AWI Quality Times for 03/16/2021

Of Note

QCC Chair Rosa Cheney Represents QCP on AWI Board of Directors

Rosa Cheney, who succeeded Zack Deas as QCC Chair, spoke with Quality Times about the opportunities for the Quality Certification Program (QCP) presented by her appointment to the AWI Board of Directors.  As of Jan. 1, she also succeeds Randy Estabrook as ex-officio AWI board member.  It is the first time in AWI history that an active member of the design community has been honored with the opportunity. While serving AWI’s mission, Ms. Cheney’s primary duty is representation of the Quality Certification Program.

QT: From your perspective, what opportunities do you see ahead for safeguarding QCP’s mission and goals, as well as promoting more widespread acceptance of QCP among woodworkers?

RC: My primary goal is to help provide a unified strategic vision for QCP and AWI as they tackle changes to policy to address the new ANSI/AWI Standards.  With recognition as the compliance organization for the architectural woodworking industry, QCP has the experience necessary for AWI to build upon as it rolls out its inspection program to ensure compliance with the tested Duty Levels in the new ANSI/ AWI 0641-2019—Architectural Wood Casework Standard.  I see a huge benefit for AWI to tapping into QCP’s knowledge base on the inspection process, with the aim of minimizing disruption to the manufacturer’s workflow. QCP has developed remote inspection processes as well as education for woodworkers on the inspection process and the AWI Standards. 

I see QCP’s role expanding to take on the additional inspection responsibilities resulting from the new ANSI/AWI Standards.  And as the new standards expose more woodworkers to QCP’s inspection process, I believe woodworkers will see the added value that QCP brings to their own QA/QC processes. The new ANSI/AWI Casework Standard will allow manufacturers to use their own joinery and detailing so long as it has been tested to the standard, thus eliminating what was a previous hurdle for some manufacturers in satisfying QCP requirements.  I am optimistic that the ranks of QCP Licensees will increase as a result of the continued ANSI/AWI Standards roll-out, and I think that will be a benefit to the design community in seeing which woodworkers are consistently delivering quality woodworking.

QT: As a professional in the design/build community, you are in a unique position to share insights from a “customer’s” perspective to the woodworking industry. Do you see any benefits that the woodwork industry may gain from your perspectives?

RC: I have been involved in strategic planning for both organizations, which was a learning experience for me into what woodworkers face on a day-to-day basis.  I tried to bring an equal understanding of the how the design community works and what their day-to-day issues are. The woodworking industry can benefit by understanding the motivations and viewpoints of the design community and their clients, which are different than those of the woodworker and general contractor. 

Architects are the epitome of “a jack of all trades, but master of none.”  We know a little about everything that goes into a building’s construction, but we will never be experts in every single trade. We are not experts in woodworking; AWI members are.  Woodworkers and QCP licensees can develop relationships with the design community through education efforts about AWI Standards, and then leverage those relationships to improve their competitiveness.   

QT: How does diversity come into play as you represent QCP on the AWI Board of Directors?

RC: Having different voices at the AWI table opens the door to new perspectives, approaches, and innovation. In some ways, that’s what the new ANSI/AWI Standards do now, too. Previously, there was one way to build casework that complied with the AWI Standards, and that way was great, but it did not allow for manufacturers to innovate and there was no way to measure structural performance.

The new suite of ANSI/AWI Standards provide for measurable performance.  The design community is accustomed to measurability in other trades.  I believe the design community will welcome the new AWI Standards.

Rosa Cheney is the owner of Rosa D Cheney AIA, PLLC, a firm devoted to providing technical architectural consulting services for architects and building owners. She is a licensed architect in Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia; a LEED®-accredited professional; a member of the American Institute of Architects; and a Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) with the Construction Specifications Institute.  The firm’s services primarily include the preparation of construction specifications, sustainability and LEED® consulting services, as well as quality assurance reviews of construction documents for coordination, code compliance and constructability.  Ms. Cheney began a three-year term on the Quality Certification Corporation (QCC) Board of Directors in January 2018 after election in the fall of 2017.  She has participated in strategic planning for both QCC and AWI.

