PHINMA-UNIVERSITY OF PANGASINAN

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE

ARC 041 BUILDING TECHNOLOGY 04

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CCO
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RSW No.: 01
TITLE: WHAT IS SPECIFICATION WRITING?

TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
DATE DUE: 02 MARCH 2021-W

STUDENT.: FERRER, ZILDJIAN M.

YEAR & SECTION.: A1-4BSARC-01
CO
INSTRUCTOR.: AR. MARK JEFFERSON M. CALLANTA
CO
What is Specification Writing?

In a procurement context, a Specification can be defined as a ‘statement of needs’. It describes what the
customer wants to buy and consequently, what the successful supplier is required to supply.

Specifications can be simple or complex depending on the need. The success of the procurement
outcome often relies on the Specification being a true and accurate statement of the buyer’s
requirements.

Apart from being a means of identifying the goods/services required, a Specification will form part of
any future contract that might result from offers received.

What Construction Specifications?

Construction specifications, also called specs, are the details for the work that needs to be completed in
a construction project. These details include information such as materials, the scope of work,
installation process, and quality of work. Subcontractors and teams use these specs as a guide to choose
the right materials for the specific project. The specs discussed between the project owner and the
contractor become a part of the legal documents for the project.

Architects or designers create construction specifications before work actually starts. But many involve
project engineers for technical help. In every construction project, there are three types of construction
specifications. The three types of construction specifications are prescriptive, performance, and
proprietary.

Types of Specifications

CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS

Types of Construction Specifications:

1. Performance Specifications
2. Proprietary Specifications
3. Prescriptive Specifications
4. Open Specifications
5. Closed specifications
6. General Specifications
7. Detailed Specifications
Performance Specification

They address the operational requirements of a component or installation. A performance specification

tells the contractor what the final installed product must be capable of doing. The performance
specification focuses on the outcome and shifts the selection of materials
and methods, as well as a portion of the design work, onto the shoulders of the contractor. This
approach can provide incentives for innovation and flexibility in the construction
approach, but also reduces the amount of control that the architect or engineer has over
the project.

Samples:

Performance of irrigation system

Coverage (mm of water over area to be watered):

50 to 60 mm per week during the establishment period and then progressively

hardening off to local conditions. Ensure that water usage is such that plant health and vigor is
maintained without

wastage of water.

Structural Performance of Railings

Railings shall withstand the effects of gravity loads and the following loads and stresses within limits and
under conditions indicated:

1. Handrails and Top Rails of Guards:

a. Uniform load of 50 lbf/ft. (0.73 kN/m) applied in any direction.

b. Concentrated load of 200 lbf (0.89 kN) applied in any direction. c. Uniform and concentrated
loads need not be assumed to act concurrently.

2. Infill of Guards:

a. Concentrated load of 50 lbf (0.22 kN) applied horizontally on an area of 1 sq. ft. (0.093 sq. m).
b. Infill load and other loads need not be assumed to act concurrently.
Proprietary Specification

Proprietary specifications are those that require the use of a single approved product type for any
particular installation.

Proprietary specifications are often used in cases where there is existing equipment or installations
already on site. In highly complex installations where there is only one specific piece of equipment that
will accomplish a specified task, a proprietary specification is required.

Samples:

Emergency Lighting and Exit Signs

The emergency lighting package should be mounted at those places, where it is foreseen by electrical
projector engineer. The emergency package should comprise of battery pack complete with a battery
charger capable of supplying power for 1 hour and 18 watts’ light tube. The emergency luminaries must
be manufactured by DIOSANA ILLUMINAZIONEITALY or approved similar with follow technical requests.

Type 884 EM, compact, FLC 2-182, electric initiation, glassed diffuser, white color.

Type 891 EM 60 active grade, dark 1, FLC 2-182, lamellar diffuser, white color, electric initiation.

Type 874 EM 60 comfort grade, dark 1, FLC 4-182, lamellar diffuser, electric initiation, white color.

Type 2660 EM, evoluzione, FL3-36, lamellar diffuser, dark1, white color.

The location and extent of the exit devises must be as indicated in the project. Escape or exit lightening
should be of the relevant BS standard complete with battery pack,18 watts, 1-hour duration.

Cover package must be green color and with respective signs:

 A man running
 Arrow that indicates removal direction.
 Word exit

Fibre Cement Flooring

Compressed sheets: To AS/NZS 2908.2, Type A, Category 4. Thickness: Generally, 15 mm.

