Bathroom hardware comes in different shapes, sizes and types. A lot of people are not aware of the importance of various bathroom hardware and accessories in our everyday lives. Several manufacturers of bathroom hardware and bath accessories take pride into how they produce products out from scratch.
Because of different quality control standards asked by consumers, manufacturers must practice a series of inspection processes to ensure that their product meets different quality control standards set by independent organizations.
There are different types of bathroom hardware and accessories being used today in private homes and business establishments, that is why different companies ensure that their products meets the consumer’s standards. Here are some of the inspection processes happening during the manufacturing procedure of different bathroom hardware:
PRE-PRODUCTION INSPECTION
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that all the necessary equipment and materials required for the whole procedure are fully functioning and are working as expected to ensure that all the materials to be produced will be uniform in height, weight and dimensions. Here are some of the processes involved in this inspection:
Component Inspection – inspect and verify each component for any signs of damages, and pre-production anomalies to ensure that each item will be assembled appropriately in accordance to its specifications.
Material Inspection – inspect and identify each material to be used by different bathroom hardware to ensure that all the necessary mechanisms are in complete order and are free from any damages or defects.
Assembly Inspection – inspect and verify that each bathroom hardware item on the assembly queue is being produced in uniform order. Pressure testing must be tested (if applicable) to ensure that the final assembly of the product is ready for the next inspection processes.
ADA Bathroom Hardware Inspection – the Americans with Disabilities Act requires special assembly inspection requirements for bathroom hardware items like grab bars and other tools to ensure that these special items passes the quality control standard.
For Bathroom Hardware Plumbing: inspect and identify the different bathroom hardware devices like bidets, faucets and sinks to ensure that all these devices are assembled correctly. As of 2012, most quality control standards for bathroom hardware require manufacturers to produce lead-free bath peripherals as per AB1953 and IAPMO standards.
FINAL ASSEMBLY INSPECTION
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that all of the bathroom hardware products on the assembly queue have been assembled properly to ensure that all of the necessary tools are properly attached and/or molded adheres to the different quality control guidelines. For materials made of steel, copper, bronze etc… the inspection process would consist of initial evaluation of size, weight and dimensions.
VISUAL INSPECTION
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that each bathroom hardware item being inspected is free from any damages and/or defects during the production queue to ensure that each product is ready for the next inspection queue. Depending on the type of bathroom hardware, there are special inspection protocols for these bathroom hardware and accessories:
Bidets, Faucets, Bathroom Sinks – inspect and identify each plumbing device being inspected for any signs of cracks, leaks or any known production anomalies to ensure that each device passes IAPMO standards.
Medicine Cabinets – inspect and verify that each bathroom medicine cabinet being inspected has been assembled correctly and has all the necessary equipment, tools and materials needed for re-assembly for distribution.
Bathroom Shelves – inspect and verify that each bathroom shelf being inspected has all the necessary tools and equipment needed before and after assembly to ensure that all the necessary equipment is provided prior to distribution.
Glass Products – inspect and verify that each glass product for the bathroom hardware is free from any blisters, cracks and other potential production anomalies to ensure that each glass bathroom hardware item is on top quality and adheres to quality control standards.
STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY INSPECTION (If applicable)
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that each bathroom hardware product being inspected are structurally sound (for bathroom shelves and medicine cabinets) and the surface is free from any damage and/or production anomalies to ensure that all of the items on this queue are ready for the next inspection process and pass the quality control guidelines.
WEIGHT AND MEASUREMENT INSPECTION
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that each of the bathroom hardware products being inspected has the same weight, size and dimensions and is uniform to the specified technical specifications on the production standards. Depending on the bathroom hardware products being inspected, specific weight limit capacity tests are being conducted to ensure that all of the products are reliable for use prior to distribution.
COATING INSPECTION (If applicable)
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify if each of the applicable bathroom hardware items being inspected has been coated with its appropriate coating agent to ensure that all of the materials in need of coating have been processed correctly. Here are some of the examples of bathroom hardware that is applicable to this process:
- Towel Ring
- Shower Curtain Rod
- Towel Bar
- Bath Hook
- Bath Girders
DESIGN INSPECTION
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that each particular bathroom hardware are designed accordingly and are uniform in weight, measurements and diameters to ensure that each of the product being developed are true to the product specifications indicated. Depending on the specific bathroom hardware, there are specialized inspection processes being done for custom-made designs that will be discussed elsewhere.
Accuracy Check is a process where each item will be thoroughly inspected to properly measure the overall likeness of the bathroom hardware products to ensure consistency on all the items under production.
CORROSION INSPECTION
Each bathroom hardware and materials to be inspected will undergo a series of corrosion tests. The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that all the items out of production and assembly have no signs of damage, corrosion, leaks (if applicable) and other damaging agents that could shorten the lifespan of the product being inspected.
The tests involved for the corrosion inspection is non-invasive and is completely safe to use to ensure that all items undergo a series of tests to verify quality and reliability.
MECHANICAL INSPECTION (Plumbing)
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that there are no defects or damages found on any of the plumbing products for bathroom hardware to ensure that there are no issues that will arise once the product is available for distribution. Each mechanical bathroom hardware device will undergo a valve test to determine the operating capabilities of the faucets, bidets etc… to withstand water pressure.
FINAL INSPECTION
The purpose of this inspection process is to verify that all of the bathroom hardware and accessories that have been on the production queue has undergone a series of tests and inspection protocols to guarantee the official seal of approval from different quality control standards and organizations. All the products that did not pass the final inspection protocols will be reconfigured back to the production queue to save production time in the whole process.
For Tempered Materials (Curtain Rods, Hooks etc…) – All items under this category will undergo a lead test to ensure that all of the materials used adheres to the quality and safety guidelines set by the industry. Here are some of the products to be tested:
- Bathroom Hooks
- Toilet Paper Holders
- Towel Bars
- Towel Rings
- Faucet
- Bidet
