The required test on the Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS) has been revised and is now ready to take. Changes to the new version include a reduction in the total number of questions to 100 from 150. In addition, the test now pulls 50% of the questions from the AWS sections for which a woodworking firm requires certification.

The AWS Standards test is a requirement for all QCP applicants, and is required of current Q-accredited firms every three years. A minimum score of 85% is required to pass. The test is taken open-book, using the latest edition of the AWS. 

The test can be found on our Web site, www.awiqcp.org. Click on Take Test in the lower left-hand side of the screen. You will need your username and password in order to log in.

Taking the test online is convenient and once completed, results are generated immediately. Also, you do not need to complete the test in a single sitting. You may save your progress and return to complete the test at a later date and time if so desired.

Those requiring further assistance taking the AWS Standards test may contact the Credentialing Manager, Jennica Edwards at jedwards@awiqcp.org or 800-449-8811.

The Policies test is one of two tests required for QCP accreditation. The other test, referred to as the AWS Standards test, is mentioned above.

Following recent revisions to the QCP Policies test, all current participants and applicants are required to retake it.

Taking the Test
The test consists of 70 questions concerning the QCP Policies. A score of at least 85 percent is required to pass. We recommend that a project manager or person responsible for overseeing your certified projects take the test. The test is to be taken open-book, using the 2012 QCP Policies. Click here to download a copy of the QCP Policies before beginning the test.

The test can be found on our Web site, www.awiqcp.org. Click on Take Test in the lower left-hand side of the screen. You will need your username and password in order to log in.

Taking the test online is convenient and once completed, results are generated immediately. Also, you do not need to complete the test in a single sitting. You may save your progress and return to complete the test at a later date and time if so desired.

Those requiring further assistance taking the QCP Policies test may contact Jennica Edwards at jedwards@awiqcp.org or 800-449-8811.

According to the QCP Policies, the annual renewal period for all currently accredited firms begins November 1, 2012. QCC will mail invoices on this day. The renewal process involves three steps:

1. Payment of renewal fees ($1,250 for current AWI manufacturing members; $2,650 for all others).
2. Passing score on the revised QCP Policies test in 2012 and a passing score on the AWS Standards test within the last three years.
3. Signature and date of acknowledgement on the AWI QCC Code of Ethics form.

Renewals are due by 11:59 PM EST, Dec. 31, 2012. Companies that submit after this date will be charged a $300 late fee. Those who have not yet been QCP-accredited for one full year are also required to renew, and will receive a pro-rated renewal invoice for 2013.

Renewals may be submitted by mail, by fax (with a credit card number) or they can be completed online. Simply click here to renew online or visit the Web site, www.awiqcp.org, at your convenience. NOTE: You will need your username (C-number) and password (P-number) to renew online.

Questions about renewals or tests may be directed to AWI QCC Credentialing Manager Jennica Edwards at jedwards@awiqcp.org.

We look forward to your continued participation with the QCP in 2013!
 

Exterior corner of the NDIA Airport terminal

While in the Middle East, Wayne and John also travelled to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia to visit the woodworking division of SACODECO, a prominent firm seeking QCP accreditation. Traditional skills (Arabesque design, hand carving, marquetry, gold leaf and veneering) combined with state-of-the-art casework production make SACODECO a truly impressive and memorable company. They are currently the first and only millwork company on the Arabian Peninsula to be QCP accredited. Congratulations to SACODECO, and sincere thanks to Facility Manager Ziad Naserddine and his team for their gracious hospitality and hard work. 

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. 

It is a busy time here in the QCC office! The phone has been ringing off the hook from prospective applicants, we are planning for the upcoming renewal period, and AWS and Policies test results keep rolling in.

One reason for the uptick in activity is due to the recent release of the Architectural Woodwork Standards test. We took into account much of the feedback we received from our participants and have focused the test on the specific accreditation scope of each individual company. In this way, each test is unique to each woodworker. This is an example of how we are continuously striving to improve and meet the needs of our participants. We hope this new version of the test will provide a much more specific educational training tool for our woodworkers.

