BTECH 323

Building Technology 04:

Specification Writing and Quantity Surveying
Specifications writing using uniform system or masterformat, estimating methods and
quantity surveying.

AR./RMP. PAULA BARBARA T. GUECO, uap

COURSE FACILITATOR

pbtgueco@dhvsu.edu.ph

Image sources:
 INTRODUCTION
TO
SPECIFICATION
WRITING
 SPECIFICATIONS

• Part of the Contract Documents

• Detail of Material used

• Scope of work for each section

• Instruction of what type of equipment

will be used during construction
What is
SPECIFICATIONS?
SPECIFICATIONS?
1. General

Specifications, as one of the Contract Documents, deserve as

What is

much care and attention as working drawings. They should be

clear, concise and accurate in their wording. Specification
should not duplicate the information given on the drawings
but should deal with all other needed information with as few
well chosen words as necessary for complete understanding.
One problem, which must be faced by the specification writer is that of providing for effective
competition between producers. For the general contractor (and separate contractors) competition
may be provided by the bidding process, and these contractors will promote competition
between subcontractors and suppliers whenever the specifications permit it. When specifications
designate a product which can be furnished by only one producer or dealer, however, no
competition is provided and the cost of the product may be higher than it would otherwise be. If two
or more designated products would serve equally well, the contractor should be given the choice.
For major items, the contractors may be required to submit alternate bids.

The words “or equal” should never be used, since doing so postponed the time of decision, and
encourages the expression of differing opinions of comparative qualities. The resulting uncertainty
causes bidders to protect themselves by bidding high enough to pay for the most expensive item
they may be required to furnish, and then seek approval for a cheaper one.
2. 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 date for preliminary estimates are made available.

Since the preliminary specifications may have not been prepared by the specification writer, and he may not have followed later
developments, a review of the working drawings and notations of decisions is in order. This may uncover the need for
additional decisions regarding selection of materials or methods of construction or the choice of equipment. Proceed from this point
as follows:

1. Prepare a list of all sections.

2. Write scope of the work for each section.
3. Coordinate “Scopes” to make sure that everything is included.
4. Prepare specification brief.

The following shall be covered in the scope of the work when applicable:
1. Material and Labor included under this section.
2. Material to be furnished under this section to be installed by others (indicate who)
3. Material furnished by others( indicate who) to be installed under this section.
4. Work shown on the drawings not included under this section.
5. Work shown on the drawings not included under the contract.
3.Conflicts Between Specifications And Drawings
The General Provisions of the contract states that “Anything mention in the specifications, and not
shown in the drawings, or shown on the drawings and not mention in the specifications, shall be of
like effect as if shown or mention in both. In case of difference between drawings and specifications,
the specification shall govern. In case of discrepancy either in figures, in the drawings or in the
specifications, the matter shall be promptly submitted to the contracting officer, who shall
promptly make a determination in writing.

4. Form, Sentences, Grammar-

If, in the wording of specifications, complete sentences are used, many repetitions of the words
“Architect”, “Contractor”, “owner”, “shall be”, and “will be” are necessary. The accepted rule, is to
used the words “shall” and “will” with proper discrimation, as an example- Certain things shall be
done by the contractors, other things will be done by the owner.

The use of the words “to be” or “are to be” lack definiteness and clarity. Use “shall be” or “must be”
to secure the mandatory form essential to specifications.
Three (3) types of Specification

Performance
Specifications

Prescriptive Proprietary
Specifications Specifications
THREE- PART SECTION FORMAT
The section provides for recognition of a basic unit of work.
The content of the section must indicate clearly all that is
necessary to know about the basic unit of work. With a three-
part section format the function of each part can be
described briefly as follows:
1. Part one covers those general areas of concern which
precede and follow the work, and which define the scope
of the work.

2. Part two defines in detail the materials,equipment,

systems, fixtures, etc., which will be incorporated into
the work.

3. Part three describes in detail manner in which items

covered by part two are to be incorporated in the work.
Internal Numbering
The basic scheme of alternating numbers and letters is
recommended in lieu of all-number scheme .(2.2.1, 2.1.1,
2.1.1.1). the contrast between number and letter contributes
to visual acquity and comprehension. The contrast further
contributes to the mental establishment and retention levels
of emphasis or rank of the paragraph.

The recommended method of numbering the internal

elements of the section paragraph is:
1.01 Paragraph Title
a. Subparagraph
1. Subparagraph
a) subparagraph

numbering systems within the Section alternate numbers

and letters and various paragraphs and subparagraphs
should be indented accordingly.
 Outline of the Three-Part Section Format
Part 1. General Part 2: Products Part 3: Execution
• Scope • Materials • Condition of Surfaces
• Description of Systems • Mixes • Preparation
• Requirements of Regulatory
Agencies • Equipment • Installation
• Qualifications Submittals • Fabrication • Field Quality Control
• Mock-Up • Source Quality Control • Adjusting
• Product Handling
• Patching
• Environmental Conditions
• Cleaning
• Protection
• Operations Instructions • Schedules
• Extra Stock
• Alternates
• Measurement and Payment
END OF PRESENTATION
TOPIC 01

AR./RMP. PAULA BARBARA T. GUECO, uap

COURSE FACILITATOR

pbtgueco@dhvsu.edu.ph