March 09 Parameter

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CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHAPTER of the CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS INSTITUTEwww.csicentralva.org

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President’s Message

CalendarGreen Word

Involvement in CSI

CSI Press Release

Leadership Roster

Membership Report

Governor Press Release

MARC Ad

Curmudgeon’sCorner

Quotes

Minutes

LEED EB: How to Green your Existing Building Please join us for a case study presentation of Charlottesville’s first LEED EB project. Martin Horn, Inc. has just finished a major renovation to their corporate headquarters in Charlottesville, Virginia and has gone through the submission process for LEED EB certification. This project is expected to have a 3 year return on investment, create a healthier workplace for their employees, and set a high standard for building renovation work in Central Virginia. Mr. Ted Horn and Mr. Seth Stallings will discuss the sustainable strategies that they incorporated in this project and the obstacles that they encountered. This presentation will highlight the challenges and opportunities that arise through the integration of LEED EB into the renovation process and how it has changed “business as usual” at Martin Horn.

The LEED for Existing Buildings Rating System helps building owners and op-erators measure operations, improvements and maintenance on a consistent scale, with the goal of maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environ-mental impacts. LEED for Existing Buildings addresses whole-building cleaning and maintenance issues (including chemical use), recycling programs, exterior maintenance programs, and systems upgrades. It can be applied both to existing buildings seeking LEED certification for the first time and to projects previously certified under LEED for New Construction, Schools, or Core & Shell.

Learning Units available: 1 HSWMembership not required, please plan on joining us!

Reservations by March 12, 2009 to The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245.

LEED EBMarch 17, 2009

5:30 - Social Hour | 6:30 - Dinner7:30 - Program

1 HSW Learning Unit

RSVP by Thursday, March 12434-979-5245 - Office of The Gaines Group

Please specify if you would prefer vegetarian option!FREE PARKING AT THE OMNI!

$25 - member $35 - non-member$10 - program only

A Message FromYour President

By now you are tired of hearing about the doom and gloom of our current economic conditions. You are looking for a glimmer of hope to let you know that you have weathered the storm and you are going to survive this economic downturn. You are waiting to see business leaders talking about their upbeat forecast for the future. You are waiting to hear that other companies are hiring candidates from the incredibly talented pool of available workers that exists right now. You are waiting along with everyone else to see when things are going to recover.

However, there is one problem; if we all keep waiting we will never get anywhere. As seems typical among the architectural profession, I have limited formal business management training, so forgive me while I question the cur-rent conditions we are experiencing. I hear dai-ly stories of businesses that are struggling to get to next week and have done everything to cut wasteful spending, reduce overhead, and streamline their production. So here is where I am really confused – before the economic slowdown were there a lot of companies that were looking for ways to spend in a wasteful manner, looking for extra overhead that was not needed, or not streamlining their produc-tion? Could it be that this economic downturn

is going to create a more vibrant stronger mar-ket where people base projects on value and not on a passing fad or popularity contest? Could it be that this economic downturn is a wakeup call that we needed to get our priori-ties back in line. I encourage you to continue to be cautious in these unstable times. I certainly am not looking for ways to throw money away. However, now is the time to invest in our future. Companies with vision and strong leadership will emerge from this slowdown with renewed emphasis on delivering quality service that meets or exceeds expectation. Now is the time to get involved with your community, advance your knowledge, and create a stronger future for our children. I understand that there are larger forces at work and the banking industry is struggling. I know this is going to be a long recovery period and there are going to be set backs along the way. I encourage you to con-tinue to be frugal in your decisions and select products and companies based on the value they deliver. Let’s join together and help each other through the recovery process. Let’s build a better future together.

On a lighter topic: Central Virginia CSI is thrilled to host the CSI Middle Atlantic Region Confer-ence in Charlottesville, Virginia this October. This will be a premier event for construction professionals from all around the region. The program “Sustaining Mr. Jefferson’s Legacy:

Designing for the Future” will focus on the need for forward thinking and holistic solu-tions in the construction industry. We have seen the all too real results of “because that is the way we always do it” thinking. This confer-ence will jump start the discussion of how we can now do it better. Join us as we investigate how our industry has the potential to change how buildings are used, built, and perform.

