Avoiding problems and delays in component procurement

Spray nozzles are a critical component in industrial spraying systems such as gas scrubbers. The overall systems themselves are complex and expensive and there will often be stringent testing and documentation requirements for all of the components in the scope of supply, including for spray nozzles even though they may be a very small part of the overall system.

Here at SNP, we often get a big tome specifying everything that needs to be done to comply with the documentation and testing requirements and all of the technical aspects of the system. Buried in this document will be a few pages related to spray nozzles and it can be a difficult task for our customers to figure out what is and what isn’t necessary and to understand the process to get the documentation required. This can lead to frustrating to-ing and fro-ing and delays in getting hold of the products they need.

We have identified 4 of the common testing and documentation problems that we run into and how they can be overcome or avoided.

1. IRRELEVANT TESTING

Because the spray nozzles are a tiny component and it may be thousands of different components within the overall request for quote, the whole system, often the documentation and testing requirements, are a catchall for all of the components.

Unless the person writing the document deeply understands the intricacies of spray nozzles and all the other components in there, this catchall documentation requirement can often lead to irrelevant testing requirements for something like spray nozzles.

A classic example of this is when our team is asking to conduct PED testing for just the basic spray nozzles. PED is the European pressure directive that covers any pressure containing vessels.

A nozzle on its own isn't a pressure containing vessel because, by definition, it has got a big hole in it. No pressure is contained within it.

Our team get asked for PED testing for a certain spray nozzle and this is often irrelevant in our opinion.

There are 2 ways of avoiding having to produce PED testing documentation:

1. Identify, discuss and get an exemption: Spot the issue and have a discussion upfront with the end customer and obtain an exemption for it. Present the logic that this isn't a pressure containing vessel.

2. Conduct irrelevant tests: This will be discussed upfront with the customer and a ‘fudged’ PED test will be done. The test is done properly but even though it’s an irrelevant test, it works out cheaper than getting an exemption from the testing schedule.

2. TIME DELAYS

The time aspect of testing and documentation is frequently forgotten, but there are certain types of tests that introduce delays into the process.

Destructive testing for example. If that's required, the nozzles need to be manufactured and sent away. That will take time, so delays to the supplier process needs to be factored in.

Another classic example is when customers want full material cert/full traceability, but they expect to buy products from stock.

Stock nozzles that are essentially lumps of stainless steel that may be sat in our warehouse for several years won’t go off. They could also be from different batches within the warehouse which makes having full material traceability on stock items not possible.

In scenarios where the customer requests a quote and our team confirms the stock level with the customer and a lead time of a couple of days, but the customer then suddenly springs a full material cert on us, we would have to get the nozzles made from scratch to obtain that full material traceability. This will delay the process as we can’t supply them all from stock.

We can offer a certificate of compliance but the full material traceability/certs can only really be done for freshly made spray nozzles with clear indication of what batch they are from.

Understanding these time aspects of documentation and testing upfront will reduce the delays that they cause and reduce any nasty surprises.

3. TRANSLATION PROBLEMS

This does not refer to language translation but rather the different standards in different countries and the different certifications that are required. The American standards are different to the European standards, for example.

This can lead to problems if it is assumed that they are all very similar and that they are all aiming to achieve the same goal, quality, etc.

They are different and there are subtleties.

The solution here is to use a supplier that understands them all and have a discussion with that supplier about what is required upfront.

4. COST

It is sometimes assumed that the cost of documentation and testing is built into the quoted price for the spray nozzle. This is because when customers are used to buying large and expensive products that average a total cost of £250,000 or £1,000,000, it’s a fairly reasonable assumption to make that the cost of testing and documentation are built into the cost of that product.

The cost involved in conducting a test on something that's costing £250,000 for example, is irrelevant – it's not a relevant part of the overall cost of the machine.

However if £2,500 worth of spray nozzles is being supplied (which is a common sized order for us), the 5 or 6 hours of testing and compiling the documentation IS relevant and is a significant part of the overall solution. But unless it's costed in, then it may not be possible to supply the spray nozzles at the originally quoted price.

The majority of the time, we will supply spray nozzles as a component with just the basic material cert; we don’t automatically cost in all of the potential testing and documentation requirements that are necessary for the larger critical products.

Once again, the solution here is don't assume. Don't spring testing and documentation regime on the spray nozzle supplier at the last minute or slip it into the purchase order, assuming that it is all covered in the cost.

In the past, we have experienced the documentation and testing of the spray nozzles costing more and sometimes double the spray nozzles themselves.

Those are our tips for overcoming 4 common documentation and testing problems in spray nozzle specifications. Talk about everything upfront, don't make assumptions and deal with a competent supplier who's got plenty of experience. By following that advice, those annoying conversations about unexpected documentation charges or delays in production can be avoided.

About SNP

SNP supplies spray nozzle solutions to industries worldwide, including the largest engineering, food processing, chemical and petrochemical companies, as well as a vast array of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The company’s product range includes tank washing nozzles, hydraulic nozzles, air atomising nozzles, custom piping assemblies and spray accessories as well as disinfecting and washdown systems.

SNP is as skilled in advising design engineers at the beginning of projects as it is recommending and supplying replacement products that may be needed in a hurry. The company can also provide innovative custom solutions, including using non-standard materials. SNP holds ISO 9001 certification.

SNP is an exclusive distributor for US spray nozzle manufacturer BETE, for pre-treatment specialist Uni-Spray, specialist paper industry nozzle manufacturer ML Gatewood and tank cleaning systems manufacturer Dasic. In addition, the company supplier’s specialist washdown and disinfecting equipment from Lafferty Equipment and Guarany. Orders are handled quickly and efficiently from the company’s dedicated stock-holding facilities

01273 400092
info@spray-nozzle.co.uk
www.spray-nozzle.co.uk