Proprietary item: Hardies or CSR compressed sheet. Installation: Lay the length of the sheets at right
angles to the joists and continuous over at least 2 spans. Stagger the end joints and locate them
centrally over joists. Provide expansion joints as recommended by the sheet manufacturer.

Fixing: Fix sheeting to the supports with adhesive and non-corrosive countersunk screws. Fill the screw
holes with sealant before fixing. After fixing, stop the screw heads with the same sealant, finished
slightly below the sheet surface.
Prescriptive Specification

They convey the requirements of a project through a detailed explanation of the materials that the
contractor must use, and the means of installing those materials. This type of specification provides
more certainty regarding the final product composition than the performance specification, and is very
frequently used for highly complex portions of a project. This type of spec usually involves three key
components:

 General- references to codes and standards

 Products- the various products required for the task covered by the specification along with the
individual structural and performance requirements of each product.
 Execution- how to prepare the materials and conduct the installation, including the testing
requirements to be followed.

Samples:

Timber Decking

Standard:

- Treated softwood to AS 4785.1 Section 4.

- Hardwood to AS 2796.1 Section 4.

Definition: Timber flooring with plain, bevel or pencil round edge suitable for pedestrian or light vehicle
loadings in balconies, decks and access ways. Timber (Minimum requirements): Hardwood species of
durability Class 2, size 70 x 19 mm finished. Installation: Lay in long lengths (minimum 3 spans) Stagger
joints and make them over joists. Leave 4 mm between edges of boards.

Adhesive: Use a urethane elastomer adhesive in addition to screws or nails as follows;

- Continuously supported flooring: 4 mm beads at 300 mm spacing at right angles to run of

flooring.

Floor Finishes

1) Supply and installation of 2100mm width x 2mm thick Static Control Homogenous Vinyl Floor
Covering Roll Type by Gerflor. Offices, Hallway and other Areas, see floor plan for Legend & Call Out
Specifications as to where to be applied. Submit sample for Procuring Entity’s approval.
2) Supply and installation of 500mm x 500 x 5mm thick Flotex Floor Covering Carpet Tile Type. For
Conference Rooms as shown in Floor Key Plan Finish with Codes. Submit sample for Procuring
Entity’s approval.
3) Vinyl Tiles: Supply and installation of 2.0 mm thk. x 300 mm x 300 mm homogenous vinyl tiles. Color:
beige. Contractor shall submit samples for Procuring Entity’s approval. After work completion, vinyl
tiles shall be cleaned, free from all cement, dirt, or other substances, with two coats of water
emulsion wax, each coat polished to produce a well-polished finish. Manufacturer: Armstrong
4) Fully Vitrified Tiles: Supply and installation of 600 mm x 600 mm or 800mm x 800mm unglazed tiles;
polished / unpolished / textured and colored: set on tile adhesive setting with 3 - 5 mm spacing
between tile. For Reception / Lobby Area. See Design. Submit Samples for approval.
Open Specification

When an architect does not name a specific supplier or product and allows for substitutions to be made
by the contractor, it is an open specification. It includes provisions within the product specification that
allow the bidder to submit substitute products. This would then be processed through the General
Requirements (Division 01) substitution procedures.

Samples:

Fasteners

Metal washers: Provide washers to the heads and nuts of all bolts and coach screws. Steel straps: Zinc-
coated steel to AS 1397/Z275, minimum size 25 x 1 mm or 30 x 0.8 mm. Timber fasteners: Use fasteners
capable of transmitting the loads imposed, and sufficient to ensure the rigidity of the assembly. Do not
split or otherwise damage the timber.

Adhesives

Use adhesives capable of transmitting the loads imposed, and sufficient to ensure the rigidity of the
assembly and that do not cause discoloration of finished surfaces. Structural Adhesives: To AS/NZS
1328.1.

Wall Switches

Shall be Decora, model no. ODS10-IDW, color white as manufactured by Leviton Corp, or equal.

Closed Specification

By default, closed specifications are proprietary. They name several products that are allowed as
options, but do not use substitutions. This provides the engineer and owner with complete control over
the products, which can significantly decrease the time spent researching and reviewing products and
manufacturers, and can allow for greater detail on product or system drawings. This method requires
the engineer to specify the exact product that the owner wants, and any mistakes made when specifying
the product are typically directly attributed to the engineer.