If you are looking for a larger scale event, Con-struct 2009, CSI’s national show, will be held June 16-19 in Indianapolis, Indiana this year. Construct 2009 offers education programs, an expansive exhibit hall floor filled with the lat-est services, products and technologies as well as a myriad of networking opportunities. In conjunction with the 53rd CSI Annual Conven-tion, the event is coupled with an abundance of special events and programs so you can find everything you need under one roof at Con-struct 2009.

Charles HendricksCharles Hendricks,

AIA, CSI, CDT, LEED-APPresident, CVCSI 2008-2009

2... SEPTEMBER 2007 - THE PARAMETER

CVCSI Membership ReportCVCSI membership currently stands at 77

March Anniversaries:Lynwood Napier, T&N Printing - 18 yrsMarc Paxton - 24 yrsTucker Shields, R. Tucker Shields Architect - 15 yrsHerbert White, TEC Engineering - 4 yrsRobert Norman, Benjamin Moore - 2 yrsTim Irvin, Agora Tile - 1 yr

The Parameter - March 20092

WOODSON D. PARRISHGEORGE LASTINGERJOSH LANAHANPHIL WITRYR. GUY MOFFAT, JR.BILL WALTERCHARLES H. DICKEYBRIAN D. MININGERJOHN H. COTTON, JR.KEITH S. WALSHVLAD WOJCIKNEIL T. JONESANNE G. MARK

DUNCAN J. MORTONRAYMOND G ZEDEKARBENJAMIN Z. MEREDITHTERRY L. HERNDONLLOYD D. BENTLEYLAURA V. FIORIPAUL J. TANGORAGLEN STOLTZFUSD. TRAVIS LAYMANROBERT R. CONNELLYCANDACE M. SMITHJENNIFER MORRIS

New MembersOur list of all 25 of CVCSI’s new members in January 2009:

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat

1 2 3 4 5

8 9 10 11 12

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March 2009March 2009The Matchmaker @ Live ArtsOliver @ Four County Players

March 4 - Ani DiFranco @ ParamountMarch 6 - Cinderella @ ParamountMarch 6 - First Friday Art CrawlMarch 7 - JC Superstar @ JPJMarch 11 - Harlem Globetrotters @ JPJMarch 13 - Monster Jam @ JPJMarch 17 - CVCSI Dinner MeetingMarch 18 - 22 VA Festival of the BookMarch 25 - How to Grow it Green @ The Habitat Store___April 10 - 12 BRHBA Home and Garden Show @ JPJApril 24 - 25 CSI LOS Ghettysburg, PAApril 21 - CVCSI Dinner MeetingMay 19 - CVCSI Dinner MeetingJune 15 - CVCSI Awards Banquet

GREEN TERM OF THE MONTH

LEED for Existing Buildings. One of the six LEED Green Building Rating Systems. LEED

for Existing Buildings establishes a set of perfor-mance standards for the sustainable upgrades

and operation of existing buildings.

LEED - EB

Upcoming Events...

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2009 Mid-Atlantic RegionCSI Conference

Charlottesville, VAOctober 8-11, 2009

www.MARC09.com

The region conference will take place in Charlottesville for the first time in 10 years. We are in the process of scheduling two full days of interesting seminars around the theme :

“Sustaining Mr. Jefferson’s Legacy: Designing for the Future.”

Membership not required, please join us!

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Jesus Christ Superstar@ JPJ

St. Patrick’s Day

Ani DiFranco@ Paramount

CVCSIDinner Meeting

Harlem Globetrot-ters @ JPJ

Monster Jam@ JPJ

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Cinderella@ Paramount

VA Festival of the Book

First Friday Art

How to Grow It Green @ Habitat Store

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Involvement in CSI


With all of our new members, I thought this would be a great opportunity to address how you might begin to become involved in CSI at the chapter, regional, or institute level!

