AWI Quality Times - 09/10/2008 (Plain Text Version)QCP Inspections on the Rise
As the third quarter of 2008 nears its end, the new QCP initiative to increase random inspections has confirmed what we have known all along, “that QCP participants are confident in their performance and they willingly open their projects to inspections.” AWIQCC Director Craig Elias reported that since the announcement of random inspections in the July 17th issue of AWI e-briefs “program participants have welcomed transparency. The cooperation of QCP participants during the inspection process is evidence to us that these firms support our stepped-up effort to maintain the credibility of the program. Universal application of QCP policies is beneficial to all,” he said. The random inspections are also identifying deficiencies and failures to comply with the program policies. “We’re working hard to educate program participants on how best to comply with the policies; however, in the cases where we meet defiance, I revoke the participant’s certification.” Elias added, “We will do whatever is necessary, within reason, to help our participants utilize the QCP to their advantage. All they have to do in return is what they agree to when they apply to the program and renew every year: abide by the policies and engage in conduct ‘which is a credit to the industry.’” Project Registrations on Growth Track
QCP project registrations in 2008 are on track to exceed registrations in 2007. Registrations of projects via the QCP Web site have increased this year, exceeding registrations by all other means. At the eighth-month mark in the 2008 calendar year project registrations stand at 639 vs. 1169 for the 12 months ended December 31, 2007. “This puts registrations on a path to at least equal, if not surpass our 2007 YE results. Project inspections are a form of assurance for the architectural woodworker, the general contractor, the architect, and the building owner that the installed product is exactly what was specified in the project documents and what was paid for,” QCC Program Manager Tricia Roberts said. Register projects early. Assure job quality! To provide effective inspection and certification services, please register your projects prior to or at bid time. (Projects must be registered prior to fabrication to qualify for inspection). Anyone on the construction team may register a project. To do so, visit www.awiqcp.org/register/ 24/7, or call QCP toll free at 800.449.8811. Click here to order labels and certificates for your registered project. [return to top] The View From Here - The Value of QCP to TMI Systems Design Corporation
Members of the QCC Board of Directors give industry’s perspectives of QCP and issues that affect program participants. By Dean G. Rummel, President of TMI Systems Design Corporation and newly elected member of the QCC Board of Directors.
TMI was certified in 1996 during the first year that QCP was introduced by AWI. TMI has benefited from certification in many ways and our organization promotes the program to building owners, architects, construction managers and general contractors. Following are some benefits that TMI has experienced from our involvement in QCP:
QCP is a great asset and I highly recommend all manufacturers in our industry to seek certification. The investment to obtain certification has provided a tremendous return to our company. QCP continues to grow and TMI, along with many other manufacturers who are certified, will continue to experience the benefits of the success of this program. [return to top] Coming Soon – New Quality Certification Program Enhancements
AWI members will get a sneak peak of new enhancements to the AWI Quality Certification Program on October 4 during the 2008 Annual AWI Fall Leadership Event in Providence, RI. AWIQCC will share the good news during a reception from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Westin Providence hotel. AWIQCC invites all attendees at the Fall Leadership Event to the reception. RSVP to qcpinfo@awinet.org. Stay tuned! The news is not ready for prime time as this issue of Quality Times goes to press. [return to top] Welcome New QCP Participants
Participation in the Quality Certification Program (QCP) grew again in recent months and in record numbers! Who are the 25 new participants welcomed by the Quality Certification Corporation? How do you get in touch with them? A Secondino & Sons, Inc. Ambienti USA, Inc. America's Finest Woodworking Team, Inc. Ameritek Design, Inc. Architectural Woods, Inc. B & G Architectural Millwork & Design Bayou Wood Products, Inc. Cabinets by Design, Inc. Carolina Millwork of Rockingham Clients Design Fadco, Inc. Hellers Interiors John Murphy Millworks, LLC Leeman Architectural Woodwork M. Gray Lynch Woodworks, Inc. Medco Construction Midlands Woodwork, LLC Millennia Cabinetry, Inc. Potomac Architectural Millwork Precision Builders & Associates, Inc. Quaker Millwork and Lumber, Inc. Riceland Cabinets Select Euro Systems Sterling Custom Cabinets, Inc. Strata Forest Products Wood Company, Inc. Visit these and other participants on the QCP Web site, www.awiqcp.org, and click on “Find a Certified Firm/Project.” Search by company name, city, state, country and Certified Section of AWI Quality Standards Illustrated. There are nearly 500 Qualified QCP participants to choose from for an upcoming architectural woodwork project. [return to top] Tech Talk – Can You Cope?By Wayne Hintz, QCP Regional Representative There are numerous expressions of craftsmanship in our industry. Sometimes the sheer scale of the woodwork in an auditorium or corporate lobby can inspire awe. But a small, well-executed detail can also evoke similar admiration. Coped moulding, mated perfectly to its perpendicular partner, is one such little feat. QCP firms installing premium grade standing-and-running trim (or panel molding) are required to cope the joints at inside corners (see Quality Standards Illustrated, 8th Edition, Version 2.0, pgs. 537 and 