Terms & Conditions
Terms and Conditions of Sale of EAP Metals Limited trading as FSC Stainless & Alloys (“FSC”).
1. General:
All contracts for the supply of goods by FSC will be subject to the following conditions to the exclusion of any addition, modification or variation except any addition, modification or variation that is agreed in writing by a director of FSC or other authorised personnel.
2. Duration of Quotations:
(a) No quotation(s) shall be binding on FSC unless made in writing.
(b) Written quotations are valid for acceptance within 30 days from the date of the quotation.
(c) No delay in the receipt of any quotation given by FSC shall entitle the customer to extend the period of quotation.
(d) FSC may, in writing, vary the time for acceptance of any quotation.
(e) FSC shall not be liable for any loss, damage, loss of profit or any cost or expense that a customer may realise or be deemed to incur by reason of FSC varying the time for acceptance of a quotation.
3. Prices:
FSC reserves the right to vary a quoted price:
(a) to conform to its prices for similar goods at the date of dispatch. In the case of goods to be delivered by instalments FSC may, with notice to the customer, vary the quoted price in accordance with this clause at the time of dispatch of each instalment.
(b) to take account of changes in alloy surcharges, labour, material and other costs and expenses arising between the dates of quotation and delivery.
(c) if an alteration is made to an order upon which a quotation was made.
(d) should the customer delay taking delivery of goods due to circumstances beyond the control of FSC.
4. Delivery Date:
(a) While FSC will use its best endeavours to keep to promised delivery dates they are approximate only and no guarantee or warranty can be given. Time(s) and date(s) for delivery shall not be of the essence unless agreed to by FSC in writing. FSC accepts no liability for any loss, damage or loss of profit resulting in delay in completion of works or delivery of the goods howsoever caused, nor shall any delay entitle the customer to cancel an order or not to accept delivery or withhold all or any part of the purchase price.
(b) In the event of FSC employing an agent or subcontractor to carry out the order or any part thereof FSC will not be liable to the customer for any loss, damage or loss of profit arising from such delay or default and nor shall any delay or default entitle the customer to cancel any order or to refuse to accept delivery or withhold all or any part of the purchase price.
(c) The customer shall take delivery of the goods promptly upon the delivery date(s) agreed between FSC and the customer or as soon thereafter as the customer is notified by FSC that the goods are available for delivery. If for any reason the customer fails to take delivery, fails to call off or otherwise causes or requests a delay in delivery then without prejudice to any other right or remedy available to it, FSC may:
(i) increase the price to account for additional expenses by the sum of £25 per item per day plus VAT plus insurance costs;
(ii) store the goods until delivery is made and charge the customer for the reasonable costs of storage including insurance; and/or
(ii) sell the goods to a third party without any liability to the customer except to return to the customer the purchase price for the goods if pre-paid by the customer.
5. Insurance in Transit:
FSC will not insure any goods in transit unless requested to do so by the customer and this is agreed in writing.
6. Payment:
(a) Unless otherwise agreed by FSC all prices are quoted net of delivery ‘ex Works’ and the customer shall pay all moneys due under issued invoices in the currency invoiced by FSC.
(b) Where credit terms are established payment shall be made pursuant to the terms of agreement made between FSC and the customer which unless stated to the contrary in writing shall be 30 days from the date of invoice.
(c) The time of payment of the price shall be of the essence. If the customer fails to make payment in full on the due date FSC shall be entitled to charge interest at the rate of 10 per cent per annum over the base lending rate of HSBC Plc on all outstanding balances and accounts such interest to accrue day to day from the date the account became due to the date of actual payment thereof whether before or after any relevant court judgment.
(d) In the case of any default or delay in payment by the customer then the whole of any balance outstanding shall become immediately due and payable and any credit facilities may be withdrawn.
7. Limitation of Company’s Liability:
(a) Nothing in these Conditions shall limit or exclude FSC’s liability for:
(i) death or personal injury caused by its negligence, or the negligence of its employees, agents or subcontractors (as applicable);
(ii) fraud or fraudulent misrepresentation;
(iii) breach of the terms implied by section 12 of the Sale of Goods Act 1979;
(iv) defective products under the Consumer Protection Act 1987; or
(v) any matter in respect of which it would be unlawful for FSC to exclude or restrict liability.
