Additional Terms & Conditions
Terms & Conditions of Testing Services
At Building Envelope Testing LLC (BET LLC), we are committed to delivering reliable, impartial, and standards-driven testing services. The following terms outline the principles, responsibilities, and limitations that govern our laboratory operations and our relationship with clients.
1. Accreditation and Compliance
All testing services provided by BET LLC are conducted in accordance with the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and the ILAC-G8 Guidelines on Decision Rules and Statements of Conformity. These internationally recognized standards ensure technical competence, impartiality, and consistent operation across all laboratory activities.
2. Confidentiality and Data Protection
Client confidentiality is a fundamental obligation. All data, communications, results, and
proprietary information are handled in strict confidence in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025
Clauses 4.1.5(c), 4.2, and 4.13.
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Access to client information is limited to authorized personnel only.
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Clients are notified in advance if any information is intended for public disclosure.
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Information from third-party sources is also protected, and sources remain confidential unless explicit consent is provided.
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All BET LLC staff, including external contractors, are bound by confidentiality and impartiality agreements.
Exceptions:
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The confidential information had already become publicly available at the time of disclosure.
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Notwithstanding any of the aforementioned, either party may disclose such information without further approval from the other in response to interrogations, subpoenas, or other legal or arbitration proceedings; to their respective insurance companies, sureties, or reinsurance intermediaries; or in response to requests from governmental or regulatory agencies. Additionally, either party may disclose such information to their accountants or legal counsel.
3. Testing Scope and Limitations
Testing is performed by qualified technicians using calibrated instruments and in accordance with recognized standards.
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Results are only valid for the specimen tested at the time of testing.
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These results do not guarantee the performance of similar units, products, or future installations.
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Results do not constitute certification of the product tested or an opinion or endorsement by our laboratory.
4. Use of Test Reports, Ownership, and Reproduction
All test reports are the exclusive property of the client identified in the document and are issued solely for the client’s internal use and quality assurance efforts.
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The client named in the report is the sole party permitted to present the results.
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Reports may not be reproduced, other than in full, without written authorization from BET LLC.
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Alteration of the report or any associated documents will cause the report to be null and void – BET reserves the right to withdraw our report if it is in any way altered or amended.
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Reports do not constitute certification, compliance verification, or endorsement by BET LLC.
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Findings apply only to the specific materials or assemblies tested. They do not imply ongoing, system-wide performance or overall quality assurance.
5. Contract Review and Client Agreement
Prior to beginning work, BET LLC conducts a formal contract review to ensure:
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Client requirements are fully understood.
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Appropriate methods and resources are available.
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Any limitations or deviations are clearly defined and agreed upon understanding.This process aligns with ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 4.4 and ensures clear communication and mutual
6. Statements of Conformity and Decision Rules
When clients request a statement of conformity (e.g., Pass/Fail or In-Tolerance/Out-of-Tolerance), BET LLC:
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​In all cases, unless otherwise specified on the Report, BET applies the "simple acceptance rule" when provided statements of conformity. This is also known as the “shared risk approach,” of ILAC-G8:09-2019“ Guidelines on Decision Rules and Statements of Conformity.” which requires a decision rule to be agreed upon in writing before testing. This statement qualifies as an ongoing decision rule in line with the requirements of ISO 17025 7.8.6.1.
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Applies a default decision rule with a guard band equal to the expanded measurement uncertainty (U) unless otherwise specified
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Documents the rule used and clearly identifies:
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The result(s) to which conformity applies
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The applicable standard or specification
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The rule used to assess conformity
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Clients are responsible for specifying acceptable risk levels. BET LLC assumes no liability if no decision rule is provided at the time of contract.
7. Measurement of Uncertainty
The measurement uncertainty for the evaluation/test has been assessed. Due to the absence of a precision and bias statement in the test method, BET has determined that an estimate of uncertainty based on the theoretical principles and practical performance of this test method is appropriate.
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Our estimation of uncertainty for the tests in this proposal/report is better than 95% confidence and within reasonable industry standards. Should you require a more detailed or specific measurement uncertainty calculation, please contact us—we would be happy to review our current uncertainty approach and discuss providing a custom uncertainty value.