QCP Begins 2021 with Increased Applicants & Certified Projects

2020 was a trying year for all industries and the Quality Certification Program (QCP) was no exception.  Despite all of the challenges, we ended 2020 with an increase in new applicants and certified projects and a slight decrease in total licensees. I believe a lot of our success was due to QCPs reputation as a solid quality assurance tool for compliance in interior architectural woodwork. As the graph below illustrates, applications were up 14% compared with 2019 and there was a 4.5% decrease in annual QCP License renewals.  

Note:  The chart reflects activity through Dec. 31, 2020.

For complete information on renewing your QCP License see Section 3 of the QCP Policies. If your company was suspended for non-payment of the annual fee and it has no other outstanding invoices, it may be reinstated without having to reapply in accordance with Section 3.1.7 of the QCP Policies.  Reinstatement requires payment of the annual renewal fee, plus a $300 late fee.  To renew online, click to following link https://awiqcp.org/ You will need your User Name and Password, which appear on the renewal notices your company received in 2020.  If you need assistance, contact Roxanne Accetta at raccetta@awiqcp.org or 571-222-4945.    

If you believe QCP licensing might benefit your company’s marketing, bid opportunities, and bottom line, explore the QCP application process by visiting our website at www.awiqcp.org.  See the appropriate drop-down menu by clicking “For Woodworkers.”  Please direct questions or comments to Roxanne Accetta at raccetta@awiqcp.org or 571-222-4945.  Prior to applying, be sure to read the entire QCP Policies, as your application fee is non-refundable.  The policies are available for download at https://awiqcp.org/qcp-policies/.

Former QCC Board Member Jerry Campbell Passes Away

We are saddened to announce the passing of Jerry M. Campbell on Jan. 19, 2021.  Jerry was an accomplished architect for 55 years operating out of Baton Rouge, LA.

He will be remembered for not only his design work, but more importantly for his historical renovation work.  Jerry was your “hands on” architect.  He was there with boots on during concrete pours and could be seen crawling on tops of buildings where there were water issues.  He was known for his ability to design and implement repairs of some of the most difficult roof systems for which the State of Louisiana engaged his services. They had great confidence in Jerry.

Jerry was very accomplished with the interiors of buildings.  He was a wood guy.  He designed and worked with historic renovations of many State government buildings such as Old Governor’s Mansion, Governor’s Mansion, Old State Capitol, and Louisiana State University (LSU) Memorial Tower to name a few.  When he completed a project, it was exactly what it was supposed to be.  He accepted nothing less than perfection.  Jerry was a fair man and treated his contractors and subcontractors with respect and dignity. He just wanted the work to be right. He was a kind and generous man. 

Jerry was an avid believer in AWI and supported it.  The AWI Standards were referenced in all his specs.  He was also an advocate of the Quality Certification Program and was the first architect in Louisiana to have a project certified by QCP in the late 90s.  Jerry went on in recent years to serve two terms on the QCC Board of Directors from 2012-2017.  His input was valuable and from a different perspective than most.  He wanted architects to understand the full benefit of the QCP program and continued to suggest marketing to the architects.  We will miss his sense of humor and his smile.  We wish that he rest in peace.  He deserves it.

Editor’s Note: Friends may want to add a memory and send condolences to the family via the obit website.

QCC Thanks Mike McNulty for Service

QCC is grateful to Michael M. McNulty, Sr. of Cambio Plywood division of The Pearwood Group for his years of service to the Quality Certification Corporation.  In 2019 and 2020, he served as Immediate Past-chair, after leading QCC as Chair in 2018.  He was elected to the QCC Board of Directors in 2017.  Michael is also a Past President of AWI.

ALERT: ANSI/AWI 0641 Wood Casework Standard Is Here

Your time may be running out! You may have a project just around the corner for which the new ANSI/AWI 0641-2019—Architectural Wood Casework Standard will apply. While the new Standard was effective on June 1, 2020, it is just now coming into effect for those projects bid after June 1, 2020 which are starting to be awarded. In the last month, QCP had five (5) projects where the new standard applies. Unfortunately, the woodworkers were not prepared and have faced some challenges. So, what can you do? First and foremost, review the Standard and have a plan.

