csinews feb 2015

CSI Houston ChapterThe Construction Specifications InstituteFebruary 2015

Inside this issue:CSI Houston ChapterFebruary Program 1Leadership Directory 2

Presidents Message 3

Board Meeting Minutes 4

Sponsor Advertisements 5

Rules of Thumb 6

CSI Sponsor Advertise-ments 7, 8

Strictly Smith-ly, HowArchitects Decisions Make ItInto Specifications 8, 9

Strictly Smith-ly, TheImportance of TechnicalResources 10

SCR Region Conference 11

CSI Houston Calendar 12

Houston Chapter Website:http://www.csihouston.org

February 23, 2015Board / ChapterMeeting3+( 66%XLOGLQJ5430 Westheimer Road7

5HJLVWUDWLRQDQGmixer)

( YHQLQJ0 HDODQGMeeting)&

Gratis to CSI members;$35.00 to non members atthe door.5* RWRhttp://www.csihouston.org

CSI Houston February ProgramExploring Mineral Fiber Insulation

As with many great innovations, nature is often the source of in-spiration. As with Mineral Fiber, inspired by volcanic eruptions,when strong winds pass over streams of molten lava producingfine silky threads, it has become one of the most innovative andversatile insulation products on the market today.

The February Chapter meeting will seek to explore the origins,health and safety, sustainability and properties of mineral fiberinsulation along with mock-ups and active participation in live ex-periments.

Guest Speaker: Dean Cox, Knauf Insulation

Please join us at our February 23, CSI Houston Chapter meetingfor an interesting and informative evening of discussion.

ASSA ABLOY Door Security Solutions will have a Mobile Show-room outside the HESS Building. Please visit the ASSA ABLOYmobile show room from 4:30 5:30 pm

SPEC.TECTONICS

20142015 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Programs Alex Bernard, CSI, CCPR(713) 407 7700

[email protected] Mark LeCrone

(713) [email protected]

Certification Greg Quintero, CSI, CDT, AIA, LEED AP(713) 356-1300

[email protected]

Awards Amy Salmeron, CSI, CDT713-460-5216

[email protected]

Continuing Education Mark Koehler, CSI(713) 781-6006

[email protected]

Public Relations/Marketing Grant Groeschel, CSI(713)-520-0155

[email protected]

Golf Tournament Holly Jordan, CSI, CCS, LEED AP, SCIP(713) 407-7700

[email protected]

Table Top Amy Peevey, PE, RRO, CDT(713) 467-9840

[email protected]

CIC Delegate Bill Fairbanks, CSI, CCPR(281) 227-3577

[email protected]

CIC Alternate Jeff Holstein, CSI, CDT

20142015 CSI HOUSTON SPEC.TECTONICS

SPEC.tectonics Editor Don Smith, CSI, CCS, RA, LEED AP(713) 688-0092

[email protected] CSI HOUSTON WEBSITE

Webmaster Logan Vits, CSI, CCPR, LEED AP(281) 703-5201

[email protected]

20142015 CSI HOUSTON FOUNDATIONPresident, Al Pasek, CSI, CCPR

(713) [email protected]

Past PresidentGreg Roberts, FAIA, FCSI, CCS, ACHA, LEED APVice President Bill Fairbanks, CSI, CCPRSecretary Diann Reid, CSI, CCS, CCCA, LEED APTreasurer Bob Cook, CSI, AHCCommittee Chair James Sandoz, CSI, CDTDirector Jeff Holstien, CSI, CDTDirector Don Smith, CSI CCS, RA, LEED AP

FEBRUARY 2015 - PAGE 2 CSI HOUSTON

CSI HOUSTON CHAPTER20142015 CHAPTER OFFICERS

President Neil Byrne, CSI, CDT, CPA(281) 354-1100

[email protected]

Past President Robert P. Byrne, CSI(713) 632-4790

[email protected]

President Elect Holly Jordan, CSI, CCS, LEED AP, SCIP(713) 407-7700

[email protected]

VP Finance/ Admin. Chuck Vojtech, CSI(281) 227-3577

[email protected]

VP Professional Development Tim Wilson, CSI(832) 289-6765

[email protected]

