Specifications for various Civil Engineering Works

Lecture 3

Engr. Sheheryar
Lecturer,
Department of Civil Engineering,
University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar,
 Specifications for various Civil Engineering Works
Lecture 3

By the end of this lecture, you will be able to:

• Explain, what is a civil engineering specifications

• Explain various types of typical specification
• Explain significance of specifications
• Be able to Demonstrate by writing a typical specification of
civil engineering work

Engr. Sheheryar
Lecturer,
Department of Civil Engineering,
University of Engineering and Technology, Peshawar,
 Introduction
• Specifications are the written requirements for a material, product, or
service for a proposed project, like a building, bridge or machine.

• For architectural projects, the specifications are art of the Contract

Documents included with the bidding and construction requirements
and the drawings
 Purpose of Specifications
• Specifications should describe the type and quality of every product required for
the project.

• The specifications should describe the requirements for fabrication, erection,

installation and finishing.

• Specifications should describe the quality of workmanship necessary for the

project. This includes all phases of creation and installation starting with
• manufacturing
• fabrication
• Installation
• finishing and adjustment
 Purpose of Specifications
• Specifications should include any necessary codes and standards applicable to
the project.

• The specifications should also include descriptions and procedures for

alternate materials, products or services if necessary.
 Types of Specifications
• There are four methods of specifying.
• There is no defined rule for using one method over another or about
combining methods, but care should be taken to avoid redundancy or
contradictions.

• The four methods are:

– Descriptive
– Performance
– Reference Standard
– Proprietary
 Types of Specifications
Descriptive Specifications

• Under this method of specifying, the exact properties of the

materials and methods of installation are described in detail
without using proprietary or manufacturer's names.

• Descriptive specifications are commonly used for products for

which no standards exist, on projects where using proprietary
names is restricted, and in situations where the Architect/Engineer
want to exercise tight control over the specified work.
 Types of Specifications
Descriptive Specifications
There are five steps for preparing descriptive specifications:

1. Research available products.

2. Research the important features required for the product.

3. Determine which features to describe in the specification and which features to show in
the drawings.

4. Describe the important features.

5. Specify quality assurance measures (i.e. submittals, certifications, testing or inspection

activities)
 Types of Specifications
Descriptive Specifications
Advantages to using descriptive specifications

• Descriptive specifications specify exactly what the design intends.

• They are applicable to all conditions, methods or situations of a project.
• They are applicable to all sizes and types of projects.
• They permit free competition because they do not restrict the use of specific products or manufacturers.

Disadvantages of descriptive specifications:

• They require the specifier to take special care in describing the design intent in order to achieve the desired
results.
• Descriptive specifications tend to take up more space because they require more verbiage than other methods.
• They may be more time consuming than other methods to create and write.
• They are being used less often as more complete reference standards are being developed and implemented
 Types of Specifications
Performance Specifications
• Under this method the required end results are specified along with
the criteria by which the performance will be judged and the method
by which it can be verified.
• The contractor is free to choose the materials and methods that
comply with the performance specification.
• They are generally used to encourage the use of new and innovative
techniques that may lead to more economical construction.
• They are also used to supplement other specification methods.
 Types of Specifications
Performance Specifications
Advantages of using performance specifications:
• Only the end result or design intent is specified, this gives the Contractor flexibility in selecting
and applying products.
• They permit free competition.
• They can be applicable in all types and sizes of projects.
• Performance specifications delegate the technical responsibilities to the construction industry,
where the Contractor instead of the Architecture/Engineering firm is responsible for the results.
Disadvantages of using performance specifications:
• They are more difficult to enforce than other methods of specifying.
• They may be too elaborate for simple or minor projects.
• Performance specifications delegate the technical responsibilities to the construction industry,
where the Contractor instead of the Architecture/Engineering firm is responsible for the results.
(This is both an advantage and disadvantage)
 Types of Specifications
Reference Standard Specifications
• Under this method reference is made to an established standard defined by
associations very knowledgeable about a certain part or phase of
construction.

