The Quality Certification Program (QCP) has been employing Virtual Inspection technology by utilizing two similar vehicles, Facetime on the Apple platform and Skype on the PC platform. Both technologies provide many advantages in their implementation.

First the ability to reschedule an inspection is greatly simplified. In the Analogue model a QCP inspector will schedule an inspection two weeks out for a woodwork facility or project site, then make airline, hotel and car reservations to conduct the inspection. A high percentage of scheduled inspections slip due to many factors causing the need to cancel and reschedule the trip, which necessitates additional costs and challenges. With Virtual Inspections rescheduling is much easier and can accommodate the toughest schedules on both sides of the equation.

Additionally, Virtual Inspections are recorded and can be referenced after the initial inspection. In the Analogue model inspections are never recorded. Many folks feel that a Virtual Inspection will not be as accurate as an in-person event; however, in practice the Virtual Inspection can be as accurate if not more so. How does it work?  The individual on-site will need to supply measuring devices such as feeler gauges in order to determine the flushness of a field joint. This has been performed numerous times to determine the compliance of many items. Color and grain can pose challenges; however, with the adjustment of the viewing angle from the on-site operator, QCP is confident that an accurate assessment can be made. There will always be instances where in-person inspection will be utilized, such as locations with low or no Internet access as well as projects that are too large in size and scope for a virtual application.

QCP has posted three inspections on our YouTube channel. Feel free to visit and see this technology in use for yourself.

Rosa Cheney of Rosa D Cheney AIA, PLLC began a three-year term on the Quality Certification Corporation (QCC) Board of Directors in January 2018 after election in the fall of 2017.  “We are delighted to welcome Rosa to the board and look forward to benefiting from her perspectives to enhance the Quality Certification Program as we continue promoting the value of QCP for architectural projects that include woodwork,” said Randy Estabrook, QCC Executive Director.

Rosa spoke of her appointment, “I am honored by my selection to the QCC board.  I look forward to working with the other distinguished members of the QCC board to continue and expand the Quality Certification Program’s impact in the woodworking industry and on the built environment.  The QCP serves such an important role in ensuring the building owner receives the quality of woodworking that they have paid for, alleviating much of the quality control burden from both the architect and general contractor.”

Rosa is a licensed Architect in the State of Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and the District of Columbia; LEED® accredited; a member of the American Institute of Architects, and a Certified Construction Specifier (CCS) with the Construction Specifications Institute.  Rosa has in-depth project experience in both design and construction phases of a project, from pre-design and planning to final construction completion.  With more than 20 years invaluable experience in the industry, Rosa has been a vital part of a diverse range of projects, from multi-family residential to office buildings, healthcare, retail, and government and institutional projects, both domestic and abroad.

She is the owner of Rosa D Cheney AIA, PLLC, a firm devoted to providing professional technical architectural consulting services for architects and building owners. Their services primarily include the preparation of technical construction specifications, sustainability and LEED® consulting services, and quality assurance reviews of construction documents for coordination, code compliance and constructability.  www.rdcaia.com

QCP’s outreach to the design/build industry is aimed at promoting the value of architectural woodwork in design/build projects, and the importance of certification to assure that it meets woodwork standards which fulfill the expectations of architects and project owners.

To that end, the QCP will be appearing at A’18, the AIA Conference on Architecture 2018, Friday, June 22 at 1:30 pm (EDT) during ARCHITECT Live. This will be a collaboration of the editorial resources of Hanley Wood—ARCHITECT, ECOBUILDING Pulse, and RESIDENTIAL ARCHITECT brands—and the members and staff of the American Institute of Architects.

AWI QCP will tap into the pulse of the AIA Conference from this live production environment engaging design professionals on how to manage and achieve the successful integration of architectural woodwork within their designed projects.

AWI QCP is a key sponsor at ARCHITECT Live during the 2018 event.

Photo courtesy of AIA and AWI

Last week, June 5-7, QCP participated in the Construction Specifications Institute Master Specifiers Retreat at the Lansdowne Resort and Spa in Leesburg, VA.  The semi-annual event presents QCP an opportunity to conduct one-on-one presentations and conversations in a “speed dating” format that is a hallmark feature of the retreat. Promoting the benefits of certification and QCP Licensees enabled QCC Executive Director Randy Estabrook and Sr. Director of Operations Tricia Roberts to interact with specifiers who are key to accurate specification of architectural woodwork—and QCP certification—for design/build projects.

QCP’s Tricia Roberts chats with Ken Hercenberg with ZGF Architects at the CSI Master Retreat in Leesburg, VA on June 6.

CSI’s Master Specifiers Retreat is an exclusive event that brings together senior specifiers and product selection influencers from across the country for an intimate experience of focused education, group networking, and one-on-one meetings with building product manufacturer executives. Participants engage in 12 to 14 one-on-one meetings, 30 minutes each, with specifiers and product selection influencers that they select. Networking and dining events include more opportunities to engage with specifiers and other attendees, including architects.

The Quality Certification Program (QCP) will team with the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), for two webinars about architectural woodwork for architects and designers in their upcoming projects. The webinars will deliver insight into the specification requirements that will maximize one of the most highly visible elements of architects’ projects—architectural woodwork!

“The AWS and Quality Assurance in Architectural Woodwork”
This one hour webinar on June 27 begins at 2:00 pm featuring Margaret Fisher, Strategic Outreach and Relations, AWI.

What Architects & Designers Will Learn:  How to take the mystery out of your architectural woodwork projects by learning the best way to communicate with the team from design to finish. By using the Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS), architects will learn to visually identify compliant vs. noncompliant products, and how to identify the differences between premium, custom, and economy-grade woodwork. Margaret will discuss the proper construction of drawers, countertops, cabinets, veneer and wall panels, as well as explain how to utilize the AWS to ensure quality architectural woodwork projects. She will discuss how expectations for design excellence can be met by finding an accredited woodworker who knows how to fabricate, finish, and install products according to the AWS.

Information/Registration: Click here

“Designing with Hardwood Veneer”
This one hour webinar on September 12 begins at 2:00 pm and features Margaret Fisher, Strategic Outreach and Relations, AWI.

What Architects & Designers Will Learn: This NEW Consolidated Veneer Program will provide information on planning interior wall and fixture surfaces with hardwood veneer including: wood veneer production; slicing methods and specification; how grain and figure affect your design; grade requirements?allowable characteristics and identifying defects; availability in LEED® projects; avoiding specification errors; practical limitations to what can be done with wood veneer; leaf to leaf matching, panel matching, room matching; sketch faces; Shop Drawing Requirements and expectations; and sample requirements & approvals for the record. Margaret will share the six critical elements of specifying hardwood veneer on a project. Architects and designers will discover how to match veneer styles to achieve a desired design; gain understanding of the measurable qualities and properties of wood veneer grades; and recognize the importance of adequate specification to protect the integrity of the design vision.

Information and Registration: Coming soon

These are complimentary seminars for architects and designers, whether members or non-members of CSI. Each webinar hosted by CSI qualifies for one AIA/CES Approved AIA HSW Learning Unit credit.