(b) Subject to clause 7(i):
(i) FSC shall under no circumstances whatever be liable to the Customer, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, for any loss of profit, or any indirect or consequential loss arising under or in connection with the Contract;
(ii) FSC shall under no circumstances whatever be liable for the fitness of the product for the building or purpose concerned which shall be the responsibility of the Customer, their contractor, architect, quantity surveyor or other professional advisor; and
(iii) FSC’s total liability to the Customer in respect of all other losses arising under or in connection with the Contract, whether in contract, tort (including negligence), breach of statutory duty, or otherwise, shall in no circumstances exceed the price of the goods.
8. Customer’s Insolvency:
If the customer commits an act of bankruptcy or becomes insolvent or makes any arrangements with its creditors or being a company is placed in liquidation or suffers a receiver and/or administrator to be appointed, FSC may without liability or notice and without prejudice to any other rights determine all or any contract with the customer and the customer will bear all and any loss or damage incurred by FSC resulting from a resale of the goods comprised in such contract determined as aforesaid.
9. Cancellation:
(a) Orders for goods placed by the customer and accepted by FSC (whether orally or in writing) cannot be cancelled except with FSC’s written agreement. Orders for goods that FSC is unable to cancel on its suppliers shall be paid for in full by the Customer and charges may apply.
(b) If the Customer becomes subject to any of the events listed in clause 9(c) or FSC reasonably believes that the Customer is about to become subject to any of them and notifies the Customer accordingly, then, without limiting any other right or remedy available to FSC, FSC may cancel or suspend all further delivered under the Contract or under any other contract between the Customer and FSC without incurring any liability to the Customer, and all outstanding sums in respect of goods delivered to the Customer shall become immediately due.
(c) For the purposes of clause 9(b), the relevant events are:
(i) the Customer suspends, or threatens to suspend, payment of its debts, or is unable to pay its debts as they fall due or admits inability to pay its debts, or (being a company) is deemed unable to pay its debts within the meaning of section 123 of the Insolvency Act 1986, or (being an individual) is deemed either unable to pay its debts or as having no reasonable prospect of so doing, in either case, within the meaning of section 268 of the Insolvency Act 1986, or (being a partnership) has any partner to whom any of the foregoing apply;
(ii) the Customer commences negotiations with all or any class of its creditors with a view to rescheduling any of its debts, or makes a proposal for or enters into any compromise or arrangement with its creditors other than (where the Customer is a company( where these events take place for the sole purpose of a scheme for a solvent amalgamation of the Customer with one or more other companies or the solvent reconstruction of the Customer;
(iii) (being a company) a petition is filed, a notice is given, a resolution is passed, or an order is made, for or in connection with the winding up of the Customer, other than for the sole purpose of a scheme for a solvent amalgamation of the Customer with one or more other companies or the solvent reconstruction of the Customer;
(iv) (being an individual) the Customer is the subject of a bankruptcy petition or order;
(v) a creditor or encumbrancer of the Customer attaches or takes possession of, or a distress, execution, sequestration or other such process is levied or enforced on or sued against, the whole or any part of its assets and such attachment or process is not discharged within 14 days;
(vi) (being a company) an application is made to court, or an order is made, for the appointment of an administrator or if a notice of intention to appoint an administrator is given or if an administrator is appointed over the Customer;
(vii) (being a company) a floating charge holder over the Customer’s assets has become entitled to appoint or has appointed an administrative receiver;
(viii) a person becomes entitled to appoint a receiver over the Customer’s assets or a receiver is appointed over the Customer’s assets;
(ix) any event occurs, or proceeding is taken, with respect to the Customer in any jurisdiction to which it is subject that has an effect equivalent or similar to any of the events mentioned in clause 9(c)(i) to clause 9(c)(vii) (inclusive);
(x) the Customer suspends, threatens to suspend, ceases or threatens to cease to carry on all or substantially the whole of its business;
(xi) the Customer’s financial position deteriorates to such an extent that in the Supplier’s opinion the customer’s capability to adequately fulfill its obligations under the Contract has been placed in jeopardy; and
(xii) (being an individual) the Customer dies or, by reason of illness or incapacity (whether mental or physical), is incapable of managing his or her own affairs or becomes a patient under any mental health legislation.
