SPECIFICS - Construction Specifications Institute

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SVol. XXXXII No.8 September 2006 Newsletter of the San Francisco Chapter, Construction Specifications Institute

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CSI San Francisco Chapter MeetingWednesday, September 13, 2006

6:00 PM – 9:00 PMLe Meridien, 333 Battery Street

San Francisco, California

A Presentation by a Panel of LED and Lighting Experts

Solid-state lighting has the potential to revolutionize the lighting industry. Light-emitting diodes (LED) – commonly used in signs, signals and displays – are rapidlyevolving to provide light sources for general illumination. The technology holdspromise for lower energy consumption and reduced maintenance.

We have a panel of experts including:

Janet Nolan, IALD, MIES, one of the top lighting design experts in the nation;

Jeannine Komonsky , the Pacific Energy Center’s Lighting Coordinator;

and rounding off the panel will be an industry-recognized LED technical expert.

Find out when our panel of experts think general lighting for interior applications suchas offices or residences will be available using LED. Discover which LED applicationsare the most energy-efficient. Hear the advantages and disadvantages of LED. Learnif LED is inherently a directional light source. See how LED is used in lighting design.

Architects, interior designers, specifiers and all the construction team need to be awareof, and knowledgeable about this fast-emerging lighting technology, and here is youropportunity. You’ll hear technical and designer perspectives, and learn how LED worksand where to use it.

That’s what CSISF programs are all about —-Professional development for design and construction professionals ©

RSVP: Please RSVP by Friday, September 8, 2006 (go to http://www.csisf.org/reserv_form.htm)

Place: The Park Grill at Le Meridien San Francisco, 333 Battery Street, San Francisco

Time: Social Hour/Cash Bar: 6:00 – 6:45 PMDinner: 6:45 – 8:00 PMProgram: 8:00 – 9:00 PM

Cost: $36.00 members, $40.00 guests (to be paid in advance)Getting there: Parking: Embarcadero Center One Garage (on Battery, between

Clay & Sacramento)Public Transportation: Easily accessible via BART and Muni

LED LIGHTING

Everything You Wanted to Know

About How It Works & Where To Use It

http://www.csisf.org/reserv_form.htm

Vol. XXXXII No.8 September 2006 Newsletter of the San Francisco Chapter, Construction Specifications Institute

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Helena Maile Morell was born 3:11 AM July 25, 2006 to proud parentsFred and Liesl Morell. At birth, she weighed 7 pounds 9 ounces andwas 19.5 inches long.

Our hearty congratulations and best wishes go out to the newestmember of the CSI San Francisco family. Our regular President’sMessage will return next month.

FAREWELL FROM MIKE KONTRANOWSKI

I have been a member of the San Francisco Chapter since 2000 andhave held positions such asphotographer, ProFairChairman, Secretary, andmy current position, Directorof Industry. My six years ofexperience with CSI havebeen very rewarding both inthe networking process andin learning the constructionmarket. I can honestly saythat, because of theknowledge gained in thisorganization, CSI hasallowed me to excel in thisindustry very quickly.

Now is the time to saygoodbye to all my friends inthe San Francisco Chapter. Ihave recently accepted theposition of North American

Market Manager with Dow Chemical, and will be transitioning back toMidland, Michigan, which is also home for my family.

Thank you to all who helped me early on in my career, and I wish allof you a successful and rewarding future.

Mike Kontranowski

PUBLISHED BY THEPUBLICATIONS

COMMITTEE

EDITOR:

Elizabeth Porter, AIA, CSI, CCSTopFlight Specs55 New Montgomery StreetSuite 805San Francisco, CA [email protected]

ADVERTISING MANAGER:

Matt Crawford CSI, [email protected]

PHOTO EDITOR:Michael Chambers, FCSI, [email protected] Photographers: Lydia ChambersBetsy Porter

EDITORIAL POLICY:

1. To inform members of the Chapterand Institute goals and activitiesdirected toward these goals;

2. To inform members of Chapter andRegional activities, Board actions;and,

3. To provide a forum for all members.

President Liesl Morell, CSI, CCPR

PRESIDENT’S ANNOUNCEMENT, SEPTEMBER 2006

Kontranowski family: Chase, Kristin,Mike and Kelsey


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MARK YOUR CALENDAR!