VP Member Services Tom Atwell, CSI(713) 877-8879

[email protected]

VP Public Services Don Smith, CSI, CCS, RA, LEED AP(713) 688-0092

[email protected]

Secretary Betsy Finch, CSI(713) 806-3401

[email protected]

Treasurer Bill Fairbanks, CSI, CCPR(281) 227-3577

[email protected]

20142015 BOARD OF DIRECTORSDirector through 2015 Amy Salmeron, CSI, CDT

[email protected]

Director through 2015 Grant Groeschel, CSI, AIA, LEED AP(713) 934-4891

[email protected]

Director through 2016 Don Ude, CSI(281) 685-0164

[email protected]

Director through 2016 Logan Vits, CSI, CCPR, LEED GA(713) 703-5201

[email protected]

Director through 2017 Jeff Holstien, CSI, CDT(281) 850-4659

[email protected]

Director through 2017 Alex Bernard, CSI, CCPR(713) 407 7700

[email protected]

Board Advisory Director Doug Frank, FCSI, CCS(281) 660-6246

[email protected]

CSI SOUTH CENTRAL REGION (http://www.scr-csi.org) / INSTITUTE LEADERS (http://www.csinet.org)SC Region President Melody A. Stinson, CSI, CCS, AIA, LEED AP Institute Director Kirby M. Davis, CSI, CDT

(405) 942-7337 (203)671-7210

[email protected] [email protected]

SPEC.TECTONICS FEBRUARY 2015 - PAGE 3 CSI HOUSTON

February 2015Presidents Messageby Neil P. Byrne, CSIPresident, CSI Houston Chapter

CSI Houston hit theground running in 2015with our much antici-pated market forecastpresentation by Mr.Pat Kiley. With 140people in attendanceand 14 vendor tabletops, it was a tremen-dous event. I want tothank those who at-tended, especially oursponsors and speaker.

We also rolled out our new membership cam-paign, R.U.N CSI (Are you in, CSI?). This cam-paign slogan is geared to increase membershipand member participation through a grassrootseffort. We need our current member base to dotheir part to help achieve our goal. So when yougo about your day to day business, rememberR.U.N CSI!

In other Chapter news, our very own Holly Jordanis running for Institute Director. A local voice atthe Institute level would be of great benefit, and Icould not think of a better person for the job. Theelectronic ballots are out, please vote for Holly.

Also, for those interested in passing the CDT ex-am, we have set up an exam cram to help youachieve that goal. The date has been set for Sat-urday, March 21st. Mark your calendar now, moredetails to follow.

Lastly, the South Central Region (SCR) Conferencewill be held in Lubbock, TX this year on April 16th 18th. I hope to see all of you there.

I look forward to seeing you all at the February meet-ing.

Remember, please help increase membership andmember participation by advocating R.U.N CSI!

At each monthly meeting, the Chapter encourages Indus-try Members to provide a table top display of their prod-ucts and services for the inspection and education ofthose attending the meeting.The table top display is also encouraged to be presentedduring the social hour and after the program for anyquestions by attendees.The presentation fee is $200 for members and $250 fornon-members, or free with a Golf Sponsorship pledge.Contact: [email protected]


CSI Board Meeting MinutesHouston Chapter CSILocation: HESS Building 5430 WestheimerRoad Houston, TXNovember 24, 2014

Present: Alex Bernard, Betsy Finch, Bob Cook, ChuckVojtech, Don Smith, Doug Frank, Holly Jordan, NeilByrne

President Neil Byrne called the meeting to order at4:00 p.m.

The October 2014 Board Meeting Minutes were ap-proved.

Vice President Reports:Finance/Administration: Chuck VojtechTreasurers Report: Bill FairbanksNeil asked for a midyear budget review. Chuck agreedto have the review available in January.

Professional Development: Tim WilsonContinuing Education: Greg QuinteroNo report.

Technical Committee: J. Peter JordanNo report.

Member Services: Tom AtwellPrograms: Alex BernardAlex is working on the program for the February meet-ing; a tour will be scheduled during March and scholar-ships will be awarded at the April meeting.

Membership: Mark LeCroneNo report.

Awards: Amy SalmeronNo report.