(d) Termination of the Contract, however arising, shall not affect any of the parties’ rights and remedies that have accrued as at termination. Clauses which expressly or by implication survive termination of the Contract shall continue in full force and effect.
10. Quantities and Weights:
Unless FSC is notified within seven days of the receipt of goods of an error in finish, quantity, weight etc. the order the order shall be deemed complete and correct.
11. Title and Property:
(a) No property in the goods or any of them shall pass from FSC to the customer while the goods are in the possession and control of FSC, its agents and subcontractors or any person, firm or company employed by FSC.
(b) The risk in the goods shall pass from FSC to the customer upon delivery or collection of such goods to the customer as is agreed with each contract. Notwithstanding delivery and the passing of risk in the goods, title and property in the goods, including full legal and beneficial ownership, shall not pass to the customer until FSC has received payment in full for all goods delivered under this and all other contracts between FSC and the customer for which payment of the full price of the goods has not been paid. Payment of the full price of the goods shall include the amount of interest or other sum(s) payable under the terms of this and all other contracts between FSC and the customer under which the goods were delivered.
(c) The customer hereby grants FSC, its agents and its employees an irrevocable license to enter any premises where the goods are stored in order to repossess them or to inspect them at any time.
(d) Where goods are to be delivered by instalment each delivery shall be treated as a separate contract provided always that FSC may withhold deliveries or further instalments until earlier deliveries have been paid for in full.
12. Customer’s Property:
(a) All property belonging to the customer (including any raw materials) received by FSC whether for incorporation in the goods or otherwise will be held by FSC at the customer’s risk as regards loss or damage or incorrect usage and the customer will indemnify and keep FSC indemnified against any claim for loss, injury, damage, costs or otherwise caused by the said customers property to any person, vehicle or property including but without limitation machinery used by FSC in the course of its business save where any loss injury or damage shall arise directly from negligence by the FSC, its servants, agents or licensees.
(b) Such goods are to be insurance responsibility of the customer while at FSC’s premises.
(c) Where FSC delivers goods to the Customer, FSC is not responsible for goods that are damaged physically or by weather including rain once removed from the transport vehicle.
13. Packing Materials:
(a) Packing cases and all materials used by FSC will be charged for unless agreed otherwise. FSC will not accept the return of packing cases unless this is agreed with an authorised representative of the company.
(b) FSC will supply material in appropriate sized pallets, suitably strapped for shipping by truck, sea or air as agreed with the customer.
(c) Packs will weigh approximately 1 tonne each but can vary. Specific packing requirements must be notified in advance and may be charged at additional rates. Standard packing cases used by FSC are not required to be waterproof.
14. Delivery outside the United Kingdom:
(a) In the event of the customer requiring FSC to deliver goods outside the United Kingdom, FSC will invoice the customer for the total cost and expense incurred including, but not limited to, all packing costs, transportation costs, port fees, customs duties and insurance and the customer shall repay such costs incurred by FSC immediately upon receipt of the invoice notwithstanding Clause 6 hereof and if deemed necessary FSC shall be entitled to require the customer to pay such costs prior to dispatch.
(b) If FSC agrees to deliver goods on a C.I.F., F.O.B. or in some manner other than an ‘ex Works’ basis then the customer shall reimburse all expenses incurred by FSC on the customer’s behalf. All risk in the goods shall pass to the customer when they are loaded onto transport at FSC’s premises (or if loaded on transport belonging to the FSC, as soon as the goods pass into the custody of a person other than FSC). FSC accepts no liability whatsoever for any mistakes or errors in the shipping arrangements made by it on behalf of the customer.