October 11 Dinner Meeting - An architecturalpresentation on The SF OrchardHotel, the first green hotel

November 8 Dinner Meeting - An architecturalpresentation on One RinconTower

December 13 Holiday Party at AcmeChophouse, Say Hey Room

January 10 Dinner MeetingFebruary 14 Dinner MeetingMarch 14 ProFairApril 12 Dinner MeetingMay 10 Dinner MeetingJune 13 Awards Banquet

The City and County of San FranciscoDepartment of Building Inspection

Presents a series of freeBROWN BAG LUNCH TALKS FOR 2006

3rd Thursdays, Noon to 1:30 PMat 1660 Mission Street, Room 2001

(Second Floor)Contact Laurence Kornfield, 415-558-6205

September 21 Disabled Access Requirementsfor Commercial Buildings

October 19 Eating Out – A Field Trip toInspect a Restaurant

Seminar Sponsored by Santa Clara Chapter CSI

ADVANCED PLANS READING

Saturday, October 14, 7:30AM to 5:30 PMRamada Inn Silicon Vallet

1217 Wildwood Avenue, Sunnyvale, CACost $165 in advance, $185 at the door

For Further Information see www.csisf.org

CSI/SF MEETING RESERVATION FORM

Please see our website for the new MeetingReservation Form. As our monthly attendancecount grows, we need your help. To streamlinethe events, please take note of website’spayment ideas.

From the website: “Guarantee your place at themeeting, and enjoy the convenience of advancepayment by credit card or check. Avoid waiting inline, PRE-PAY TODAY! Just complete and print theform to mail or fax along with your payment info”

MARK YOUR CALENDAR!



http://www.csisf.org

Want to know more about virtual design?Sustainable construction products? How aboutplanning and running better meetings? Throw insome great business skills sessions and speednetworking and you have the line up of sessions atthe annual West Region Conference. You won’twant to miss these programs and the region-wideproduct show in Reno at the Grand Sierra Resort(formerly Reno Hilton) November 2-5, 2006.

Every member of CSI should make plans to attendthe leadership development sessions on Saturday,where you can pick up timely tips on every aspectof CSI projects, from fund raising to membershiprecruitment to marketing your Chapter programs.

Check out the line up of speakers and registrationform at www.westregioncsi.org. Early registrationdeadline is September 14, to get the best rate forthe entire conference of $225. For the best hotelrate of $84, reserve your room by September 30.(Mention Construction Specifications Institute forgroup rate; 800-648-5080.)

Special recognition of the Conference Sponsors willtake place on Friday afternoon. Be among theleading companies in the industry who support CSIin the West Region. More information on how toshow your products and services in Reno can befound at region website www.westregioncsi.org.Thanks to our preliminary list of committed hostsfrom Kelly Moore, Frazee Paint, ACH FoamTechnologies, VistaWall, 4Specs.com, Hilti Inc.,Hardy Frames, Inc., Grace Construction Products,Basalite/ H. C.Muddox, Dayton Superior, IngersollRand Security Systems, and Concrete MasonryAssociation for making the conference possible.

Make your plans now to take in the fun andeducation of the “Biggest Little Conference in theRegion” this fall in Reno, NV.


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WEST REGION CONFERENCERENO, NEVADA, NOVEMBER 2-5

“Biggest Little Conference in the Region”By West Region Conference Committee

http://www.westregioncsi.org

http://www.westregioncsi.org

Forget MOP – PRM is in, it’s hip, and it’s happening! (for those who missedall the hoopla – PRM stands for Project Resource Manual and it is replacingthe venerable Manual of Practice). It is greatly improved and we have thehonor of having one of the CSI/SF team who produced in our Chapter –Alan Tokugawa, FCSI.

Read all about it on-line:http://www.csinet.org/s_csi/sec.asp?CID=1016&DID=9607

CSI San Francisco Chapter has ordered 51 PRMs at a deep discount rate andwe have been passing along this savings to CSI Members throughout theBay Area, AND we are now extending this offer to non-members!

CSI San Francisco Chapter Price: $175.00CSI Member Price (from National): $236.00CSI Non-Member Price (from National): $295.00

Do the math and get out your checkbook. To order, simply download thePRM Order Form at the ‘Chapter Forms and Flyers’ page of the Chapterwebsite and send in your payment pronto.

The PRMs will be brought to the Chapter meetings for pick up at theregistration desk. Order yours now!


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PROJECT RESOURCE MANUAL(What is it and Why do I Need it?)

By Peggy White

Elizabeth and Rodney Green Bill Kuhns and Betsy Porter

http://www.csinet.org/s_csi/sec.asp?CID=1016&DID=9607


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SF CSI past presidents don’tjust fade away or retire, theyroll up their sleeves andcontinue to work for CSI.When they got together aspart of the SF CSI Foundationboard recently, they madesome more plans to earn anddistribute money forscholarships and educationalprojects. Among those on

the Foundation Board who met recently areBryan Jones, Lawrence Merrion, John McCaffrey,Alan Tokugawa, Ray Helfer, Ron Ronconi, MattCrawford, and Bob Mosblech.

