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I've asked Marshalls to name these alleged suppliers.
The response I got '
I am interested to know what data a supplier would have that would show if it's fit for purpose!
and what was their criteria?
Thats a wholy unfair claim to make - My supplier told me only a few weeks ago that one batch of Sawn mint sandstone "Shouldnt be used outside" as it was too soft but was for indoor use - yet I bet someone will use it outside, and marshalls could test it and say its not fit for outside use - and visa-versa
Same went for tome excesivley riven stuff available cheaply - Exact words "Best for copings and rough vehicle over-run, not for patios or pedestrian areas really"
Honest descriptions are everything
This is what Marshalls have sent over today:
"We have introduced the stone standard to educate installers, merchants and consumers on what to look for when selecting sandstone and to advise them to choose a supplier which tests all its products and can supply them with an in-date test certificate, or declaration of performance. It is not about naming and shaming suppliers, it is about educating the market about the technical performance of Indian sandstone."
http://www.marshalls.co.uk/media/news-article/296
Did you know that 50% of Indian sandstone paving currently available on the British market is not fit for purpose?
Marshalls has undertaken extensive testing of a range of Indian Sandstone paving available on the market today and has discovered that 50% do not meet the British Standard.
Sandstones can appear the same when displayed at a merchant or in a brochure, but they do have different properties and can perform very differently when installed. Laboratory testing gives you a full picture of the technical quality of stone.
There are three key factors that must be considered when purchasing stone to be installed as paving in the UK and these are, water absorbency, flexural strength and frost resistance.
A stone with high water absorbency will not only turn green, (a common consumer complaint with sandstone patios) but may also be more susceptible to frost action which will degrade the stone.
In terms of flexural strength, a stone with poor strength means that the product could be easily damaged in transit, during the installation process, or simply by everyday use.
It’s also important to consider frost resistance. A stone that loses strength when subjected to repeated frosts is far more likely to fail.
There is a British Standard that covers these issues. The design and installation standard BS7533 part 12 covers the technical performance of stone, for example it provides guidance regarding the maximum water absorbency for product supplied to class 2 is 2.5%.
To ensure you select stone which is technically up to standard, Marshalls advises using a supplier that tests all its products and can supply you with an in-date test certificate, or declaration of performance.
If a supplier is unable to supply these details there’s no guarantee that their stone is technically sound.
The scale of stone processing in India is massive on a scale we have never seen in the UK and there always will be products what have been processed to a lower quality finish but will still be placed into a crate and transported to another country
It's not a question of belief Mick.
I expect Marshalls (as I would with any company making such a claim) to be honest.
It's the way Marshalls have gone about this that I don't feel is right.
.
I think on certain products Marshalls price themselves out of the market. Seems an odd comment from an established player in the market
As someone reading this for the first time and perhaps more of a potential customer than contractor, perhaps it can be seen as a 'very clever' marketing ploy to undermine competitors with out actually providing the finer details of the research ?
What's the sample, how was it done?, who tested ? was it independant ? Are the results available to the general public and/or trade ?
Perhaps with some transparency it could be useful information...
Smoking gun approach to marketing....?
Basically come to Chelsea and find out. Otherwise tough!
That is how it came across to me and a couple of contractors who are friends of mine!
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