SpecmonkeyNorth's posterous http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com Most recent posts at SpecmonkeyNorth's posterous posterous.com Wed, 01 Aug 2012 11:14:00 -0700 New Location for this Blog... http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/new-location-for-this-blog http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/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

 

 

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Wed, 13 Jun 2012 13:00:00 -0700 Reasons to #JoinCSI http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/reasons-to-joincsi http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/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

 

 

 

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Wed, 28 Mar 2012 11:52:08 -0700 Sacramento CSI Product Show http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/sacramento-csi-product-show http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/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

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Mon, 30 Jan 2012 08:53:00 -0800 Determining Project Quality http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/determining-project-quality http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/determining-project-quality

56_EBO_Construct_Specs_Spring_10_Full_Page.pdf Download this file

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:24:00 -0800 Construction Contract Administration: Class at Sonoma State University http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/construction-contract-administration-class-at http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/construction-contract-administration-class-at

067_CCCA_SSU_S12_Course_Descrip.pdf Download this file
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.

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Mon, 16 Jan 2012 09:04:00 -0800 WHy CSI Membership or Certification? http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/why-csi-membership-or-certification http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/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.

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Thu, 05 Jan 2012 12:12:00 -0800 Register Now for the CSI Academies in San Diego http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/register-now-for-the-csi-academies-in-san-die http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/register-now-for-the-csi-academies-in-san-die
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.

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Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:09:00 -0800 San Francisco CSI Education Seminars Spring 2012 http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/san-francisco-csi-education-seminars-spring-2 http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/san-francisco-csi-education-seminars-spring-2

CSI_SF_Spring_Seminar_120216.pdf Download this file
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

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Tue, 03 Jan 2012 09:38:48 -0800 CSI Certification http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/csi-certification http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/csi-certification

CSI_Shield&Slogan.pdf Download this file
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.

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Mon, 19 Dec 2011 12:35:00 -0800 Quality Assurance and Control http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/quality-assurance-and-control http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/quality-assurance-and-control

55_EBO_Construct_Specs_Spring_10_Full_Page.pdf Download this file

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.

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Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:11:00 -0800 Remember The Veterans http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/remember-the-veterans http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/remember-the-veterans

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Today is Veterans' Day. 

Take a moment and reflect on how your life might be different without the conscious sacrifices of the men and women of our Armed Forces.

A nation that forgets the services of it's soldiers will be forgotten itself.

Photograph of the National World War II Memorial on the Mall in Washington DC.  Own work, all rights reserved, 2006.

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Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:43:00 -0700 Precedence Clauses http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/precedence-clauses http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/precedence-clauses

53_EBO_Construct_Specs_Spring_10_Full_Page.pdf Download this file
A precedence clause is a contract provision that states the order of precedence within the Contract Documents to be followed in case of a conflict between any of the various documents.

The AIA documents do not contain precedence clauses between the drawings and the specifications, instead noting that conflicts between these documents shall be referred to the Architect for interpretation.  This posture is presumably to allow the Architect the widest range of interpretation in case of a conflict.

The CSI recommends following this posture and not publishing precedence between the various documents.

Almost every government and third party construction contract provider does include a precedence clause, so for any practitioner working with contract documents from any source other than the AIA, it is very important to determine if your Contract Documents include a precedence clause, and if yes, what that precedence actually is.

Most contract clauses are written by attorneys.  Few attorneys can draw, or read drawings, but all attorneys can write, and so they write things with which they will be comfortable.  As a consequence, most, if not all, precedence clauses give precedence to the written contract documents over the graphic, putting specifications interpretations ahead of the drawing notes.

So, in case of a discrepancy between the drawing and the specification, the complex drawing annotation is going to be overidden by the written specifications, even if the specifications are not correct.

For projects with precedence clauses in the General or Supplementary Conditions, simple direct drawing annotations carefully coordinated with the terms used in the Project Manual will provide the clearest connection between the graphic and written Construction Documents.

Actually, this is true for all projects, not just those with precedence clauses.

Always take care to determine if your Contract Documents include a precedence clause.

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Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:03:00 -0700 Coordination of Drawings and the Project Manual - Part 2 http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/coordination-of-drawings-and-the-project-manu-54476 http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/coordination-of-drawings-and-the-project-manu-54476

51_EBO_Construct_Specs_Spring_10_Full_Page.pdf Download this file

Today's images are from the old CSI Manual of Practice.  For some reason, there were no counterparts to these useful diagrams produced in the newer Project Resource Manual.  I think these first two are very important to help understand what annotation content is required in a drawing and, just as important, what content should be left out.

