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Top News |
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Benefits of Q-accreditation on the Bid Process |
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Although non QCP-accredited woodworking firms may bid on QCP-specified projects, it is strongly recommended that firms become Q-accredited prior to acceptance of bid or award of contract. This is because only Q-accredited woodworking firms are eligible to meet QCP specification requirements to certify that their projects meet the quality standards set forth in the Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS), as well as project specifications.
Q-accreditation becomes mandatory when the QCP is included by direct reference in project specifications, addenda and/or bulletins that form part of the contract documents and to which the parties involved commit. Should a non-Q-accredited firm receive an award of contract, that firm would be required to achieve Q-accreditation, which can take time and possibly result in delay of services rendered. Furthermore, Q-accreditation must be earned prior to fabrication so that the
project can undergo the required fabrication-phase inspection conducted by the QCP.
Q-accreditation is earned by woodworking firms that, through rigorous testing and inspection, demonstrate the ability to fabricate, finish and install work in accordance with the quality grade criteria set forth in the AWS. Because of this comprehensive evaluation process, Q-accredited firms are prequalified to bid on QCP jobs. Their skills and abilities have been verified by the QCP, an impartial third-party with expertise in architectural woodwork. Therefore, not only is Q-accreditation a
requirement when the QCP is specified, but it is also a powerful marketing tool that woodwork contractors may use to market their quality products and services. | |
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Check Your Specs; Receive a Gift |
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Due to the wide array of discrepancies seen in project specifications calling for the AWI Quality Certification Program (QCP), the QCC is asking all woodworkers and architects to ‘Check Your Specs.’
Click here to ‘Check Your Specs’ now, and receive a special gift for helping us clean up the QCP specification language.
Incorrect specification of the QCP can nullify the program's ability to provide for quality assurance of doors or any millwork project, resulting in the possibility that the woodwork specified may not meet quality expectations.
Proper specification of the QCP means that the doors and millwork fabricated, finished and installed on a project will receive all of the quality assurance benefits offered by the program, including third-party project inspections by industry experts, conformance to industry-wide standards and project specifications, and access to pre-qualified QCP-accredited door and woodwork contractors.
The purpose of the QCP is to protect design professionals' reputations for delivering quality doors and millwork. Best of all, there is no charge to specify the QCP correctly. Simply click here to ‘Check Your Specs’ online and complete the form at the bottom of the page to receive your free, heat-sensitive, color-changing coffee mug.
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View from Here |
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Becoming More User Friendly |
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By Matt Lundahl, AWI President and QCC Director |
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A benefit of serving on both the AWI and QCC boards is that I get to see the progress and work from two different angles. Both associations and the members of each board are strong proponents of the QCP program. We all dream of the day that woodworkers and our clients eagerly choose to participate in and promote the program for the
good of themselves and our industry.
QCC has been hard at work refining many of the original policies and procedures in order to make QCP “more user friendly,” to quote your QCP President, Joe Sorrelli. Most of the changes are complete, and a few more are in process and close to completion.
The new testing requirements and the tests themselves have changed. The new policy test is out and accurately reflects numerous changes in QCP policy, along with the removal of some ambiguous questions. The AWS standards test is currently in beta testing and is due out in the next few weeks. Once released, it will contain 50 fewer questions and only requires each firm to complete the sections that are relevant to the accreditation sections they desire. As many woodworkers are probably aware,
if you are successfully doing a certified project at least every three years, you no longer have to endure the triennial plant re-inspection. Lastly, the Q-representatives have just reviewed and approved the release of the new Minimum Sample Criteria (MSC). This has also been simplified and has made more relevant the process of creating and providing the samples required to become certified. The revised MSC is effective immediately for new applicants. All of the items mentioned above serve to
streamline the accreditation process, so now is a great time to become Q-accredited!
The Joint Standards Committee (JSC), consisting of AWI, the Woodwork Institute (WI) and the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturer's Association of Canada (AWMAC), is also hard at work preparing and revising the Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS) for its 2nd edition release in mid-2013. I’m certain the changes to the format will be welcome to the manufacturers and design community alike. In addition to the correction and addition of numerous items, we are also
working on a “live” online version of the book that will replace the current cumbersome errata, making it easy to keep up with changes to the AWS in future editions.
In closing, AWI and QCC have put a lot of work in making the QCP a success for all of its stakeholders. Becoming Q-accredited and using Q-accredited woodworkers for projects simply makes sense and provides quality assurance! |
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Tech Talk |
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Seasonal Shrinkage According to the AWS |
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By Shows Leary, regional Q-representative |
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Familiarity with the AWI Architectural Woodwork Quality Standards Illustrated (QSI) can no longer be relied on in woodwork project specifications because the Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS), introduced in August 2009, supersedes the QSI. Don’t assume the
standards are the same. Learn what the AWS says about shrinkage.
The most common complaint from contractors and owners in the winter is that the fine millwork you shipped in August and installed immediately is now defective and needs to be replaced because the wood has shrunk and there are gaps in the woodwork and laminate products. Now you have to explain the scientific implications of high humidity on the swelling of wood fibers, as well as shrinkage during periods of low humidity. Here are some tips that can help with that situation:
- In section 2 of the AWS, starting on page 44, there is a discussion about the effects of relative humidity and moisture content (1.2.3).
- A technical review of what happens to wood fibers under various hygroscopic conditions (1.2.5).
- Recommendations for the owner on indoor humidity requirements (1.3). Responsibility acknowledgements are given that describe who is responsible for proper humidity levels at various stages of the project.
Use this information as early as the submittal process. Include copies of pages 44 to 46 in your initial submittal package. Follow up with continuing communication to the architect and contractor via comments made at meetings or any opportunities that come up, including the language in your shop drawings and a copy with every delivery of materials to the job site. (Some shops include this information with their original contract, every requisition and every change order).