Each summer, the pinnacle fund raising project ofthe Foundation is the Bandini Golf Tournamentheld at Edgewood Golf Club in Lake Tahoe. Thisyear, the 26th annual event was hosted byindustry greats such as Otis Elevators, RosendinElectric, and Cupertino Electric. Special giftswere provided by loyal CSI sponsors Kelly MoorePaint and Xypex Waterproofing. The revenuesfrom this project will be added to the donationsfrom the very successful silent art and wineauction held this spring, and will comprise themonies available to present as scholarships andgrants to worthy students in the constructionprofessions.

Plans are underway for next year’s golftournament on July 21, 2007 at Edgewood. Markyour calendar so you can be among the golfers atthis elite course set among the pines and snow-capped peaks.

Art and wine lovers will want to take note of theplans to host the next Art and Wine Auction atthe holiday party in December 2007. Since this

special event requires careful orchestration, theFoundation will form a special committee to planthis year-end fund raiser at a very special venue.Let us know if you’d like to participate!

Most of all, the Foundation Board would like tothank all those who donate their time and talentsin the Chapter to make our educational projectsso successful. The monthly wine raffles atChapter meetings help bring us closer to thegoals of providing funding for innovativeeducational opportunities in the constructionprofessions.

FOUNDATION LAUNCHES PLANS FOR SCHOLARSHIPSBy Paulette Salisbury, SF CSI Foundation Inc. President

In each month’s Program Announcement, we askfor an RSVP response the Friday before theupcoming dinner program event. Why do we needreservations for the monthly dinner, and on thatFriday? That is the day we are required to notify LeMeridien, or a special event venue, of ourguaranteed head count for the upcomingWednesday meeting so they can conduct theirinternal planning and food purchasing. We arepermitted to make modest increase adjustments onMonday morning. But the head count we give themon that Friday is a contractual guarantee for a setnumber of dinners and we base our guarantee onreservations made. That is why your reservation,and honoring your reservation, is important.

How No-Shows Affect Our Chapter’sFinances

When a reservation is made and the individualdoesn’t come to the evening event, your Chapteris liable for the cost of the dinner. Sometimes thecost is mitigated by walk-ins, many times it is not.We appreciate the fact that plans change and workdeadlines preclude evening activities sometimes,but we do ask that you notify us promptly if you’vemade a reservation and cannot attend themeeting.


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1973 2006

WHY WE ASK FOR MONTHLY DINNER RESERVATIONS

Continued on next page

Your CSI SF Chapter has made it a policy not to requireprepayment from our members, and we will continue with thatpolicy. Prepayment is certainly convenient, and if you want topre-pay, we welcome it. However, please keep in mind that if youmake a reservation and then don’t show, or cancel at the lastminute, that impacts the Chapter’s financial reserves. We do notmake money on the dinners; they are cost-neutral, and we wantto keep them cost-neutral.

We appreciate your cooperation with this policy, and ask you toremember that no-shows affect funds available to bring morevalue to your membership through services and events.

Non-Member Program Dinner Fees Have Changed

In August, the Chapter Board of Directors approved a dinner feepolicy change for non-CSI members and guests. The new pricewill be $40 starting in September, 2006. This new dinner feeapplies to members bringing a non-member guest (with theexception of the Holiday Party, or the Awards Dinner when pricingis based on an event cost), or a non-member attending theProgram Dinner. The CSI member fee will remain $36.


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Your Ad Here - in Color!

Yearly Rates Business card - $2001/4 Page - $4001/2 Page - $600

Matt Crawford CSI, [email protected]

San Francisco CSI Chapter Totes

Continued from previous page

Matt Crawford, Jerry Pozo, Patrick Raney at the Le Meridien

Are you a product representative, or consultant, ortrade that wants to talk to our Chapter membersabout your product, or service? One of the bestways to do that is to have a Table Top at one of ourevening Program Dinners.

For example, if an evening program was devotedto LED Lighting, and you have a product or servicerelated to LED or other lighting products, oroffering lighting consulting, or are an electricaltrade who wants us to know about you becauseyou have special lighting expertise, this would be agrand opportunity. However, your product orservice doesn’t necessarily have to relate to theprogram topic.

How it Works and What it Costs

We have space each month for a maximum of fourtable tops. Placement is first come, first served.We provide the draped table. You can either bringa table top display, or simply have literature andother information or samples at your table. Thetable top is set up just prior to the social hourwhich starts at 6:00 PM, and you can keep it openright through the end of the evening so people cancome by after the program concludes. But don’tmiss out on dinner or the program; both shouldnot be missed.

