New Location for this Blog...

After struggling with Posterous for some time, I have decided to move this blog to Google Blogger.

The Google interface is easier to use,  while glitches and outages are fewer.

An easier-to-use system will help me post more often.

Find me at >>  http://designisworthathousandwords.blogspot.com/

I will retain the content at this location until it is replicated at the new location, which will take some time.  I will post again here before shutting this site down.

All new content will be put up at the Blogspot address. I will continue to broadcast new posts on LinkedIn and Twitter (@SpecmonkeyNorth) as before.

Thank you to all who read and comment.  I appreciate it very much. I hope you find it worthwhile.

Best Regards.

JG

 

 

Reasons to #JoinCSI

One_way_both_ways_oneway
The Architecture/Engineering/Construction industry is becoming more complicated every day.  Sometimes the road signs are not clear at all.

If only there was an organization composed of construction professionals like myself that I could join that would help me sort order out of chaos and figure out which way to go?

Well, for me, and thousands of my colleagues, that organization is the Construction Specifications Institute.  It isn't just a club for spec writers; Architects, Engineeers, Product Representatives, Contractors, Construction Managers and others in construction related professions are members as well.

CSI is the one place where all these professions meet and share viewpoints on the complex industry.  Often the street signs still point in different directions, but you have the advantage of friends to help sort out which way is right for you.

CSI is always working to create new tools for bringing order into our complex industry and creating educational tools to help you master them and then demonstrate your skills to others with valuable certifications and training.

This is a good time to consider reasons to join CSI and I am going to add another one, which should get your attention.

CSI is running a special membership promotion for the next seven days only:

Join CSI online between Wednesday, June 13, and Wednesday, June 20, and pay only $192 -- a 20% savings -- for your membership. Use promo code “12spring20” when you join at www.csinet.org/joincsi.This promotion is only available to new members joining at the professional level. Chapter dues are not included in this promotion. To join:

Visit www.csinet.org/join
Select "Join Now", and then click "Sign Up as a New Member"
Enter Promotion Code 12spring20 when prompted
Click the "Add Discount" button

Since this deal doesn't include chapter dues, you will have to pick out which chapter you want to join, but when you do, you will find a ready-made group of like-minded professionals to welcome you.

I can honestly say that joining CSI was the best career move I made since college.  I've learned a lot, taught a lot, and had a lot of fun, and after 17 years, I'm still just starting.

Join us and join the fun.  It's no secret.

Secret_nuclear_bunker

JG

 

 

 

Sacramento CSI Product Show

 
I will be presenting a brief talk on how your "Design is Worth A Thousand Words" and will also be "tweckling" (Heckling via Twiitter), CSI's own Joy Davis in her presentation on Social Media.  Lots of other good speakers and exhibits.  Come on out, you'll have a good time.
 

 

Fellow CSI Members, ARCHITECTS, INTERIOR CONTRACTORS & ENGINEERS

The Sacramento Chapter of CSI will be hosting our Premiere Event of 2012!

 

The CSI Product Show - CENTER OF INFLUENCE

 

It will be held on April 3rd at the Woodlake Hotel (Radisson) Sacramento, CA

Last Year’s event was a huge success.

We have increased the number of Vendors exhibiting…30% more floor space

 

·         Win an Apple iPad2

·         Enjoy great FOOD and DRINK…carving stations, seafood buffet, and more!

·         Watch Product Demonstrations

·         Admission is FREE! 

 

Our Educational Sessions have DOUBLED!  We have an excellent line up of SPEAKERS!

·         Learn new techniques to Manage your LEED and CalGREEN projects

·         Use Social Media to Expand your Reach!

·         Discover the Huge Potential of Daylighting Design

·         Learn Hints, Tips, Tricks and key language for preparing project documentation and annotation.

·         Understand the role of Life Cycle Cost Analysis in the Design of your Building

·         Develop a strategy for using your expertise to Build Relationships with the design team

 

Our SPONSORS include:

·         Bob Sharman, ROWE FENESTRATION sponsor of Apple iPad2!!

·         Tom Cavanaugh & Dick McClure, WOODWORK INSTITUTE

·         Ray Enos & David Willis, BASALITE CONCRETE PRODUCTS

·         Ramona Koehler & Ron Illium, BASALITE CONCRETE PRODUCTS

·         Richard Bailey, McNEAR BRICK & BLOCK

·         Tom Berger, DTR CONSULTING

·         Polly Stroud, ANTRON CARPET FIBER

·         Mike Krug & Curt Jaffe, DURO-LAST ROOFING, INC.