Will this effort relieve any and all complaints? Of course not, but if the situation becomes litigious, you can at least demonstrate that you made a good faith effort to educate the designer, contractor and owner on the proper installation and final humidity conditions required for the longevity of fine architectural millwork.
For additional information on this topic, please contact Shows Leary directly at shows@showsleary.com. |
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Congratulations to the following companies that recently earned Q-accreditation. Look for these and more than 500 other Q-accredited woodworkers at www.awiqcp.org.
Anderson Mill, Inc.
Salt Lake City, UT
Accreditation Date: 5/15/2012
AWS Sections: P8.3, P8 E, P10 E, P11, P11 E, C8.1, C10.3, P10.1, P10.3
Antix, Inc.
Las Cruces, NM
Accreditation Date: 4/2/2012
AWS Sections: P6.3, P10.3, P6 E, P10.1
Arrowood Manufacturing, LLC
Norwood, NC
Accreditation Date: 3/20/2012
AWS Sections: P10.3, P10 E, P11, P11 E
Beam's Custom Woodworking, Inc.
Morgantown, PA
Accreditation Date: 4/17/2012
AWS Sections: P5, P6.1, P8.1, P8.2, P8.3, P10.3, P11
BKM Enterprises, Inc.
East Hartford, CT
Accreditation Date: 4/23/2012
AWS Sections: P5, P6.1, P8.1, P8.2, P10.2, P11, P6.2, P8.3, P10.1, P10.3, P10 E, P11 E
Creative Merchandising Systems Inc. dba Division #6 Cabinetry
Grand Rapids, MI
Accreditation Date: 5/16/2012
AWS Sections: P5, P10.1, P10.2, P10.3, P10 E, P11, P11 E, P6 E
Creative Associates, Inc.
Springfield, MO
Accreditation Date: 5/15/2012
AWS Sections: P5, P6.3, P10.3, P11, P10 E, P11 E, C8.1, C8.3
D and D Millwork, Inc.
Portsmouth, VA
Accreditation Date: 5/1/2012
AWS Sections: P5, P10.1, P10.2, P10.3, P11, P6.3, P11 E, P10 E, P6 E, P10
Fyber-Vision, Inc.
Grimes, IA
Accreditation Date: 3/20/2012
AWS Sections: P11, P11 E, P10.2, P10.3, P5
General Woodworking, Inc.
Lowell, MA
Accreditation Date: 3/14/2012
AWS Sections: P5, P8.2, P10.2, P10.3, P11, P8.1, P8.3, P10.1
Giffin Interiors and Fixtures
Bridgeville, PA
Accreditation Date: 4/23/2012
AWS Sections: P5, P6.1, P6 E, P7 E, P8, P8.1, P8.2, P8.3, P8 E, P9 E, P10, P10.1, P10.2, P10.3, P10 E, P11, P11 E, P6.2, P7
Harleywood Productions, LLC
Corbin, KY
Accreditation Date: 3/14/2012
AWS Sections: P10.1, P10.3, P11, P10.2, P10 E, P11 E, P5
James McGrew Cabinetmakers
Columbia, SC
Accreditation Date: 5/11/2012
AWS Sections: P5, P8.1, P8.3, P10.1, P11, P8 E, P10.3, P10 E, P11 E
King Brothers Woodworking, Inc.
Union Gap, WA
Accreditation Date: 4/3/2012
AWS Sections: P10.1, P10.2, P10.3, P11, P6.3, P11 E, P6 E, P10 E, P10
Koops Woodworks, LLC
Gastonia, NC
Accreditation Date: 5/15/2012
AWS Sections: P10.1, P11, P10.3, P10 E, P11 E
McGough Construction Co., Inc.
St. Paul, MN
Accreditation Date: 5/11/2012
AWS Sections: P6 E, P7 E, P8 E, P9 E, P10 E, P11 E, P12 E
Neshaminy Valley Millwork, LLC
Bensalem, PA
Accreditation Date: 5/11/2012
AWS Sections: P6.1, P8.1, P10.1, P11, P5, P6 E, P8 E, P10.3, P10 E, P11 E
TDR Millwork
Anna, TX
Accreditation Date: 5/15/2012
AWS Sections: P11, P10.3, P10 E, P11 E
Valcour Casework, Inc.
San Antonio, TX
Accreditation Date: 4/16/2012
AWS Sections: P11, P11 E, P10 E, P10.3
Virginia School Equip. Co./Gallagher-Stone of VA
Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation Date: 5/8/2012
AWS Sections: P10 E, P11 E
AWI QCC Board of Directors
Joe Sorrelli, President
Aljoe Woodwork Consultants
Brooklyn, NY
Jerry Campbell
Jerry Campbell & Associates
Baton Rouge, LA
Bruce Cody
Architectural Wood
Ronceverte, WV
Randy Jensen
Leonard Peterson & Co., Inc.
Auburn, AL
Rick Kogler
Strategic Development
Baton Rouge, LA
Matt Lundahl
Meyer & Lundahl
Phoenix, AZ
Bill Munyan
R&M Group, PLLC
Charlotte, NC
Bruce Spitz, Treasurer
Classic Millwork & Products, Inc.
El Paso, TX
Phil Duvic*
Architectural Woodwork Institute
Potomac Falls, VA
Tricia Roberts, Secretary
AWI Quality Certification Corporation
Potomac Falls, VA
* ex officio
The board, which convenes in the fall each year, is responsible for program oversight, including policies and budgets.
Questions or comments, please contact Quality Times Editor Kara Thorp at kthorp@awiqcp.org.
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