First of all, chapter elections are coming up. If you, or someone you know might be interested in serving on CVCSI’s board, please submit your / their name ASAP. We will be putting together a ballot for elections and we would love to have our new members become involved. Our board meets once a month to discuss how to make the chapter a valuable resource for our members. Please e-mail Charles Hendricks, [email protected], or call the office of The Gaines Group at 434-979-5245 with your nominations.

The chapter awards reception will be held in June, but we are already accepting nominations for our highest award, the Craftsmanship award. This award is given to an individual or a firm who has exhibited exemplary craftsmanship on a local project. Previous recipients include Artisan Construction, George Gerke, and Martin Horn Inc. Nominations must include the project or group of projects that they are being nominated for. Please send these nominations to Adrienne Stronge at [email protected] or 434-979-5245.

CSI’s Leadership Orientation Summit is being held in Ghettysburg, PA from April 24-25. This is a weekend retreat full of education seminars for current or future CSI leaders. Any member of our chapter who is interested in leadership in our organization is encouraged to participate. Please contact Ray Gaines, [email protected] if you would like more information or to request information for other attendees who might be available to carpool.

CSI’s CONSTRUCT 2009 is being held in Indianapolis, IN on June 16 - 19. This is CSI’s national conference event with many educational seminars and a large product expo. This is a great networking opportunity for those interested in a confer-ence that brings together members from every facet of the construction industry. More information is available at www.constructshow.com

The Middle Atlantic Region Conference is being held this year in Charlottesville Virginia from October 8-11. This is a fantastic opportunity for our local members to network with members from all over the region! If you would like to help with the conference planning, contact Ray Gaines, [email protected] or 434-979-5245. If you are interested in attending this event, or interested in sponsoring the conference, more information can be found at www.marc09.com.

There are also many ways for our members to help our chapter without traveling or making a large time commitment. Members can help our chapter by recruiting articles for our newsletter, pitching interesting ideas for our dinner meet-ings, or recruiting new members for our chapter. Also, general feedback is always appreciated by any one of our direc-tors or committee chairs. Please feel free to e-mail any and all ideas and suggestions.

If you are interested in supporting our chapter through sponsorships, we have many opportunities available. Advertise-ments are available in our newsletter that is distributed to over 750 construction professionals, and sponsorships are avail-able for our dinner meetings, awards reception, and holiday party... rates are posted on the back of this issue. We have many tiers of sponsorship available for our Middle Atlantic Region Conference where we will be bringing leaders from all over our region to Charlottesville. A sponsorship packet can be downloaded from www.marc09.com/sponsors. Our largest annual event is our product expo which is held in Jan / Feb every year. Purchasing a table or advertisement in the booklet helps us to continue to offer these education opportunities to the construction industry. Look out for information on our 2010 expo, that should become available in late summer.


As sure as the spring will follow the winter, prosperity and economic growth will follow recession.Bo Bennett

Every advance in civilization has been denounced as unnatural while it was recent.Bertrand Russell quotes Bart! With $10,000, we’d be millionaires! We could buy all kinds of useful things like love.Homer Simpson

If you think nobody cares if you’re alive, try missing a couple of car pay-ments.Earl Wilson

Bankruptcy stared me in the face, but one thought kept me calm; soon I’d be too poor to need an anti-theft alarm.Gina Rothfels

Money doesn’t talk, it swears.Bob Dylan

The safe way to double your money is to fold it over once and put it in your pocket.Frank Hubbard

He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.Friedrich Nietzsche

I arise in the morning torn between a desire to improve the world and a desire to enjoy the world. This makes it hard to plan the day.E. B. White

In three words I can sum up everything I’ve learned about life: it goes on.Robert Frost

God writes a lot of comedy... the trouble is, he’s stuck with so many bad actors who don’t know how to play funny.Garrison Keillor

Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing those you hold well.Josh Billings

Maybe all one can do is hope to end up with the right regrets.Arthur Miller

I’ve got an idea--an idea so smart that my head would explode if I even began to know what I’m talking about. Peter Griffin

Some people say that one’s personality is reflected off of their car... Well, I have no car.Anon.