541). In a project with hundreds of such corners and multiple trim profiles, the time and expense required for this might seem prohibitive, especially since this particular skill is becoming increasingly rare. However, there are some aids available which are designed to facilitate this operation. For example, on the lower-tech end of the spectrum, there are devices which may facilitate the use of a power jig saw to replace the hand coping saw (search for the “Coping Foot” online). A more powerful and comprehensive solution to commercial-volume coping may be the patented Copemaster. According to the manufacturer, this is a portable system utilizing a circular saw blade and shop-produced templates to create neat, consistent copes quickly. They also describe the Copemaster as operable by helper-level employees, thereby freeing up more skilled installers. (Thanks to Rick Paul of the Charles G.G. Schmidt Co. and Richard Sharp of Fries, Beall & Sharp, Inc. for their assistance.) [return to top] QCP Rep Spotlight – Leo Sacco
Get Acquainted with Your QCP Representative
Fifty-five years from apprentice to QCP inspector is a journey that Leonard J. “Leo” Sacco has enjoyed with relish. He began his career in the architectural woodwork industry in 1954 with the James A. Glass Company as apprentice cabinetmaker, carpenter and Installation Supervisor of all types of construction projects. Twelve years later he accepted an appointment as Executive Vice President and COO at Robert Scott Incorporated, a Massachusetts-based contracting and architectural millwork firm. Then In 1974, he founded Architectural Interiors, Inc., a firm that specialized in complete hotel renovations throughout the United States for such major chains as Hilton, Hyatt, Sheraton, Omni and others. After 17 years at the helm, he entered the consulting business and currently provides project management, estimating, budgeting, and expert witness services. Leo also is currently a land owner, developer, builder and seller of condominiums in Sharon, MA. In addition to membership in AWI, Leo also was active as Chairman of the Apprenticeship Committee of the Carpenters and Joiners of America and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Acoustical and Drywall Contractors. He has held other prestigious civic positions, including appointment in 1992 to the Massachusetts Quincentennial Commission by Gov. William Weld. Leo has been a QCP Representative since 1996 when his son, Frank, then Executive Secretary of the AWI New England Chapter, made him aware of an AWI advertisement seeking representatives. His New England territory for QCP includes Massachusetts, Maine, Rhode Island, Connecticut and Vermont as well as parts of Canada and Nova Scotia. He enjoys visiting other woodworking companies promoting the QCP Program and educating QCP participants about the value of QCP to their business. Leo can be reached at leosacco@comcast.net. [return to top] QCC Reviewing Draft of New Architectural Woodwork Standards
As many of our readers are aware, a Joint Standards Committee (JSC) comprised of the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC), and the Woodwork Institute (WI), embarked on a historic venture to develop new industry standards, and the first draft sections of the new public, Architectural Woodwork Standards, 1st Edition, are now under review. AWI Manufacturing Members and QCP Representatives are among those reviewing the Beta Draft version of the publication for accuracy, consistency, any errors of omission, or confusing language. Target date for completion of the standards is early 2009. Stay tuned for more details as they become available. [return to top] On the Road with QCC
AWIQCC Director Craig Elias talked with hundreds of QCP participants, AWI members, and other architectural woodwork industry officials at the IWF 2008™, August 20-23, 2008 in Atlanta, Georgia. As part of the new AWI booth, QCP was promoted as an important component of fine architectural woodwork projects. QCC invites all program participants to actively promote QCP at regional table top exhibitions, during lunch and learn sessions with architects and designers, and at meetings with general contractors. Outreach is vital to the continued growth of the program and its value to QCP participants. Contact Craig Elias at celias@awinet.org to learn about the printed materials and other resources available for your outreach efforts. Upcoming Speaking Engagements/Activities
QCC outreach to architects, designers, and general contractors is one doorway for increasing the value of the Quality Certification Program (QCP) for participants and all other members of the project team up to the building owner. Would your business contacts benefit from a presentation about QCP? QCC Director Craig Elias and members of the QCC Board of Directors are resources to tap into for building awareness and specification of QCP in building projects. If you’ve encountered skepticism or questions about the necessity of QCP to a project, or the value of project certificates or labels, or the assurance that project registration delivers, consider a formal presentation to highlight the benefits of QCP. Contact Craig at celias@awinet.org to explore the value of such a presentation in your area. In addition, AWI chapters may also benefit from a QCP presentation. To contact an AWI chapter in your area, visit awinet.org. [return to top] Search Continues for QCP Representatives
The AWI Quality Certification Corporation (AWIQCC) is seeking industry professionals to serve as Quality Certification Program (QCP) Representatives. This position requires the ability to perform thorough, impartial inspections and to market the program to design professionals. Qualification criteria are fairly high. The right candidates will have a rewarding experience. The criteria are:
For more information regarding the QCP Representative position, contact QCC Director Craig Elias at 571.323.3620 or at celias@awinet.org. [return to top] |