SPECIFICATIONS

Dr. Subhash C. Yaragal

Professor, Department of Civil Engg.
NITK, Surathkal
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 SPECIFICATIONS

Definition of Specification

 A specification is a specific description of a

particular material or item of work.

 An engineering specification contains detailed

description of all workmanship and materials
which are required to complete an engineering
project in accordance with its drawings and
details.

 The specifications will be furnished along

with the drawings and it is an essential part of
all engineering contracts. 2
 Necessity of Specifications
1. The cost of an unit quantity of work is governed
by its specification.
2. Essential document of contract. Helps the
contractor to know the quality and quantity of
materials required for a particular work.
3. Workmanship and method of execution will be
known.
4. Payment to the contractor for the work carried
out as per specifications. Any change in
specifications of work, will also affect the
payment to the contractor.
5. To specify the equipment, tools and plants to be
engaged for a work.
6. Specifications help in verifying and checking
the strength of materials.
7. Specification is an essential contract document.
It is required for arbitration or court cases.
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Principles for Specification Writing
For writing specifications, the following
principles shall be adopted,

1. Description of materials – quality and size of

materials required for an item shall be fully
described. The proportion of mixing or pre-
treatment if required before use shall be fully
described.

2. Workmanship – method of mixing, laying,

preparation of surface, compaction, finishing,
curing etc specifically applicable clearly be
stated in different clauses.

3. Tools and Plants (T & P) – Types of tools and

plants required for the work, their operation,
availability be mentioned. 4
 4. Protection of new work – Against damage,
like curing, necessary test to be done on
completed work be detailed.

5. Expression – the requirements of

specifications shall be clear, concise. The
tense shall be same throughout.

6. Clauses of specifications – preferably, the

clauses shall be arranged in the order in which
worked is carried out.

Types of Specifications
There are two types of specifications,
1.General specifications
2.Detailed specifications. 5
1. General specifications

 Nature and class of work, names of materials

proportion that shall be used is described.

 Only brief description of each and every item

is given.

 It is useful in estimating the project.

 Does not form part of contract document.

2. Detailed specifications

 Forms a part of contract document.

 For a particular item of work specifies the

quality and quantities and proportions of
materials, the method of preparation and 6
execution.
 Physical, chemical, electrical tests if required
for finished work to ensure desired strength or
quality are specified.

 Types of machinery, equipments and tools,

their method of operation if used to be
detailed.

 The protection of finished work be mentioned.

 While writing the detailed specifications

preferably are written in the same order of
sequence of work to be carried out.

 Engineering departments maintain detail

specifications for different items of work to be
followed to carry out works. 7
Standard specifications

Detailed specifications for different works are

drawn up by an engineering department and
printed to serve as a standard guide to the
department and also to refer it in the specification
part of a tender paper to assist writing the lengthy
specifications.

Thus standard specifications serve saving valuable

time, labour , stationary expenditure, eliminates
the scope of deviations and mistakes during
preparation of tender document.
For example specifications for earthwork,
concrete works, brickworks etc are commonly
required for different works. Instead of writing
such specifications, they are referred to the
departmental standard specification.
The departmental specifications may be revised
periodically according to the development of
technology. CPWD, State PWD, MES, Railways
have their own departmental standard
specifications. 8
Special specifications

Some items that are not covered or works not well

covered by the departmental standard
specifications, specifications for such items are
drawn up by the Engineer-in-charge approved and
included in the tender paper under the heading
“Special specifications”.

Open specifications or Manufacturer’s

specifications
 Specifications of products of manufacturers.
 State both physical and chemical properties
and other information of the product.
 Physical properties: strength, weight,
thickness, size.
 Chemical properties: composition and
precautionary measures. 9
Advantages
 Any trader can supply materials satisfying
open specifications.
 Material can be procured at competitive rates.
 By manufacturing locally, the truss part design
cost and delivery time may be reduced.
 Quality material is standardized.

Dis-advanatges
 Frequent checking of materials of various
manufactures becomes necessary.
 Due to limitations of open specifications,
interest for further improvements of the
quality of materials is hampered.
 New manufacturers may receive order offering
low rates but after some time may fail to
supply or maintain the quality of material 10
throughout the supply period.
Restricted specifications

In restricted specifications, the material for an

item of work is described and the procurement
among the approved manufacturers or the brands
of the material is restricted.

Thus the standard of the materials such as for

plumbing, painting, fittings etc. are assumed to be
of a certain degree of quality up to the satisfaction
of the owner.

The materials of the approved manufacturers

should be equivalent in quality and more or less at
per cost.

To provide restricted specification for materials an

up-to-date knowledge of the market for the
qualities and cost of the different manufacturers is
essential. Otherwise, due to monopoly, cost of
such materials provided in this type may be
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increased.
Detailed specifications for important works

1. Earthwork in excavation of foundation trenches

2. Cement concrete
3. Reinforced cement concrete
4. First class brick work in cement mortar
5. Half brick thick partition wall
6. Random rubble stone masonry
7. Coursed rubble stone masonry
8. Damp proof concrete
9. Artificial stone or cement flooring
10. Mosaic flooring
11. Wood work for doors, window frames and
shutters
12. Steel doors and windows
13. Cement mortar plastering
14. White washing three coats
15. Distempering
16. Painting to wood work and steel works
17. Mangalore tiled roof
18. Corrugated galvanized iron sheet roofing. 12
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