Determination of Ignitability, Flame Propagation, Heat Release and Smoke Release”.

Click on the image to the right to view the successful results of this testing.

AS 1478.1-2000 - Chemical Admixture Compliance

Satu Bumi utilises the Xypex Admix C-1000/C-1000 NF for improving the waterproofing and general quality of its GRC. Xypex Admix C-1000 NF complies with the requirements of “AS 1478.1-2000-Chemical Admixture for Concrete”. AS1478.1-2000 sets out the requirements for chemical admixtures to be added to concrete mixes incorporating portland and blended cements.

AS4068 - Compliant Pallets

Satu Bumi manufactures all its GRC products in its factory in Indonesia and transports them on pallets to Australia (and other parts of the world) in shipping containers. Satu Bumi manufactures its shipping pallets to be fit for purpose in terms of strength, weight, disposability and cost relative to the specific size and dimensions of the GRC products for which the pallets are being made.

Since Satu Bumi makes its pallets specifically for the requirements of each individual planter, its pallets do not necessarily comply with the generic AS 4068 standard “Flat Pallets for Materials Handling” which can be under or over specified for the job. However, since some crane companies “require” pallets that are going to be used with slings to be AS 4068 compliant, Satu Bumi provides the option of ordering AS 4068 compliant pallets as an alternative to Satu Bumi’s standard pallets.

Click on the image to the right to view additional information on Satu Bumi’s AS 4068 compliance.

AS4991 - Lifting Lug Assembly Certification

Satu Bumi installs lifting lugs in all its GRC planters that weigh over 100Kg to facilitate the installation process. These lifting lugs have been tested at the factory for lifting planters up to 2,400 Kg in total weight and the factory report on this testing can be seen if you click the image to the right.

Satu Bumi can obtain certification for the lifting lugs for specific GRC planters for specific projects and has done so on a number of previous projects as and when the certifications were required. However, Satu Bumi is also in the process of obtaining a international certification for its lifting lug assembly in general and this should be available later in 2021.

Compliance with the Australian Privacy Act 1988

Satu Bumi takes privacy issues seriously and accordingly accepts its responsibility to comply with the Australian Privacy Act 1988. Please click on the image to the right to view Satu Bumi’s privacy policy.

Extended Four Year Warranty

To support it’s commitment to compliance, Satu Bumi now provides a “Four Year Extended Warranty” for the GRC elements in all it’s CityScape products.

Click on the image to the right to view Satu Bumi’s “Extended Warranty Statement”.

Timber Sustainability - Indonesian Legal Wood Compliance Statement

Satu Bumi purchases all the timber sourced in Indonesia for its CityScape Street Furniture and Wholesale Furniture Ranges from reputable Indonesian timber suppliers that can demonstrate that they are SVLK compliant and have the appropriate SVLK and CoC (Chain of Custody) certification from a reputable testing organisation to prove it.

Sedex Membership

As a Sedex member Satu Bumi is committed to being a responsible business, sourcing responsibly, and improving ethical standards and working conditions within our supply chain.

Sedex is one of the world’s leading ethical trade service providers, working to improve working conditions in global supply chains. Sedex provides practical tools, services and a community network to help companies improve their responsible and sustainable business practices and source responsibly. Using Sedex enables companies to work together to better manage their social and environmental performance, and protect people working in the supply chain. Sedex has over 55,000 members in 180 countries, across 35 industry sectors.