Archive through May 27, 2011

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 799 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2009 - 12:04 pm:    This is from a fellow poster on the ICC Bulletin Board: "I recall once having written a set of specifications (many, many seasons ago) and the typo that resulted in many phone calls. The spec noted that the builder could take possession of the site only after execution of the contract. . . . . . . but what it actually said was the builder could take possession of the site after execution of the contractor. Talk about penalty clauses!" Ron Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com Don Harris CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: don_harris Post Number: 236 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 10:50 am:    Just found on the internet in a Section titled, Section 142100 - Electric Traction Elevators: A. This Section includes electric traction passenger and service elevators consisting of the following type: 1. Hole-less Hydraulic Elevators Some firms really need to use a CCS. (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 12:13 pm:    Because of the hyphen? I see the term used both ways, with a hyphen and without. It is a term used among elevator manufacturers, as goofy as it sounds and looks. Chris Grimm, CSI, CCS, LEED-AP, MAI, RLA Senior Member Username: tsugaguy Post Number: 233 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 02:06 pm:    I suspect the comment is because traction and hydraulic are rather different types of elevators, more than whether to hyphenate. Chris Grimm, CSI, CCS, LEED-AP, MAI, RLA Senior Member Username: tsugaguy Post Number: 234 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 02:12 pm:    Once I was developing a section for vinyl windows before there was one available in the guide specifications our firm was using. The logical starting point was to take the most similar section, and rewrite it to use vinyl. In the careful process of researching differences in performance standards and available products, as well as some careful proofreading, I discovered that the search & replace of all things aluminum to become vinyl now meant that I had specified vinyl as an option for fastener materials! Scott Mize Senior Member Username: scott_mize_ccs_csi Post Number: 15 Registered: 02-2009 Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 03:13 pm:    Another "search-and-replace" winner: I received a set of Division 16 (MF '95) specifications from an electrical consultant in which *every* *single* *instance* of the word "contactor" had been replaced with "contractor". The mental images resulting from the error are very similar to Looney Tunes or Road Runner cartoons... Russell W. Wood, CSI, CCS Senior Member Username: woodr5678 Post Number: 148 Registered: 11-2003 Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 04:06 pm:    Due to time restraints we recently hired an outside firm to help us with a set of specs. In every new section they wrote, wherever a "Note To Specifier" appeared they wrote "Note To Specifer". Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 286 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 04:56 pm:    Did you do a search for ARCHIETECT? Richard Hird (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Monday, November 09, 2009 - 09:45 pm:    I think they just missed part of a word; common oversight. Should have been Hole-less Hydraulic-less Elevators (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, November 10, 2009 - 03:04 pm:    Another "search-and-replace" winner: In the process of adapting front-end documents from one state agency to another, references to the design professional of record were changed from "Associate" to "Architect." The language on one of the closeout forms became "...acknowledgment of receipt of warranty, operating manual, etc. Architectd with acceptance of Equipment or Material." Several years later, someone noticed the apparent typo and changed the form to read "...acknowledgment of receipt of warranty, operating manual, etc. Architect with acceptance of Equipment or Material." Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1077 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, July 20, 2010 - 06:03 pm:    Here's a new one: "Security on their rounds each shift will provide inspections also." (from an Owner's work restrictions referring to hot work) Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 981 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Saturday, July 24, 2010 - 01:22 pm:    You know, I just reread this page and most of it still makes me laugh until my eyes water. Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 879 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Tuesday, October 05, 2010 - 11:19 am:    I just found this in a manufacturer's spec for a bridge crane: "Supervise pre-startup adjustments and installation checks and all field testes." Ron Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com Ellis C. Whitby, AIA, PE, CSI, LEEDŽ AP Senior Member Username: ecwhitby Post Number: 69 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 02:22 pm:    That has got to leave a mark Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1115 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 02:40 pm:    Anne, I agree completely. And such deep laughter is good for you! Thanks everyone, for making us all healthier. Sheldon Wolfe Senior Member Username: sheldon_wolfe Post Number: 433 Registered: 01-2003 Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 04:02 pm:    From the Clemson University Pesticide Information Program website: "CCA treated or Womanized wood is used to make decks, fences and playground equipment." Steve Gantner, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: sgantner Post Number: 28 Registered: 08-2007 Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 04:09 pm:    Sheldon, is that what happens to the wood after the field testes (see above post) are removed? Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1116 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 04:18 pm:    Some guys might opt for the playground part of it. Paul Gerber Senior Member Username: paulgerber Post Number: 27 Registered: 04-2010 Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 05:19 pm:    Ron...that would take a lot of balls!! Sheldon...perhaps that is the type of wood you get from REALLY lonely, REALLY drunk carpenters with REALLY big knotholes? Thank God they spelled "decks" right!! Steve & Lynn...get your minds outta the gutter...mine is suddenly feeling claustrophobic!! ;) Ride it like you stole it!!! Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1117 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, October 06, 2010 - 05:36 pm:    Or do they also make barrels out of that kind of treated wood? Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 98 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Thursday, October 07, 2010 - 09:53 am:    Add this to my favorite list. A question sent to Lee Johnson at our office this week: "In 079200-2.2 C we list suitability for contact with food - what is food?" The architect actually followed up with a phone call. You can't make this stuff up. Good thing that firm does such nice design work, huh? David Stutzman Senior Member Username: david_stutzman Post Number: 64 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Sunday, October 10, 2010 - 03:23 pm:    From one of our client's specs we reviewed this week: Install gypsum board over wood studs and jousts. I couldn't help but ask if the contractor must dress in period costume and bring his own horse. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1032 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Saturday, October 23, 2010 - 03:55 pm:    This is too good to pass up, from a real estate listing for a condo: "The kitchen features stainless steal appliances" probably explains the deep discount on the unit... Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1249 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 06, 2011 - 05:34 pm:    Had to share this one: "Hallow Metal Doors" and they are not in a monastery...or church...or any other sacred building... Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP Senior Member Username: melissaaguiar Post Number: 131 Registered: 12-2003 Posted on Friday, May 06, 2011 - 05:42 pm:    I just reviewed a set of plans, and the architect had "Accent Paint Y'all" notations all over the drawings. LOL! Melissa J. Aguiar, CSI, CCS, SCIP John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 529 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Saturday, May 07, 2011 - 12:31 am:    I saw a set of drawings for a house with a sectional view through the floor, showing a man's leg and shoe, with the note: "1 FOOT, NOT TO SCALE". In the crawl space below was a mouse, with the note "CRITTER, N.I.C." And there is the old one where an elevation view of the building had a crescent moon in the sky, with the note "MOON, N.I.C." Ronald L. Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP Senior Member Username: specman Post Number: 948 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Saturday, May 07, 2011 - 12:44 am:    Reminds me of the interior elevation that an architect drew with a plant in the corner. The plant had long, baggy-looking things hanging from it. The notation called it a "Rubber Tree." Ron Geren, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA, SCIP www.specsandcodes.com David Stutzman Senior Member Username: david_stutzman Post Number: 71 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Sunday, May 08, 2011 - 02:18 pm:    Just found this one as an owner comment about the drawings. Interesting concept in door hardware. "Offset pinot hinges" John Regener, AIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP Senior Member Username: john_regener Post Number: 530 Registered: 04-2002 Posted on Sunday, May 08, 2011 - 06:46 pm:    A colleague told me about a direction he received to specify incandescent fireproofing. He wondered if we specified this in California and I respoded that we could no longer specify incandescent fireproofing but had to specify fluorescent fireproofing. Another CSI colleague told me of a claim regarding effervescent stains on the masonry. He asked the