(c) FSC has no control over delays caused by customs authorities or shipping companies contracted and allowances should always be made by the customer for delays in delivery. FSC is not responsible for costs incurred by the customer due to late delivery of goods.
(d) Unless otherwise expressly stated in the Contract, the Customer is responsible for obtaining, at its own cost, such import licences and other consents in relation to the goods as are required from time to time and, if required by FSC, the Customer shall make those licences and consents available to FSC prior to the relevant shipment.
15. Customer Collection of Goods:
(a) For safety reasons and to prevent damage to goods during transport, the collection of goods by the Customer from FSC’s premises should be by a suitable side-loading vehicle. FSC may refuse to load any vehicle that is not a side-loading vehicle and FSC is not responsible for any costs incurred to the Customer including if a replacement vehicle has to be organised.
(b) Should FSC load goods onto a vehicle that is not a side-loading the Customer risks damaging the goods in transport. FSC will not accept any claims for goods damaged in such circumstances even if the goods are faulty in some other way.
16. Force Majeure:
If at any time FSC shall be hindered or prevented from making or delivering the goods by reason of strikes or other labour disputes, fire, war, accidents, governmental action or any other cause beyond its control, FSC may at any time during the continuance of such hindrance or prevention by notice to the customer determine any contract between the parties without incurring any liability for damages to the customer by reason of such termination.
17. Tolerances:
Unless the customer specifies in writing in its order any particular tolerance requirement and supplies all necessary detail and these are accepted in writing by FSC, the goods will be supplied in accordance with FSC’s standard tolerances which are available upon request and at www.FSCmetals.com.
18. Credit and Dealing:
(a) FSC may at its discretion and without providing any reason refuse to give credit or limit the amount of credit to any customer. FSC reserves the right to refuse to transact business with any person, firm or company.
(b) Orders will not be available for collection or shipping without authorization from the credit control department at FSC. All credit references and terms of payment should be complied with so that delays are avoided.
19. Promotional Materials:
All data, images, drawings, descriptions and other information furnished by FSC including verbal information and in or on its website, catalogues, brochures, CD’s, pamphlets, price lists or other documents or other promotional media are intended to be as accurate as possible but are given for general information only and are not binding on FSC in respect of a particular order. All information, unless stated otherwise, is subject to reasonable variations. FSC does not accept responsibility for errors or for information which is found to be misleading. Before using products supplied or manufactured by FSC the customer should satisfy itself of their suitability for any required purpose.
20. Samples:
(a) Samples supplied by FSC are for promotional purposes only and are not to be used as control materials for goods supplied.
(b) If control samples are required for a specific order, for these to be applicable FSC must be notified in advance and have accepted this requirement in writing.
21. Cleaning:
To maintain its appearance and longevity all material supplied by FSC should be cleaned routinely using methods and cleaning media appropriate to the finish and metal used. For further information consult FSC.
22. Protective Tape:
(a) Unless ordered to the contrary all material is coated with standard commercial protective tape.
(b) No warranty is provided by FSC as to the suitability of coating used. Data sheets are available upon request.
(c) If a warranty is required the customer should deal direct with a protective tape supplier and notify FSC of the coating to be used. The use of non-standard protective tape might be an additional cost to previously quoted prices.
(d) Protective tape should be removed as soon as practical and should not be exposed to environments, direct sunlight and temperatures that might cause delamination of adhesive on the coating. The customer is always advised to seek information from the coating manufacturer. FSC cannot provide information or warranties in respect of protective tape.
23. Batch Ordering:
(a) Material used by FSC in its manufacturing processes can differ in tone and appearance. This is the nature of metals such as stainless steel, aluminium and other alloys.
(b) FSC is not responsible for any inconsistency of finish in material supplied unless it is notified of, and agrees to, such a requirement on accepting an order.
(c) Batch ordering is always advised to assist the consistency of finish. Raw material should be ordered at the same time from the same batch from the same supplier. However, FSC cannot guarantee that the manufacturing mill will provide material from the same cast, or that that material will match if supplied from different batches.
24. Coloured Stainless Steel:
(a) The standard colours of coloured stainless steel are black, blue, bronze, charcoal, gold, green and red.
