Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Descriptive Specifications
Common Uses:
It is being used appropriate for products for which no standard exist, for products of
project where admin restricts/ prohibits identifying proprietary products. For situation
where architect/ engineer wants to exercise tight control over the specified work.
Basic Steps in Production of Descriptive Specs
Require the specifier to take special care in describing the design intent in
order to achieve the intended results. Careful consultation & wordsmithing
are necessary to derive a complete & understandable description.
It tends to 'bulk up' specifications with more verbiage about products than
other specs methods.
It is more time consuming to produce. It requires more time and care than
other methods. Leaving out important information may cause
misunderstanding & misinterpretation with unsatisfactory results.
It may require more quality control efforts, as each attributes should be
verified during construction by Quality Assurance agents of the Owner and
Quality Control for the the Contractor. e.g. Elevator System, Pre Engineered-
Custom Engineered
Too elaborate for minor construction or a simple project. e.g. Gypsum Board
Finishes/ To reference appropriate industry.
It is 'ambiguous', must interpret specifications to identify and procure
products available in the market place.
The architect/ engineer must interpret specifications when evaluating
products proposed by the Contractor.
It may not be the specifier who does the interpreting but Construction
Administrator who has not participated in making the design decisions, who
does not know which described attributes are essential.
It is being used less as more complete reference standard are being
developed & implemented.
Reference Standards Specifications
Non-profit trade organizations of building products publish reference standards.
Extremely knowledgeable about a particular aspects of construction technology.
Established non-profit associations dedicated to the promulgations of standards. Mutual
benefit activities for their portion of the construction industry.
Advantages of Reference Standard Specifications
Widely known & accepted base for the Contractor and the Owner.
Widely used materials and methods readily recognized
Competition not limited.
Shortens specifications dramatically.
Reference Standard Specification may require more Quality Control effort for
the Contractor in identifying / monitoring products provided by suppliers and
sub-contractor.
It may appear too elaborate for a minor or simple project.
SENTENCE FORM
EXAMPLE: “Place a label on the front of the data outlet face plate.”
EXAMPLE: “Contractor shall place a label on the front of the data outlet face plates.”
SPECIFICATION LANGUAGE
A format developed by the Construction Specifications Institute for coordinating specifications, filing
of technical data and product literature, and construction cost accounting, organized into 16 divisions
based on an interrelationship of material, trade, or function.
Division 3: Concrete
Division 4: Masonry
Division 5: Metals
Division 9: Finishes
Part 1: GENERAL
Defines the specific administrative and procedural requirements unique to this section.
Scope
o Related Work Specified
o Furnished by Others
o Furnished but not Installed
o Furnished by Owner
Description of Systems
o Water Supply System
o Chilled Water System
o Wiring System
o Telephone System
o Fire Detection System
o Integrated Ceiling System
o Curtain Wall System
o Permits
o Codes
o Ordinances
o U.L. Regulations
o Tests by Agencies
o Design Conditions
Qualifications
o Qualification of Manufacturer
o Qualification of Applicators
o Qualification of Welders
o Qualification of Erectors
o Qualification of Testing Agency
Submittals
o Time and Sequence Schedules
o Shop Drawings
o Samples
o Manufacturer’s Literature
o Lists
o Parts Lists
o Certificates
o Guarantees
o Bonds
Mock-up
o Sample Panels
o Models
o Window Assembly
o Door Assembly
o Curtain Wall Assembly
o Panel Wall Assembly
o Integrated Ceiling Assembly
Product Handling
o Delivery of Materials
o Delivery of Equipment
o Delivery of Fixtures
o Storage of Materials
o Storage of Equipment
Environmental Conditions
o Temperature
o Humidity
o Lighting
o Ventilation
Protection
o Drop Cloths
o Removal of Hardware
o Removal of Flammable Rubbish
o Smoking
Operating Instructions
o Spare Parts
o Extra Tile
o Extra Wall Covering
o Resilient Flooring
o Extra Brick
o Tools
o Maintenance Materials
Alternates
Part 2: PRODUCTS
Describes, in detail, the quality of items that are required for incorporation into the project under this
section.
Materials
Mixes
o Plaster Mix
o Concrete Mix
o Asphalt Binder Mix
o Asphalt Topping Mix
o Terrazzo Mix
Equipment
Fabrication
o Fabrication of Structural Steel
o Fabrication of Reinforcing Steel
o Fabrication of Doors
o Fabrication of Windows
o Fabrication of Toilet Partitions
o Mill Tests
o Factory Tests
o Plant Tests
o Shop Test
Part 3: EXECUTION
Describes, in detail, preparatory actions and how the products are incorporated into the project.
