NSC Sustainability Benchmark Survey: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Information:
- Who can I contact if I need assistance?
- Can I use data from 2007?
- How do I complete this survey if I operate more than one quarry?
- How do I complete this survey if I extract more than one stone type from a single quarry?
- How do I complete this survey if I operate more than one processing facility?
- How do I obtain another copy of the survey?
- What if the steps on the diagram (pages 15-17) differ from those employed at my quarry or processing facility?
- How do I submit a completed survey (from the U.S. or Canada)?
- How do I submit a completed survey by mail?
- How do I submit a completed survey by e-mail?
- How do I submit a completed survey by fax?
- The survey is larger than the return envelope sent with it—do you want the survey folded?
- When is the survey due?
- To whom does this survey apply?
Part 1—Quarry Operations:
- In Table 2, what is the difference between Question 8 (“Years Quarry Has Been Open”) and Question 9 (“Total Years of Active Quarry Operations To-Date”)?
- As related to Sections 1.2 and 1.3, what is the difference between “tools or equipment” and “materials”?
- Can I report data in units other than those requested on the survey?
Part 2—Processing Operations:
- From the directions for Part 2, please clarify the statement “exclude any processes that are not specifically used in part to manufacture products for building applications”.
- How do I report data in Section 2.2 (Transportation to Processing Facility) if I purchase stone from a quarry, not a vendor/warehouse?
- How do I report data in Section 2.2 (Transportation to Processing Facility) if my stone is processed at or very near the quarry site?
- How do I report data in Section 2.2 (Transportation to Processing Facility) if I purchase pre-processed stone from a vendor/warehouse?
- How do I report data in Section 2.2 (Transportation to Processing Facility) if my stone is processed at multiple locations?
- What is the definition of “building stone product”?
- Can I report data in units other than those requested on the survey?
- As requested in Table 6, I don’t want to disclose the names of my vendors.
If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact the Center for Clean Products at cleanproducts@utk.edu or (865) 974-4583. (Please ask for Amanda McKenna.)
Answers—General Information:
1. Who can I contact if I need assistance?
You can call or email UT’s Center for Clean Products at 865-974-4583 or cleanproducts@utk.edu. If contacting by telephone, please ask to speak with Amanda McKenna.
2. Can I use data from 2007?
You can use data from 2007 if all of the data that you supply are from 2007 AND you supply at least as much of the data as you would using 2006 data. In other words, please do not report data from a mixture of years, and please use the data set (i.e., year) that would provide the greatest amount of accurate information.
3. How do I complete this survey if I operate more than one quarry?
Data reported on a survey must come from only one stone type and only one quarry. If you have multiple quarries, you must fill out a separate set of forms (pages 1-8) for each quarry. The survey can be printed from UT’s Center for Clean Products’ web site at http://isse.utk.edu/ccp/projects/naturalstone.html. Click on: Resources for Survey Respondents. Alternatively, you can copy the blank forms you received in the mail. Also remember to edit and submit the diagrams on pages 15-17 if your methods differ from those identified on the figures.
4. How do I complete this survey if I extract more than one stone type from a single quarry?
Data reported on a survey must come from only one stone type and only one quarry. If you have multiple types of stone being extracted from a single quarry, you must fill out a separate set of forms (pages 1-8) for each stone type. The survey can be printed from UT’s Center for Clean Products’ web site at http://isse.utk.edu/ccp/projects/naturalstone.html. Click on “Resources for Survey Respondents.” Alternatively, you can copy the blank forms you received in the mail. Also remember to edit and submit the diagrams on pages 15-17 if your methods differ from those identified on the figures.
5. How do I complete this survey if I operate more than one processing facility?
Data reported on a survey must come from only one processing facility. If you have multiple processing facilities, you must fill out a separate set of forms (pages 9-14) for each quarry. The survey can be printed from UT’s Center for Clean Products’ web site at http://isse.utk.edu/ccp/projects/naturalstone.html. Click on “Resources for Survey Respondents.” Alternatively, you can copy the blank forms you received in the mail. Also remember to edit and submit the diagrams on pages 15-17 if your methods differ from those identified on the figures.
6. How do I obtain another copy of the survey?
The survey can be printed from UT’s Center for Clean Products’ web site at http://isse.utk.edu/ccp/projects/naturalstone.html. Click on “Resources for Survey Respondents.”
7. What if the steps on the diagram (pages 15-17) differ from those employed at my quarry or processing facility?
Simply write on the diagrams to show how your procedures differ and return the diagrams with your completed survey.