(b) Interim colours are available. These are champagne, rosy gold and purple. The interim colours can be difficult to manufacture to a
tight range and a wider range of colour parameter is usually required for orders for these interim colours.
(c) The nature of coloured stainless steel is that colour may vary in different lighting conditions and between batches of stainless steel
and production runs and it is often necessary to agree control samples prior to manufacture. It is a metameric product.
(d) On larger orders it is advisable to agree control samples to define an agreeable colour range prior to the placing of an order. Unless
control samples are agreed FSC is not responsible for differences in tone and appearance of the coloured stainless steel product.
(e) Due to the nature of the manufacturing process all coloured stainless steel products will be supplied with holes approximately 5mm in diameter that run down the length of one side of each sheet every 1,000mm.
(f) The colouring process can leave streaking in the coloured stainless steel products and in particular with coloured bead blast finishes. FSC will reduce these to a minimum, however, this is deemed acceptable and within the manufacturing parameter of the product. In such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material or the manufacturing process and are unavoidable, are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
(g) It is not always possible to match colour parameters to different gauges and FSC cannot be held responsible where this occurs. In such circumstances the difference in colour cannot be avoided and the materials are viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
(h) The standard coloured stainless steel product range is 0.55mm to 1.5mm. Gauges under 0.55mm and over 1.5mm are possible but the quality of raw material tends to deteriorate and consequently the surface finish can contain minor defects. In such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material and are unavoidable and are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
(i) As a part of the manufacturing process for satin colour and AISI 316 / EN 1.4401 materials it can be necessary to electro-polish materials. When materials are electro-polished there are grip marks on one side of the material approximately 70mm in length and 15mm in depth.
(j) Samples issued for promotional purposes are not acceptable as control samples.
25. Bead Blast product:
(a) The nature of bead blasted product is that the tone may vary between different sheets and batches of raw material. Unless control samples are agreed FSC is not responsible for differences in tone and appearance of the bead blasted product.
(b) The bead blasted product can be supplied with minor defects which are present in the raw material. This is the nature of the finish.
Bead blasted M1A is FSC’s standard product. Bead blast M1B is manufactured on a 2B stainless steel sub-strate and can contain a higher level of blemishes and defects in the base raw material than the bead blast M1A finish which the manufacturing mills deem commercially acceptable. These will not always be hidden or removed by the application of the bead blast M1B finish and in such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material or the manufacturing process and are unavoidable, are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
26. Etched product:
(a) Standard etched finishes are supplied with a bead blast finish.
(b) FSC is not responsible for any materials that are supplied with defects caused by erroneous artwork or drawings that are supplied by the customer.
27. Multi-directional polish:
(a) The nature of the multi-directional polish product is that the tone may vary between different sheets and batches of raw material. Unless control samples are agreed FSC is not responsible for differences in tone and appearance of the product.
(b) The multi-directional polish product can be supplied with minor defects which are present in the raw material. This is the nature of the finish. Multi-directional polish BS Soft is FSC’s standard product. Multi-directional DS Soft is manufactured on a 2B stainless steel substrate and can contain a higher level of blemishes and defects in the base raw material which the manufacturing mills deem commercially acceptable. These will not always be hidden or removed by the application of the multi-directional polish DS Soft finish and in such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material or the manufacturing process and are unavoidable, are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
28. Manufacturing Marks:
Materials can be supplied with minor manufacturing marks. These are caused either by material having to undergo additional processes or they are present in the raw material as supplied. These will be kept to a minimum at all times. In such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material or the manufacturing process and are unavoidable, are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
29. 2B Stainless Steel:
2B stainless steel can be supplied with minor defects which are present in commercial quality raw material as supplied to FSC. This is the nature of 2B stainless steel. In such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material and are unavoidable and the product is commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected. This is particularly relevant to bead blast M1B and multi-directional polish DS Soft which use 2B stainless steel. See 25 and 27 above.
30. Pattern Definition:
Pattern definition will change with thicker gauges and can differ to issued samples. Pattern definition can also vary with different batch materials and with separate orders. The pattern definition can fall outside definition and registration requirements for gauges thicker than 1.5mm.