I am greatly encouraged by many participants’ enthusiasm for the possibility of educating their staff with the newly released Architectural Woodwork Standards test. It can be a valuable asset for all employees to familiarize themselves with the AWS. Please feel free to contact me if you wish to set up additional usernames and passwords for your employees.

I look forward to a great end to 2012, and hope to see all of our participants renewing for 2013! 

Section 9 of the Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS) contains manufacturing requirements for Premium- and Custom-grade flush veneer and stile and rail doors. Below are some the requirements for Premium-grade veneer specifications.

On page 211, item 1.2.18.2, there are several general notations about veneer requirements. Included are notes about the requirements for the widths of the outermost veneer leaves on a door face. For Premium-grade doors, "the outer leaves, after trimming, will not exceed 1/2" less than its adjoining leaf."

Another item regards the terms "natural," "heartwood" and "sapwood". If the specification calls for "natural Maple," you should expect to supply unlimited amounts of sapwood and heartwood. If only sapwood or heartwood is desired, then it must be specified. "White" is defined in the glossary on page 404, meaning the veneer contains all sapwood and no heartwood. (Both heartwood and sapwood are defined in the glossary as well.)

Item 1.2.18.2.8 discusses veneer thickness. Due to the many types of veneer slicing equipment and variables within the trees themselves, the AWS does not have a minimum thickness requirement for veneers. The requirement is that the veneer "shall be of sufficient thickness so as not to permit show-through of cross banding after sanding and finishing."

Moving along to the Product section of Section 9, on page 225, you will note at item 4.2.6.1.2 a series of requirements for veneer matching at transparent finish flush doors. For Premium-grade doors, the minimum requirement is for balanced center-matched HPVA Grade AA veneers. Balanced match is defined on page 381 of the glossary as "two or more leaves of uniform width on the face of a panel, wherein the two outermost leaves in a panel or face are the same width."

Center matched is defined on page 383 of the glossary as "two or more even numbered leaves of equal width, matched with a joint occurring in the center of a panel." A quick test to confirm a balanced center match is to find the centerline of your door face. There should be a veneer seem in the center. Then, look at the edges and check that the outermost leaves on each side are the same width and within 1/2" of the width of inner leaves.

One of the most common door faces is Birch. On page 226 is the beginning of the HPVA face summaries. For Birch, the AWS indicates that both grades can be broken down into white, red/brown or natural, and the slicing techniques can be plain sliced, quarter sliced or rotary sliced. In both grades for "white Birch" sapwood, which is white in color, is the part of the veneer that is required. For Premium-grade, the veneer leaves for plain sliced and rotary need to be a minimum of 5" in width, while for Custom-grade the minimum is 4".

Special Characteristics
Premium-grade allows for a small conspicuous pin knot, 1/4" or less in diameter, within a 5 square-foot section. A typical architectural door at 3/0x7/0 contains 21 square-feet on one face. At the most you could expect 4 pin knots in that face if they are all separated and not within 5-square-feet of each other. A book-matched set of veneers with a continual row of knots in every adjacent leave would not qualify, even for Custom grade. Pin knots larger than 1/4" are not allowed for Premium grade.

Also, according to Premium-grade, cutting out and repair of knot holes is not allowed. This applies to both Premium and Custom grade. If you need a "Dutchmen" in the face of your door, reject it! It will not pass for either grade.

In Premium grade, no mineral streaking or bark pockets are allowed. Premium grade does however allow for slight worm tracks, vine marks and cross bars. Unsure what all of these characteristics are? Look in the AWS glossary where they are all defined.

Whether you are making flush veneer doors or buying them out for a project, get to know your veneer requirements, and rest assured you are providing AWS Premium-grade compliant doors to your customer.

For additional information on this topic, please contact Shows Leary directly at shows@showsleary.com.

60th Annual AWI Convention
October 31 – November 2, 2012
Phoenix, AZ
Click here for more information.