Money is only a tool. It will take you wherever you wish, but it will not replace you as the driver. Ayn Rand

Ruminations:


ARCHITECTURE | PLANNING | INTERIORS

DISTINCTIVE

Attorneys to Address Construction Business Profitability in CSI Webinar SeriesContact:Erica Smedley Cox(800) 689-2900 [email protected]

Attorneys to Address Construction Business Profitability in CSI Webi-nar SeriesOnline educational sessions will address delays, differing conditions, changes to the work, and unauthorized communication on the job site between sub-tier contractors and owners

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (February 25, 2009) – The Construction Specifica-tions Institute (CSI) announces that Mary Jones, Esq., and attorney Charles Carson will join William Dexter in presenting the March We-binar series, “Creating and Maintaining Profitability in Your Construc-tion Business.” The series will offer guidance on dealing with delays, differing conditions, changes to the work and unauthorized commu-nication on the job site between sub-tier contractors and owners.

The interactive telephone/Internet sessions are scheduled between 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. EST on March 5, 12 and 24. Participants can view the session materials and ask questions of the instructor in real-time during each of the 90-minute classes:

* Thursday, March 5 – This session will discuss the effect of contract language on profitability; how to identify historical risks and address

them in the contract; and the risks and rewards of various project de-livery systems. * Thursday, March 12 – This session will address managing the risks associated with code compliance, specification and industry stan-dards; managing communication and documentation to keep the owner aware of the costs throughout the project; and avoiding con-frontation after delivering the final invoice. * Tuesday, March 24 – This final session will cover the latest informa-tion on alternative dispute resolution; establishing internal policies regarding dispute negotiations; and transferring costly risks away from your company.

A thorough knowledge of the industry and mastery of technical skills are no longer enough to build a successful contracting business. High-quality project management is a critical component to operat-ing a successful business in today’s marketplace.

Participants can earn 0.45 CSI CEUs, 4.5 AIA LUs, HSW for completing the entire series. Discounts are available to students (proof of student status is required).

Bill Dexter will lead the three-part educational series. Dexter is a re-nowned risk management consultant and trainer. He has more than 35 years of experience in the construction industry as a craftsman, business owner, contractor, consultant and educator.

Charles Carson will join Dexter for the March 5 and March 12 sessions of the series. Carson has specialized in dispute resolution and civil litigation involving serious injury and death, insurance claims and coverage, and defective construction cases for more than 25 years.

Mary Jones will join Dexter for Part 3 of the series. Jones has practiced law in California for more than 25 years. Since 1994, she has devoted her practice principally to alternate dispute resolution. Jones is a frequent presenter for the California and Nevada Contractors State License Boards on topics of Alterna-tive Dispute Resolution and creating effective contracts for residential and light commercial projects.

CSI Webinars are designed to be convenient and affordable. One fee covers the registration for all participants at a single site. Participants can register for an individual session, or save money and guarantee a seat by registering for the entire three-part program for one fee.

To register for this series look for “PACKAGE: CSI Webinars - Maintaining Profitability in Your Construction Business” in CSI’s Event Registration.

About CSICSI is a national association dedicated to creating standards and formats to improve construction documents and project delivery. The organization is unique in the industry in that its members are a cross-section of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors and building materials suppliers. The organization has 146 chapters and nearly 15,000 members. Monthly Chap-ter meetings allow members the opportunity to communicate openly with their counterparts and exchange information for successful project management. CSI is renowned in the in-dustry for its rigorous certification programs for professionals seeking to improve their knowledge of accurate and concise construction documents. CSI provides continuing education, professional conferences and product shows. For more infor-mation, visit www.csinet.org, or call 800.689.2900.


January 20, 2009The meeting was called to order at 4:05pm at the office of Keeney & Co. Architects.

Attendees: Dave Groff, Charles Hendricks, Ron Keeney, Duncan Macfarlane, Tucker Shields, Tracie Skipper, Adrienne Stronge, Mark Wingerd.

Presidents Report – Submitted in advance.

