You may be aware that Section 1 of the Architectural Woodwork Standards Edition 1 (AWS) presents for the first time formal standards governing submittals, including shop drawing format and content.  These are based on what many woodworkers already practice as the “industry standard”.   In order to be initially accredited, QCP applicants are required to provide inspectors with sample shop drawings compliant with the AWS.   However, this article focuses on inspected certified projects, which also require a shop drawing review by QCP.

The architect’s review of project shop drawings is often primarily concerned with design per se.   Although the QCP shop drawing inspection usually includes some overlap, it is more narrowly focused on joinery, materials, fasteners, etc. appropriate for the specified quality grade (Premium or Custom).   In those instances where the architect provides no specification for a particular detail, the AWS becomes the yardstick against which both the woodworker’s drafter and QCP inspector must assess compliance of the item in question.

After the QCP drawing review, your company receives a written report which often makes it possible to correct any non-compliant features of the woodwork before material is purchased or tools switched on.   The report can also help ensure that if you have purposely deviated from specifications or standards for engineering reasons, you have the necessary written permission from the architect or owner to do so.  As referenced in the list below, the opportunity to reap these benefits (which help protect your reputation) is only possible if the project is registered, and certification requested early enough to allow the entire drawing review process to be completed prior to production.

IMPORTANT:    You may have a certified project requiring inspection for which it is perhaps not possible to provide shop drawings to your representative until fabrication is about to begin.   QCP’s position is that its drawing review should never jeopardize a production schedule or a project deadline.  If you do not have the QCP drawing report in-hand prior to production, you are not obligated to delay production.   Also remember that if time is a factor, QCP is flexible regarding the state of the shop drawings you make available for review.  Although not optimal, a set of shop drawings that is incomplete or not “approved for construction” is usually better than nothing, and could yield valuable compliance information.  If you have any project schedule concerns, it is your responsibility to discuss them with your QCP representative.

Below are guidelines to assist woodworkers in meeting the shop drawing requirements for projects:

1. Immediately upon award of the project, register it at www.awiqcp.org/register
2. Order project labels and/or certificates of compliance at least two weeks prior to fabrication.
3. Deviations from the standards and specifications must be individually approved in writing by the design professional or owner’s representative prior to fabrication (or inspection by a Q-representative where applicable).  Per the AWS, general acceptance of shop drawings by the architect does not qualify as acceptance of individual deviations.  Deviation approval may be accomplished in the form of a clouded shop drawing detail with the woodworker’s statement of deviation from specifications or standards, and instructions to the design professional to indicate acceptance by initialing or signing on a line provided.
4. As directed by your assigned QCP representative, send shop drawings for review (include project specifications and any written permission to deviate).

Additional questions regarding shop drawing requirements may be directed to your assigned QCP representative. 

To correctly specify the QCP, utilize the language below:

   Quality Standard: Unless otherwise indicated, comply with the [Architectural Woodwork Standard, Latest Edition] for grades of interior architectural woodwork, construction, finishes and other requirements.

1. Provide AWI Quality Certification Program [Labels] [Certificates] indicating that the woodwork, [including installation], complies with requirements of grades specified. This project has been registered as AWI/QCP project number ____. OR, the Contractor, upon award of work, shall register the work under this section with the AWI Quality Certification Program (800-449-8811.)

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 Q-accredited door and woodwork contractors easily found on our website:  http://www.awiqcp.org/member/FindFirm.asp.

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 check your specs to ensure utilization of the correct QCP spec language above.

The QCC is distributing brief surveys to all Q-certified woodworking firms and QCP project architects upon completion of a project or accreditation inspection. When you receive the survey link via email, please take a few moments to complete it and let us know how we’re doing.

The survey consists of a handful of questions and should only take a minute or two to complete. We are committed to continual improvement for the benefit of our customers, but we need your feedback!

In the Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS), page 259, item 4.1.8.8, you can see that now there is a choice for shell clips. The woodworker has the option of using the plastic dual-pin clips or single-pin 5 mm metal shelf clips. These are the options for both premium grade or for custom grade.

Are shelf standards and clips still allowed? Yes, see page 280,item 4.4.14.10.20. However, while the previous standard allowed surface mounted standards for custom grade, the AWS requires for premium and custom grade that standards be recessed into the cabinet side and must also extend the entire interior length of the cabinet body side.

AWI:  QCP Talk Webinar
Presentation: “FAQ Answered” by Tricia Roberts and Jennica Edwards
When: May 8, 2013
Information: Click here to register. 

AWFS Fair 2013
Booth # 9754
When: July 24 – 27, 2013
Where: Las Vegas Convention Center
Information: Click here for additional details.