claiming attorney, "Did they use Alka-Seltzer in the mortar mix?" Wayne Yancey Senior Member Username: wayne_yancey Post Number: 456 Registered: 01-2008 Posted on Monday, May 09, 2011 - 10:23 am:    When I lived in Lethbridge in Southern Alberta, Canada (just in case some readers do not know Alberta is not a state) the Lethbridge Herald published a column each Sunday written by a theoretical Mr. Fix-It expert. The subject one Sunday was windows and "mutton bars". After researching "mutton (the flesh of fully grown sheep) bars" as they relate to windows I felt a duty to correct the author they are really "muntin bars" (strip of wood or metal separating and holding panes of glass in a window). I never received acknowledgement in the form a "thank you" or in the form of a @#$%-off for my condescending correction. Go figure. But I felt better after venting my spleen about terminology. Dave Metzger Senior Member Username: davemetzger Post Number: 394 Registered: 07-2001 Posted on Monday, May 09, 2011 - 10:33 am:    Wayne, obviously the "expert" felt sheepish about his mistake. Steven Bruneel, AIA, CSI-CDT, LEED-AP Senior Member Username: redseca2 Post Number: 276 Registered: 12-2006 Posted on Monday, May 09, 2011 - 11:55 am:    They may have been too dyed in the wool to admit their mistake. Paul Gerber Senior Member Username: paulgerber Post Number: 67 Registered: 04-2010 Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 10:21 am:    oh, such bha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-had humour!! You guys should be asha-ha-ha-ha-hamed of yourselves!! Ride it like you stole it!!! (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 01:39 pm:    A few years ago when one of the local contractors was getting into ICF construction, the newspaper did a big article on the front page of the Sunday "Home" section touting all the advantages of building with "inflated" concrete forms. Not just one typo, but consistently throughout the article. Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1152 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Tuesday, May 10, 2011 - 05:17 pm:    clearly, it was some form of balloon construction.. Don Harris CSI, CCS, CCCA, AIA Senior Member Username: don_harris Post Number: 244 Registered: 03-2003 Posted on Friday, May 13, 2011 - 02:46 pm:    From an MEP. They subsequently had a PRM thrown at their heads. 1. Exhaust grilles and registers including volume controllers for toilet rooms and janitors' closets, shall be constructed entirely of aluminum. Except where aluminum is specified, remainder of diffusers, grilles and registers may be constructed of steel including volume controllers. 2. Grilles and frames constructed of aluminum shall have a 60 minute anodized aluminum finish. All other grilles and diffusers shall have a white flo-coat finish suitable as a finish coat or for field painting. Chris Grimm, CSI, CCS, SCIP Affiliate, LEED-AP, MAI, RLA Senior Member Username: tsugaguy Post Number: 260 Registered: 06-2005 Posted on Friday, May 13, 2011 - 04:10 pm:    1. Volume controllers then must be made of aluminum and steel simultaneously...interesting. 2. I prefer anodized coatings with life expectancy measured in years (actually decades), not minutes....hahaha! Tim Howarth (Unregistered Guest) Unregistered guest Posted on Thursday, May 19, 2011 - 04:53 pm:    I once saw a notation on a structural drawing pointing out the "lentil bean" over the opening. I still can't stop laughing when ever I think about it. Lisa Goodwin Robbins, RA, CCS, LEED ap Senior Member Username: lgoodrob Post Number: 135 Registered: 08-2004 Posted on Friday, May 20, 2011 - 09:49 am:    I think we are seeing better (?) quality typos since the advent of the autocorrect feature. If you have a few minutes to fall off your chair laughing (sorry it's Friday, deadline day at our office), check out www.damnyouautocorrect.com. Lynn Javoroski CSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1259 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, May 20, 2011 - 10:07 am:    "access denied" at work - I'll check it out at home. Paul Gerber Senior Member Username: paulgerber Post Number: 71 Registered: 04-2010 Posted on Friday, May 27, 2011 - 09:37 am:    As far as the "lentil bean" note on a drawing, I remember waaaayyyyyy back (I think I do anyways, it depends on the day) when I first graduated and I had to go through a set of drawings correcting all of the "chanels" we had over the windows (I'm still unsure if it was Chanel No. 5 or not)...unfortunately it was on a pre-CAD project...you remember those, when drawings were actually organized and well laid out because you couldn't just put the sections/details in another viewport when you didn't think before you started drawing?? Anyways, the most surprising part of the exercise was that it was one of the "older" people in the office that did it! Of course English not being his mother-tongue may have played a role in the mistake; but seriously, after 20 years in the business there's no excuse for not knowing how to spell basic construction materials! This is probably why to this day, I hate fixing other people's mistakes!! Ride it like you stole it!!!