"You will never reach your destination if you stop and throw stones at every dog that barks."
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Deep Thoughts
- Winston Churchill
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Please let us know if you have any ideas for future newsletters.
Your Humble Narrator,
Mike Halstead
Indianapolis CSI Newsletter Co-Editor | Mild Mannered Reporter,
Ryan Muzzillo
Indianapolis CSI Newsletter Co-Editor |
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The Insider
There is nothing better than the month of May in Indy. Memorial Day is a special weekend for many reasons - summer is almost here, school breaks and vacations start, we remember loved ones and the Indy 500 roars into town. The Indy 500 is the Greatest Spectacle in Racing and Indianapolis knows how to throw a party - so buckle up and enjoy the ride. Show us your teeth!
Last month our Student Chapter went to New Orleans to build a handicapped accessible ramp and to work on home repairs for Ifuma - an elderly woman confined to a wheelchair. They really did a fantastic job and had some fun in NOLA too. Thanks again to all the student members who went - Casey McMurray, Marisela Abel (Current President of SDO), Alex Flick, Kyle Wisler (Current President of SSC), Connor Duke, Andrew Smith and Josh Lantz. If you want to really do something great make a contribution to the Indianapolis CSI Foundation for scholarships - these young people are really doing great things for our chapter and representing our industry well.
Speaking of scholarships - Congratulations to our new 2015 CSI Indianapolis Chapter Scholarship winners - Zach Bradby (Ball State - Architecture), Devin Doster (Ball State - Construction Management) and Seth Bollier (IUPUI - Construction Engineering Management Technician). And additional congratulations to a couple of our student members who just received summer internships - Nate Davis will be working at Shiel Sexton Construction and Christina Sprowl will be working at Pepper Construction.
Apparently our student members weren't the only ones in NOLA. The Hat resurfaced on Bourbon Street, got punch drunk and ended up in some sleazy hotel with another hat. Apparently losing Don has sent The Hat into a spiral.
We currently need help with Sponsorships - anyone who doesn't have anything to do or isn't doing anything for our chapter step up! We also need someone to pick up the ball that has been dropped with our duckpin bowling night. Last year Ariel Su did a fantastic job organizing the event and we had a lot of members and families show up. If someone would like to fill her shoes and take over it would be a very rewarding evening with fun for everyone. I heard "The Dude" would not be there this year, but apparently his alter ego has guaranteed another best costume victory - ala Joe Namath.
The CSI Indianapolis Trade Show will be moving to the JW Marriott Hotel this upcoming September 10, 2015. Looking forward to an exciting event at an exciting new venue. Thanks to Andy McIntyre, Brian Detty and the Trade Show Committee for all their hard work. Make sure you sign up for booths - get in early and get a good deal.
Your Humble Narrator
- Your Humble Narrator
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Upcoming Events
Programs Committee
Upcoming Events
Indianapolis Chapter CSI May Meeting: The International Orangutan Center at the Indianapolis Zoo
Thursday May 21, 2015 from 5:30 PM to 8:30 PM EDT
The program focuses on the idea of designing a facility that is optimized for two species. Our buildings are always designed for people. But what does it mean to design for people but also to design for a different, but nevertheless sentient and highly intelligent - species? What does the facility mean for the city of Indianapolis culturally?
Willows on Westfield
2015 Past President's Forum
Thursday May 28, 2015 from 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM EDT
This is our annual gathering of the past presidents of the Indianapolis Chapter of CSI. This gathering gives the past presidents an opportunity to bestow advice to the incoming chapter president from years of experience.
The Rathskeller
Indianapolis Chapter CSI Day at the Zoo: Tour of Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center
Saturday May 30, 2015 from 11:00 AM to 7:00 PM EDT
The tour of the Orangutan Center will be a follow up to the May Chapter program on the Orangutan Center. The tour guide will be Paul Grayson, the Zoo's Deputy Director and Senior VP of Conservation and Science. Full admission to the Zoo grounds, the Aquarium, and the White River Gardens are included with ticket purchase. The tour begins at 11:00 am
Indianpolis Zoo
2015 Standing Reservation List
Thursday December 31, 2015 at 1:00 PM EST
Willows on Westfield
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View from the Tower
David Young AIA, CSI
The highlight of the last month has to be the Bi-Region Conference at The Chicago Holiday Inn Mart Plaza, next to the Merchandise Mart, on 7-9 May. It was put on by The Chicago Chapter and the Northern Illinois Chapter. Everything about the event was first class including the tour boat dinner cruise, the architectural tours, the venue, the educational seminars, the banquet (with live band!) . . . . . The thirteen of us who attended had a great time and learned a lot.