·         Michelle Johnson, ARMSTRONG

·         Donna Rummerfield & Lyndall Overholtzer, AMERICAN LAMINATES

·         Glenn Fisher, SYNTHEON INC

·         Katia Griggs, NORTHCLAD, METAL TECH AND

·         John Boccuzzi, MORIN

·         Daniel Carlson, CENTRIA

·         Dan Edwards, RE EDWARDS

·         Glenn Fisher, SYNTHEON

·         AJ Marchetta & Mark Feldman, SILIKAL AMERICA

·         Keith Hengst, Steve Olstad, Rodney Green, COLLIER BUILDING SPECIALTIES

·         Liza Whitmore, CALTRANS

·         Jodi Holms, SILVERADO BLDG MATERIALS

·         Michelle Johnson, ARMSTRONG

·         Todd Beasley, TRAKLOC STEEL FRAMING SYSTEMS

·         Mike Montgomery & John Hulshof, H.B. FULLER CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS TEC/ CHAPO

·         Tom Waltman, SACRAMENTO REGIONAL BUILDERS EXCHANGE

·         Barbara Puntillo, CORTOPASSI TILE

·         Mary Wallers, SIERRA WEST GROUP

·         Kim Anderson, AIA OF CENTRAL VALLEY

·         Jim Peters, BEDROSIANS

·         Daniel Kitts, DOW CHEMICAL

·         Rich Condie , SHERWIN-WILLIAMS

·         Sherry Firehock , CERTAINTEED CORP

·         Ralph Messchart & Matt Lozano, DALTILE/MOHAWK

·         Tim Glesener, DUPONT/TYVEK

·         Jeffrey Carder, LATICRETE

·         Travis Rudloff, PAVESTONE

·         Jonathan Snyder, LEVITON

·         Donovan Hoff & Josh Hansen, SIERRA COAST PRODUCTS

·         Jennifer Link-Raschko, UNITED STATES GYPSUM

·         Winfred DeLeon, Ron Yagui, Andrea Coley, Nancy Springer, Ron Beehler, SACRAMENTO VALLEY ASSOC OF BUILDING OFFICIALS

·         Scott Mercer, MERCER WINDOWS

·         William Borchert, TEXTURED COATINGS OF AMERICA

·         Don Lambrecht & Mark Hronicek, DLA INC.

·         Brent Fisher, DRYVIT

·         Mark Harrington & Ken Smolarek, SOLOMON COLORS, INC. / BRICKFORM DIV

·         Diane Buckley, SIGNATURE REPROGRAPHICS

 We hope to see you there!

Rick Gauthier, Sacramento CSI president

Email:  rick_gauthier@comcast.net

Cell: (916) 730-4159

Determining Project Quality

Click here to download:
56_EBO_Construct_Specs_Spring_10_Full_Page.pdf (15.61 MB)
(download)

Each Project has it's own unique required Project Quality, defined as the "Ability to satisfy stated and implied requirements established in the Contract Documents."

This Project Quality is affected by a number of factors.

Prime determinants are the requirements of the Owner:

  • Facility Use or Purpose, The Program;
  • Schedule
  • Budget
  • Aesthetic
  • Sustainable

Additional factors come into play:

  • Climate, scenic and environmental requirements or attributes unique to the facility location;
  • Planning codes and standards of the Authorities Having Jurisdiction;
  • Community response to the facility, whether environmental, political, etc.

Each of these factors can affect the facility's level of quality.  Determination, prioritization, and embodiment of these constraints into the final design are the work of the Architect and his consultants as directed by the Owner.

The required Project Quality is thus established by the Contract Documents prepared by the Architect, and achievement of this quality becomes a requirement of the Contractor undertaking the work described by those Documents.

In today's painting by Hieronymus Bosch, titled "Vanitas" we see a woman admiring her reflection in the mirror, complimented by the demon of Vanity. The Owner's needs and even whims, are paramount here.

This image is simply intended to illustrate that the Owner's requirements have first claim on the program of any facility, after the various codes and standards are met, and should be given priority by the Project Team, whether Architect or Contractor.  Attributes which may not make sense in the initial concepts can be very important to the end user.

