Product Evaluation
ACT 380
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Objective
O Emphasize the importance of proper product
evaluation and selection
O Develop insight into effective procedures,
methods, and techniques in evaluating and
selecting products
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Major Topics
O Establish the Requirements
O Safety & Protection
O Functional Characteristics
O Material Compatibility
O Codes, Standards, and References
O Identify Products
O Manufacturers
O Code Requirements
O Installation Requirements
O Product Characteristics
O Evaluate Products
O Installation Requirements
O Maintenance
O Qualifications
O Price
O Warranty
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Product Performance
Requirements
O Safety and Protection
O Fire safety
O Life Safety (other than fire)
O Property Protection/Security
O Accessibility
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Functional Characteristics
O Strength
O Aesthetic Properties
O Durability
O Acoustic Properties
O Stain Resistance
O Illumination
O Transmission
O Ventilation
Characteristics
O Waste Products &
Discharge
O Operational
Characteristics
O Measurable
Characteristics
O Material Properties
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Practical Characteristics
O Interface Characteristics (compatibility with
other materials)
O Service
O Replaceability
O Personnel Needs
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Example of Compatibility
Issues
O Copper flashing used on structure
containing aluminum windows
O When condensation drips from the copper
flashing it will cause the aluminum window
frame to corrode (galvanic series)
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System Compatibility Issues
O A 5 foot light fixture has been selected to be
used with a suspended ceiling system
O The ceiling suspension system and acoustical
panels selected must be compatible with the
light fixture
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Cost
O Material cost
O Installation cost
O Initial cost – material & installation
O Life-Cycle cost/ Value engineering
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Legal Requirement
O Case Studies
O Other Legal Studies
O Failures
O Errors & Omissions
O Problems
O Legislation
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Codes, Standards, and
References
O Codes & Regulations
O Standards
O Testing, Inspection
O Indexes
O Directories
O Symposia, Technical Meetings
O Research and Development
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Checklist Approach
O Often a “checklist” approach is used to
determine product requirements
O Example problem: You are to select a floor
covering for an assembly room in an
electronics manufacturing plant. What are
some of your considerations in selecting the
proper product?
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Possible Considerations
O Fire Safety- Class A material, flame-spread rating 0-25
O Accessibility- wheelchair accessible
O Strength- subject to loads from 2-wheel dollies (hand
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trucks)
Durability- no chemicals will be used in this room
Stain resistance- high degree of sanitation required
(washed often- considerable amount of foot traffic)
Aesthetic properties- owners prefer light colors with low
light-reflectivity
Material properties- static resistance of 2.5KV
Interface characteristics- compatibility of material to
subsurface
Service – 10 year life minimum
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Products Which May Be
Suitable
O Resilient tile flooring
O Resilient sheet flooring
O Resinous flooring
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Identifying Products
O A generic product that meets project
conditions and satisfies criteria is selected
initially (e.g., “high-pressure plastic
laminate” and not “Formica”)
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Resources for Identifying
Products
O Manufacturer’s product data
O Sweet’s Catalog
O Manufacturer’s representatives
O Professional and Trade associations
O Technical manuals
O Trade shows
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Evaluating Products
O Once a few possible products have been identified,
the A/E should evaluate each and select the most
appropriate for the given project
O Selection Criteria:
O The top priority is whether the product meets code
requirements
O Next is the visual acceptability (are designs &
colors satisfactory)
O Does manufacturer recommend this product for
the intended use
O Does the product have limitations/advantages
O What is the product performance history
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Installation Requirements
O Considerations:
O Do installation requirements address this projects
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site conditions (weather, if portion of the site is
occupied)
Is there any need for special skilled installers
How will damaged goods (during shipping or
construction) be replaced
Will product fit through existing openings
Does the product emit any fumes or odors during
installation
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Cost
O Installed cost is a key concern; although a
product may not be costly, sometimes
installation is very costly
O Life-cycle cost is sometimes a more
appropriate measure of value
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Maintenance Requirements
O Maintenance can add a large amount of
money to the product selected
O Sometimes details are OVERLOOKED that
cause problems later (motor placed out of
reach for maintaining, filters needing
replacing- no access to them planned, is a
special mechanic required to service
equipment- often costly and time sensitive
to locate and bring to the project site)
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