In case you missed it last month, your 2015-16 Chapter Officers are:
Joel Young, President
Ralph Pitman, President Elect
Andrew Huehls, Vice-President
Christine Walter, Secretary
Jeremy Hoffman, Treasurer
This administration will start with the July Board Meeting.
Last month's chapter meeting was informative and eye opening:
"ICRI Guideline 320.3R-2012, Guideline for Inorganic Repair Material Data Sheet Protocol". Presenter Andrew Fulkerson is the Technical Manager for the Concrete Restoration Systems Division of MAPEI. This was a joint meeting with ICRI (International Concrete Repair Institute) and was a follow up to two afternoon education seminars on "Concrete Curing & Long Term Moisture Protection" and "Concrete Restoration Basics." Way to rake in some CEU's! Remember almost all meetings offer AIA and CSI continuing education units - great for those of us who need those things to maintain our licenses. And great for the rest of us because you know the presentations are informative and educational.
Our May Chapter Meeting will at our normal location at The Willows on Westfield.
Social Hour starts at 5:30 / Dinner at 6:30 / Program from 7:30 to 8:30:
21 May Chapter Meeting - The Simon Skjodt International Orangutan Center at the Indianapolis Zoo: Designing for Two Species. Presenter Jonathan Hess, AIA is a Principal and the President of Browning Day Mullins Dierdorf in Indianapolis. He was Partner-in-Charge and the Lead Designer on the Orangutan Center. If you have not already signed up, come anyway and pay at the door - we will fit you in somehow.
Remember that May is Orangutan Twofer Month. That is why there are two pictures! We also have:
30 May - A Day at the Zoo - Orangutan Exhibit Field Trip (Saturday) -- Indianapolis Zoo
This is family event. Bring children, friends, and co-workers.
Tickets will be distributed at the chapter meeting. If you miss the meeting - but why would you want to? - tickets will be snail mailed to you.
As the last day to sign up on line was 15 May, reduced price tickets are no longer available; however, you are still welcome to join us. You will just have to pay full freight to get into the Zoo. Check our website for details.
Next up on the calendar:
18 June -- Awards Banquet -- Columbia Club
This will be an event not to miss. If you have not experienced this, bring your spouse or significant other and join the celebration. You will see firsthand just how many individual are involved in making our chapter so great. Nice dinner, nice historic location, nice people, nice view of the Circle, good food and drink . . . . . well , you get the picture.
We believe that the issues with the Institute web site have been fixed, and payments both ingoing and outgoing are current. Remember that the Indianapolis website is a microsite of the Institute website, so some of the issues affected us locally. If you still have any concerns in this regard, please email me, and I will follow up.
Event Look-Ahead:
4 June - Bud Reed Memorial Golf Outing. The Golf Club of Indiana. Yes, it is that close! If you have missed the notices for this event, get thee to csiindy.org. For more immediate response to questions you may have, contact Chris Hughes / Golf Committee Co-Chairman @ 317-502-9720.
10 September - 41st Annual Trade Show. #Design Indy 2015. Save the date. At the JW Marriott.
The May President's Question:
In order to continue to promote the 30 May Day at the Zoo and International Orangutan Center Tour let's stay with the Zoo theme. Did you know that your humble president was heavily involved with the "new" zoo design back in the mid eighties? He did the construction documents for about eight holding facilities including lion, baboon, elephant, giraffe, wallaby, red panda, polar bear, and tiger. Ask me what a squeeze cage is and about the giraffe windows.
Question: David Young designed which exhibits at the Zoo:
a. Deserts. b. Walrus c. Rhinoceros d. All of these.
Be the first to email the correct answer to davidyoung327@gmail.com with the subject heading "Zoo" and you will receive a $25 gift certificate from Amazon.com. The correct answer and winner will be revealed at the May chapter meeting. You must be present to win.
For every beast of the field is mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all of the birds of the air, and all that moves in the field is mine. Psalms 50:10-11
Remember: I am here to serve our members. davidyoung327@gmail.com 317.777.0855 cell
Please feel free to share any suggestions, complaints, or needs regarding our chapter - or especially if you wish to volunteer for any of our committees. We are such a great chapter because so many help in their own way.
