Specification Practices: Project Manual Concept

10/16/2020
Construction Estimation and cost‐CE503N
Specification‐Practices
Construction specifications‐Methods of Specifying
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Project Manual Concept
• The documents commonly referred to as the specifications normally contain
much more than that name implies.
• The procurement requirements, contracting forms, and conditions of the
contract are usually included, but they are not specifications.
• The contract conditions , along with the specifications, is, in fact, a collection
of certain written construction documents and project requirements whose
contents and functions are best implied by the title “Project Manual.”
• The project manual concept provides an organizational format and standard
location for all of the various construction documents involved.
• For example, in the owner‐build delivery method and with negotiated
contracts, bidding requirements are not applicable. Figure 1.1 shows an
example of the recommended order of information and documents in a
project manual.
• Separate volumes of the project manual are necessary when the number of
pages makes them impractical to bind together in a single volume.
• Addenda and modifications are difficult to add to the bound project manual
and are often compiled in a separate volume. Separate volumes can also be
used for multiple contract construction projects.
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Specifications Production
• Specifications may be produced in a variety of ways, depending on
individual office practice and, depending on the type of work generally
performed, the number of specifications produced and the size of the
architect/engineer’s (A/E’s) firm:
• In small firms, a principal assumes responsibility for specifications preparation.
• Medium‐sized firms of 20 to 70 people might employ a full‐time specifier.
• Large firms may maintain a complete specifications department of several people.
• A project‐team approach may be used, with one person coordinating the writing efforts of several
people working on the same project.
• An Internet‐based consulting service may be retained on an as‐needed basis.
• Any firm, regardless of its size and capacity, may elect to retain an independent specification
consultant such as a member of the Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP)
organization on a project‐by‐project basis, or for all projects designed by the firm. • Building product
manufacturers frequently provide technical services that include project‐specific specifications for
their product lines.
• Online building product services also offer free outline and short‐form specifications generated from
checklist selections by the designer or specifier.
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Specifications Production
• Profile of a Specifier
• Educational Background
• Beneficial Traits , ex. • Observes and is
able to work with detailed information
• Proficiency , ex. •Understanding of
construction materials, systems, and
methods
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Developing Specifications
• The techniques used in the preparation of specifications usually
involve development of sections from product reference material
or editing sections from master guide specifications.
• Regardless of who writes the specification sections or how they
are developed, products must be researched, selected, evaluated,
coordinated with other products, specified in a consistent and
clear manner, and coordinated with the drawings.
• Gathering Information
• Product Selection Decisions
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Specifications Organization and preparation
• Several decisions are required at the outset of the development of
a specification section.
• On small, limited‐scope projects, remodeling work, and work under the control of an owner‐
builder, the decision may be made to use a short form specification
or to record only the basic product selections and requirements.
• Conversely, highly detailed language may be needed for certain sections where requirements
are critical or have been the subject of extensive investigation.
• Specific project requirements of the owner should be reviewed at this time, along with any
requirements imposed by outside sources, such as regulatory agencies.
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Specification‐Methods
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Methods of Specifying.
• There are four methods of specifying:
1. descriptive,
2. performance,
3. reference standard, and
4. proprietary.
• Both the descriptive and proprietary specification methods are prescriptive; that is,
the products and processes are specified, but not the results.
• Reference standards are used for prescriptive or performance specifications.
• Performance, specifies results and not the means to achieve them.
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Descriptive Specifications
• A descriptive specification is a detailed, written description of
the required properties of a product, material, or piece of equipment
and the workmanship required for its installation.
• Proprietary names of manufacturers are not used.
• A concrete mix of four‐part coarse aggregate, two‐part fine aggregate, and one‐part cement with a 0.5
water‐cement ratio is a descriptive specification.
• Performance strength of 20,684 kPa (3000 psi) after 28 days is implied in the design mix, but not specified.
• If concrete conforming to the descriptive specification were supplied but did not withstand a 20,684 kPa
(3000 psi) load, the contractor could not be held responsible because only the design mix was specified.
• The burden of performance is assumed by the A/E when a descriptive specification is used.
• Once widely preferred, the descriptive method is being used less frequently as projects become more
complex and as better reference standards become available. Writing a descriptive specification is a lengthy
and tedious process.
• However, when proprietary names are prohibited by law and when adequate reference standards do not
exist, a descriptive specification may be the only logical choice.