31. Trade Names:
FSC owns several trade names which include FSC™ and Raltex™ and the FSC® logo. These are the property of FSC and are not to be used without the prior written approval of a director of FSC, and when used with permission are expressly stated to be owned by FSC.
32. Banking, Insurance, Freight & Other Documents required for International Trade:
Where discrepancies or errors occur in banking, insurance freight and other documents required for contracts it is the responsibility of the erroneous party to pay for any fees or costs that are incurred.
33. Applicable Law:
The terms of any contract to which these conditions relate shall in all respects be construed and operate in conformity with the Laws of England and Wales and the English Courts shall have exclusive jurisdiction to determine all questions or matters relating hereto.
Date: 2012.
Standard Manufacturing Tolerances of EAP Metals Limited trading as FSC Stainless & Alloys (“FSC”).
1. General:
(a) FSC follows the industry standards for the Technical Delivery Conditions of stainless steel products under BS EN 10088.2 and BS EN 9445.2. In FSC’s operations these apply as standard to austenitic stainless steels in sheet sizes 2,000mm to 3,000mm and within the gauge range of 0.5mm to 2.0mm.
(b) It is often possible to manufacture to tighter tolerances than stated herein and would need to be agreed and confirmed in writing before placing an order for them to be applicable and binding upon FSC.
(c) For products outside the parameters stated herein including for ferritic stainless steels, metals other than stainless steel, other gauges, lengths less than 2,000mm, lengths over 3,000mm, other specific cut to length requirements, coil material etc. wider tolerances are often available and would need to be agreed and confirmed in writing before placing an order for them to be applicable and binding upon FSC.
(d) For certain project or contract work FSC may issue in writing specific tolerances which will govern the supply of materials for a particular order and these tolerances will supersede these standard manufacturing parameters and all other documentation associated with the contract.
2. Non-standard requirements:
(a) Non-standard requirements are available upon request including a cut to length service. Different tolerances may apply to these
products and would need to be agreed and confirmed in writing before placing an order for them to be applicable and binding upon FSC.
(b) For orders needing non-standard tolerances there can be minimum order quantities and or the requirement that the customer accepts the entire quantity that is required to be manufactured.
3. Grades of stainless steel and other metals:
(a) There are a number of grades of stainless steel available for supply. The most commonly used are the austenitic grades of AISI 304 / EN 1.4301 and AISI 316 / EN 1.4401. These tolerances stated herein apply to these grades.
(b) Other grades of stainless steel include AISI 430 / EN 1.4016 and other ferritic options. These usually require different tolerances. Please enquire of your local FSC sales office for details.
(c) Other types of metals including aluminium and galvanised steels can require different manufacturing tolerances to those stated herein. Please enquire of your local FSC sales office for details.
4. Samples:
(a) Samples supplied by FSC are for promotional purposes only and are not to be used as control materials for goods supplied.
(b) If control samples are required for a specific order, for these to be applicable FSC must be notified in advance and have accepted this requirement in writing.
5. Gauge tolerances:
Standard gauge tolerances are as per manufacturing mill standards under BS EN 9445.2 and are +/- 0.05mm.
6. Width tolerances:
Standard widths are 1,000mm, 1,250mm and 1,260mm. Non-standard widths are available upon request. Width tolerances are as per manufacturing mill standards under DIN 59 382 and are +/- 2mm.
7. Length tolerances:
Standard sheet sizes are 2,000mm, 2,500mm and 3,000mm. Non-standard lengths are available upon request. Standard length
tolerances are -0mm +15mm and can be significantly improved upon request.
8. Flatness tolerances:
Standard flatness tolerances are:
Belly: 5mm maximum centre fullness of the sheet;
Edge ripple: 5mm maximum edge ripple down the length of the sheet; and
Crossbow: 10mm maximum across the sheet.