It is time to come together as a community and support one another. The Product Show is a lot of work and most of our annual operating budget. Please offer Tracie a hand the day of the event – take the initiative to ask her how you can help instead of waiting for her to ask you. Please en-courage your colleagues to take advantage of all that CSI has to offer and join our local organization. Have them take advantage of the 50% off mem-bership rates the day of the expo. Ask Ray how you can help make the MAR Conference a success sin October. Don’t wait on Ray to ask for your help, step forward and offer him assistance. CVCSI is a strong vibrant community of leaders of the construction industry. We have to count on each other to make it through these difficult financial times as well as to help us celebrate the wealth of good financial times. Now is not the time to hide in your bunker and hope it will pass. Get out and help make a dif-ference in your construction community. Be an ac-tive member of CVCSI.

Secretary’s Report – The Board approved minutes from the last 2 months.

Treasurer’s Report – Submitted in advance.

We currently have a negative balance in the stu-dent scholarship fund after subsidizing students for attending October’s Photovoltaic Panel Discus-sion. We are likely to be reimbursed by UVA in the future.

Technical (Super) Committee – We discussed a proposal for a new officer “ladder” structure. As per our By-Laws, the CVCSI Board should consist of twelve Directors: Four active officers, one im-mediate past president; and seven Directors, each with two-year terms, staggered to provide either three or four returning incumbent directors. We voted to keep the process as is.

We also briefly discussed the current committee structure. Tucker will put together a proposal for next months meeting to be investigated further.

Membership Committee – Membership stands at 52.January Anniversaries: Richard Park, Pinnacle Construction – 13 yearsJim White, Window and Door Pros – 12 yearsJohn Grubb, Charles Luck Stone – 11 yearsIrene Peterson, Charlottesville Gas – 2 yearsRosalyn Schmitt, Artisan Construction – 1 year

Product Expo Committee – Submitted in advance. The education seminar schedule was reviewed and

the volunteer schedule was discussed. All members were encouraged to attend and help out wherever possible.

Newsletter Committee – Newsletters were sent out at the beginning of January. Electronic delivery was improved via a new web link.

Program Committee – Submitted in advance. We need to be actively searching for program spon-sors. The current cost is $300 and we average 60 people attending each event.

February – Sustainable Fenestration – panel dis-cussion on energy efficient window selection and installationMarch – Sustainable Strategies – What works, what should we do different – a contractor’s per-spectiveApril – to be determinedMay – Hard Hat TourJune – Picnice

Region Conference Committee – Charles outlined the schedule of events for the upcoming confer-ence.

Hospitality Committee – A date for the picnic needs to be finalized soon so Tracie can begin planning.

Awards Committee – No Report.

Certification Committee – The CDT class will be taught in the spring/summer, hopefully ending before the Region Conference.

Education Committee – No Report.

Historian – No Report.

Academic Liason – No Report.

Tellers/Nominating Committee – No Report.

Electronic Communication Committee – No Re-port.

Long Range Planning Committee – No report.

Old Business – i. Annual student scholarship fundii. CSI Membership challenge – 2% an-nual growth is expected for each chapteriii. Student essay competitioniv. ACE mentor program

New Business – i. chapter dues – we voted to keep them the at their current rateii. Chapter Officers and Directors – Dun-can volunteered to be nominated for Vice President next year. We will propose other nominations at future meetings.

Next Board Meeting – February 17, 2009, Omni Hotel, 4:30-5:30. The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 PM.


For Immediate ReleaseFebruary 12, 2009

Contact:Gordon Hickey804.225.4260804.291.8977 (cell)

– Virginia joins growing list of states partnering with UK in global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote low-carbon technologies –

RICHMOND—Governor Timothy M. Kaine and Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the United States, Sir Nigel Sheinwald of the United King-dom, signed a bilateral “Climate Change Action Agreement” at the Virginia Capitol today that commits each government to the com-mon goals of combating the effects of climate change and developing a more climate-friendly economy.

