Product Quality
Marble Masters and Prime Design products are "tough tested" by the National Association of Home Builder's Research Center (NAHB/RC) to comply with ANSI 124.3 quality standards, as well as meet U.S. Government Department of Housing & Development requirements (Bulletin 73A).

Internal Quality Controls

At Marble Masters we keep tight records of quality tests performed in-house.  We believe high quality products are an essential, elemental component of business.

Why specify NAHB/RC certified products?

The NAHB/RC certification label assures the specifier, builder, and end user customer that the products bearing this label are recognized to be of consistent high quality.

What is tested?

Chemical Resistance

The following thirteen chemicals are allowed to stand on a flat surface of the unit for 16 hours, covered and uncovered.

• Naphtha

• Ethyl alcohol

• Amyl acetate

• 10% household ammonia solution

• 10% citric acid solution

• 6% urea (urine)

• 3% hydrogen peroxide in water

• Concentrated sodium hypochlorite solution (bleach)

• Phenol solution (Lysol™)

• Toluene

• Ethyl acetate

• Lye solution (drain cleaner)

• Acetone

Cigarette Burn Resistance

Three lighted cigarettes are placed on the unit surface and allowed to burn for two minutes.  There can be no ignition of the unit's surface during or after contact with the cigarettes.  Any resulting damage must not impair the serviceability of the unit and must be easily repairable by using abrasive and polishing compounds to approximate the original finish.

Colorfastness

Each tested product must withstand 200 hours of exposure to ultraviolet radiation and a temperature of 145° F without significant changes in color or surface texture.

Drain Fitting Connections

All drain fittings are tested using a 25-pound weight suspended from the end of a 24-inch level arm in three different positions.  The unit's interior can have no cracks or leaks.

Ignition Test

A propane torch flame is held against the product on the opposite side from the finish for 30 seconds.  The product must stop burning within 30 seconds after the torch is removed.

Impact Test

Using a 1 1/2 inch diameter, 1/2 pound steel ball, the ball is dropped three times from heights ranging from 20 to 36 inches.  The unit is inspected and shall not show signs of any cracks or chips.

Load Test

A 300 pound weight is placed on the unit rims and bottoms.  Any deflection caused by the weight is precisely measured and test standards allow no more than .150 inches while the weight is present.  No cracks are permitted.

Stain Resistance

Each piece is tested for resistance to the following seven stains which are allowed to stand for 16 hours, covered and uncovered.

• Black crayon

• Black liquid shoe polish

• Washable blue ink

• Lipstick

• Hair dye

• Iodine solution

• Gentian Violet solution

Any resulting damage must not impair the serviceability of the unit and must be easily repairable by using abrasive and polishing compounds to approximate the original finish.

Water Resistance (Thermal Shock Test)

Units are subjected to 50° F and 150° F water to test resistance to temperature fluctuations.  They must pass up to 500 cycles without cracking, crazing, blistering, or spalling.

Wear and Cleanability

Each unit is subjected to 10,000 scrub cycles in a wear tester containing a highly abrasive solution.  Surface finish shall not be worn through and a loss of no more than 2% of white-light reflectance is allowed.

Workmanship & Finish

This is a visual inspection of the surface for defects and blemishes before testing begins.  There can be no cracks, chipped areas, blisters, or large specks.  Each unit is then given a porosity test in which the surface is rubbed with a solution of blue-black ink, and inspected again.