8. How do I submit a completed survey (from the U.S. or Canada)?
You can submit the survey via mail, e-mail, or fax. See below for details regarding each of these options.
9. How do I submit a completed survey by mail?
To send by mail, use the pre-addressed, postage-paid envelope provided to you, or use your own envelope and address it to:
Center for Clean Products
311 Conference Center Building
Knoxville, TN 37996-4134
10. How do I submit a completed survey by e-mail?
To send by e-mail, please scan your documents and send them to: cleanproducts@utk.edu.
11. How do I submit a completed survey by fax?
To send by fax, please send to UT Center for Clean Products at: 865-974-1838.
12. The survey is larger than the return envelope sent with it—do you want the survey folded?
Yes! Please fold the completed survey in half before placing it in the envelope.
13. When is the survey due?
The official survey deadline (March 31, 2008) has passed. If you are still interested in participating in this study, please begin completing the document, and contact Amanda McKenna to indicate that you will be forwarding your survey. You can reach Amanda at cleanproducts@utk.edu or 865.974.4583.
14. To whom does this survey apply?
This survey applies to those companies who do one or both of the following: (1) Quarry stone (used for any purpose), (2) Fabricate or process building stone products.
Building stone products are defined as products that serve a function as part of a building. This includes dimensional stone, veneers, flagstone, tiles, countertops, and other similar products. This does not include monuments, mausoleums, custom stone pieces, or other ornamental products.
Answers—Part 1-Quarry Operations:
1. In Table 2, what is the difference between Question 8 (“Years Quarry Has Been Open”) and Question 9 (“Total Years of Active Quarry Operations To-Date”)?
“Years Quarry Has Been Open” refers to the total time the quarry site has been open for business. This includes periods when the quarry was inactive (but stored stone from the quarry was still being sold).
The “Total Years of Active Quarry Operations To-Date” refers to the total time that the quarry of interest has been active. If the quarry was rendered inactive for a period of time and became active again some time later, report the sum of the active time only.
If the quarry has been active since the time the quarry was open (with no periods of inactivity), the answers to Questions 8 and 9 will be the same.
2. As related to Sections 1.2 and 1.3, what is the difference between “tools or equipment” and “materials”?
A tool or piece of equipment is a device that provides the power to cut, lift, or transport stone but exclude explosive compounds (e.g., TNT). Examples are as listed in Table 3 of the survey and include heavy machinery and generators. Tools should not be listed under Materials Inputs and Outputs (Sections 1.3 and 2.5) of this survey. Materials are items that are needed to operate all tools/equipment as well as items that are consumed during normal operations. These encompass tires, oils, lubricants, antifreeze, diamond wire, explosive compounds, etc. Fuels should be listed under Utility Inputs (Section 1.4).
3. Can I report data in units other than those requested on the survey?
Data can be reported in units other than what is requested. If you are using different units, please indicate which units your data are in. For instance, if you are reporting electricity in kW-hr instead of MJ, simply cross out “MJ” in the table and write “kW-hr” next to it.
Please refrain from using dollar amounts wherever possible.
Answers—Part 2-Processing Operations:
1. From the directions for Part 2, please clarify the statement “exclude any processes that are not specifically used in part to manufacture products for building applications.”
The purpose of this survey is to understand the processes involved with producing common building stone products. As such, the inputs and outputs associated with custom engraving and design procedures should not be included in the data reported for this survey. However, if these inputs and outputs cannot be separated or distinguished from those that should be included, please report the value and make a note that it includes, for example, energy used to power the lettering equipment. Please see the example below for further explanation.
Example:
Situation—The only way I can calculate the energy consumed by my processing facility is with the monthly utility bill. However, this bill displays only one value which represents the total power consumed by the entire facility, and I cannot back out the energy used for the engraving machine.
Survey Completion—Report the annual energy consumption value totaled from the monthly bills, and indicate on the survey (next to the reported number) that this includes energy for the engraving process.
2. How do I report data in Section 2.2 (Transportation to Processing Facility) if I purchase stone from a quarry, not a vendor/warehouse?
In Section 2.2, the terms “vendor” and “quarry” are synonymous; they both refer to the company from which you purchase your stone. As such, under “Vendor” in Table 6 of Section 2.2, please enter the name of the business from which you purchase stone.
3. How do I report data in Section 2.2 Transportation to Processing Facility if my stone is processed at or very near the quarry site?