The sketch wall section shows a number of notes, the Wrong Way, and the Right Way, as well as whether the information shown wrongly belongs in another specification section, or on another drawing.  We can quibble over whether the recommendations are fully consistent, but the gist is clear.  The Right Way is to use simple annotations that convey identification without too much information as to quality, size, or style.

52_EBO_Construct_Specs_Spring_10_Full_Page.pdf Download this file
The second sketch lists Should's and Should Not's for drawings, capital annotation crimes include using references to specific subcontractors, use of proprietary names, and use of the ever-popular "See Spec". 

This latter term is one of my personal favorites.  It conveys the writer's sense of concern that more information about that item is needed, while also conveying their ignorance of what that information might be, as well as their attempt to pass the buck to another writer of a different document. 

Please forgive my direct commentary, but there is no reason to write these words.  Properly coordinated documents will only require the most generic identification of items on drawings, using terms identical to the specifications.  The terms will connect the item with it's specification description, no additional modifiers required.

Most drawing annotations contain far too much information about the items denoted.  This practice not only fosters coordination errors with the specifications and with the drawings, but increases the effort needed to produce the drawings and clutters them with unnecessary and potentially erroneous information, often included on the basis of "..no one reads the specs anyway..."

Short, generic descriptions also reduce revision effort in the event of a change of product.  If a modified bitumen roof is changed to a thermoplastic membrane, the simple annotation "membrane roof" would not need to be changed on the drawings.  Shouldn't we all be in favor of doing less work, and putting the information where it really belongs?

54_EBO_Construct_Specs_Spring_10_Full_Page.pdf Download this file
This latter sample checklist is one way of developing specification content based on drawing review, as well as a tool for including cross-references between sections.  There are a number of ways of gathering and organizing this information, any method that retains the information and records the decisions made is a good method.  The key to good practice is to find one and use it consistently.

Next Post:  Precedence Clauses

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Fri, 28 Oct 2011 11:01:00 -0700 Special Offer to Join CSI - Discount Available http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/special-offer-to-join-csi-discount-available http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/special-offer-to-join-csi-discount-available

CSI has a special offer for new members who sign up by 10/31/2011. #joinCSI.

Here are the exact directions for getting the discount:

Don't miss this special offer! Join CSI by October 31 and pay only $192 for national dues -- a 20% savings.

1.    Visit www.csinet.org/joincsi
2.    Select "Join Now", and then click "Sign Up as a New Member"
3.    Enter Promotion Code 1220ARCH when prompted
4.    Click the "Add Discount" button

We recommend you also join a chapter, where you can attend local education sessions and networking opportunities (chapter dues are not included in this promotional offer).

If you work in a construction-related profession or industy, you should be a member of CSI.  The organization offers tremendous benefits to members for networking, education, professional development and good times.

I can't imagine my career in architecture or specifications without CSI.  Join and see what I mean.

Thanks for your patience with this commercial interruption.

JG

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Wed, 26 Oct 2011 10:42:00 -0700 Coordination of Drawings and the Project Manual http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/coordination-of-drawings-and-the-project-manu http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/coordination-of-drawings-and-the-project-manu

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One of the most important coordination tasks is that of terminology.  The drawing notes should use the same terms as the specifications in order to avoid confusion or use of terms not found in the Project Manual.  The Specifier should be the arbiter of terminology and the final word on drawing annotations.

Drawings are Contract Documents as well as the specifications, the words used there have meanings, the drawings themselves are consequences and use of multiple terms for the same item can lead to expensive confusion where Redundancy becomes Ambiguity.

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Use of a project lexicon based on the Table of Contents of the Project Manual is a good way to begin drawing/specification coordination.  The Drawing Keynote list as well as General Notes from the drawings (if used) should be carefully reviewed by the Specifier in the late stages of each design phase to ensure that the terms used to designate items on the drawings are the same as those used in the Project Manual to denote materials and equipment.

New terms may be required as the design evolves, features and attributes may come and go, but clear, unambiguous and simple annotations are critical to maintaining the all-important coordination between drawings and specifications.

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Tue, 25 Oct 2011 10:41:27 -0700 Specification Coordination Responsibilities http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/specification-coordination-responsibilities http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/specification-coordination-responsibilities

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The prime A/E is responsible for coordination of the specifications.  The consultants' drawing content and the content of their specifications must be coordinated with those prepared by the prime A/E.

The prime A/E must ensure that all salient qualities of all materials and equipment are included, as well as standards of workmanship and quality of manufacturing for those materials and equipment which will product the results necessary to meet the project's needs.  Areas of potential overlap between consulting disciplines must be identified and resolved to prevent duplication or omission of critical scope.

