This guide supports early procurement discussion. Final material selection, installation and heat-up decisions must be confirmed for the actual project.
Start from the controlled order documents
Use the signed purchase specification, approved drawings and final bill of materials as the reference set. Product names in emails or pallet photographs should not override the agreed grade, revision, quantity or acceptance criteria.
Resolve document conflicts before release. The order should state which specification, drawing and inspection plan take precedence if different revisions appear in the project file.
- Purchase order and technical agreement
- Approved grade and manufacturer
- Controlled drawing and revision
- Final quantity and spare allowance
- Agreed inspection and document scope
Match grade, shape and drawing identity
Special-shaped refractory bricks may be identified by grade, drawing position, shape code, dimensions and piece count. These fields should connect the packing list to the approved brick schedule without exposing unnecessary customer or project information.
Check that substitutions, dimensional changes and drawing revisions have written approval. A similar-looking brick or a familiar grade code is not enough for acceptance.
- Grade and material code
- Drawing number and position
- Dimensions and tolerances
- Pieces per package and total pieces
- Approved deviation or substitution record
Reconcile pallet marks with the packing list
Each pallet or crate should use a traceable package identifier that can be reconciled with the packing list. Check the product description, quantity, net and gross weight, dimensions, handling marks and package sequence against the shipment file.
For projects with many shapes, the packing sequence should support unloading and installation. Confirm whether pallets are grouped by shape, furnace zone, drawing position or erection sequence.
- Unique pallet or package number
- Product, grade and shape reference
- Quantity, net weight and gross weight
- Package dimensions and handling marks
- Loading and installation sequence
Keep packing evidence separate from quality acceptance
Packing photographs document visible labels and shipment condition at a point in time. They do not replace batch inspection reports, certificates of analysis, dimensional records or third-party release documents required by the contract.
The acceptance file should link the tested batch to the goods being packed. Ask how batch identity is carried from production and inspection records to pallet marks and the final packing list.
- Batch-specific inspection report
- Actual results and agreed limits
- Sampling and test methods
- Dimensional and appearance records
- Release or concession status
Review protection and loading readiness
Check that the packaging method suits the brick shape, route, climate and handling plan. Moisture protection, edge protection, pallet stability and container restraint should be agreed for the actual shipment rather than inferred from a reference photograph.
Record visible damage or packaging changes before loading. The responsible parties should close any hold point before the goods are released.
- Moisture and contamination protection
- Edge, corner and surface protection
- Pallet stability and lifting access
- Container loading and restraint plan
- Pre-loading condition photographs
Protect commercial confidentiality
Customer names, contract numbers, destinations, drawing numbers, QR codes and package identifiers may be commercially sensitive. Public case material should redact those fields unless the relevant parties have approved disclosure.
Redaction should not change the technical meaning of the remaining evidence. Public examples can show the types of fields used, while the unredacted originals remain in the controlled project file.
Request one coherent release package
Before shipment, ask for a document index that shows which records are included, their revision and their relationship to the supplied lot. The required set depends on the contract, destination and inspection scope.
A coherent release package reduces disputes because the commercial order, technical acceptance and physical shipment describe the same goods.
- Final packing list and commercial documents
- Approved drawings and bill of materials
- Batch inspection or certificate records
- Deviation and concession closures
- Packing photographs and loading record
- Named release authority and date