Some Chapters permit each Table Top participantto give a five minute presentation during dinner.That is not our policy. We have very tightlyscheduled evenings, however at the start of thesocial hour we announce the table top participants,and the President again acknowledges each tabletop participant during opening remarks.

CSI members pay $75 per table top. Non-members pay $125. See, membership does haveits benefits.

Pre-payment is required, no exceptions. Withoutprepayment, a table will not be available.Prepayment can be in the form of check, madepayable to CSI SF Chapter (note Table Top fee andprogram date), and mailed to our offices at Suite1500, 100 Bush Street, San Francisco, CA 94104.Or you may pay with credit card by calling ouroffices at 415-982-7473. Again, make sure younote this is for a table top, and for what programdate. Remember, we can only take four table topsper program evening, so if there’s a particularprogram you are interested in, don’t delay inprepaying your space.


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I t ’s your bus iness. Success in architecture, interior design, and building now

depends on understanding sustainable design and materials.

At UC Berkeley Extension you’ll stay current with today’s best

practices and learn from leaders in the field.

COURSES STARTING SOON

South of Market Center, 95 Third St., San Francisco

Sept. 7: Sustainable Commercial Interiors

Oct. 16: Practical Applications of Sustainable Design

Oct. 18: Universal Design

Oct. 24: Principles of Sustainable Design

Bui ld ing susta inab ly. . .

www.unex.berkeley.edu/interiordesign

HAVE A PRODUCT OR SERVICEYOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT?

RESERVE A TABLE TOP FOR A DINNER EVENT!


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What exactly is Life Cycle Assessment? LCA is apowerful tool for measuring the impact ofsystems. It shouldn't be mistaken for a Life CycleCost Analysis, which is a fairly straightforwardway of finding out actual costs over time byadding to first costs items such as maintenanceand energy consumption during the installed lifeof a product or system.

One enters the realm of LCA when an attempt ismade to grasp a more far reaching understandingof a product's life through the commonlyunderstood phases of extraction, manufacturing,construction, facility operation, and de-construction.

This tool was originally designed for internal useduring the manufacturing process. One of themost noted early LCA's was developed by CocaCola to determine the impact of switching frombottles to cans. The potential effects of thisdramatic change in Coke's manufacturing anddistribution processes were better understood bytheir management team after a complex LCA wasconducted.

The building industry's current interest in LCA isdriven by a need to have some form of sustain-ability evaluation that goes beyond singleattributes. An example of a single attributewould be recycled content. By measuring only

LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT: READY FOR PRIME TIME?By Michael Wolfe,CSI, CDT

Continued on the next page

Guest Photographer Lydia Chambers Pat Hooper and Berry Stafford

this property of a product, it is possible tooverlook a wide variety of other environmentalimpacts. For instance, the manufacturing processfor this particular product may create a significantamount of toxic waste. The plant might alsohappen to be located on the other side of theworld, which leads to concerns about the amountof energy required for transporting the finishedproduct to the U.S. Look a little closer, and itmight turn out this facility's carbon emissions areoff the charts. A properly executed LCA wouldattempt to answer the question of whether thisproduct, with its recycled content, is actuallysuperior in a sustainable sense to one with norecycled content that is made across town in aplant that meets basic EPA standards.

Here's how it's supposed to work. LCA's follow astrict protocol that involves four phases: goal andscope, inventory analysis, impact analysis, andinterpretation.

In other words:1. Figure out what you want to know, and then

determine the scope of measurablecomponents to be considered.

2. Measure them.3. Analyze the measurements.4. Conclude what it means.

Scoping is the key element in this process, andultimately is the key to understanding theappropriate value of the LCA. If it isn't in thescope, it isn't going to be in the concludinginterpretation. It's that simple.

In the example above, the scope of the LCA mightor might not include all of the issues noted. Itcould exclude toxic waste, say, for a couple ofreasons. One might be there is no reliable data,especially if it's produced offshore in a third worldcountry. On the other hand, there could besufficient toxic byproduct data, but none of theother products being compared have sufficientcorresponding data.

Some people make the mistake of thinking an LCAis flawed if it does not address a certain issue theybelieve is important. The scope has to be finite,definable, and measurable. The LCA is not flawedif it excludes toxic byproducts of manufacturing.It is merely worthless to people who want toconsider this issue. Likewise, if the scope isn'tclearly delineated, the conclusion doesn't meanmuch.

Next month our expedition continuesdeeper into wilds of LCA

HooperWolfe, LLC, 2006


page 11


Jim Faull and Michael Wolfe

Chaos reigns within. Reflect, repent, and reboot. Order shall return.

