TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS

Systems of Writing Specifications

Types of Specifications􀂋Performance Specifications
Descriptive Specifications
Reference Specifications
Proprietary Specifications

Examples
Reference standards Agencies

Methods of Writing Specifications

Two basic approaches to writing specifications:
1. The Method system
2. The Results system.

1. Method system:
􀂋 The specifier describes in detail the materials, workmanship, installation, and erection procedures to
be used by the contractor in the conduct of his work operations in order to achieve the results expected.
􀂋 The method system can best be described as a descriptive specification; cation;
􀂋 The specifications code sets forth specific materials and methods that are permitted under the law in
the construction of a building.
2. Results system:
􀂋 When the specifier instead elects to specify results, he places on the contractor the responsibility
for securing the desired results by whatever methods the contractor chooses to use.
􀂋 The results system is best described as a performance specification. ion.
􀂋 Under the performance code, materials and methods are left to the architect and engineer,
provided that performance criteria for fire protection, structural adequacy, and sanitation are met.
􀂋 As a matter of fact, both the descriptive specification and the performance specification can be
used together in the same project specification, each in its proper place, in order to achieve the prime
objective.

Types of Specifications

1. Descriptive Specifications 2.
2. Performance Specifications
3. Reference Specifications
4. Proprietary Specifications
a. Closed Proprietary Specifications
b. Open Proprietary Specifications

Descriptive Specifications
􀂋 Detailed written description of the required properties of a product, materials, or piece of
equipment, and the workmanship required f for its proper or installation.
􀂋 Described in cookbook fashion are the materials, workmanship, installation, and erection
procedures to be employed by the contractor.
􀂋 In descriptive specifications and in proprietary specifications the products and processes are
specified but results are not specified.
􀂋 Defines exact properties of materials and methods of installation without using proprietary names.
􀂋 when descriptive specifications are used, the burden of performance is assumed by the preparer.

Descriptive Specifications: Example

􀂋 A CONCRETE MIX OF FOUR PARTS COARSE AGGREGATE, TWO PARTS FINE

AGGREGATES, AND ONE PART CEMENT WITH A 0.5 WATER CEMENT RATIOS. A
PERFORMANCE STRENGTH OF 3000 PSI AFTER 28 DAYS IS IMPLIED IN THE DESIGN MIX.

descriptive specifications: when to use ?

􀂋 writing descriptive specs is a lengthy and a tedious process.
􀂋 when to be used:
􀂋 1. brand names is forbidden
􀂋 2. performance specs is not adequate
􀂋 3. adequate reference standards do not exist.
􀂋 4. this approach is used when the specifier has gained wealth of information and experience from
use of known materials and methods.

preparing descriptive specifications

􀂋 research available products
􀂋 research critical features needed.
􀂋 analyze and compare requirements with available products.
􀂋 determine which features are best specified and which are best shown on the drawings.
􀂋 describe critical features.
􀂋 state the minimum acceptable requirements and be certain they can be met.
􀂋 provide specific information about submittals, testing, and other procedures necessary to ensure
acceptable products will be provided.

performance specifications
􀂋 definition: is a statement of required results with criteria for verifying compliance,
but without unnecessary limitation on the methods for achieving the results.
􀂋 or a performance specification can be defined as specifying an end result by formulating the criteria
for its accomplishment.
part 1 required results:
􀂋 means all desired end results must be spelled out.
part 2 with criteria for verifying compliance
􀂋 means the criteria is capable of measurement, test evaluation, or other acceptable assurances.
part 3
􀂋 without unnecessary limitations on the methods for achieving the required
results.

Performance Specifications: Example

For example, in a performance specification for a paint material, the end result is obtained by
specifying or formulating the following criteria.
1. The painted surface shall withstand 10 washings with a mild d detergent.
2. The painted surface shall show no sign of alligatoring or crazing.
3. The painted surface shall be resistant to abrasion when using the Taber abrasive
method.
Reference Specifications
􀂋 Reference standards are requirements set by authority, custom, or general consensus and are
established as accepted criteria.
􀂋 They are published by trade associations, government, and institutional organization.

REFERENCE STANDARDS INCLUDES

ASTM
􀂋 American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications
-Materials standards
-workmanship Standards
-Test Methods Standard
􀂋 ANSI
􀂋 American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.
-Materials standards
-Workmanship Standards

􀂋 Reference standards are incorporated in specification by reference to a number, a letter, or other

designation. The provisions of standards so referenced become a part of the project document.
reference referenced

Reference Specifications: Example

􀂋 Before the advent of materials standards such as American Society for Testing and Materials
(ASTM) specifications, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards, materials were
minutely described in the specifications so that the contractor was completely aware of what the
specifier wanted.
􀂋 In many instances, these descriptive specifications for material materials have been supplanted by
the aforementioned standards.
􀂋 For example, in lieu of describing portland cement in detail, as to quality, fineness module, and
other characteristics,
􀂋 the Specifier now simply states that portland cement must
"meet the requirements of ASTM C C-150, Type_."


Reference Specifications: Merits & Demerits

Benefit of Standards Specs.:

Incorporation By Reference Saves The Specifier The Work Of Writing An Elaborate And
Lengthy Test.