Describing and guarding Project Quality through the design and construction processes requires constant attention by the Parties to ensure that the Owner's needs (and perhaps whims, as well) are met in the final work.

Vanitas (Detail from The Seven Deadly Sins) Hieronymus Bosch, 1480

Next post:  Quality Assurance and Control.

 

 

 

 

 

Construction Contract Administration: Class at Sonoma State University

Click here to download:
067_CCCA_SSU_S12_Course_Descrip.pdf (22 KB)
(download)
Writing a brief post to let you know of Sonoma State University's upcoming class in Construction Contract Administration (see the above flyer)

The course covers the CCA curriculum from the CSI Construction Contract Administration Practice Guide (formerly the Project Resource Manual).  The class is excellent preparation for the CCCA certification exam, as well as for anyone who works in Construction Administration in their daily employment; architects, engineers, contractors, construction managers, owner's representatives, etc.

One former student was kind enough to remark that he learned things in this class that "...helped him make more money from his projects."  Not bad, but your results may vary.

More information and registration are available at  ~~>

http://www.sonoma.edu/exed/

 

Course Schedule:  7:00 PM to 10:00 PM, Ten (10) Wednesday evenings, 1 February through 4 April 2012, at Sonoma State University campus, Room TBD;  30 hr CEU  Tuition $265.00. Dept: BUS, Code: 800, Class No. 4145, Course ID 035023, Course Code: 103.

WHy CSI Membership or Certification?

If you are not already a member of Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), you may be wondering why you should bother joining.  After all, there are plenty of other demands on your time and money; if you are a licensed professional, you probably already pay (high) fees to be a member of your respective professional association, as well as for your license.  What additional benefit can CSI membership confer?

The first answer that comes to mind today is breadth of viewpoint.  It is a commonplace observation that association and exchange of ideas with people from a wide range of backgrounds and experience can provide insights not available in a narrower group.

CSI is a great example of this observation applied in real life.  CSI's membership is not limited to design professionals (architects and engineers), but includes contractors, product representatives, owner's representatives, construction managers, inspectors, attorneys and many other specialties involved in the construction industry.  A CSI chapter meeting is a miniature slice of the whole industry where you can discuss the important topics of the day with firendly people who see things in a different way.  It's hard to overstate how useful that can be, and it's an every-day aspect of membership.

Membership puts you square in the middle of a huge network of bright, capable people who are almost all willing to share what they know, if you ask.  A tremendous gift to anyone wanting to improve their understanding of this complex business.

After becoming a member, why would you want certification?  Self-confidence is one reason that jumps to the front.  CSI certification exams are rigorous exercises of essential construction technology skills and terminology.  Achieving certification means you have been successfully measured against industry standards of understanding and performance, a tremendous boost for confidence for you and proof to others that you know your work.  Licensed professionals as well as those without other licenses will benefit from the knowledge and status that certification provides.

Information about CSI membership and certification are available at the CSI website, www.csinet.org, or just "google it".  Email me if you have a question, I'm happy to help.

Register Now for the CSI Academies in San Diego

Today's post is shamelessly lifted from an email sent by CSI.  I am sharing it since it will be a great education opportunity, and last year, the event sold out before the early registration closed.

Also, I have some great presentations lined up, and the best way to see them is to attend.  It will take a long time for me to blog it all here, so it will more effiicient for you to come out to the left coast for...

The CSI Academies

March 1-3, 2012
San Diego
The Westin San Diego



"The CSI Academies were outstanding - I learned from the experts in the front of the room and the ones sitting next to me." - Ann Baker, RA, CSI, CCS, CCCA

 
For more than 60 years, CSI has focused on improving construction communication between architects, specifiers, product reps and others to save money, time and stress for all the parties. The CSI Academies teach construction industry skills that can improve your performance.


Designed for experienced professionals, the Academies:

  • Instill confidence by teaching you the roles and responsibilities of all the construction teams, and how they should interact (and what to do when they don't!)
  • Improve your marketability and productivity today with skills and information you can use immediately

Expand your knowledge base in one of three exclusive tracks:
 


Product Representative Academy (PRA) 
Become a product representative and manufacturer who understands more than the product - know where and how you fit into the construction process, and become a useful resource the design team will call on again and again. See the sessions
or register now!