Haiku Error Messages from Microsoft

The San Francisco Chapter of CSI is pleased toextend a very warm welcome to our newestmembers John M. Youngman of AutomaticEntrances California, Paul T. Miller of StegoIndustries and Chris J. Nichols of KnaufInsulation.

We would also like to sincerely thank the following45 members for renewing their CSI membershipduring the months of June and July:

Member’s Name and CompanyJune

Harv Abernathey, CSI, Aquatech Consultancy, Inc.Sandra L. Black, CSI, Johns ManvilleChristine Coates, CSI, Golden State FlooringCathy Coffman, CSI, Precision GeneralMelvin G. Cole, FCSI, CCS, SCIP, Architectural

SpecificationsPamela Collier, CSI, Levy Design PartnersDouglas W. Day, FCSI, CCS, Douglas Day Associates

Gordon Dey, CSI, CCS, Corlett SkaerDevoto Architects, Inc.

Kerin R. Dodd-Hansen, RA, FCSI,CCS, Dodd-Hansen Consulting Group

Richard S. Flood, CSI, AIA, Ian MackinlayArchitecture

Johnnie R. Fudge, CSI, CCCA, HTI Inc. ArchitectsPeter Grant, CSI, LBI Technologies, Inc.Kathy A. Greenway, CSI, Platinum Visual System

Div ABC School EquipmentSarah Guttman, CSIRobert W. Harrington, FCSI, Harrington Co., Inc.Mark A. Hawkins, CSI, Woodwork InstituteGreg Hillman, CSI, CCCA, Bay Hill Builders, Inc.Judy Holleran, CSI, CDT, Henry CompanyBerne J. Holman, CSI, U.S. Postal Inspection

ServiceKenneth A. Klein, CSI, Simpson, Gumpertz &

HegerHarry F. Kohaut, CSI, Reclaimed Wood


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MEMBERSHIP NEWSby Cathy Coffman


Brenda Beers Mock Helen Raney

Products CompanyRaymond A. Kuca, CSI, Skidmore, Owings &

Merrill, CSISteven H. Kuklin, CSI, Arconomix, Inc.David W. Liggett, CSI, CCS, AIARichard Jay Love, CSI, Degenkolb EngineersJane M. Lund, CSI, CCCA, Herrero Contractors,

Inc.Robert Lustig, CSI, CCS, AIARoderic A. Milroy, BA, CSILawrence L. Mock, CSI, Mock/Wallace ArchitectsGuy A. Murnig, CSI, Mechoshade/StretchwallTracy Myers, CSI, AIA, Ian Mackinlay ArchitectureElizabeth H. Porter, CSI, CCS, AIA, Topflight SpecsAugust K. Strotz, CSI, A.K. Strotz and AssociatesFritz Swenson, CSI, Swenson Construction

Company, Inc.Michael R. Wolfe, CSI, CDT, HooperWolfe, LLC

JulyMatt Crawford, CSI, CCPR, Kelly Moore Paint

CompanyBarry B. Daniels, CSI, Collier Building SpecialtiesFrederick J. Klemeyer, Jr., FCSI, Wertheim, van der

Ploeg & KlemeyerGordon S. McWilliams, CSI, Stepstone, Inc.Stuart C. Pendleton, CSI, The Pendelton CompanyClare Malone Prichard, CSI, AIA, Stoecker &

Northway ArchitectsSundar Rajan, CSI, Earth Tech Inc.Patrick Raney, CSI, W.R. Meadows of N. Ca.John F. Schmidt, CSI, Architectural Services &

Products, Inc.Tony Sinkosky, CSI, PWP

!!Attention all members!!

Help us stay connected… If any of your contactinformation is out of date, please go to the CSI websiteat http://www.csinet.org/s_csi/index.asp and log inusing the information provided on your membershipcard. You will then go to the Membership page andchoose ‘Modify your Profile’ from the box in the bottomleft corner of the page. Please make sure CSI has yourcurrent email address – thanks!

News & Sightings

Industry Director Scott Lindsay will soon beleaving Dunn-Edwards Paints in order to sellreal estate. We hope we’ll still be seeing himat meetings!

Do you have some interesting news of apromotion, move, or other item?

Email [email protected] to share!


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Scott Lindsay at ProFair 2006


http://www.csinet.org/s_csi/index.asp

mailto:[email protected]

The best product with a bad application is still abad product.

Application knowledge is vastly more important thanproduct knowledge.