Condition of Surfaces
Preparations
o Fine Grading (to receive base course)
o Treatment of Formwork (to receive concrete)
o Treatment of Galvanized Surfaces (to receive paint)
o Treatment of Wood Surfaces (to receive paint)
Installation
o Placing Concrete
o Laying Bricks
o Framing Floors
o Applying Paint
o Clearing Site
o Erection of Trusses
o Soil Compaction Tests
o Pile Load Tests
o Concrete Compression Tests
o Concrete Slump Tests
o Plumbing System Tests
Adjusting
Patching
Cleaning
Schedules
o Accessories Schedule
o Hardware Schedule
o Painting Schedule
o Plumbing Fixture Schedule
o Mechanical Equipment Schedule
o Lighting Fixture Schedule
1.4 Different Types of Specification
Purpose and Importance of Specifications
QUALIFICATION OF SPECIFICATION WRITER
TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS
1. Performance Specifications
the result of the product, rather than the product itself are specified
2. Descriptive Specifications
the desired product is specified by the name given and model number “or an equal
approved by the architect”
4. Closed Specification
-there are two types of closed specifications, the single product and the multi product.
Closed specifications are usually brand name specifications. The multi product is the
same as a single product except that more than one product is used. “no other brand
will be accepted”
5. Open Specifications
6. Reference Specification
7. Combination Specification
Procedure
The specifications should be started in the form of a construction outline and equipment
outline (or outline specifications) to accompany the schematic drawings and be further
developed as preliminary specifications to accompany later design drawings. Thus,
decisions, made tentatively at first, become firm if not changed; the client is given time
to consider before approving important decisions; and data for preliminary estimates are
made available.
Since the preliminary specifications may not have been prepared by the specification
write, and he may not have followed later developments, a review of the working
drawings and notations is in order. This may uncover the need for additional decisions
regarding selection of materials or methods of construction or the choice of equipment.
The following are pointers of how to prepare a specification:
1.
1. Prepare a list of all section.
2. Write scope of the work for each section.
3. Coordinate “Scopes” to make sure that everything is included.
4. Prepare specification brief (dummy).
The following shall be covered in the scope of the work when applicable:
1.
1. The material and labor included under this section.
2. Material required to be furnished under this section to be installed by
others. (Indicate who will furnish the work)
3. Material furnished by others (Indicate who) to be installed under a
particular section.
4. Work shown on the drawings not included under this section.
5. Work shown on the drawings not included under the contract.
1.
1. Styles to Avoid
Since the specifications are one part of the contract documents, that the contract is
between the owner and a prime contractor and that the prime contractor is the only
party responsible for completing the work the accord with the specifications, therefore, it
is never proper to refer to a sub-contractor in the specifications, example:
Incorrect: “The Tile Contractor shall examine surfaces for defects.”
This style is incorrect because it violates the intent of the contract, undermines the
proper chain of command, and invites disputes over authority and responsibility for
compliance with the specifications.
Acceptable: “The Contractor shall install all accessories”.
Better: “All accessories shall be installed”.
Best: “Install all accessories.”
Another Structure to avoid is the verb phrase “is to be”, for example:
Avoid: “Adhesive is to be spread with a notched trowel”
Better: “Spread adhesive with a notched trowel.”
Better: “Use a notched Trowel.”
2. Correct Grammar
The tense of the subject and that of the verb must always agree plural verbs and should
not be used with singular subjects nor vice versa.
Correct: One of the elongated Central Fasteners is to be placed around the eye of the
panel and bolted.
Incorrect: One of the elongated fasteners are to be places around the eye of the panel
and bolted.
Better: Bolt one of the elongated fasteners to the eye of the panel.
The rules of a good grammar require parallel construction. The use of identical style in
both parts of a compound subject or predicate, or the use of identical style in a string of
prepositional phrases modifying the same noun.
Incorrect: Heating, ventilation, and Air-Conditioning
Correct: Heating, ventilation, and Air Conditioning
Incorrect: Tests shall be performed to determine strength and to established quality.
Correct: Tests shall be performed to determine strength and to establish quality.
Better: Perform tests to determine strength and to establish quality.
5. Internal Numbering
The basic scheme of alternating numbers and letters is recommended in lieu of an all
number scheme (2.2.1.2.11…). the contrast between number and letter contributes to
visual acuity and comprehension. The contrast further contributes to the mental
establishments and retention of levels of emphasis or rank of the paragraph.
The recommended method of numbering the internal elements of the section paragraph
is:
1.1 Paragraph Title
(a) Subparagraph
(1)Subparagraph
(a))Subparagraph
Numbering systems within the section alternate numbers and letters and various
paragraphs and subparagraph should be indented accordingly.
-It is typically prepared by the Owner's Legal and Insurance Counsel, or by the
Construction Manager.
-Architect or Engineer does NOT prepare Agreement and its attachment.
-It is under the direction of the Owner
-Architect/Engineer are NOT trained to produce legal documents and insurance nor are
they licensed to practice law & underwrite insurance.
Type & quality of every product in the Work from simplest material through
the functioning system.
Quality of Workmanship including quality during - manufacture, fabrication,
application, installation, finishing, and adjusting.
Requirements for fabrication, erection, application, installation and finishing.
Applicable regulatory requirements including codes, and standards applicable
to performance of the Work.
Overall & component dimensional requirements for specified materials,
manufactured products & equipments.
Specific description & procedures for product alternate & options.
Specific requirements for Administration of the contract for construction.
Specification should not overlap or duplicate info leads to contradiction/
confusion/misunderstanding/ difference of opinion.
Descriptions of the work need to be detailed to suit the nature of the 'Work'