7.11      Architectural Woodwork

7.11.1          General Requirements for Architectural Woodwork

Architectural Woodwork for MDOT MAA projects are to be designed, constructed, and installed in compliance with the recommendations and appropriate quality grade(s) as defined in the latest edition of the Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS), published jointly by the Architectural Woodwork Institute (AWI), the Architectural Woodwork Manufacturers Association of Canada (AWMAC), and the Woodwork Institute (WI).

7.11.1.1        Types of Woodwork

Types of woodwork covered by this Standard are listed by Section in the AWS, including casework, doors, countertops, and trim.

7.11.1.2        Fire Protection Requirements for Woodwork

Refer to Volume 3, Section 2.2 General Fire Protection Design Information.

7.11.2          Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS) Quality Grades

AWS includes three levels of quality, ranging from lowest to highest: Economy, Custom, and Premium. Each quality level addresses such items as permitted materials, appearance, detailing, finishes, and fabrication and installation tolerances for woodwork. Architectural woodwork quality grade for manufacture and installation shall be “Custom” for MDOT MAA projects, unless otherwise specified by the consultant and approved by MDOT MAA’s Project Manager.

7.11.2.1        Modifications to Woodwork

Certain improvements to the specified quality grade, for example, Premium grade wood veneer faces for Custom grade wood doors, may be specified.

7.11.2.2        Options for Woodwork

Economy grade may be considered for certain types and locations of woodwork, subject to approval by the MDOT MAA’s Project Manager.

7.11.3          Architectural Woodwork Institute Quality Certification Program (AWI QCP)

Specifications for architectural woodwork for MDOT MAA projects shall include the requirement(s) that the project be registered with AWI's Quality Certification Program, which shall include manufacture and installation by AWI-Certified woodworking firms, certified for the applicable categories of the work. Project registration with AWI QCP by the woodworker is required immediately following construction contract award. Prior to Substantial Completion, each project is to be issued a Certificate of Compliance by the woodworker indicating the project has been completed under the auspices of the AWI QCP.

7.11.3.1 Submittal Requirements for QCP Projects

Action and Informational Submittals are to include the following requirements:

A.     Shop Drawings

Action Submittals for QCP projects are to bear AWI QCP labels indicating the project's registration number. Shop Drawings not bearing labels may be reviewed and marked for resubmittal but are not to be marked as approved (or approved as noted) by the Consultant until shop drawings indicate compliance with requirements and labels are attached.

B.     Compliance Certificates

Informational Submittals of AWI Quality Certification Program Certificates of Compliance. Certificates of Compliance are to be delivered to MDOT MAA Office of Architecture, prior to Project Closeout.

7.11.3.2 Inspection of Woodwork

Fabrication and installation of registered projects shall be inspected by an AWI QCP inspector for compliance with the AWS quality level specified, and a Project Compliance Inspection Report will be filed with the Engineer. The Report shall indicate any deficiencies that require correction prior to recommendation that a certificate be issued. A follow up site inspection shall be performed to verify that corrections have been satisfactorily completed, and an updated Report shall be filed with the Engineer. Project Specifications may include requirement for Informational Submittals of Reports.

A.     Labels

AWI QCP labels are to be affixed to woodwork receiving Certificates of Compliance by the woodworker in an inconspicuous location determined by the MDOT MAA Office of Architecture.

7.11.3.3 Selection of Qualified Woodworkers

A list of qualified woodworkers may be included in each section of the specifications requiring AWI certification. Information regarding the QCP and AWI-Certified woodworkers is available from the AWI QCP web site. Check boxes for certified sections may be selected to narrow the search for qualified woodworkers. A complete list of certified sections applicable to each contractor is displayed following selection of the listed contractors from the search results.

A.     Recommendation

It is recommended that one section at a time be selected. Selection of multiple sections may yield inaccurate results, which may inadvertently disqualify otherwise qualified woodworkers.

7.11.3.4 Economy Grade Woodwork

Certification for Economy grade woodwork is not required.

7.11.3.5 Wood Doors

Flush wood doors produced by reputable manufacturers generally will not require certification. Certification may be specified for flush wood doors integral with wall paneling, stile and rail doors, sketchface doors, and similar special doors and applications. Compliance with Architectural Woodwork Standards is, nevertheless, required for quality grade specified.

7.11.3.6 Enforcement of AWI QCP

Any or all AWI QCP requirements may be waived at the discretion of MDOT MAA Office of Architecture; however, compliance with requirements of Chapter 7.11.1 General Requirements for Architectural Woodwork and Chapter 7.11.2 Architectural Woodwork Standards (AWS) Quality Grades is still required.

A.     Modifications to Woodwork

Proposed future work involving modifications to woodwork that has received a Certificate of Compliance is to be reviewed and approved in writing by the MDOT MAA Office of Architecture, prior to proceeding with any proposed modification.