“Virginia and the UK recognize that climate change is a global phenomenon and combating it requires global partnerships,” said Gover-nor Kaine. “Sir Nigel and I believe this agreement will help bring together Virginia and UK researchers, entrepreneurs, and environmental educators to achieve greenhouse gas reductions, promote energy efficiency and independence, and promote the development of a green economy.”

Virginia is the fifth state to enter a bilateral Climate Change Action Agreement with the United Kingdom—joining California, Florida, Wisconsin, and Michigan in a growing global effort to address climate change issues. Under the terms of the agreement, Virginia and the United Kingdom jointly agree to:

1. Promote policies that cut emissions and develop a green economy at home. 2. Promote market-based policies that reduce emissions globally. 3. Improve scientific understanding of climate change’s effects. 4. Develop technology to mitigate and reduce the effects of climate change 5. Encourage climate-friendly economic development. 6. Raise public awareness of the effects of climate change.

As Virginia and the UK work together on strategies to combat global warm-ing, their governments will seek opportunities to share relevant research and encourage trade in alternative and renewable energy technologies. In particular, the agreement signed today advances a number of recommenda-tions made by the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change launched in 2007 by Executive Order 59. It emphasizes the importance of a market-based cap-and-trade program designed to limit carbon dioxide emissions that are contributing to the earth’s warming. Great Britain currently participates in the European emissions trading program, which has a goal of reducing green-house gases on a continental scale by 8% below 1990 levels by 2012. Gover-nor Kaine has long advocated a federal, nationwide cap-and-trade program to bring about annual CO2 reductions in the United States and has proposed a 19% reduction in electricity consumption in Virginia by 2025, the top rec-ommendation of the Governor’s Commission on Climate Change.

The Virginia-UK agreement also recognizes the two governments share re-search interests and assets, especially in offshore renewable energy produc-tion. The Virginia Energy Plan, released by Governor Kaine in September 2007, encourages research and development of the state’s coastal resources for energy production—including offshore wind, current, and marine bio-mass production. Virginia’s colleges and universities and the Virginia Costal Energy Research Consortium are considered leaders in the development of this technology domestically while the UK is recognized internationally as a leader in offshore tidal and wind energy research and production.

“Today the UK and Virginia sign an agreement to strengthen our relationship and to work together to cut emissions, increase the use of renewable energy, and better understand the science of climate change,” said Sir Nigel Shein-wald. “Meeting the challenges of energy security, economic growth and cli-mate change will define the economic and environmental health of our two countries, and of states like Virginia, in the 21st century.”

Today’s announcement comes as Governor Kaine continues to move his “Re-new Virginia” initiative. Renew Virginia is focused on promoting renewable energy, creating green jobs, and encouraging preservation of the environ-ment.

For more information on Renew Virginia, visit www.Governor.Virginia.gov/RenewVirginia.

Governor Kaine, United Kingdom Forge New Agreement to Address Climate Change Issues


by Sheldon Wolfe, RA, FCSI, CCS, CCCA

prejudice: preconceived judgment or opinion; adverse opinion formed without just grounds or before sufficient knowledge; irrational attitude of hostility directed against an entity or its supposed characteristics

Amid all the furor about “sustainable” design, CSI members as a group appear to be less excited than others. Given the average age of our members, this shouldn’t be surprising. While those who are fresh out of school, with little idea of what makes a building work, are caught up in the spirit, those with time in the trenches exhibit a more conservative, skeptical response to the hype.

Most of us in the “elders” group remember when we, too, were taken in by one cause or another. It’s not that we are against the principles of green design; we just remember how many well-in-tended products or programs ended up going awry. We also have seen the same issues raised more than once, with inspiring expres-sions of commitment to one cause or another, only to see them fade away as interest waned and something else claimed the spot-light.

I recall my enthusiasm for new products and assemblies in the years after I graduated. I recall even more the lessons learned from a naïve acceptance of the claims made by design professionals, manufacturers, industry organizations, and contractors. It seems there always is more to understand than you think.