BET is also undertaking a program to establish formal standards for evaluating test conditioning methods and criteria for conformance, which will be made available upon completion. For information on the current uncertainty criteria for this test method, please contact our office at info@bet-na.net.
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All results include expanded measurement uncertainty (U) as defined in the Guide to the
Expression of Uncertainty in Measurement (GUM).
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Uncertainty is expressed in the same unit as the measured value or as a percentage.
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If the Test Uncertainty Ratio (TUR) is below 3:1, BET LLC may apply a more conservative rule to maintain technical validity.
8. Calibration and Traceability
All measurement equipment is calibrated and traceable to national or international standards, in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025 Clause 6.4.
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Calibrations are performed either internally under controlled conditions or by accredited laboratories.
9. Documentation and Recordkeeping
BET LLC maintains complete, secure, and traceable records in accordance with Clause 7.5 and 7.11 of ISO/IEC 17025.
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All data is stored in a manner that protects integrity and ensures traceability.
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Corrections and amendments are properly logged with timestamps and author identification.
10. Subcontracted Services
In cases where subcontracting is necessary:
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BET LLC works only with laboratories that meet the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025.
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Clients are notified in advance and reserve the right to approve or decline subcontracted services.
11. Personnel Qualifications
All BET LLC personnel are trained, evaluated, and authorized to perform their assigned duties in accordance with Clause 6.2 of ISO/IEC 17025.
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Ongoing training ensures proficiency and alignment with current industry standards and practices.
12. Nonconforming Work and Corrective Action
Any nonconforming work is addressed promptly and transparently:
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Clients are notified without delay
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BET LLC investigates the root cause and implements corrective actions to prevent recurrence
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These procedures follow Clause 7.10 of ISO/IEC 17025
If you have questions or require clarification on any of the above terms, please contact BET LLC directly. These Terms & Conditions form part of all testing agreements and ensure transparency, accountability, and consistency in the services we provide.
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Validation of Test Methods
Building Envelope Testing LLC (BET LLC) ensures that all methods used for testing and
evaluation are validated to confirm their fitness for intended use, in accordance with
ISO/IEC 17025:2017 Clause 7.2 – Selection, verification and validation of methods. Our
approach includes the following:
1. Method Selection and Development
BET LLC selects and implements test methods that are based on current,
published standards (e.g., ASTM, AAMA, NAFS). Where no standard method is
available or applicable, a laboratory-developed or modified method is
established. Each method includes clearly defined parameters, environmental
conditions, and performance metrics, and is formally documented and issued to
the client for review and approval prior to testing.
2. Validation Activities
All non-standard or modified methods are subject to validation prior to use, to
ensure the method is suitable for the intended application. Validation is
performed under the oversight of our Laboratory Manager—who actively
participates in ASTM and AAMA committees—and includes assessment of
measurement accuracy, repeatability, and robustness under defined conditions.
3. Personnel Competence
All testing personnel are trained and deemed competent through formal
instruction, supervised practice, and periodic evaluations in accordance with
Clauses 6.2.5 and 6.2.6. Ongoing competency is monitored through ad hoc
evaluations and management oversight.
4. Equipment Suitability and Calibration
Equipment and instrumentation used in testing are either purpose-built or
acquired from approved vendors with a demonstrated record of quality and
reliability. Calibration is performed using NIST-traceable or equivalent reference
materials, following procedures derived from each applicable test standard. BET
LLC maintains a calibration and maintenance schedule exceeding standard
requirements (e.g., performed every 2 months vs. the required 6 months), as
aligned with Clause 6.4.7.
5. Pre-Use Method Trials
Prior to routine use, new or modified methods undergo internal validation trials
under controlled conditions. These trials are conducted under the supervision of
senior technical personnel to verify performance criteria are consistently met.
6. Control of Data and Results
All testing data, including field worksheets and final reports, are subject to
ongoing internal review by management to verify completeness, accuracy, and
compliance with method requirements. These reviews are aligned with Clauses
7.5 and 7.8 concerning technical records and reporting of results.
7. Continuous Improvement
As part of our quality management system, BET LLC engages in continuous
monitoring and review of methods, instruments, and personnel performance to
maintain technical validity and uphold client confidence.