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Ideally, a single person should have responsibility for determining consistency between drawings and specifications and within specifications.  Communications between the team members is critical.  Conference calls, including video, face-to-face meetings, email, desktop sharing and detailed checklists are all potential tools for coordinating content, terminology and scope.

 

 

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Wed, 24 Aug 2011 10:25:00 -0700 Coordinating Drawings and Specifications http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/coordinating-drawings-and-specifications http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/coordinating-drawings-and-specifications

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In this brief examination of a perennially popular topic, let's look at coordination of Drawings and Specifications.

Drawings show:

  • Size
  • Form
  • Quantity
  • Relationship
  • Graphic representation

Specifications show:

  • Quality
  • Materials
  • Workmanship
  • Administrative procedures

Drawings and Specifications are complementary:

  • Specifications supplement, but should not repeat information shown on the drawings
  • Drawings supplement, but should not repeat information shown in the specifications

As we will see in a forthcoming slide, the specifications primarily contain qualitative information.  More discussion to come.

Frequently, information is shown in the documents in locations other than the optimum locations shown.  This can occur for many reasons; lack of familiarity with process, information developed at different times by different people, changes in information not followed through on all occurrences, etc.

Proper separation of drawing information and specification information can increase productivity and produce clearer, more understandable documents which are also easier to revise, if necessary.

Coordination is required at all of the following levels or interfaces:

  • Within Project Manual
  • Between drawings and Project Manual
  • Within drawings of each discipline
  • Between drawings of each discipline
  • Within specifications of each discipline
  • Between specifications of each discipline

Failure to Coordination can result in any or all of the following:

Conflict:

  • Redundant requirements shown in multiple places may not agree.
  • Incompatible conditions may require costly changes to be constructed

Omission:

  • Failure to show information in the proper place may result in some critical information not being shown at all anywhere.
  • Lack of critical information may result in violation of codes and added costs to comply.

Discrepancy:

  • Revision may change an item in one location and overlook it in another.
  • Multiple "intents" may be shown, leaving option for selection to Contractor.

 

 

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Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:44:00 -0700 Single Prime Contract http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/single-prime-contract http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/single-prime-contract

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There are many factors influencing the type of Construction Contract and Procurement Method used for a particular project. 

Possibly the factor with greatest influence is whether or not public money or a public owner is involved.  Public Contracts are nearly always required to be procured by means of Competitive Bidding, while private work is not subject to this requirement, although some private owners may opt for a competitive bid anyway.

Competitive Bidding is a Procurement Method where the Owner offers the project to qualified bidders to offer a bid price for the Contract based on very complete Contract Documents.  A modified form of this method, often used in private work, offers the project to a selected list of qualified bidders chosen by the Owner, for bidding in a similar manner.  Public work cannot typically use this method, which involves selection and higher qualifications of the select list.

Direct Selection, or Negotiation is a Procurement Method where the Owner directly selects or invites the Contractor to negotiate a price for the Contract based on some form of Contract Documents, which may or may not be complete.  Often, early stage design documentation is used and the provision of the Contractor's pricing and coordination skills become part of the contract scope.

Another factor is the Project Delivery Method desired.  Again, the divisions between methods are often divided between public and private work, although some public agencies are now able to procure projects using a Design-Build method.

Types to consider include:

  • Single Prime Contract:  Still the most common kind of Construction Contract.
  • Multiple Prime Contract:  Used where fast-track construction is desired or multiple contracts are required (sometimes by law).
  • Construction Manager Advisor:  Could be combined with either of the two above.
  • Construction Manager Contractor (At-Risk) Could be combined with either of the first two above.
  • Design-Build:  The A/E and Contractor are the same entity, a very different form of delivery.
  • Owner-Builder:  The Owner and Contractor are the same entity, another very different form of delivery.

Basis of Payment, or Compensation is also a factor.  Some Project Delivery methods and Contract Types lend themselves to different compensation methods, which offer different values to the Owner.

Lump Sum:  Where the lowest price can be guaranteed on bid day, but the final price of the project is not known until completion or after.

Cost Plus A Fee:  This method does not offer much certainty about the price, but does ensure that the costs and fees are transparent and visible to all parties.

Guaranteed Maximum Price:  A variety of Cost-Plus-A-Fee, where the Project's Maximum Price is known at time of Contract signing, but whether this is the lowest price obtainable is not known.

 Unit Price:  Where the Cost for a given unit is known,  but the ultimate scope cannot be predicted or is subject to change.

Each of these methods of compensation can be specified to occur periodically, or in different intervals depending on project size, complexity and financing.

These Procurement Methods, Project Delivery Methods, and Methods of Compensation are capable of combination and re-assembly into an almost infinite number of combinations, depending on the Owner's needs, Project requirements, and Legal constraints. For further reference, see CSI PRM Module 3 for Proejct Delivery.

