AWI QCP is currently participating on the Instagram platform using @AWI_QCP. The concept of marketing AWI QCP by the utilization of hashtags and posts that will reach and connect the architectural woodworking community and the architecture / design and construction communities is a timely and effective strategy.

The concept is quite simple; AWI QCP will draw articles from past editions of Design Solutions Magazine (published by the Architectural Woodwork Institute) that showcase examples of great woodwork projects and great woodwork companies. The goal is to highlight the successful use of wood products in architectural projects and the companies that craft the products into the finished spaces. The articles also note the project owners, architects and general contractors.

AWI_QCP is off to a good start by garnering 37 followers in just a few days on Instagram.  Please visit our posts on Instagram here. "The Instagram effort, which is also appearing on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, is celebrating QCP firms and their successful projects," QCC Executive Director Randy Estabrook told QR.

As you know, Instagram is a photo and video-sharing social networking service owned by Facebook, Inc. It was created by Kevin Systrom and Mike Krieger, and launched in October 2010 exclusively on iOS.

Woodworker Licensing

The first is licensing of architectural woodwork firms.  A QCP license is not a single blanket statement of a woodworking firm’s ability to conform with AWI’s fabrication and/or installation standards.  Rather, the woodworking firm applying for licensing chooses from an “a la carte” menu of 36 available QCP licenses.  Each license relates to a specific category of woodwork, and the categories correspond to those covered by the Architectural Woodwork Standards, Edition 2 (2014).  The combination of licenses chosen by the woodworker is based on the applicant’s offerings of products and services, and other business/market factors.  The list of available licenses appears in QCP’s “Standardized Minimum Sample Criteria for Licensing” under “Resources”.  This Minimum Sample Criteria also describes the various features required in samples of particular woodwork categories which must be assessed by a QCP inspector, and found to be compliant with the Standard before licensing is awarded.

Certification

The second basic component of QCP’s quality assurance process is certification of architectural woodwork for an individual construction project, where required by that project’s specifications.  Project certification attests to conformance of that particular work with contract documents and AWI Standards where applicable.  Only those scope items for which the woodworker holds QCP licenses may be certified.

Sample Specification

One specification QCP sees frequently under the “Interior Architectural Woodwork Quality Assurance” portion of specifications reads something like:

“1.5 QUALITY ASSURANCE
A. Fabricator Qualifications: Shop that employs skilled workers who custom-fabricate products similar to those required for this Project and whose products have a record of successful in-service performance. Shop is a certified participant in AWI’s Quality Certification Program.”

In some cases, the architect or specifier judges this criteria alone to be a sufficient guarantee of quality.  However, under this language, a shop with only one QCP license unrelated to the project scope would technically meet this project specification.  For example, a shop with only a license for plastic laminate countertop manufacturing could be awarded a project with casework, wall paneling, stairwork, and finishing.

By taking the additional steps of requiring project certification and inspection by QCP representatives, the architect or specifier ensures that the list of QCP licenses held by the woodwork subcontractor will be examined.  If additional licenses are needed by the subcontractor in order to certify all of the work in the project scope, QCP can then initiate that process with the woodworker.

Architects and specifiers should also be aware that they may check a woodwork subcontractor’s list of licenses directly on the QCP website at www.awiqcp.org here. This will allow access to a QCP company’s basic information, including licenses held.

Current Reference

While the Architectural Woodwork Standards, Edition 2 (2014) (AWS) remains AWI’s current and recognized woodwork reference, interim specification language recommended by AWI is as follows: "All work in this section shall comply with AWI’s published standards (latest edition) for grades of architectural woodwork indicated for construction, finishes, installation, and other requirements."

First Standard

In Quarter 1, 2018, AWI will be vetting its first Standard, the new AWI 0620 Finish Carpentry/Installation Standard through a balanced industry canvass group in adherence to AWI’s approved American National Standards Institute (ANSI) process. Following the canvass and balloting process, AWI will undergo an initial compliance audit administered by ANSI. Later in 2018, the AWI 0620 Finish Carpentry/Installation Standard is expected to be released and ready for and use by design professionals and specifiers in planning upcoming projects.

Second Standard

AWI’s National Testing Center (NTC) in Americus, GA has completed extensive testing of base and wall cabinet joinery methods and various materials to ascertain integrity and functionality performance outcomes in support of the new AWI 0641 – Architectural Wood Casework Standard‘s development. In the coming months, the NTC will be conducting tests on various other drawer materials and joinery methods. Additionally, the NTC will be testing load capacity and span deflection values of different shelf materials common to architectural casework.