9. Manufacturing Marks:
Materials can be supplied with minor manufacturing marks. These are caused either by material having to undergo additional processes or they are present in the raw material as supplied. These will be kept to a minimum at all times. In such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material or the manufacturing process and are unavoidable, are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
10. 2B Stainless Steel:
2B stainless steel can be supplied with minor defects which are present in commercial quality raw material as supplied to FSC. This is the nature of 2B stainless steel. In such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material and are unavoidable and the product is commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected. This is particularly relevant to bead blasted™ M1B and multi-directional polish™ DS Soft which use 2B stainless steel. See 15 and 17 below.
11. Patterned products:
(a) Different patterns can have different parameters: please consult FSC for details.
(b) All patterned products other than 6WL will increase in length by between 0.002% - 0.004% for austenitic steels depending upon gauge and pattern.
(c) The 6WL pattern in 0.7mm and less will shrink by between 0.001% - 0.003% for austenitic steels and will increase in length for 0.8mm+ material by between 0.002% - 0.004%.
(d) FSC may supply products 1250mmm to 1,260mm wide.
12. Pattern Definition:
Pattern definition will change with thicker gauges and can differ to issued samples. Pattern definition can also vary with different batch materials and with separate orders. The pattern definition can fall outside definition and registration requirements for gauges thicker than 1.5mm.
13. Coloured Stainless Steel:
(a) The standard colours of coloured stainless steel are black, blue, bronze, charcoal, gold, green and red.
(b) Interim colours are available. These are champagne, rosy gold and purple. The interim colours can be difficult to manufacture to a tight range and a wider range of colour parameter is usually required for orders for these interim colours.
(c) The nature of coloured stainless steel is that colour may vary in different lighting conditions and between batches of stainless steel and production runs and it is often necessary to agree control samples prior to manufacture. It is a metameric product.
(d) On larger orders it is advisable to agree control samples to define an agreeable colour range prior to the placing of an order. Unless control samples are agreed FSC is not responsible for differences in tone and appearance of the coloured stainless steel product.
(e) Due to the nature of the manufacturing process all coloured stainless steel products will be supplied with holes approximately 5mm in diameter regularly spaced down one length and up to 10mm from the edge of the material.
(f) The colouring process can leave streaking in the coloured stainless steel products and in particular with coloured bead blasted finishes. FSC will reduce these to a minimum, however, this is deemed acceptable and within the manufacturing parameter of the product. In such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material or the manufacturing process and are unavoidable, are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
(g) It is not always possible to match colour parameters to different gauges and FSC cannot be held responsible where this occurs. In such circumstances the difference in colour cannot be avoided and the materials are viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
(h) The standard coloured stainless steel product range is 0.55mm to 1.5mm. Gauges under 0.55mm and over 1.5mm are possible but the quality of raw material tends to deteriorate and consequently the surface finish can contain minor defects. In such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material and are unavoidable and are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
(i) As a part of the manufacturing process for satin colour and AISI 316 / EN 1.4401 materials it can be necessary to electro-polish materials. When materials are electro-polished there are grip marks on one side of the material approximately 70mm in length and 15mm in depth.
(j) Samples issued for promotional purposes are not acceptable as control samples.
14. Hi-liting:
Hi-lighting is used with colour pattern combination products and for uncoloured products such as Checks etc. The depth of the polish hi-lite can vary depending upon the gauge of the material and the hardness of the material. Consequently, slight variations in the hi-lited shape and area are to be expected within order quantities.
15. Bead blasted product:
(a) The nature of bead blasted product is that the tone may vary between different sheets and batches of raw material. Unless control samples are agreed FSC is not responsible for differences in tone and appearance of the bead blasted product.
(b) The bead blasted product can be supplied with minor defects which are present in the raw material. This is the nature of the finish. Bead blasted finish M1A is FSC’s standard product. Bead blasted finish M1B is manufactured on a 2B stainless steel sub-strate and can contain a higher level of blemishes and defects in the base raw material than the bead blasted M1A finish which the manufacturing mills deem commercially acceptable. These will not always be hidden or removed by the application of the bead blasted M1B finish and in such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material or the manufacturing process and are unavoidable and are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
16. Etched product:
(a) Standard etched finishes are supplied with a bead blast finish.