The goal of Section 2.2 is to understand how stone comes to arrive at the entrance to its first processing step at your company. As such, please report in Section 2.2 information for the leg of transport that brings the stone to your first processing step. Note that slabbing is considered a processing step. The following examples further explain how to report transportation information.
Example 1:
Situation—I process stone very near the quarry such that transportation of the stone to the processing facility is performed with heavy machinery, such as a forklift.
Survey Completion—Please report the approximate distance between the quarry and processing facility (i.e., the average distance the vehicle travels to carry the stone from the quarry to the entrance of the processing facility). Also, in the “Distance Transported" column in Table 6, enter the type of equipment (e.g., forklift) used to transport the stone from the quarry to the facility. Under “Vendor” and “Vendor Location” in Table 6, please write on-site if the quarry and processing facilities are owned by the same company. If the quarry is not owned by the same company who owns the processing facility, please write the name of the quarry under “Vendor” and on-site under “Vendor Location.”
Example 2:
Situation—I process stone at a facility located at a distance requiring
transportation by a vehicle larger than a heavy piece of machinery, such as a truck.
Survey Completion—Please provide the information requested in each column of Table 6 for each quarry/vendor.
4. How do I report data in Section 2.2 (Transportation to Processing Facility) if I purchase pre-processed stone from a vendor/warehouse?
The goal of Section 2.2 is to understand how stone comes to arrive at the entrance to its first processing step at your company. As such, please report in Section 2.2 information for the leg of transport that brings the stone to your first processing step. Note that slabbing is considered a processing step. The following examples further explain how to report transportation information.
Example 1:
Situation—I purchase unprocessed stone directly from a vendor who purchases the unprocessed stone from a quarry located within or outside of the U.S.
Survey Completion—Please complete each column in Table 6 for every vendor from which you purchase stone. Data should reflect transportation from the vendor’s warehouse/storage location to your processing facility.
Example 2:
Situation—I purchase pre-processed stone directly from a vendor who purchases it from a quarry located within or outside of the U.S.
Survey Completion—Please complete each column in Table 6 for every vendor from which you purchase stone. Data should reflect transportation from the vendor’s warehouse/storage location to your processing facility. Please make a note near Table 6 that the stone being purchased is pre-processed.
5. How do I report data in Section 2.2 (Transportation to Processing Facility) if my stone is processed at multiple locations?
The goal of Section 2.2 is to understand how stone comes to arrive at the entrance to its first processing step at your company. As such, please report in Section 2.2 information for the leg of transport that brings the stone to your first processing step. Note that slabbing is considered a processing step. The following examples further explain how to report transportation information.
Example 1:
Situation— I purchase unprocessed stone from a quarry/vendor, transport it directly to a pre-processing facility (overseas or within the U.S.), and then transport it to my processing facility for finishing.
Survey Completion—Please complete each column in Table 6 for every quarry/vendor from which you purchase stone. Data should reflect transportation from the vendor’s warehouse/storage location to your pre-processing facility. Remember—we are asking for information regarding transport to the first processing step.
Example 2:
Situation—I purchase unprocessed stone from a quarry/vendor, sell it to a different company (overseas or within the U.S.) for pre-processing, and then transport it to my processing facility for finishing.
Survey Completion—Please complete each column in Table 6 for every pre-processing facility from which you purchase pre-processed stone. Data should reflect transportation from the pre-processing facility’s location to your processing facility. It should not reflect the transport of stone from the quarry to the company that buys your stone for pre-processing. Please make a note near Table 6 that you are purchasing the stone pre-processed.
6. What is the definition of “building stone product”?
Building stone product is defined as any product that serves a function as part of a building. This includes dimensional stone, veneers, flagstone, tiles, countertops, and other similar products. This does not include monuments, mausoleums, custom stone pieces, or other ornamental products.
7. Can I report data in units other than those requested on the survey?
Data can be reported in units other than what is requested. If you are using different units, please indicate which units your data are in. For instance, if you are reporting electricity in kW-hr instead of MJ, simply cross out “MJ” in the table and write “kW-hr” next to it.
Please refrain from using dollar amounts wherever possible.
8. As requested in Table 6, I don’t want to disclose the names of my vendors.
You are not required to provide the name(s) of your vendor(s) when completing Table 6. The ultimate goal of this table is to understand the average modes and distance of transport of stone to a processing facility. As such, you can leave the first column or the first two columns blank, and the information you supply in the last few columns will still be valuable.