by Shane Henson — July 23, 2012—All products are not created equal, and choosing the right ones for projects—be they big or small—is crucial for achieving successful building outcomes, says the Building Services Research and Information Association (BSRIA), a U.K.-based nonprofit providing specialist services in construction and building services engineering.
There are a number of factors that go toward successful product selection, says Chris Marney of BSRIA. These include:
- Know the requirement: Understand the requirement in terms of form, function and performance in the context of the other products that make up the building or system. Understand what the client wants and how product selection may impact on end users.
- Express the requirement clearly: Use specification clauses and other independent guidance to help specify the requirement.
- Be explicit in the specification: If the specification for a particular product is important to the building’s performance, make it mandatory and be as specific as possible about the requirement.
- Know what options are available: Understand the features and benefits of different product types and specific products offered by manufacturers. Performance is a critical element to this but can be overlooked in favor of cost or appearance.
- Seek assurance that the product will perform as advertised: Question the origin of any performance data provided and seek evidence of consistent production. This can be made easier by seeking products tested or certified by a reputable third party.
- Express the requirement clearly: Use specification clauses and other independent guidance to help specify the requirement.