For purposes of our future discussion, the Single Prime Contract, Design-Bid-Build will be the method we will discuss, it is the most common, although maybe not the simplest, of the methods.

Each of these Contracts will have the same following basic Elements:

  • Identification of the Parties and a statement that the Parties make a promise constituting an offer;
  • Both Parties sign, indicating understanding and agreement
  • Both Parties receive consideration and possess legal authority to negotiate a contract.

 

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Mon, 22 Aug 2011 08:58:00 -0700 Third Party Obligations of Participants http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/third-party-obligations-of-participants http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/third-party-obligations-of-participants

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Today's slide demonstrates the common three-sided (or tripartite) arrangement of the parties in design and construction activities in a Traditional Bid or Negotiated Contract.

In this diagram from the CSI PRM, the Owner is bound to the A/E and Contractor by solid lines representing contracts (or agreements).  The A/E is bound to his consultants with similar lines and agreements, while the Contractor team is made up of materials suppliers and subcontractors, also under contracts to the Contractor.

The A/E and the Contractor do not have contracts with one another, but are bound by the dotted line designated Third Party Obligations. These are responsibilities described the Design Contract (Owner-A/E Agreement) and the Construction Contract (Owner-Contractor Agreement) that define the relationships of the A/E and the Contractor and their behavior and duties to one another.

The Third Party Obligations are necessary to the operation of the Construction Contract, and their performance is a requirement of the Design Contract, it is important that these obligations be clear, identically aligned, and reciprocal.  Since the obligations are described to two different parties in two different contracts, those contracts must be carefully prepared to ensure that what is required in one, is required in the other.  If this is not the case, then the differing expectations of behavior between the various parties could become a stumbling block to efficiency of contract operations or even cause them to fail altogether.

For this reason, the Model Contracts prepared by various organizations, AIA, EJCDC, AGC, ConsensusDocs, and others, include models of both types of agreements,  Design and Construction Contracts, so these third party obligations are properly described without conflict or error, in identical terms.  Often, however, Owners may choose contracts prepared by other sources.

While this blog is not dispensing legal advice, and every action taken with regard to a contract should be reviewed by the individual or firm's legal counsel, it is fair to say that coordination of the requirements of the Design and Construction Contracts is an important task.  However, it is not a task for the specifier to perform.

The specifier should review the Design and Construction Contracts, (which should be done as part of developing Division 01) and advise the Owner of conflicts observed in that review, then ask for written resolution of the conflicts prepared by the Owner's counsel.  I have often seen conflicts between these two contracts, particularly with reference to the duties of the A/E, when prepared directly by an Owner's counsel.  Sometimes these contracts are prepared by different attorneys, even years apart.

An example:  A Design Contract requiring that the Architect respond to RFI's in seven (7) days, while the Construction Contract says to the Contractor that the Architect will respond to RFI's in forty-eight hours.  Here, the Contractor is given a high expectation of the Architect's responsiveness, which the the Architect's agreement does not require him to provide.  How will this discrepancy be resolved during construction administration?  Which party will give way?  Will contract change orders occur?   I have seen similar conflicts in submittal review requirements, payment processing, and many other construction administration tasks.  No value judgments are to be inferred regarding any particular level or type of obligation, simply that the two expectations should match to prevent conflicts.

Even if model contracts are used, discrepancies can still appear and it is not possible for the specifier to resolve them or determine which to put into Division 01.  This latter action is the duty of the Owner and his counsel.

These difficulties also show why it is important when specifying Division 01,  to review the identical contracts under which the work is to be performed.  We will discuss this again in detail during the Division 01 topic.

Next Topic:  Single Prime Contract

 

 

 

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Fri, 08 Jul 2011 16:12:00 -0700 Specifications in the Project Life Cycle: Construction Documents http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/specifications-in-the-project-life-cycle-cons http://specmonkeynorth.posterous.com/specifications-in-the-project-life-cycle-cons

The Construction Documents Stage of the Project Life Cycle is concerned with the preparation of documents that will be used to obtain bid
prices or upon which a negotiated contract can be based.

These documents include

  • Geotechnical Data
  • Property Surveys
  • Procurement Documents
  • Construction Agreements
  • Conditions of the Contract
  • More Detailed Drawings
  • Civil, Structural and M-E-P designs
  • Designs of other disciplines
  • Full 3-Part Specifications

The 3-Part Specifications prepared in this phase are organized by MasterFormat for most types of Project Delivery Methods, but may be organized using UniFormat for Design-Build project delivery.

These specification sections are prepared using SectionFormat, hence the 3-Part terminology.

Next Post:  Construction Agreements.

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