Special Need: Jamie Spice is missed. We are looking for someone to take over Sponsorships Committee.
CSI Indianapolis Chapter . . . UNITING, CONNECTING, BUILDING . . .
Sincerely,
David Young AIA, CSI
2014-2015 Indianapolis Chapter CSI President
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YouTube Channel
Visual Education
The Indianapolis Chapter CSI has entered into a new phase of the digital communication era, and now has a dedicated YouTube Channel for the benefit of our membership.
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Certification Quiz
Jack Morgan - Quizmaster
1. Three types of control plans the Contractor may be requested to submit during Preconstruction include:
a. Erosion Control Plan
b. Pollution Control Plan
c. Site Control Plan
d. Traffic Control Plan
2. The recommended format for an Addendum is:
a. Changes to Procurement Requirements, changes to previous Addenda, changes to the Conditions of the Contract, changes to the Agreement
b. Changes to previous Addenda, changes to Procurement Documents, changes to Agreements and other forms, changes to Specifications and Drawings
c. Changes to Specifications, changes to Drawings, and changes to previous Addenda
d. Contract Documents, changes to Specifications
3. The two sentence structure moods that are recommended for Specifications are:
a. The Imperative mood
b. The Indicative mood
c. The Symbolic mood
d. The Conflicting mood
4. There are occasions when it will be necessary for the A/E to consider special procedures for certain variables in a project, including:
a. Indeterminate items, unknowns, and contingencies
b. Postponement of decisions until the design is complete
c. Identification and control of design costs
d. Flexibility and adjustment for AHJ's requirements
5. A result of the Design-Build delivery method is:
a. The A/E will provide the same level of professional service as a conventionally delivered project.
b. Construction documents will be more detailed than a conventionally delivered project.
c. The material selections will be by the Owner.
d. Dispute Resolution will require less of the Owner's time.
Answers located at the end of this newsletter.... |
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Table Tops
Kent Hughes
Indianapolis Chapter CSI
The Indianapolis Chapter of CSI is accepting reservations for Table Tops for upcoming Chapter meetings. The list of programs for upcoming Chapter meetings is published in this newsletter, the web site, or contact Program chairman Jeremy Hoffman - jhoffman@crewtech.com , if you would like to target a particular meeting, be sure to make your reservation early. We do have a limit of four spaces available for Table Tops in a standard meeting room and 10 if we have a double room.
Table Tops are an opportunity to promote your company, products, or services to all attendees of our regular chapter meeting during the social hour. There is a maximum of 20 minutes for Table Top presentation at a regular Chapter meeting. You have the floor for maximum of five minutes after dinner before the speaker to communicate to the entire group if there are four presenters. If there is a greater demand, the 20 minutes will be divided by the number of presenters and rounded down to the nearest 30 seconds.
The Table Top presentations are FREE, one time, to new members, and cost current Indianapolis Chapter members only $75. Non-members get the same opportunity for $125. A 30 by 60 table with a cover and skit will be included. All proceeds go to support the Chapter. Payment is due at the time of setup.
Another opportunity for a Table Top is during an Education Seminar. The cost is if you combine it with the Chapter meeting and Education Seminar the cost would be $100 for current members and $150 for non-members.
If you would like to schedule a Table Top for a future meeting or seminar, contact:
Kent A. Hughes RA CDT - American Structurepoint
khughes@structurepoint.com - 317.690.5820
Be sure to put 'Table Top Request in the subject line
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Chapter Photos
Capturing Memories
Our Student Chapter exploring New Orleans
A special thanks to Andrew Fulkerson on his presentation for concrete restoration!
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Board of Directors' Minutes
Online Archive
Minutes of the Indianapolis Chapter CSI Board of Directors can be read here. Please contact the president with any comments or questions. |
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Vent
An editorial section for members to "let it out" about the Construction Industry, the Chapter, CSI National, etc. Members can email the Co-Editors anonymously with comments for publish by clicking on the image to the right.
We need to nominate more Indianapolis Chapter Members for Fellowship.
Definitions are necessary, but when a defined term is used for other purposes, it can be difficult to say how it's being used. Speaking of definitions, here's something I found in a project manual several years ago. 'The words "Furnish", "Provide", "Include", "Supply", "Erect", "Deliver", "Install", "Apply", "Lay" or "Place": These words are intended to be synonymous and to indicate that the material or work specifically mentioned is to be furnished and installed completely by this Contractor and incorporated into the Project. Whenever a material is to be furnished by this Contractor and installed by another Contractor, or installed by this Contractor and furnished by another Contractor, it will be specifically specified.' If all those words mean the same thing, how can you tell who's doing what?