Table Top Display: Amy PeeveyNo report.

Public Services: Don SmithSpecial EventsHoliday Event: Holly JordanPhyllis Joseph is working on the arrangements to deliv-er the wagons and gifts collected to the Shriners Hos-pital. There will be a list of gift ideas available to mem-bers at the November meeting. Neil reported he haspurchased six wagons for the event.

SPEC.tectonics: Don SmithDon reported the current newsletter has been postedto the website.

Electronic Communications: Logan VitsNo report.


Meeting adjourned at 5:05 p.m.

Betsy Finch, CSIChapter Secretary

WHERE IS YOUR BUSINESSADVERTISEMENT?

A quarter page ad is only $250 for 12 issues

A half page ad is only $500 for 12 issues

A business card ad is only $225 for 12 issues

Contact Don Smith at(713) 688-0092 or [email protected]

for more information.


Rules of ThumbBy Sheldon Wolfe, RA, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, CSC

A huge problemthat continues togrow is that wehave too much in-formation. WhenAmerican architectsformed AIA, 150years ago, con-struction was muchsimpler; mechanicalsystems hadn'tchanged muchsince the Romansused them 2,000years ago. Sincethen, countless newmaterials and pro-cesses have beenintroduced.

Life was simple forarchitects of those early years, much of their time be-ing spent detailing ornamentation. In 1905, a local uni-versity building of 112,000 square feet was built usinga steel frame, with brick, marble, granite, and terra cot-ta. The construction documents comprised 58 drawingsheets and a 51 page project manual. By today'sstandard practice, hundreds of pages of drawings anda project manual of at least two volumes.

We all know that, at least in theory, today's designersmust understand and comply with a growing collectionof building codes, local regulations, and zoning re-quirements; they must keep abreast of the latest inbuilding materials; and they must know what's in thestandards published by many organizations. No easytask, this - in fact, it's impossible - so we focus on thebig things and hope for the best. To keep things mov-ing, we must carry in our heads the really importantstuff, the rules of thumb. Following is a collection ofsuch rules I have offered to young professionals formany years.

What to draw. If it comes in a box, dont waste timedetailing it. Do spend time showing how it fits in. Exam-ple: Dont draw detailed sections of windows, with all ofthe pieces that make up the sash and frame; do makesure to detail how the window fits in the opening andhow it is flashed.

Draw only what is needed; but draw everything that isneeded. This takes a little thought, but helps the draw-ings get done right the first time. And, it helps the bid-ders, who dont have to wade through a lot of infor-mation that isnt necessary to find what it is we reallywant.

Where does the information go? People who work

at the site dont even carry specs, let alone read them.Put the information they need on the drawings, andeverything else in the specs.

Defined terms. If defined in the contract docu-ments, the terms furnish, install, and provide can havedistinct meanings. While the difference between fur-nish and install is fairly obvious, the common definitionof provide is not, so avoid problems by using furnishand install rather than provide. In a single-prime con-tract, there is only one contractor, but there may bemany subcontractors.

Drawing notes. General drawing notes often re-peat, and often contradict, each other, as well as theproject manual. Eliminate redundant notes. Use thesame term for a given product throughout; use thesame term that appears in the specifications. Used toooften, "Unless noted otherwise" suggests you don'tknow what's in your own documents; how can the con-tractor be expected to know? Why preface some noteswith the word Note? Ask yourself what each notemeans. Example: Fill with concrete and paint. Notessuch as fasten securely and see specs are unnec-essary. Don't use brand names. There is no need tosay "Provide countertop" or "Install trim"; just indicatewhat the product is.

Assignment of work. That's part of the contractor'sjob.

Spelling.

I have a spelling checker, it came with my PC. It plain-ly marks four my revue, mistakes I cannot sea.I've run this poem threw it, I'm sure your please two no;Its letter perfect in it's weigh, My checker tolled mesew.

2015, Sheldon Wolfe, RA, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, CSCAgree? Disagree? Leave your comments at http://swspecificthoughts.blogspot.com/.