Casework Performance

In the near term, AWI’s Technical Committee is analyzing test data outcomes to establish various casework performance duty levels. Each casework performance duty level is intended to provide specifiers and design professionals with options for selecting the appropriate casework relative to that product’s intended use, its installed application, and function over time. Options and choices for the product’s desired aesthetic qualities are defined and specified as premium, custom, and economy grade. These grades determine a product’s appearance and the permissible manufacturing tolerances within each of the three aesthetic grades.

Multiple Platforms

The next generation of AWI standards are being developed for accessibility in multiple digital, mobile, and desktop platforms. A simplified numeric format outlines the new standard’s content while information is straightforward in presentation and easy to reference.

While AWI is changing the woodwork industry, the association remains at your service to provide technical assistance and support of the AWS, Edition 2 (2014). For technical assistance or more information about this topic, including participation in the review process, please contact staff at help@awinet.org.

The Architectural Woodwork Institute has produced and collaborated on the development of Standards in accordance with its mission from its founding in 1953 to the present day. www.awinet.org 

Founded in 1918, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) is a private non-profit organization that administers and coordinates the U.S. voluntary standardization and conformity assessment system. www.ansi.org

INDUSTRY EVENTS

The Quality Certification Program will be represented at the following industry events:

Architectural Woodwork Institute
Spring Leadership Conference
April 22 – 24
The Embassy Suites Omaha – Downtown Old Market Hotel
Omaha, NE
(Networking Opportunities)
www.awinet.org

Construction Specifications Institute
Master Specifiers Retreat
June 5 – 8
Lansdowne Resort and Spa
Leesburg, VA
(One-on-one Presentations/Conversations)
www.csiresources.org/msretreat/home

A’18 AIA Conference on Architecture 2018
June 21 – 23
Javits Convention Center
New York, NY
(Booth #781)
www.aia.org

International Woodworking Fair
(IWF Atlanta)
August 22 – 25
Georgia World Congress Center
Atlanta, GA
(Booth #BC18)
www.iwfatlanta.com

CONSTRUCT:
Knowledge Today.
Innovation Tomorrow.
October 4 – 5
Long Beach Convention Center
Long Beach, CA
(Booth #729)
www.constructshow.com

UPCOMING WEBINARS

The Quality Certification Program will be hosting webinars in 2018.  These opportunities are a result of QCP’s new Corporate Partnership arrangement with the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). The forums are hosted by CSI and have attendance of 200-800 individuals – providing great outreach for QCP. Each offers AIA Learning Unit credits.

June 27 (2:00 pm) (1 Hour)
“The AWS and Quality Assurance in Architectural Woodwork”
CSI/CEU AWS2414 – 1 AIA HSW LU credit
Register at www.csiresources.org/events/calendar

September 12 (2:00 pm) (1 Hour)
“Designing with Hardwood Veneer”
CSI/CEU AWS208 – 1 AIA HSW LU credit
Register at www.csiresources.org/events/calendar

The Architectural Woodwork Institute’s Quality Certification Program (AWI QCP) launched this semi-annual online newsletter, Quality Review, in the fall of 2017 specifically for architects, design professionals and general contractors.

Persons within those communities are usually familiar with the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), founded in 1953, and recognize its authority in the architectural woodwork industry, as expressed by the series of standards it has authored since the early 1960’s.  However, AWI’s Quality Certification Program has only been on the scene since 1995.  The quality assurance services which QCP offers, and the policies and procedures by which it operates, tend to be less well known to architects and GCs.  As succinctly stated in its published Policies:

“The AWI Quality Certification Program (QCP) licenses eligible woodworking, finishing, and installation companies to certify that their projects comply with the current Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS).”

QCP Licensing is earned by woodworking firms through comprehensive testing and inspection in accordance with the quality grade criteria set forth in the AWS.

As an independent entity, the Quality Certification Program is a powerful and low-cost risk management tool, offering third-party inspection of your projects’ architectural woodwork, and assessing compliance of that work with the AWS.

One goal of Quality Review is to address misconceptions that some stakeholders may have concerning the cost and procedures involved in certifying a project, where that requirement is specified.  Woodwork is typically one of the most visible and beautiful components of commercial and institutional projects. QCP’s assistance in ensuring the faithful execution and performance of the woodwork takes only a tiny percentage of the woodwork subcontract.

Put the QCP to work for you in just 3 simple steps: Specify, Register and Record and learn more here!

Meanwhile, give us your feedback about the articles and topics covered in Quality Review.  Don’t hesitate to share your views and/or questions here.