Glossary - Technical
Specification(s)
Clearly detailed and identifying instructions or set of requirements.
British Standards
The UK organisation responsible for setting the standards by which product and work is conducted. The published set of product requirements that are applicable in the UK.
European Standards
The written definitions of requirements for products, processes, workmanship and testing that are set by and upheld by the European Union and are commonly held across all member states as the minimum requirement.
Kitemark
UK certification of product quality.
CE mark
Denotes compliance with European standards.
Quality Assurance
The process by which an organisation or company assesses the quality of its products and service. A method of ensuring consistency, often 3rd party accredited – see ISO (or similar), to internal or other standards.
Quantities
The quantity of material required for any particular task vary according to the dimensions of the product and the task at hand. Tonnage is used to measure bulk materials such as aggregate but quantity is a function of the volume to be filled and the density of the material, whether loose or compacted. Paving, flooring and walling is referred to by the square metre, but transport is dictated by weight and the weight of the required quantity will determine the number of pallets for any particular project.
Units of Measure
The unit of measure varies from product to product: -
· Paving, flooring, walling – square metre
· Aggregates – tonne
Tolerances
Accepted variation to a given dimension.
Flakiness Index
The relationship between the length of an aggregate particle compared with its width. Most “rounded” aggregates (granite, limestone etc.) have a flakiness index of a maximum of 3; whereas slate chippings could have a flakiness index as high as 6
Skid resistance
The resistance to slipping of a surface, i.e. rougher textured surfaces are more skid resistant than a smooth or polished surface. Useful when considering products for relevant applications.