In my opinion one of the critical issues in the designprofession today is making appropriate constructionproduct choices. Whether to select innovative products andsystems to meet design goals, or to go with tried and trueproducts for an often less than stellar design outcome, is aconstant quest of design professionals.

Product Risk Management

So what do we do? Accept risk, transfer risk, avoid risk, orinsure the risk? In reality, probably some of each, butbefore we make any choices or decisions, it is critical tohave a consistent product evaluation process. This processmust reflect the type of design projects undertaken and thelevel of risk acceptable to the design professional and client.

Problem Identification

Effective design solutions do not necessarily requireinnovative products nor do innovative products generateeffective design solutions. That is why it is so important tosearch out solutions rather than products in the design andproblem seeking process.

Any competent problem identification process requires in-depth investigation and analysis. It is incumbent ondesigners to demand real, industry standard, informationfrom manufacturers. Avoid “features and benefits” at anycost. It is nearly impossible to adequately assess the risksinherent in the design process using a manufacturer'smarketing hype and fluff. Features and benefits shouldnever be a deciding factor in the problem identification andrisk assessment process.

Product Application Risks

There are a number of issues to consider and review todetermine the acceptable level of application risk inselecting products and systems.

•“Fitness for use” is both a legal notion and good analysistracking. It is important to determine if a product is theright fit to solve the problem.

• Environmental factors can be a range of issuesincluding VOCs, sustainability, heat generated, orcorrosion.

• Quality of installers is probably the most important. Abad install is a bad situation no matter how fine theproduct. Look for manufacturer trained and certifiedinstallers programs. This is a significant value-added tothe project.

• USA versus imported products. With the increasingnumber of new products from around the world,compatibility and integration are key elements toconsider.

• Scheduling, delivery, lead times can be significantissues if not taken into account. Many great designshave been trashed because long lead times orscheduling issues were not discovered and handled upfront in the specifications.

Critical Product Evaluation Process

There are a series of critical questions and issues that mustbe addressed in the evaluation process.

• Are primary systems, such as, structural, MEP, orbuilding envelope affected by the selected product?

• Health or Safety Issues?• Integration and connections; can the product or

system be used with normal effort and planning?• Installation quality? Again, specifying qualified

installers and manufacturer certifications can besignificant.

• Sustainability and life cycle cost are issues for moreand more clients and design professionals. Beware of“greenwashing” and related hype. Make certain theissues are real and supported by industry standardinformation.

• Warranty vs. quality installation? Don't fall for themore warranty / less quality bait and switch frommanufacturers.

• Product manufacturer representative relationships arecritical to getting useable information and knowing thatsupport is near at hand.

Warranties

Warranties are not a risk management tool. Warranties aredrafted by attorneys to limit the risk of product


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EVALUATING NEW PRODUCTS:INNOVATION OR RISK AVOIDANCE?

By Michael D. Chambers FAIA FCSI


manufacturers. They do not provide any significantprotection to the client or architect. Warranties areimportant, they are required as part of the UniformCommercial Code, and in general, are part of goodbusiness practice.

Warranties do not avoid or reduce risk; they do notprevent roofs from leaking or sealants from failing.Only good design and installation practice can reduce oravoid the risks inherent in the use of constructionproducts and assemblies. In some cases, warrantiesmay increase perceived risk of an installation due tounreasonable expectations for performance on the partof the client.

Finally, longer warranties are never a justification for alower first quality in products or assemblies. Thepractice of resolving bad value engineering judgmentswith longer warranties is not just bad practice. It isunethical and poorly serves our clients. Warrantieshave their proper place in the construction process, butrarely as a part of a product evaluation.

Evaluation Tools

There are a number of key tools that can help designprofessionals in the product evaluation process. Firstand foremost; ask questions. In particular, ask the rightquestions to obtain real industry information so thatappropriate decisions can be made.

Using the outline of topics found in CSI'sSectionFormat™ can be a very useful tool to ensure thatinformation topics are covered and the right questionsare asked.

Mock-ups are a significant evaluation tool, thoughsomewhat after the fact. However, mock-ups areexcellent for resolving integration and interface issuesthat may not be clearly understood during theevaluation process.

Understanding and investigating testing processes andprocedures can often be useful tools in determiningadequacy and quality of new or innovative products. Becautious, because just because a product passes testingdoes not mean that it is the right product for the


page 15


SPECIFICATION REVIEW BY MASTERFORMAT™ 1995 DIVISION

Div.

