Construction specifications, also known, as specs, detail the work and workmanship needed to complete

a construction project. And there’s no way to get around them. As required documents during the
design phase, they’re part of a formal process. According to the Dictionary of Architecture &
Construction a specification is, “a written document describing in detail the scope of work, materials to
be used, methods of installation, and quality of workmanship for a parcel of work to be placed under
contract; usually utilized in conjunction with working (contract) drawings in building construction.”

Furthermore, according to The Construction Specifier, “specification sections are customized in order to
accurately describe the intended materials, and then these sections are used by the team to identify the
type of products that should be used onsite.”

As mentioned, construction specifications are prepared before construction begins, in the design phase
as part of the contract documents. Although their structure varies project-by-project, typically they
reflect packages to be given to subcontractors from contractors. Specifically, this is extremely helpful in
the tender process.

Typically, specs are prepared by the architect or designers. Generally, architects will delegate them but
oftentimes project engineers will be involved due to their breadth of technical knowledge. Sometimes,
on large-scale projects, companies will even call for specialized and professional specification writers to
ensure all details are covered.

Although they are separate from design drawings themselves, specs should be complementary to these
documents and prepared in tandem. So, if the design advances, so should the specifications, with more
and more details being added as plans get more complex.

The purpose of construction specifications is to delineate the requirements regarding the materials,
products, installation procedures and quality aspects involved with execution of the work and fulfillment
of the contract. Specifications can be divided into three primary categories: performance, prescriptive
and proprietary, which are described below.

Performance Specifications

A performance specification is a document that specifies the operational requirements of a component

or installation. Simply put, a performance specification tells the contractor what the final installed
product must be capable of doing. The contractor is not instructed as to how to accomplish the task of
meeting the performance specification requirements - only as to how the component must function
after installation. For example, a performance specification may be used in the construction of an
industrial pumping system. The specification would provide a required pumping rate (say 500 gallons
per minute), a required pressure (20 psi) and the difference in height between the pump and the final
destination (+40 feet). The specification will also state that the liquid to be pumped will be at a
temperature of 140°F and is corrosive (pH of 3). It is up to the contractor to provide pumping equipment
that meets or exceeds the requirements stated in the specification. In many cases the contractor will
also be required to test equipment to make sure that is operating properly, and will provide operations
manuals.
The general concept behind the performance specification is for the architect or engineer to describe
what they need, and the contractor to determine the best way to get there. 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.

Prescriptive Specifications

Prescriptive specifications 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 will typically be formatted in a manner similar to the following sections:

General: This section will typically contain references to national/international standards, design
requirements, a list of required submittals from the contractor to the architect/engineer, quality control
requirements and product handling requirements.

Products: This section will describe, in detail, the various products required for the task covered by the
specification along with the individual structural and performance requirements of each product.

Execution: This section will explain how to prepare the materials and conduct the installation, including
the testing requirements to be followed.

Prescriptive specifications shift more of the project design control onto the shoulders of the architect or
engineer and away from the contractor by establishing a set of rules that is to be followed for each
project component. 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.

Proprietary Specifications

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 these cases the owner may want to maintain consistency
of materials or possibly simply prefers a specific type of product. Also, in highly complex installations
where there is only one specific piece of equipment that will accomplish a specified task, a proprietary
specification is required.

Architects and engineers typically try to avoid utilizing proprietary specifications except when absolutely
necessary, and will usually allow the contractor to select from a list of approved suppliers. Requiring the
use of one specific product type can lead to the perception of favoritism towards a certain manufacturer
and may eliminate competition during the bid phase, which may increase the project cost.
Along with these three types of construction specifications, specs can also be classified as “open” or
“closed,” a division often determined by the project’s stage in design development.

An open specification is when an architect does not name a specific supplier or product and allows for
substitutions to be made by the contractor. It does not limit competition, but rather is dictated by a set
of standards that more than one manufacturer can meet, allowing for many alternatives to be submitted
for approval. Performance specifications are often considered to be open.

A closed specification lists specific products, systems and manufacturers, with no alternatives or

mechanisms to apply a substitution. Closed specifications are most often seen when matching a
specification to an existing building, or when an exact duplication is important. By default, closed
specifications are proprietary. However, they can be made “open” by not referring to a singular brand or
providing requirements applicable only to a specific product. This is commonly done by adding “or
equal” after the listed brand.

It is critical for building/design product manufacturers to understand the various classifications and
types of specification in construction, as well as in which spec scenarios their products will most
frequently be considered.