Strictly SMITH-ly

How Architects Decisions MakeIt Into SpecificationsBy Donald F. Smith, Jr., CSI CCS RA LEEDAP

I am always amazed at the creative ways thatdecision makers communicate their desires.Shortly after I took over writing specifications fulltime and was quite busy, I had a project architectin the firm I work for approach me and tell methat he had a project that would start next monthand that it had glass in it. So far, so good, Ithought.

In a week or two after our first encounter, heshowed up again and pronounced Don, its goingto be bronze glass.

After weeks passed and a few more of thesebrief encounters, a picture was beginning to de-velop. I had no reason to believe that he was notcompletely serious, but I started to wonder whyanyone would communicate in such a way thatwould make the listener doubt their sanity. Noth-ing was ever written down, not even on thesmallest of Sticky Notes. The flow of this al-most monotonous information was endless. Iwas beginning to believe I was the butt of somevery cruel joke.

It was as if every little scrap of a information wasengraved on a grain of sand on an endlessbeach that was shifted and re-deposited by theaction of each new wave as time went by.

At least with computers, you have the benefit ofthe day-time group to help you sort things out.But, it still does nothing to help sort out thechanges impact on the related work of other sec-tions.

I left engineering school shortly after my secondyear in college began for many reasons, includ-ing the premonition that I would be picking prod-ucts out of catalogs for someone else to use forthe rest of my life.

Its funny how these little daydreams come backto haunt you.

Continued on page 9


tion can be offered for consideration, but onlythe project architect can weigh the decisionsto use it or not as only he has all he infor-mation and responsibility to make such a de-cision.

A Design Development Phase Outline Specifi-cation is a good place to evaluate the prod-ucts, materials and systems that comprise aproject. But even in this early stage, deci-sions still must rely on judgment, objectives,function, and budgets. A project architectonce asked me for a generic roofing spec. Itwas early in the Design Development phaseof the project so I responded Sure, what kindof roof is it; clay tile, sheet metal, modifiedbitumen? Then a curious look appeared onher face and she turned and walked awayfrom me.

I keep going back to Yogi, my personal phi-losopher . . .

"If you don't know where you're going, youmight wind up someplace else."

Yogi Berra

Just my opinion,

Donald F. Smith, Jr., CSI, CCS, RA, LEEDAP

Continued from Page 8

But anyway, it has always amazed me how atide of emails containing cut sheets of catalogswith multiple items each with multiple optionsand accessories arrive without a manufacturersname or decisions marked to show what iswanted. It makes you wonder what they arewilling to seal and sign.

Review comments are likewise troublesome.Review comments are normally handled in theform of comments in a pdf file. There is not justone version but overlapping comments from theseveral required submittal dates and no mentionof what is superseded or now following a newdecision path.

Comments can also come from a project clientrepresentative. These comments are usuallydirected to the project architect. Forwardingthese to the specifier without the project archi-tect taking action on them can be dangerousfrom many points of view. Even skilled projectrepresentatives can look at something and notunderstand its use. One client representativeonce told me Sometimes I look but I dont see.Teamwork gets the job done. There is no betterhelp than another set of eyes looking at some-thing from a different perspective.

Forwarding changes without specific instructionson what they are for can also be dangerous.Take for example new cut sheets for productsand materials that are different than those origi-nally sent to the specifier. Are they substitutionsfr the original instructions? Are they changesfor only some items, but not all? What happensto the original decisions?

This is where the specifier has to remind the re-viewer that the specifier works in the Non-Fiction department of our profession and can-not fabricate facts based on what the specifierthinks is required. The project architect thatsigns and seals the drawings and project manu-al is responsible for the decisions and content ofboth drawings and specifications. The projectarchitect attends meetings with the client andthe consultants, listens to the pros and cons ofthe options available, and makes decisions orcauses decisions to be made by a consultantthat he can support in the interest of the client.

If a specifier sees a problem that has not beenaddressed or addressed adequately, a sugges-

WHERE IS YOUR BUSINESSADVERTISEMENT?

A quarter page ad is only $250 for 12 issues

A half page ad is only $500 for 12 issues

A business card ad is only $225 for 12 issues

Contact Don Smith at(713) 688-0092 or [email protected]

for more information.