General Evaluation Issues

2

Base materials, corrosion, durability,

replacement, maintenance, systems,

interface, disabled access, engineering

coordination

3

Material quality, consistent processes,

internal quality control, forming, depositing,

consolidation, structure

4

Application & details more important than

structure, moisture intrusion

5

Fabrication, corrosion, finishes, structure,

fire, shop fabrication

6

Moisture, pests, fire, fabrication (hand vs

shop), structure

7

Application more important than materials,

moisture intrusion, intense code (fire)

implications, extreme conflicts in product

performance values, beware of generous

warranties, IAQ

8

Appropriate application of industry standards,

real product/application issues not features

and benefits, moisture intrusion

9

Substrate, fire, equality basis, wearability,

durability, installer skills, traffic loads, wide

variation in interpreting industry standards 10

Determining basis of equality, primarily

packaged good, warranties may be useful 11

Determine real issues, basis of equality,

interface with structure and related systems 12

Real issues

13

Often very simplistic and hard to enforce

14

Loading, dimensions, capacities, people

load/demand over time 15

Coordination, dimensions, locations, conflicts,

IAQ 16

Coordination, technology interface, controls


project. A good example is door closers. Manufacturerslove to tell you that their closer passed a 100K cycletest. The interesting fact is that closers rarely fail bywearing out. They fail because they are not adjustedcorrectly, or because they are sized incorrectly for thedoor.

Manufacturers' installation instructions and installerwarnings are another great source of product evaluationmaterial. For some reason, manufacturers will notmisrepresent their products to the installers, as theysometimes will to design professionals. Read the instal-lation instructions. Lots of very interesting informationabout “fitness for use” can be found there.

Checklists are another useful tool to keep productevaluations organized. A couple of checklists that Ihave developed follow this article.

Risk avoidance in product selection and innovativedesign practice is a simple discipline that can providesignificant benefits to clients and design professionals.Ask questions, demand industry standard responses,and look for manufacturers who provide excellentproducts rather than unreal warranties.

PRODUCT EVALUATION CHECKLIST• Characteristics and Uses

• Functional Feasibility: Will it actually do what it isintended to do?

• Safety: Consider potential hazards, side effects,will it be safe under all conditions, includingmisuse?

• What are typical or potential uses in various typesof buildings?

• Appearance:• Relative to competition and/or substitutes• Wear and weatherability• Finish:

• Maintenance requirements• Useful life

• Legality: In terms of applicable laws, productliability, regulations, product standards• Function: Relative to competition, performance

of this product is likely to be perceived as superior.• What are its advantages?

• Ignore features and benefits• What are its limitations?• What specific types and sizes are available?• How does it compare with competitive products?

• Installation methods and installerrequirements.• Where has it been used, by whom, with what

results? • List of projects, owners, dates, and performance

to date • How product is manufactured and raw materials

contained • Design rationale: Why is it designed the way it is?• Rated capacity: What are the rated capacities of

the product?• What is its probable useful life?• What tests or examinations have been made and

by whom?• Price: Relative to competition and/or substitute

products.• Initial cost.• Cost over useful life.

• Distribution:• Lead time.• Storage requirements.

• Dependence:• Other products affected by its use.• Interface with other products/systems.

• Specifications - how, where, and why.• How should it be specified? • Detailed information as an aid to specifications• Samples and catalogs.

•Where can samples or displays be seen?• Competition:

•Existing direct and indirect competition for thisproduct.•New entrants or competitive reaction.

• Environmental Impact: In terms of pollution,litter, misuse of natural resources, etc.• Product Life Cycle: Sustainability factors.• Raw materials issues.• Energy source used in manufacture.

• Product Quality Control:• Quality control measures implemented• Demonstrated ability to assure reliability of quality

over an extended period of time?• Will the manufacturers certify fabrication and/or

installation for this project?• Product failures.• Installation failures.

• Trade jurisdictions• Maintenance issues

• Training• Spare parts• Emergency repair response time


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Michael D. Chambers FAIA FCSI CCS is Technica Director for SB Architects, San Francisco (415-673-8990) and principalof MCA Specifications, Construction Product Marketing Group (415-239-6566), www.mcaspecs.com

By now everyone should be aware of the upcomingWest Region Conference to be held in Reno fromThursday, November 2 to Sunday, November 5.This year, the conference is being organized by theregion under the leadership of Bryan Varner of theRedwood Empire Chapter. His committee has linedup an excellent series of technical presentations onFriday, chapter workshops on Saturday, and a lotof fun for the entire conference. There will be aproduct show on Thursday evening and there areexcellent opportunities available for conferencesponsorships. Please see the conference flyer fordetails, and make your plans now to attend.