Samples:

Flashings and Cappings

Standard: To AS/NZS 2904. Flash projections above or through the roof with two part flashings
consisting of an apron flashing and an over flashing, with at least 100 mm vertical overlap. Provide for
independent movement between the roof and the projection. Continue over flashing to the roof ridge.
Large penetrations to low pitched roofs: Extend the base flashing over the roofing ribs to the ridge to
prevent ponding behind the penetrating element.
Wall abutments: Where a roof abuts a wall, provide over flashings, stepped to the roof slope in masonry
and planked cladding, otherwise raking, and as follows:

- Masonry or concrete: Built into a 25 mm deep raking saw cut.

- Planked cladding: Stepped.

Pipe Penetrations: Seal with a neoprene coupling clamped to the pipe and fixed to the profile of the roof
sheeting.

Proprietary Item: Dektite flashings by Deks-Thyer Pty Ltd.

Colour: To match the roof sheeting.
In Concrete or Masonry: Turn 25 mm into joints or grooves, wedge at 200 mm centres with compatible
material and point up.

Door Seals

Provide door seals to the bottom of all external doors. Proprietary Item: Raven RP4. Thresholds to be AS
1428.1 compliant.

General Specification

They are also known as brief specifications. They describe the general classifications of the construction
work of the project, and establish standards that will help in detailed estimates.

Samples:

Materials General. The requirements for select materials and subgrade area materials are described
below. All processing operations including washing, removal of oversize material, blending, or crushing
shall be completed at the source of the material. The procedure for acceptance or rejection of these
materials shall be in conformance with the procedures contained in the geotechnical control procedure
“Procedure for the Control and Quality Assurance of Granular Materials”.

A. Subgrade Area Material. Subgrade area material shall consist of any suitable material having no
particles greater than 6 in. in maximum dimension, unless Select Granular Subgrade with the
well graded rock option is used. In that case, refer to §733-13 Select Granular Subgrade. If
concrete is used, any exposed mesh or rebar shall not exceed 1 in. in length. RAP is also
permitted. B. Glass Backfill. Provide backfill material meeting the requirements of §733-05 Glass
Backfill.
B. Glass Backfill. Provide backfill material meeting the requirements of §733-05 Glass Backfill.
C. RAP. Provide backfill material meeting the requirements of §733-06 Reclaimed Asphalt
Pavement for Earthwork and Subbase
D. RCA. Provide backfill material meeting the requirements of §733-07 Recycled Portland Cement
Concrete Aggregate.
E. Miscellaneous. Necessary fill material for cleaning, grading and shaping the existing roadside
section shall conform to the requirements of §203-2.01A, Subgrade Area Material.
Detailed Specification

Detailed description, characteristics, quantity, ratio and formation method of the material used in
construction work is shown in the detailed descriptions.

Detailed Specifications have two major types:

 Standard Specifications- This type of Specification of constructional work is written down and
published in departments of engineering that will eliminate the need of writing Specifications in
details. Hence, these Specifications are merely referenced when required.
 Special Specifications- Some specifications of the construction work are of the special form, and
they are not officially written and published in Standard Specifications. Special Specifications are
written by the in-charge engineer of the constructional project which will usually be a divisional
officer (XEN).

Samples:

Grout for blockwork cores

Standard: AS 3700 Materials section, grout clause. Grout: Class S15 (to AS 1379) 15 MPa with a pourable
slump, a minimum cement content of 300 kg/m3 and maximum 6 mm aggregate.

Tolerances Formwork

Plumb of element > 8m high: 1:1000.

Plumb of element ≤ 8m high: To AS 3610.1. Position: construct formwork so that finished concrete
conforms to AS 3600 clauses 17.5.

Reinforcement

Not visible: Class 5. Unformed surfaces: Confirm conformance with the Flatness Tolerance Class Table
for the class of finish nominated using a straight edge placed anywhere on the surface in any direction.

Concrete Masonry Units

1. Masonry Units (CHB): 100mm thick for all interior walls unless otherwise indicated. Use 400 psi for
non-load bearing blocks and 700 psi for load bearing blocks where required.

a. Supplier: Allied Concrete, Rock built or Jack built

b. Where full height walls are constructed with concrete hollow blocks, these shall extend up to the
bottom of beam or slab unless otherwise indicated on plans. Provide stiffener columns & lintel beams as
specified in the structural drawings or as specified or as deemed required to assure a stabilized wall due
to height & other considerations.

2. Sand: S-1, washed, clean and greenish in color.