Time is an important concept for what ever thesource may be. If you are familiar with MasterFormat, a section number followed by and abbre-viated subject source and date acquired I think isthe bare minimum to keep track of product dataand gives a good starting point to considerwhen to weed and replace old material. Certain-ly product data that is no longer valid, out ofdate, or no longer available should not be kept tobe selected by the unwary. Sometimes you alsoneed to apply a personal test. Would I spend myown money on this product for a current project?

It is important that the resource library be intui-tive, easy to use quickly, and available to all.Information that cannot be accessed quickly willnot be access at all. Getting the staff to com-ment on new and old material can help.

The eighty percent rule should be used. Thatis, things that show up routinely in eighty percentof your particular area of practice should bereadily available and kept current with links toother sources of general interest.

Keep your ears open for comments on whatworks and what doesnt work. The Internetchanges so quickly that it might be a goodsource for the need for change. You need toseek out and fix every time someone tries to usethe resource and cant get the information thatthey need. If it is the go to place, everyone willuse it. The specifier is a good choice to collect-ing and have a final say on weeding, but shouldnot be the only source as a good technical libraryshould address different points-of-view.

Technical resources are especially important todesigners and project architects early in the pro-ject. A preliminary Table of Contents early in SDand DD with cut-sheets of major items to be in-cluded in the roof and exterior enclosure walls,may help develop well thought-out building sec-tions based on Codes, project goals and budg-ets.

"In a time of drastic change it is the learners whoinherit the future. The learned usually find them-selves equipped to live in a world that no longerexists. "

Eric Hoffer

Just my opinion,

Donald F. Smith, Jr., CSI, CCS, RA, LEEDAP

Strictly SMITH-ly

The Importance of TechnicalResourcesBy Donald F. Smith, Jr., CSI CCS RA LEED AP

Drawings and specifications rely on design deci-sions founded on fact, not intensions. Codes,standards, and technical specifications are notguidelines in the sense of general areas of agree-ment or disagreement, depending on your point ofview, They belong to broader categories of mini-mum requirements for safe construction, habitationand use, as well as general agreement as to whatworks and what does not. Or I would say an agree-ment of how things work, and in some sense alsoareas that they may not work or work well.

Architecture is the art and science of designing andbuilding, especially habitable ones, and also themethod or style of building. Building Codes are acompilation of requirements for the minimum re-quirements for safe construction and habitation. Ithas always amazed me that they are often viewedas a line in the sand. Almost a dare on how close aparticular design can get to the line of what is per-mitted. History tells us that great architecture re-sults from the art and science of construction andhow well the structure performs and the joy andpracticality that it brings to the occupants over along period of time. In todays society, people dontfight to preserve poor architecture, but rather to pre-serve the culture of the past, how people lived andhow we got to where we are today.

A good technical library contains Codes, standards,industry specifications, historical styles, types ofconstruction, technical literature and periodicals onwhat works, how it works, and information on whereit doesnt work. The modern library is in a state oftransition. Use of printed material is declining withmaybe the exception of preserving the historicalrecord. Internet sourced material seems to beingincreasing, but changes so frequently that maintain-ing links to sources can be problematic, so muchso, that quick access comes at a price. I prefer amix of Internet links, local copies of manufacturersdata and scans of published articles filed by subjectfor quick retrieval. Samples, if kept, are useful, butonly if marked as to what they are, who they wereobtained from and when they were obtained. It isimportant to remember that items with a naturalrange of variation such as masonry, stone, andwood are difficult or impossible to closely match.


Melody Stinson, AIA, CCCA, CCS, CSI, LEED APCSI South Central Region 2014-15 PresidentContact: [email protected]

63( &LVDPRQWKO\SXEOLFDWLRQRIWKH+RXVWRQ&KDSWHU&RQVWUXFWLRQ6SHFLILFDWLRQV,QVWLWXWH&6,+GRHVQRWDSSURYHGLVDSprove, sanction, or guarantee the validity or accuracy of any date, claim, or opinion appearing herein. Republication rights are granted to the CSIand its chapters for original articles printed herein, provided proper credits are given. The Houston Chapter is incorporated under the laws of theState of Texas, and is chartered by the Construction Specifications Institute.

CONSTRUCTIONSPECIFICATIONSINSTITUTE

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