 Contract Administrator Academy (CAA)

Nowhere else will you find intense training for experienced construction contract administrators focused on general skills for managing construction documentation, Division 01 Specifications, and the general conditions. The information and skills you gain you'll be able to use tomorrow! See the sessions
or register now!


Construction Specifier Academy (CSA) 
Let CSI, the most respected specifications information source in the U.S., teach you the best practices in  writing, administering, and controlling your specifications. Courses focus on specifying in the real world and current issues, including legal issues, LEED requirements, and BIM. See the sessions
or register now!


"The seminars were excellent and the location was great. As a product rep, I now know the trials and tribulations that GC's go through when bidding a project, I better understand liability and product substitutions (Division 01 can help), and I learned how to make my lunch and learn presentations enjoyable for the attendees. Keep an eye out for 2012!" - Jon Lattin, CSI, CCPR


See a list of sessions and speakers
or download the schedule at a glance (PDF).

 

Interested in Sponsorship Opportunities? Sponsor the Academies to get your name in front of a targeted, focused audience. Use this opportunity to introduce new products and services, or to bolster existing lines in this trade show-free educational setting.
 

Save on your registration. Join CSI.

San Francisco CSI Education Seminars Spring 2012

Click here to download:
CSI_SF_Spring_Seminar_120216.pdf (116 KB)
(download)
The San Francisco Chapter of Construction Specifications Institute is hosting a Spring Education Seminar at Castagnola's on the Wharf on February 16, 2012.

Three presentations will describe Drawings and Specification coordination and terminology, Greener than Green specifying and Quality Control aspects of specifying. The above flyer describes the topics in detail.

The event runs from 0800 AM to 0400 PM and includes a continental breakfast and buffet lunch, $75.00.

To attend, please contact

 

Tim Maliepaard                    or          Michael Chambers
Phone:  Cell (916) 847-8447              Phone:  Cell (707) 467-1915
Home Office (916) 534-7492              Home Office (707) 391-0131
tmaliepaard@oldcastlebe.com          michael@mcaspecs.com

CSI Certification

Click here to download:
CSI_Shield&Slogan.pdf (20 KB)
(download)
The slide series I have been posting is from a Constructions Specifications course that I teach at Sonoma State University every three years.

The course is part of the Continuing Education curriculum in the Construction Management Certificate program, but the content is developed from Construction Specifications Institute's documents and publications; Manual of Practice (now withdrawn), Project Resource Manual, and the now-current Practice Guides.

Most of the material in this series is preparation for the Exam for the Certified Construction Specifier Certification (CCS) and, to some extent, the Construction Documents Technologist Certification (CDT)   If you are considering taking any one of these exams, (and you should be) this material will help you prepare.

It's fortunate that the discussion of Quality Assurance and Control is under discussion here as the Certification "season" opens.  CSI Certification can be seen as a form of QA/QC for people working in the construction and design field.  Licensed professionals, Architects and Engineers, can add to their professional credentials with a certification, while others can also take these difficult exams and demonstrate their proficiency in critical aspects of the Design and Construction activities.

Working with a CSI-certified construction professional means confidence that they have met clear standards of performance in industry-standard protocol, terminology and concepts.  Everyone in the industry, regardless of position or focus; construction, design, product sales, owners' representatives, should consider becoming certified. It isn't easy, but it is worth it.

For further information, visit http://www.csinet.org/certification or your local chapter.

Exams will be offered April 2 - April 28, 2012, in the U.S. & Canada.

Quality Assurance and Control

Click here to download:
55_EBO_Construct_Specs_Spring_10_Full_Page.pdf (15.61 MB)
(download)

As we will develop over the next series of slides, one of the chief purposes of Specifications is to delineate the Project's Quality, including definition, maintenance and determination of the specified quality.

In today's illustration, Queen Cleopatra of Egypt observes the effects of various fatal poisons on condemned prisoners.  In an era of "extra-judicial" assassination, the speed and effectiveness of a poison was very important to a monarch.  This careful testing ensured that only poisons of the proper quality and speed of action were procured for the royal assassins and executioners.

Modern construction technology involves a number of materials and processes which require detailed quality assurance and control before delivery to the project site or incorporation into the work.

As will be seen, the completed work result of one section becomes the existing condition substrate for the work result of the next.  Quality Assurance and Control require careful coordination between sections and work results to obtain the proper results for the project.

We will review these Quality Assurance and Control measures, and how to specify them, in the forthcoming posts.