Take something as simple as a joist hanger. Thirty-some years ago, I was influenced by the then-current energy crisis. I designed homes and buildings that minimized surface area, the intent being to reduce heat loss. Using joist hangers made it possible to keep all the floor framing in one plane, thereby reducing the surface area of the walls by the height of the framing. Not much, but every little bit counts. What I didn’t realize was the ef-fect this would have on mechanical and electrical systems. Joists resting on a beam provide space for ducts, pipes, and wiring; joists in the same plane as the beam force these sys-tems to go out of their way to get past the beam.

At the same time, due to dramatic increases in the cost of oil, many were eager to embrace promising new types of insulation. Foamed-in-place urea-formaldehyde looked good on paper, and performed well when properly in-stalled. Unfortunately, the ideal mix of components was difficult to achieve, resulting in wet insulation and other problems, and the product and its installers soon disap-peared from the market.

That was then, this is now

Not much has changed since then. New products and new goals - especially those that promise to change the world - are seductive and hard to resist. I understand the appeal of cutting edge technology and the desire to design en-ergy-efficient buildings, and I appreciate the threat of oil shortages and the need to conserve energy and resources - but we’ve seen it before.

Too often, new products and techniques come with unin-tended consequences. Several years ago, super-insulated, super-tight homes were the rage; they were followed by carbon monoxide poisoning and mold. Sudden interest

in the dangers of chromate copper arsenate led to the develop-ment of new wood preservatives; only later was it known that the new chemicals caused failure of the galvanized hardware that had worked so well for so long, requiring the use of stainless steel framing accessories.

The results of universal reduction of VOCs are still with us. While most new low-VOC products now perform as well as, or better than, the products they replace, we still don’t have a reliable way to keep flooring on the floor. Isn’t the environmental impact of re-placing floors within a year after installation worse than that of the VOC in a single application of adhesive that works?

In recent years, big business has acquired an undeserved bad rep-utation, and it has become fashionable to disbelieve everything said by a company that produces a product perceived as harm-ful to the environment. The fact that their products are useful, requested by consumers, and entirely legal is ignored; they are portrayed as companies whose main purpose is pollution. In the end, all products and manufacturing processes damage the envi-ronment in some way.

It’s human nature to hear what we want to hear, to accept those things that support what we want to believe, and to dismiss those who disagree with us, but we can’t let emotion control our deci-sions. As members of the construction team, it’s our job to ques-tion the performance and effects of everything that goes into a building - not just those things that are denounced as bad for the environment, but also those things that are promoted as green. Yes, be wary of products that may be excessively harmful, but don’t favor other products without knowing how they perform or if they are truly green.

Curmudgeon’s Corner: Selective Logic


PRESIDENT Charles Hendricks, AIA, CDT, LEED-AP, The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

VICE-PRES Tracie Skipper Pella Windows & Doors 434-979-3315 [email protected]

TREASURER Ron Keeney, RA, CDT, NCARB Keeney & Co., Architects, PLC 434-978-2000 [email protected]

SECRETARY David Groff, CDT Graduate Studies... 434-977-4480 [email protected]

IMMED PAST PRES John Grubb Charles Luck Stone 434-295-2931 [email protected]

DIRECTOR Meghan Johnston, CDT University of Richmond 804-287-6379 [email protected]

DIRECTOR Adrienne Stronge, LEED-AP The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

DIRECTOR Susan Parker Hazard & Associates, LLC 434-295-3145 [email protected]

DIRECTOR R. Tucker Shields, RA, CCCA R. Tucker Shields, Architect. 540-885-8192

DIRECTOR Patrick Wright Charles Luck Stone 434-985-8830 [email protected]

DIRECTOR Mark Wingerd, CDT Window & Door Pros 434-296-0050 [email protected]

DIRECTOR W. Dunkin Macfarlane Macfarlane Homes, Inc. 434-361-0081 [email protected]

NEWSLETTER Adrienne Stronge, LEED-AP, Assoc. AIA The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

MEMBERSHIP W. Dunkin Macfarlane Macfarlane Homes, Inc. 434-361-0081 [email protected]

