Q. What is Brass?
A. Yellow Brass is an alloy of approximately 70% copper and 30% zinc used for decorative products. Red Brass is an alloy of approximately 90% copper and 10% zinc used primarily for marine work.

Q. How do you know an item is solid brass instead of plated?
A. Use a magnet, if it sticks - its brass plated steel. Brass is a non-ferrous material. Exception: if the material is gold anodized aluminum.

Q. What is the difference between brass, bronze and muntze metal?
A. The Alloy composite, and manufacturing process.

Q. Do all brass products match in color?
A. No, due to alloy and purity differences, finish and manufacturing processes.

Q. Will brass tarnish?
A. We guarantee that all polished brass items from all sources, will start to tarnish from the moment you stop polishing, due to oils and moisture from handling. Polished brass is slow to corrode and will not rust.
Solution: Have all items coated with a clear powdercoat epoxy or spray lacquer.

Q. Can I polish mill finish brass?
A. No, Initial polishing must be done by a buffing machine with various abrasive wheels and rouges, only then it can be maintained by hand with normal retail polishing compounds.

Q. If I order components for a railing and assemble it myself, will it pass building codes?
A. Brass is a soft material compared to iron, steel, etc. so it will not pass any rail or stair codes (200 pounds horizontal pressure per foot). Posts and railings will loosen with use and eventually fail in any commercial or public installation with the standard use of threaded fasteners intended only for decorative non life-safety fixtures and assemblies. We tig weld all post components together for structural strength and use concealed steel reinforced liners and anchors.

Q. What kind of field preparation am I responsible for?
A. Adequate blocking in wood floors, walls, ceilings and counters prior to sheetrock and other coverings.
Concrete core drilling, and any special anchors.
The suitability of any interface materials.
Electrical power and switching, silicone for glazing panels, installation and final assembly by experienced qualified tradesmen.
All surfaces must be square, level and plumb. Adequate space for mounting flanges.

Q. How do I determine what products are best for my application?
A. Contact us and send your layout plan and counter sections and we will advise you of all the model choices to fit your service style and menu items, with available features, (lights, heat, graphics, choice of finials, shelves, tops, end panels, corners, movable panels, etc.) and mounting/ finish options.
You can also select the construction styling that best matches your decor & merchandises your product:
2” Round Channeltube,
1-1/2” Square Paneltube,
1” x 1/2” Fixture Channel
We will provide you with AutoCAD drawings that meet health codes along with maximum customer access. We will save you time, space and money.

Q. Why is your internally channeled extrusion materials better than standard clips and external channels, etc. to hold other glazing or decorative panels?
A. They provide a stronger and continuous interface connection with all 1/4” materials. They allow the use of any angle, show no cracks or gaps for full dirt free connection to the frame without unsightly exposed fasteners and a pieced together look. These extrusions are easier to clean, will save you money and allow more visual access to the food.

Q. What about replacement glass breakage?
A. We have never had a glass failure with normal usage in 15 years because we use tempered glass.
If some accident occurs that requires new glass we maintain AutoCAD records for 10 years that contain exact glass panel and trim sizes for a timely replacement.

Q. Why do you trim glass edges?
A. To conform with NSF Standard 2 regarding food service products, otherwise it is not required and a number of finished glass edgings are available.

Q. Why do you ship products K/D (Knocked Down) instead of fully assembled?
A. We ship our products in preassembled frames and panels with layout drawings for easy installation. Because of the size of some fixtures it may be impossible to ship the entire product fully assembled, and on some products it would also cause additional installation problems.
Crating and Freight charges would also be more due to the extra bulk, and the product would also be more susceptible to handling and transit damage.

Q. What is your lead time?
A. Stock and Quickship Products usually ship within 48 hours.
On custom work, lead time varies from 3 to 6 weeks and can only be firmly established after receipt of 50% deposit and final signed off drawings by customer.
Due to measurements required from counter layouts, our products oftentimes may the last items ordered.
Please allow sufficient time for unforeseen Murphy problems and normal transit.

Q. What is the lead time on standard stock items?
A. In most cases, stock items can be shipped out the day a fax ordered is received.

Q. What is the lead time on fabricated items?
A. Depending on complexity of the order, custom jobs can ship between two and five weeks.

Q. How do NSF or UL/Sanitary Marked products vary from basic model sneeze guards?
A. The essential differences are that all glazing edges are trimmed with metal channels and the plain polished finish is clear/colored powder coated or chrome plated.
In either case, the design of all our guards is in compliance to shield the 4’6” to 5’6” breath zone.

Q. Who do you use to ship orders?
A. Primarily UPS or standard Overnight Trucking. UPS can only ship items under eight feet long. A customer can also request another form of delivery, if they provide an account number to be billed to. UPS can be requested in ground, two-day select (blue label), or next-day air (red label) delivery.

Q. What is standard tube length?
A. Twelve feet long.

Q What outside diameter sizes do your tubes come in?
A. 1/2” to 3” tubing is available.

Q. Do you fax over confirmations?
A. We will upon request.

Q. Do you sell to the average "Joe on the street"? Or just to distributors?
A. We sell to the general public, but we primarily deal with distributors

Q. Do you have a sample you could send me?
A. Occasionally samples are available upon request. Please inquire.

Q. Where is your price list?
A. We do not have a "set price" because we primarily do custom jobs.

Q. How much extra for powder coating?
A. Costs vary depending upon quantity & finishes

Q. Is there a per foot price on any sneeze guards?
A. No, per reasons above.