Whether you need acoustical, fire, structural, or analytical/physical testing, the choices you make during the testing process can have major consequences that impact not only the performance of your products and assemblies but also the safety of end users — and the credibility of your brand.
The following sets of questions will guide you to a better understanding of the importance of finding the right facility to conduct testing and will help you choose a reputable provider who will give you the most accurate results.
Why It’s Important to Ask a Testing Facility Questions
You wouldn’t buy a car from someone without asking them several questions about the vehicle, right? The same goes for testing your products and materials.
A fully accredited facility, led by experienced technicians, is crucial for a reliable testing process. Opting for inadequately equipped facilities or those lacking proficient technicians can result in serious repercussions, especially in safety-critical tests like fire resistance.
Questions to Ask a Testing Facility
Accreditation and Expertise
Here are some example questions to ask a potential testing provider about their accreditation and expertise:
- Are you an ISO/IEC 17025-compliant testing laboratory?
- Are you accredited by NVLAP, AAMA, or IAS?
- Are the specific tests I need within your scope of accreditation?
- How experienced are you in performing the specific tests I require?
NGC Testing Services offers full-scale fire, acoustical, structural/physical, and analytical testing in a fully accredited facility.
Testing Process and Timing
These questions can help you gauge whether a provider has transparent timelines for their testing processes:
- How long will it take to complete the testing?
- How long after testing will my test report be issued?
- Can I see a sample test report?
At NGC Testing Services, we’re known for our quick turnaround times and continuously stay in contact with you throughout the testing process so there are no surprises.
Facility Visit and Construction Services
Your testing provider should be willing to provide you with their facility specifications. Visiting the facility can give you a better understanding of how testing is performed and whether it aligns with your specific requirements. Example questions include:
- Am I able to witness the testing at your facility?
- If required, do you offer construction services?
- Am I able to witness the construction of the assembly at your facility?
- How experienced are your construction technicians?
- How do you ensure that my assembly will be constructed correctly?
Cost and Payment
NGC Testing Services has offered cost-effective and reliable testing solutions for over 50 years. Here are some of the questions you can ask a potential testing provider to understand their cost structure:
- How much will it cost to perform the specific tests I need? What’s included in that cost?
- What are the payment terms?
- Is there a pricing structure based on the type of test or the number of tests I am going to have performed?
- Are there additional costs, such as for materials or labor?
Additional Considerations
- How will questions and concerns be addressed before, during, and after the testing?
- Are your accredited tests fully recognized by the various agencies and evaluation services that review and accept test reports for the products and materials being tested?
- Will evaluation agencies such as UL, FM, and others come to witness the tests for certification or listing purposes?
- If so, do you have established relationships with those evaluation agencies?
Testing With Precision
As a fully accredited facility and one of North America’s most efficient and cost-effective testing providers, NGC Testing Services helps your products and materials meet the highest safety standards.
Reach out to us today to schedule your testing — we’re here to make this process easy for you!