GUIDELINES FOR MAKING TOMBSTONES
The fact that there is a “tombstone standard” has probably already been heard by everyone. The topic has been repeated many times: in the trade press, on trade websites, at trade meetings, at trade fairs. However, it is worth reminding about it so that everyone in the industry knows that there is such a document as the “Guidelines of Trade. Natural stone products. Tombstones.”
It is a document quite recently created by stonemasons for stonemasons. It contains rules that should be followed by the tombstone contractor and installer. Rules regarding the raw material from which the tombstone is made, rules of accuracy of its making and requirements regarding its installation.
Why is the document worth referring to? For two reasons, at least. The first one is the universal rules of good stonemasonry and ease of communication within our trade. The second is to make communication easier in possible disputes with clients.
The tombstone standard contains a set of information on how to make a tombstone. Following these guidelines – or at least being aware of them – is a guarantee that our products will be exactly as they should be. That they are made according to the principles of sound stonemasonry and that they will serve without problems. And that they will be safe to use (strong enough not to collapse under their own weight and solidly enough assembled not to be crushed by a toppled heavy stone element).
The Trade Guidelines also present variation in the nomenclature of individual tombstone elements. Knowledge of the names used in other regions of Poland will undoubtedly facilitate communication between contractors and will allow to avoid unintentional mistakes in orders placed in another region.
And finally the guidelines can prove to be invaluable help in dealing with difficult customers. Standards which should be met and an indication of what is in accordance with art and what is a mistake or a defect will be an irrefutable argument both in complaint proceedings and in a case before a court of law.
The document was drawn up under the aegis of the Polish Stone Industry Association (Polski Związek Kamieniarski), formerly the Association of Stone Industry Employers (Związek Pracodawców Branży Kamieniarskiej), and was developed and standardised thanks to the efforts of the Board of this organisation.
Source: Kurier kamieniarski
Author: Dariusz Wawrzynkiewicz | Published: 12.05.2021
