Video Installation instructions witho...

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Author Message Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 599 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Saturday, April 17, 2021 - 07:21 pm:    I am writing guide specifications for a manufacturer that does not have written installation instruction. They do offer, however, a decent video demonstration of installation technique. - Do the firms for which you specify accept video installation instructions? - Do your specs state that written instructions must be provided? - Other thoughts? Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937 www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 1154 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2021 - 12:22 pm:    I don't have any problems with this; however, for a maintenance manual, it could be a problem. Depending on media and format, it could also be a problem down the road. More and more computers do not include CD/DVD players with the system, and some don't have a good way to add one in. I know Schluter has an extensive how-to video library on YouTube which can be accessed via computer, smart phone, or tablet.. Other manufacturers are going this route as well. Maybe reference to something like this would be appropriate. Still, depending on the product and what troubleshooting and maintenance may be required, nothing may beat hardcopy when something goes wrong in 10 year. J. Peter Jordan, FCSI, AIA, CCS, LEED AP, SCIP Ronald L. Geren, FCSI Lifetime Member, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSC, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 1591 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2021 - 12:27 pm:    Since many O&M manuals are going digital, the digital manual can include a link to the video. The problem then becomes one of ensuring the maintenance of the link. Companies like to reorganize their websites on occasion by changing the URLs for their resources. Ron Geren, FCSI Lifetime Member, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSC, SCIP Rosa Cheney Senior Member Username: rdcaia Post Number: 19 Registered: 07-2018 Posted on Sunday, April 18, 2021 - 01:50 pm:    I do see the trend for manufacturers to move their training and installation instructions to video format. It seems like that's a good thing for installers, since a picture is worth a thousand words. Or in this case, a 'moving' picture may be worth tens of thousands of words?? YouTube has a "transcript" feature and I just checked a couple manufacturers to see if that's a readily available feature - and it seems to be. So that could be a way to go from video to written, if needed. In Michael's case, maybe using "manufacturer's published installation instructions" instead of "written" would allow for both written and video instructions. Nathan Woods, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP Senior Member Username: nwoods Post Number: 840 Registered: 08-2005 Posted on Monday, April 19, 2021 - 11:32 am:    I don't have much of an opinion related to the specifications aspect of it, but as a full time CA in the field, I LOVE being able to show a work crew a video of how to get my desired work results! Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 392 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Monday, April 19, 2021 - 12:01 pm:    Michael, I've been thinking about this too. Online video is much more common than it used to be. Complicated 3 dimensional connections are much easier to explain in a video format. Younger people in particular will look for video on You Tube rather than read a manual or call a 1-800 number. Could we just drop the "written" part and ask for "manufacturer's installation instructions"? - John Bunzick Senior Member Username: bunzick Post Number: 1842 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Monday, April 19, 2021 - 12:15 pm:    One potential way around the out-dated link problem is to download the video - with manufacturer's okay - so it it saved in the same place as the rest of the manual. Since the "written" portions are already being downloaded and indexed, why not the video portions? David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1869 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Monday, April 19, 2021 - 12:53 pm:    It is my opinion that installations videos should supplement not replace written instructions. Let me explain my point by having a little race. I will have a copy of the written installation instructions and you will have the installation video on your computer. Ready, set, go! Now find the minimum application thickness of the first coat of the material. Stop! Who found the information first? David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: michael_chusid Post Number: 600 Registered: 10-2003 Posted on Monday, April 19, 2021 - 05:16 pm:    This is a good discussion. Thank you for feedback. I am concerned about the balance between providing simple instructions that an applicator can understand, and complete instructions with information that the project superintendent needs to know and that the specifier can use as a reference to gage compatibility with project conditions and related materials. My client, for example, has nicely produced videos that cover basic installation conditions. It is also good sales collateral with upbeat music and only positive outcomes. But when I start investigating, I learn that a sealer needs to be applied first - something not shown in the video. I have recommended they (have me) create written and illustrated installation instructions and use the video as supplementary training materials. Michael Chusid, RA FCSI CCS 1-818-219-4937 www.chusid.com www.buildingproduct.guru ken hercenberg Senior Member Username: khercenberg Post Number: 1357 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Monday, April 19, 2021 - 06:20 pm:    David, I liked your example. I almost always prefer to read instructions rather than to wait for a video to get to the point, especially when the video is made by marketing and not by technical. I like the idea of providing video mockups that establish quality of finished work and would welcome a manufacturer who includes step-by-step instructions starting with surface prep and showing everything that needs to be done. I've included photos in my Project Manuals in the past showing acceptable end results and never received an RFI when I've done it. The hard part is finding photos that I'm allowed to use that actually show successful installations. Several manufacturers provided me what I needed which oddly didn't always give them the edge in getting the project. Too bad I can't show photos of what I don't want. Depending on the product or system, a separate troubleshooting video could be available to show how to fix mistakes, correct finishes, etc. Conceptually, I like it. Marc Chavez Senior Member Username: mchavez Post Number: 623 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Monday, April 19, 2021 - 08:03 pm:    I had these speced once. mfr. would NOT allow the on site training (recorded) to be used as a training video...and had a huge bundle of legal..BS....how they were not responsible for ......got the video but just barely. dont forget to ask for transcript (for deaf people) etc