Continuing from last month my report on issuesdiscussed at the Institute Board of Directorsmeeting that took place in Arlington, VA in June, itwas announced that the Institute convention nextyear will be held in Baltimore, MD from June 20 toJune 22. What a great city for a convention! Forthose of you who attended the last conventionthere is 1998, you already know this. But forthose of you who may have not visited Baltimore,it’s a great city. True, it can be hot and muggy inJune, but the historical sights, the food, and thescenery make it all worthwhile. Plan to attend theconvention as a start to a longer vacation on theeast coast. You’ll be close to Washington, DC,Philadelphia, and many other vacationdestinations.

The board voted to change the designation for theInstitute’s highest member classification, that ofHonorary Member, to Distinguished Member. Inthe future, the Honorary designation will bereserved for those who are not CSI members. Thisis thought to be a more commonly understood useof the designation. All current Honorary memberswere consulted before the change was madenearly all agreed with it.

Development of an educational program toaccompany the NCS/UDS, (National CADDStandard/Uniform Drawing System), is currently

underway. It was reported that several organi-zations outside of CSI are anxious for this to becompleted. The consultant under contract to theInstitute for this project is expected to completework on this in the fall.

The Institute will be the secretariat for thecontinuing development of OMNICLASS, an overallconstruction classification system. As such, CSIwill be at the center of coordinating and managingthe work being done by industry companies on thispotentially significant tool that is thought to havegreat application in Building Information Models.

Lastly, there was no discussion of another duesincrease, at least not for the time being. Ourmember dues amount to about one third of theInstitute’s total income. This is slightly below theaverage for professional organizations such asours. With it being so low, I think we still have anunhealthy reliance on the Institute Convention forthe financial well being of CSI. I expect there willbe more dues increases in the future, and I willsupport these. However, given that we’ve just hadtwo years of modest increases, it’s probably wiseto give these a rest.


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WEST REGION CORNERBy Ed Buch

Paul Miller, Joe Marks, John McCaffrey

Board Members 2005-2006

President: Liesl Morell, CCPR 650-685-1654 [email protected] President-Elect: Robert Mosblech, CTC 800-776-2167 robertm@butler-johnson,com

Vice President, Industry: Bryan Jones 415-883-8221 [email protected] President, Professional: Vivian Volz, RA, CCS 415-433-3700 [email protected] President, Professional: Richard Hubble, AIA, CCS 415-383-2304 [email protected]: Rodney Green 415-467-9235 [email protected]: Jim Faull, PE, CDT 650-743-3522 [email protected]

DIRECTORSDirector, Industry: Mike Kontranowski 925-779-9471 [email protected], Industry: James O'Keefe 415-310-5896 [email protected], Industry Michael Wolfe, CDT 510-238-9500 [email protected], Professional: Alann Ramirez 415-248-1284 [email protected], Professional Jim Coyle, CDT 415-543-4010 [email protected] President, Advisor: Mike Rice, CDT 707-258-6350 [email protected]

CHAIRSAwards Mike Rice, CDT 707-258-6350 [email protected] Certification Vivian E. Volz, RA, CSI, CCS 415-433-3700 [email protected] Richard Hubble, AIA, CCS, 415-383-2304 [email protected] Michael Chambers 415-239-6566 [email protected] Pat Lanning-Bonderud 415-457-4439 [email protected]

Jim Coyle 415-543-4010 [email protected] Bryan Jones 415-883-8221 [email protected] Cathy Coffman, CSI 415-332-8390 [email protected] Committee Robert Mosblech, CTC 800-776-2167 robertm@butler-johnson,comProFair Paulette Salisbury 925-485-0804 [email protected] Pat Hooper 510-315-1010 [email protected]

Berry Stafford 415-781-6677 [email protected] Betsy Porter, AIA, CCS 415-546-6033 [email protected]/Intern-Outreach John Raeber, FCSI, CCS 415-920--2244 [email protected] /Electronic Comm Matt Crawford, CCPR 650-610-4211 [email protected] Director Matt Crawford, CCPR 650-610-4211 [email protected]

TASK TEAMSBy-laws Peggy White 408-393-8422 [email protected] Matt Crawford, CCPR 650-610-4211 [email protected]

PE

CIF

ICS

San Francisco ChapterConstruction Specifications Institute100 Bush Street, Suite 1500San Francisco, CA 94104T 415 982-7473 email: mail@ csisf.orgweb site: www.csisf.org

Advancement of Construction Technology

CSI membership is composed of a cross-section of the construction industry–architects, engineers, contractors,developers, manufactures, suppliers and representatives from allied industries. Chapter activities reflect theunbiased concerns of the entire industry-not one section of it. Members through the Chapter, Region, and theInstitute have the opportunity to contribute their views and experiences to the improvement of specifications andother contract documents.

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SPECIFICS - Construction Specifications Institute

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