The ANSI/AWI 0641-2019 Standard’s effective date is June 1, 2020. This means any project bid on or after June 1, 2020 may be subject to inspection using the new standard. The following is a general guideline:

If the project was bid after June 1, 2020, and the wording in the Specifications call for the woodwork standards to be one of the following:

• Architectural Woodwork Standard, Edition 2, 2014 or 2016
• Architectural Woodwork Standards, 2nd Edition (with year or not)
• Architectural Woodwork Standards, 2014 or 2016
• AWS, Edition 2 or 2nd Edition

…then the current Architectural Woodwork Standard (AWS), Edition 2 would apply. However, should the specifications NOT have one of the above wording variations (e.g., for example the specifications call for the “Architectural Woodwork Standards, latest edition”) then the new ANSI/AWI 0641-2019—Architectural Wood Casework Standard will apply for the casework on the project.

While there are some changes from the 2nd edition AWS in each of the new Standards that have been released since 2019, the requirements in the ANSI/AWI 0641-2019 will have the most significant impact on your project and the QCP inspection.

The most significant change is that the ANSI/AWI 0641-2019—Architectural Wood Casework Standard uses Performance Duty Levels in regard to casework construction, drawer box construction, and shelf pins. Therefore, when inspecting, QCP will be verifying that the casework meets the Duty Level requirement. If the specifications do not call out a Duty Level, the default is Duty Level 3. The woodworker is required to provide documentation that the method of construction of cabinet, drawer box, and shelf pin used has been tested and meets the Duty Level required. The acceptable documentation shall be approved testing reports with shop drawings from AWI’s National Testing Center. There are currently two ways to obtain these testing report documents.

1. Contact AWI Technical Director Hunter Morrison at AWI. They have a number of pre-tested* cabinet construction methods that they can provide. Please note, unlike the previous Standard where maximum or minimum tolerances for location of fasteners was provided, the new tested methods must be followed exactly to meet the requirement for the Duty Level. (e.g. If the tested cabinet drawings show dowel spacing at 2” from the front edge and 96 mm on center for the remaining dowels, and the cabinets inspected had dowels at 1-3/4” from the front and the dowel spacing used was 96 mm, the cabinet would not qualify as a Duty Level 3 as that was not what was tested. Likewise, if the tested cabinet drawings did not show the use of screws in addition to dowels and you provided dowels on the required spacing, but you opted to add screws, this would also be considered nonconforming as it was not the way the cabinet that was tested was assembled).

QCP does not make assumptions regarding whether any addition to or subtraction from a tested method affects the Duty Level or not. We are required to inspect to the tested cabinet drawings provided and confirmed as meeting the Duty Level required. Also, please note, the tested method is core dependent. Therefore, a testing report for a particleboard core cabinet may not be used for a cabinet with an MDF core.

2. The second method to obtain the required testing report is to submit your cabinets for testing to a preferred Duty Level. Please note, testing can be performed by the AWI National Testing Center or any AWI approved lab. (Please contact Hunter Morrison for options and costs).

As always, Project Specifications supersede the Standards. Therefore, if the project specifications call for a drawer box construction or shelf pin that does not meet the Duty Level required, those items would be stated as conforming. However, those items do not cancel the requirement for the cabinet box construction to still meet the Duty Level requirement, unless, there is also specification for construction that prevents the box from meeting the requirement.

The key to success is planning. You should review the options above and select which one works best for you. If it is having your own method of construction tested, get the process started now; do not wait for a project to pop up and then try to get the testing rushed through. Testing takes time. If it is using a pre-tested method, review the testing report documents, select the one that works best for you and make the changes to your construction, so you are ready. Again, waiting until you have a project requiring the new Standard, and then rushing to get the report and then make the changes, opens up the opportunity for mistakes that can prove costly.

Please note, this article only addresses one item QCP anticipates to be a significant change for woodworkers. It does not address all of the changes in the new ANSI/AWI Standard. QCP urges our Licensees to review all of the new AWI Standards issued, beginning in 2019, against their current processes and determine how they intend to address them on projects. Planning is key, but also educating your project managers, estimators, and engineers for what to look for and how your firm will address it is the best way to avoid unexpected surprises and costs and assure full QCP project certification.

* The “pre-tested” cabinets (not proprietary) are those  that AWI had built to the current standards and then tested.

Growth & Operational Changes Positively Impact QCP