Checklist for LIAS Quotation Comparison
Having selected which product from the Melcourt range you require, if you decide to compare other LIAS products from different suppliers, the following checklist will help. You are strongly recommended not to buy on price alone.
Product Specification
- Does the product have a full quantifiable specification, including nominal particle size, wood content, dust and fines content ?
- Does the product comply with the specification as set out in BS EN 1177, Table A.1 ?
- How much product settlement would be expected within 30 days of installation ?
- Has the product been independently tested in accordance with the requirements of BS 7188:1998, at depths of 300, 200 and 100 mm ?
- Has the product been fire tested in accordance with the requirements of BS 4790:1987?
- Do you have a genuine, current copy of the test certificate or test report?
- What did the tests show?
- From the BS 7188:1998 critical fall height test results, together with the critical fall height of your equipment, at what depth would the LIAS be required to be installed on site.
Product Samples
- Have you obtained clearly labelled, typical product samples?
- Would the quality of the sample match the quality of the product ordered and delivered? If it doesn't, the delivered load should be rejected.
Supplier Credibility
- Have you made checks on your proposed supplier's financial credentials ?
- Does the supplier belong to a recognised industry trade association, i.e. the Association of Play Industries (API) ?
- What technical support would your supplier provide if you had a problem on site?
- Does the supplier have adequate product liability insurance?
- Does the supplier work to an industry code of practice?
Product Volume
- What system of volume measurement would your supplier use?
- What guarantee of product volume tolerance, do they provide?
Delivery
- Can you choose the type of delivery vehicle, e.g. tipping, walking floor or flat-bed?
- Can you have your order bulk loose, or pre-packed?
- Will the supplier deliver within an hour of the request?
- If the delivery is late, who pays for the 'waiting time'?
- How would you obtain part vehicle loads, or top-up quantities?
Price
- In what units of measure is the price quoted, i.e. m³, cubic yards, tonnes, litres, load, per bag etc?
- Does the price include VAT?
- Is it a quote or an estimate.
- Does the price include delivery to site?
- For how long is the quotation valid?
- What are the payment terms?
- Do you have the quotation in writing?
Only after you have carefully considered all the above points, are you in a position to decide to place your order.