Steps for preparing reference standard specifications are:

1. The standard must be recognized as authoritative by the industry.
2. The standard must be available to all parties involved in the project.
3. The specifier must know the standard. Assure that the standard relates to the
current project and does not present duplicate or conflicting information.
4. Incorporate the standard correctly into the specifications.
 Types of Specifications
Reference Standard Specifications
Advantages of using reference standard specifications:
• The standard is usually widely known and accepted by the industry.
• They do not limit competition.
• They dramatically shorten the length of specifications.

Disadvantages of using reference standard specifications:

• There may be no appropriate standard to refer, because standards are written for the
most commonly used and generally available products.
• Standards generally refer to the minimum requirements.
• The standard may become obsolete or out-of date, because of advances and changes in
technology and the creation of new products.
• They require a lot of research and care in use.
 Types of Specifications
Proprietary Specification
• Under this method the actual brand names, model numbers and other proprietary information is
specified.
• They are primarily used for private commercial projects where the Owner knows what products
they want.
• There are two types of proprietary specifications, closed and open.
• The primary difference between the two types concerns substitutions are,

Closed
• Closed specifications generally prohibit substitutions.
• One or more products are specified, and no substitutions will be considered.
Open
• Open specifications permit substitutions.
• One or more products are specified, but other manufacturers will be considered. It is necessary to specify the
criteria the alternate manufacturers will be judged by.
 Types of Specifications
Proprietary Specification
Advantages for using proprietary specifications:
• They allow for close control of product selection.
• The drawings can be more complete and more detailed because they can be prepared based on
precise information from the selected manufacturer.
• The specification can be shorter.
• They simplify the bidding by narrowing competition and eliminating product pricing as a major
variable.

Disadvantages for using proprietary specifications:

• They reduce the competition.
• They may specify products the Contractor is not familiar with or has had little experience with.
• Care should be taken to assure no error is made when specifying model numbers or product
designations.
 Selecting a Method of Specifying

The following questions are helpful to consider when deciding which method of specifying
is most appropriate.

• What does the Owner require?

• What method best describes the design intent?
• What method is most appropriate for the project size and complexity?
• What method will result in the best quality of work?
• What method will result in the best price for the work?
 Specification Language
• Specification language should be precise.

• Vague and ambiguous text can be open to multiple interpretations.

• The following section covers how to be precise and clear when writing specifications and it includes
a few things to avoid and how to be concise and save space.
 Specification Language
• Four important sections for specification writing
1. Be Clear:
• Use proper grammar.
• Chose precise words to convey the message.
2. Be Correct:
• Present information accurately & precisely using proper terminology.
3. Be Complete:
• Do not out important or necessary information.
• Brevity at the expense of completeness should be avoided.
4. Be Concise:
• Eliminate unnecessary words but at the expense of clarity, correctness, completeness or grammar.
 Sentence Structure
Imperative Mood
Imperative mood puts the verb that defines the action as the first word in the
sentence. It is the recommended method for specifications covering installation of
products and equipment. It is easily understandable and concise.

Examples:
– Spread adhesive with notched trowel.
– Install equipment plumb and level.
– Apply two coats of paint to each exposed surface.
 Sentence Structure
Indicative Mood
Indicative mood uses the passive voice with the use of the word shall in nearly every
sentence. Sometimes this can create unnecessary wordiness and monotony.

Examples:
– Adhesive shall be spread with notched trowel.
– Equipment shall be installed plumb and level.
– Two coats of paint shall be applied to each exposed surface.
 Sentence Structure
Streamlined Writing
This technique uses a colon (:) to mean shall or shall be. Streamlined specifications are very
concise and clear to read. The subject before the colon is helpful when scanning the
specifications for keywords.

Examples:
– Adhesive: Spread with notched trowel.
– Equipment: Install plumb and level.
– Portland Cement: ASTM C 150, Type 1