(b) FSC is not responsible for any materials that are supplied with defects caused by erroneous artwork or drawings that are supplied by the customer.
17. Multi-directional polish:
(a) The nature of the multi-directional polish product is that the tone may vary between different sheets and batches of raw material. Unless control samples are agreed FSC is not responsible for differences in tone and appearance of the multi-directional polish product.
(b) The multi-directional polish product can be supplied with minor defects which are present in the raw material. This is the nature of the finish. Multi-directional polish BS Soft is FSC’s standard product. Multi-directional polish DS Soft is manufactured on a 2B stainless steel substrate and can contain a higher level of blemishes and defects in the base raw material which the manufacturing mills deem commercially acceptable. These will not always be hidden or removed by the application of the multi-directional polish DS Soft finish and in such circumstances these minor defects are inherent within the raw material or the manufacturing process and are unavoidable and are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
18. Imprimo™ [product name of Rimex Metals (UK) Ltd]:
(a) Imprimo™ finishes are custom designs of different shapes, sizes and spacing that can be rolled into all types of metals.
(b) Gauge possibilities and flatness tolerances are different with every dimension required and these would need to be agreed before placing an order. In particular flatness tolerances need to be understood as the tolerances detailed at 8 above might not be applicable.
19. Patterned Tube:
(a) Standard patterned tube product is in the 7GM® [registered product name of Rimex Metals (UK) Ltd] and 7GM® Reverse [registered product name of Rimex Metals (UK) Ltd] patterns 35mm diameter 1.5mm thick and in 6,000mm lengths.
(b) The material thickness can vary by +/- 0.08mm. The variation of the nominal tube can be +/-0.1mm. This means the outside diameter of the patterned tube product can vary by up to 0.28mm.
(c) Other patterns and dimensions are available upon request but will be subject to minimum order quantities.
20. Polished Finishes:
(a) There are numerous polished finishes that can be supplied. Unless stated to the contrary where a customer orders a satin polish FSC will supply its standard 120 Silicon grit belt satin polish. Where a customer orders a brush polish FSC will supply its standard brush polish finish which is a 120 silicon belt polish blended with a 240 grit aloxide brush polish.
(b) There can be minor differences in the polish appearance between sheets and batches. This will be kept to a minimum but is present in all polished finishes. These are to be expected and materials are commercially viable as supplied and cannot be rejected.
21. Batch Ordering:
(a) Material used by FSC in its manufacturing processes can differ in tone and appearance. This is the nature of metals such as stainless steel, aluminium and other alloys.
(b) FSC is not responsible for any inconsistency of finish in material supplied unless it is notified of, and agrees to, such a requirement on accepting an order.
(c) Batch ordering is always advised to assist the consistency of finish. Raw material should be ordered at the same time from the same batch from the same supplier. However, FSC cannot guarantee that the manufacturing mill will provide material from the same cast, or that that material will match if supplied from different batches.
22. Protective Tape:
(a) Unless ordered to the contrary all material is coated with standard commercial protective tape.
(b) No warranty is provided by FSC as to the suitability of coating used. Data sheets are available upon request.
(c) If a warranty is required the customer should deal direct with a protective tape supplier and notify FSC of the coating to be used. The use of non-standard protective tape might be an additional cost to previously quoted prices.
(d) Protective tape should be removed as soon as practical and should not be exposed to environments, direct sunlight and temperatures that might cause delamination of adhesive on the coating. The customer is always advised to seek information from the coating manufacturer. FSC cannot provide information or warranties in respect of protective tape.
23. Promotional Materials:
All data, images, drawings, descriptions and other information furnished by FSC including verbal information and in or on its website, catalogues, brochures, CD’s, pamphlets, price lists or other documents or other promotional media are intended to be as accurate as possible but are given for general information only and are not binding on FSC in respect of a particular order. All information, unless stated otherwise, is subject to reasonable variations. FSC does not accept responsibility for errors or for information which is found to be misleading. Before using products supplied or manufactured by FSC the customer should satisfy itself of their suitability for any required purpose.
Date: 2012.