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What's the difference between drawings and specifications?
© 2015, Sheldon Wolfe RA, FCSI, CCS, CCCA, CSC
We all know what specifications and drawings are. Or do we?
In casual conversation, it's not unusual to hear someone say "the specs" or "the specifications" when referring to the project manual. Similarly, it's common for people to say "the drawings" when referring to, well, the drawings. In either case, it's almost certain that everyone's mental images are of documents in two sizes: 8-1/2 by 11, and 30 by 42, or some other large size.
What's wrong with that? Nothing - except that paper size has nothing to do with what's on the paper. Yet because of the way we have printed documents for decades, we suffer from a common preconception. I'm as guilty as anyone; I often have used the acronym SPDNORUTT - small paper documents no one reads until they're in trouble - when referring to the project manual. Again, what's wrong with that? Aren't specifications printed on small pages, and drawings on large sheets?
In short, no. What the information is has nothing to do with paper size. It's true that, until recently, what we call specifications typically has been printed on small paper, and what we call drawings typically has been printed on large paper, but even then the distinction was artificial. Let's look at what AIA has to say about the matter.
The A201 (and similar documents) defines the specifications as "that portion of the Contract Documents consisting of the written requirements for materials, equipment, systems, standards and workmanship for the Work, and performance of related services." Note there is no mention of where those requirements occur, or what size paper they're printed on. Drawings are defined as "the graphic and pictorial portions of the Contract Documents showing the design, location and dimensions of the Work, generally including plans, elevations, sections, details, schedules and diagrams." Again, there is no mention of where those things appear, or what the size of the paper is.
Even when the A201 used the term "project manual" there was nothing that prohibited specifications from appearing on large paper, or drawings from appearing on small paper. The project manual was defined as "a volume ... which may include the bidding requirements, sample forms, Conditions of the Contract and Specifications." (My emphasis.) Again, there is nothing that says specifications can't appear on large paper.
By definition, drawing notes that describe materials, equipment, systems, standards, or workmanship are specifications. And, though far less common, graphic images that appear on small paper are drawings.
Since 1911, the A201 and its predecessors have flirted with what I have called the "single document" concept. "The Contract Documents are complementary, and what is required by one shall be as binding as if required by all." Together with the definitions of specifications and drawings, it can be argued that the "instruments of service" are a single document that just happens to be printed on paper of more than one size. The coming of BIM, which can store information of many types without regard to printing format, pushes us past the convenient but artificial separation of information, and actualizes the complementary nature of construction documents.
This may seem a strange way of looking at our documents, but it's easy to show that it's nothing new. It's common, at least in this neck of the woods, to have structural engineers put specifications for concrete, masonry, and steel on drawings (large paper). Mechanical and electrical drawings (large paper) also frequently include specifications. If you think about the definition, many of the notes that appear on drawings (large paper) are, indeed, specifications, as they specify "requirements for materials, equipment, systems, standards and workmanship for the Work, and performance of related services." Furthermore, because it is permissible to include graphic images in specifications (small paper), drawings can be part of what is commonly referred to as "specifications."
Of course, it is convenient to have simple terms for the small and large paper used for construction documents, even if those terms ignore their own definitions. In fact, even though the building model obviates the need to rely on any given size paper, our continued reliance on printed output means it's not likely the situation will change.
It's interesting that the AIA Commentary for the A201 states "The term Drawings does not imply representations only in paper format [but] are also found in addenda, change orders, construction change directives, minor changes in the work, other modifications in the work, or in responses to the contractor's requests for information" but does not expand "Specifications" at all. Even though it should be obvious, these definitions reinforce the need to ensure consistency between the notes that appear on drawings (large paper) and requirements stated in specifications (small paper).
If it's text, and it says something about materials, equipment, systems, standards, workmanship, or performance of related services, it's a specification no matter where it appears.
Agree? Disagree? Leave your comments at http://swconstructivethoughts.blogspot.com/
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Quiz ANSWERS:
1. a, b, d 2. b 3. a, b 4. a 5. c
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Information
Date:
May 21, 2015
Location:
Willows on Westfield
Fees:
Member - Free
Guest - $20
Student - $10
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