CSI Quality Assurance Requirements 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which type of specification writing method lists acceptable products by manufacturer name and model number?
- Performance specification
- Proprietary specification (Correct answer)
- Descriptive specification
- Reference standard specification
Correct answer: Proprietary specification
A proprietary specification names specific manufacturers, products, or systems and is the most restrictive method of specifying.
Question 2: Under CSI principles, what is the purpose of a 'basis-of-design' product specified in construction documents?
- To identify the lowest-cost acceptable product
- To define the performance and quality standard that substitutions must match (Correct answer)
- To preclude any product substitutions
- To identify the owner's preferred aesthetic choice only
Correct answer: To define the performance and quality standard that substitutions must match
A basis-of-design product establishes the performance, quality, and compatibility standard that any proposed substitution must equal or exceed.
Question 3: What is the correct CSI term for the process of verifying that a product or system meets specified requirements through testing, inspection, and documentation?
- Value engineering
- Verification (Correct answer)
- Observation
- Acceptance testing
Correct answer: Verification
Verification is the CSI term for confirming through objective evidence that specified requirements have been fulfilled.
Question 4: A specification section requires 'Special Inspection' per IBC Chapter 17. Who is responsible for employing the special inspector?
- The contractor
- The general contractor's quality manager
- The owner or owner's representative (Correct answer)
- The material supplier
Correct answer: The owner or owner's representative
Per IBC Chapter 17, the owner or the registered design professional in responsible charge employs the approved special inspector.
Question 5: Which document type formally records the results of a pre-installation conference and identifies action items?
- Request for Information (RFI)
- Meeting minutes (Correct answer)
- Submittal register
- Construction change directive
Correct answer: Meeting minutes
Meeting minutes formally document the proceedings, decisions, and action items of pre-installation conferences and other project meetings.
Question 6: In quality assurance terminology, what does 'nonconformance' mean?
- Work completed ahead of schedule
- Work or materials that fail to meet specified requirements (Correct answer)
- Work that exceeds specified requirements
- Work performed by an unqualified subcontractor
Correct answer: Work or materials that fail to meet specified requirements
Nonconformance refers to any condition where materials, products, or work fail to meet the requirements established in the contract documents.
Question 7: Which QA activity requires the contractor to demonstrate installation procedures before full-scale work begins?
- Submittal review
- Field sample installation (Correct answer)
- Closeout documentation
- O&M manual preparation
Correct answer: Field sample installation
A field sample installation (or mock-up) requires the contractor to demonstrate their installation technique and achieve approval before proceeding with the full scope of work.
CSI Quality Assurance Requirements 3
Which type of specification writing method lists acceptable products by manufacturer name and model number?