Disadvantages: (Liabilities)

1. Bad Reference Standards Coexists With Good Ones.

2. Reference Standards Can Create Duplication And Within The Contract Documents.
3. Standards Can Contain Hidden Choices
4. Standards Generally Refer to Minimum Requirements
TO ELIMINATE THE ABOVE PROBLEMS
1. know the standard
2. incorporate the standard properly
3. enforce the requirement of the standard

Reference Specifications: Know the Standard

􀂋 Know The Standards
􀂋 -Review The Reference Standard
􀂋 -Content And Purpose
􀂋 -The Standard Should Be Free Of Duplication That Might Lead To Conflicts With Other
Project Requirements.
􀂋 Duplication May Occur When Two Or More Reference Standards Are Used/For A Given Product. It
Is Possible that the Requirements of One Standard May Conflict With Another.

􀂋 Reference Standards Dealing With Workmanship May Contain Statement Similar To Those In
Conditions Of The Contract.

Reference Specifications: Incorporate the Standard Properly

􀂋 Incorporate The Standard Properly
􀂋 Complete Designation
􀂋 Name Of The Writing Organization
􀂋 Number Of The Standard
􀂋 Title
􀂋 Date Of Issue

􀂋 The Writing Organization Is Referred To By Its Initials Or Acronym. It Is Appropriate To Spell Out
The Organizations Name Along With Its Initials (Acronym) In Parentheses When It Is First Mentioned
In The Specification Section.
􀂋 Use Of Dates
􀂋 Standards Are Revised Form Time To Time. The Revision Are Dated With The Year Of Issue.
􀂋 Approaches For Fixing The Dates Of Reference Standards.
􀂋 Include the dates of reference standards. For Example: ASTM C150 -84
􀂋 STANDARDS SPECIFICATION FOR PORTLAND CEMENTS
􀂋 THE SPECIFIER IS RESPONSIBNLE FOR FINDING DATE OF THE LATEST
EDITION

Proprietary Specifications:
􀂋Proprietary specifications identify the desired products by manufacturer products manufacturer’s
name, brand name, model number, type designation, or other unique characteristics.

􀂋A specification is considered a proprietary specification when the product specified is only available
from one source.
Proprietary Specifications: Advantages Proprietary Advantages

􀂋Close control of product selection Close selection

􀂋Preparation of more detailed and complete drawings based on precise information obtained from
manufacturers data.
􀂋Decreases the size of the specification and reduces production time production time
􀂋Simplification of bidding by narrowing competition and removing product pricing as a major variable.

Proprietary Specifications: Disadvantages Proprietary Disadvantages

􀂋Elimination or narrowing of competition Elimination competition
􀂋Requiring products with which the contractor has perhaps little or bad experience.
􀂋Favoring of certain products and manufacturers over others over others

Proprietary Specifications: Types Proprietary Types

􀂋Closed Proprietary Specifications
􀂋Open Proprietary Specifications Open Specifications
􀂋The Fundamental Distinction Between Closed And Open Proprietary Specs Concern
Substitutions
􀂋Closed Specs Prohibits Substation 􀂋Open Specs Permits Substitution

Closed Proprietary Specifications

􀂋Only one product is named.
􀂋Several products may be named as options: Multi products Specification Wide Range Of
Specification Products Difficult To List All
􀂋No substitutions
􀂋Omission Of Some Brands Will Put The A/Ee Under Heavy Questions Form Those Under Suppliers

Advantages Of Closed Specs:

Permits Design To Be Completed Down To The Smallest Detail. (Promote Accurate Adding)
Disadvantages
1. High Cost
2. Contractor Experience
3. Conflict Between the Specifier and the supplier

Open Specifications
􀂋Only one product is named.
􀂋Several products may be named as options several options
􀂋Products are allowed as substitutions after approval by A/E.
􀂋Open proprietary specifications can include prices requested for specified alternates; Substitutions
and cost adjustments may be proposed by the bidders.

REFERENCE STANDARDS AGENCIES REFERENCE AGENCIES

BENEFITS OF STANDARDSBENEFITS STANDARDS
􀂋Architects and specifiers specifier constantly make use of reference constantly standards in
specifications.
􀂋One major benefit is reduction in of construction specifications one specifications
􀂋It ensures degree of quality since the reference standards It reflects the combined knowledge and
experience of the people engaged in its development.
􀂋They also reduce the number of types, sizes of materials They materials
􀂋They standardize methods of testing, and provide quality of workmanship quality workmanship
􀂋Standards are developed by committees consisting balanced working group like material
manufacturers, suppliers, testing agencies, contractors, public authorities. etc.

ASTM STANDARDSASTM STANDARDS

􀂋American Society of Testing & Materials
􀂋http://www.astm.orgwww.org//
􀂋ASTM International is a not ASTM not--for--profit organization that provides a global forum for the
development and publication of voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and
services.

AASHTO STANDARDSAASHTO STANDARDS

􀂋http://www.aashto.orgwww.org//
􀂋American Association of State Highways and Transportation Officials Transportation Officials
􀂋AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association representing highway and transportation
departments.
􀂋It represents all five transportation modes: air, highways, public transportation, rail and water. Its
primary goal is to foster the development, operation and maintenance of an integrated national
transportation system.

ACI STANDARDS ACI STANDARDS

􀂋American Concrete Institute
􀂋http://www.acihttp://aci--int.org/
􀂋The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is a non--partisan organization that gathers and
disseminates information about the properties and applications of concrete and promulgates
recommended practices, referred to as ACI standards.

SUMMARY
􀂋Methods of Writing Specifications:
􀂋Method System
􀂋Result System
􀂋Types of Specifications:
􀂋Descriptive
􀂋Performance
􀂋Reference Standard
􀂋Proprietary