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Descriptive Specifications
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Performance Specifications
• Performance Specifications A requirement of 20,684 kPa
(3000 psi) concrete strength is a performance
specification. The end result, rather than the means to the
end result, is specified.
• A performance specification is defined as a statement of
required results with criteria for verifying compliance, but
without unnecessary limitations on the methods for achieving
the required results.
• “A statement of required results” means that desired end results must be spelled
out. An incomplete performance specification results in a major loss of quality
control over the materials, equipment, and workmanship going into a project.
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Performance Specifications
• Decision to Use Performance Specifying
• Early in the planning process, the owner and the A/E should
determine the suitability of the project to the performance
specifying concept. The owner’s needs may make perfor‐
mance specifications feasible for several reasons:
1. To expedite construction and access a wide range of options using existing technol‐
ogy and systems techniques
2. To utilize technology that has not yet become standardized within the construc‐
tion industry
3. To develop new technology
4. To delegate technical design responsibilities to industry specialists.
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Reference Standard Specifications
• A standard is a document established by consensus that provides
rules, guidelines, or characteristics for activities or their results as
defined in the International Organization for
Standardization/International Electro technical Commission
(ISO/IEC) Guide 2.
• Standards are incorporated by reference into the specifications and thus become commonly
known as reference standards.
• They are published by trade associations, professional societies, standards‐writing organizations,
governments, and institutional organizations. Typical authors are architects, engineers,
scientists, technologists, manufacturers, and product users who are extremely knowledgeable
about the particular reference standard subject. Where applicable, use standards listed in the
model or local codes to ensure acceptability with the authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).
Depending on how it is listed in the codes, such a standard may be considered either a code
requirement or a guideline for acceptance by the AHJ.
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• Reference standards include the following types:
• Basic materials standards such as American Society for Testing and
Materials (ASTM) B 211, Standard Specifications for Aluminum and
Aluminum‐Alloy Bar, Rod, and Wire
• Product standards such as Engineered Wood Association (APA) APA
PS‐1, Construction and Industrial Plywood
• Design standards such as American Concrete Institute
International (ACI) ACI 318, Building Code Requirements for
Structural Concrete
• Workmanship standards such as ASTM E 2112, Standard Practice
for Installation of Exterior Windows, Doors and Skylights
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• Reference standards include the following types:
• Test method standards such as ASTM E 119, Standard Test Methods for Fire
Tests of Building Construction and Materials
• Codes such as American National Standards Institute/American Society of
Mechanical Engineers (ANSI/ASME) A17.1, Safety Code for Elevators and
Escalators.
• Installation standards such as National Fire Protection Association
International (NFPA) 13, Standard for the Installation of Sprinkler Systems.
• Performance standards such as ASTM F 1487, Standard Consumer Safety
Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use.
• Life safety codes and standards produced by organizations such as
International Code Council, Inc. (ICC), NFPA, and Underwriters Laboratories,
Inc. (UL)
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Proprietary Specifications
• Proprietary specifications identify the desired products by
manufacturer’s name, brand name, model number, type
designation, or other unique characteristics. When a
manufacturer’s name is not stated, a specification is
considered proprietary when the product specified is
available from only one source.
• Advantages of proprietary specifications are as follows:
• Product selection can be closely controlled.
• More detailed and complete drawings can be prepared based on precise
information obtained from selected manufacturer’s data.
•Reduced cost and time benefits may be obtained from use of shorter specifications
and reduced drawing production effort.
•Bidding may be simplified by narrowing competition and removing product pricing as
a major variable.
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• Disadvantages of proprietary specifications include the
following:
• Competition for products is reduced or eliminated.
• Products may be specified with which the contractor may
have had little or an unfavorable experience.
• Certain products and manufacturers may be favored over
others.
• An error might occur when specifying model or product
designations.
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• Closed and Open Proprietary Specifications
• closed proprietary specification permits the design to be
completed to a high level of detail. This reduces variables
and promotes accurate pricing; however, it does not offer
protection against possible higher costs.
• Closed Proprietary Specification
• Only one product is named.
• Several products may be named as options.
• There can be no substitutions.
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Open proprietary specifications may alleviate the problem
of overpriced sole‐source items.
Requested Alternates. There are several ways that
proprietary specifications can be opened to allow alternate
products.
• Open Proprietary Specification
• Prices are requested for specified alternative products.
• Substitutions and cost adjustments may be proposed
by the bidders.
• Products are allowed as substitutions after approval by
A/E.
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