PROGRAMS Charles Hendricks, AIA, CDT, LEED-AP, The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

HOSPITALITY Tracie Skipper Pella Windows & Doors 434-979-3315 [email protected]

PRODUCT EXPO Tracie Skipper Pella Windows & Doors 434-979-3315 [email protected]

NOMINATING Ron Keeney, RA, CDT, NCARB Keeney & Co., Architects 434-978-2000 [email protected]

CERTIFICATION Charles Hendricks, RA, CDT, LEED-AP, Assoc. The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5345 [email protected]

TECHNICAL R. Tucker Shields, RA, CDT R. Tucker Shields, Architect 540-885-8192

HISTORIAN Ray Gaines, RA, CDT The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

EDUCATION Susan Parker Hazard & Associates, LLC 434-295-3145 [email protected]

ACADEMIC LIASON Charles Hendricks, RA, CDT, LEED-AP, Assoc. The Gaines Group, PLC 434-979-5245 [email protected]

WEBMASTER Meghan Johnston, CDT University of Richmond 804-287-6379 [email protected]

ADVISOR George Gercke, CCCA Wade Apartments, Inc. 434-974-1330 [email protected]

CVCSI Leadership Roster

PRSRT STDUS POSTAGE

PAIDCHARLOTTESVILLE VA

PERMIT #422

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SAVE THE DATE Please visit www.csicentralva.org for more information

CENTRAL VIRGINIA CHAPTER OF THE CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS INSTITUTE

Membership Committee - Ray Gaines

Chapter Meetings are held monthly. Chapter meet-ings provide an excellent opportunity to network with other in-dustry professionals. Chapter meetings consist of a social hour, dinner, and a program on an industry topic, followed by an open, informal discussion. All are welcome. Dinner reservations are necessary, please specify specific dietary needs. Those re-serving who do not attend must pay for the dinner prepared for them. Payment is expected at the door. Please support your local chapter by attending dinner meetings!

Hospitality Committee - Charles Hendricks

The Parameter is the chapter’s newsletter and is mailed to members and interested parties all over the country. Outside opinions, technical articles, articles on individual proj-ects, and local news reports are strongly encouraged. Please submit any articles by the 20th of the month preceding pub-lication. Opinions expressed are those of the editor or con-tributers and do not necessarily reflect the opinions, policies or practices of the Chapter or the Institute, Copyright 2008 Central Virginia Chapter CSI.

Newsletter Editor - Adrienne Stronge

Advertising rates for 10 issues of The Parameter in print-ed version and as published on our website (www.csicentralva.org) are as follows: Single Issue Ten IssuesBusiness Card Size $25 $175One Quarter Page $75 $525One Half Page $125 $875Full Page $250 $1750

The Parameter is mailed to over 690 construction professionals

Newsletter Editor - Adrienne Stronge

Meeting Sponsorships are encouraged at the general meetings. Whole meeting sponsorship includes 10 min-utes to talk before the featured speaker, a business card size ad in the newsletter, a table top display on each table at the meeting, and a 6’ x 6’ exhibit space at the meeting.

Meeting $300 Annual Picnic (3 Available) $300 Annual Holiday Party (3 Available) $300

Hospitality Committee - Charles Hendricks

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) is a national professional society promoting the advancement of construction technology through communications, education, and service. www.csinet.org

The Central Virginia CSI Chapter (CVCSI) is a local group of construction-interested persons, including design profession-als, general contractors, subcontractors, material suppliers and manufacturer representatives, meeting regularly to improve our in-dustry by openly discussing project interaction, general construction problems and possible solutions. We are committed to the free exchange of information and experiences in the local construction industry. Membership is on an individual basis for $245 annually. ($210 national dues, $35 CVCSI local dues). Discount fees are offered to students and young professionals. www.csicentralva.org

Mar 16CVCSI Dinner

Program

Apr 20CVCSI Dinner

Program

May 19CVCSI Dinner

Program

June 16CVCSI Awards

Banquet

Oct 8-10MARC Region

Conference

March 09 Parameter

Documents

Transcript of March 09 Parameter