BT 4
Specifications Writing
SPECIFICATIONS
The part of the contract documents consist of a
detailed description of the technical nature of the
materials, standards, and quality of execution of the
work to be placed under contract.
TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS
1. PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION
2. DESCRIPTIVE SPECIFICATION
3. REFERENCE SPECIFICATION
4. PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATION
PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION
● A specification that stipulates how a particular
component or system must perform without
giving the means to be employed to achieve
the results.
● Example:
○ X – Install High Rated Porcelain Floor
Tiles in the Laundry Area
/ – Provide Non-Skid Floor Tiles in
the Laundry area.
○ X – Use acrylic latex paint for the
exterior walls.
/ – Apply exterior paint with a
minimum durability of 10 years and
resistance to UV fading and
weathering.
DESCRIPTIVE SPECIFICATION
● A specification that stipulates the exact
quantities and qualities of materials to be
furnished and how they are to be assembled in
a construction.
● Example
○ X – Use roofing materials that
provide effective insulation and
withstand weather elements.
/ – Install asphalt shingles for the
roofing. Use three tab asphalt
shingles with a minimum thickness of
0.25 inches. Apply a waterproof
underlayment and secure the
shingles with corrosion-resistant
roofing nails. Ensure proper
ventilation by installing ridge vents
along the roof ridge.
REFERENCE SPECIFICATION
● A specification that refers to a standard
specification to indicate the properties desired
in a material or component and the methods of
testing required to substantiate the
performance of products
● Example
○ X – Use steel that provides the
necessary strength and structural
integrity for the building framework.
/ – Select structural steel in
accordance with ASTM A36/A36M for
general structural purposes. Ensure
that the steel undergoes testing per
ASTM A370 to verify its mechanical
properties, including yield strength,
tensile strength, and elongation.
PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATION
● A specification that stipulates the use of
specific products, systems, or processes
without provision for substitution
● Example
○ X – Install durable and slip-resistant
flooring in the lobby area.
/ – Install ‘APO Floors' vinyl
composite tile flooring in the lobby
area.
○ X – Apply high-quality,
weather-resistant paint to the exterior
walls.
/ – Use ‘Boysen' acrylic exterior paint
for the house.
Specification Writing Techniques filing of technical data and product literature, and
WRITING STYLE construction cost accounting, organized into 16 divisions
1. Be accurate, brief and clear. based on an interrelationship of material, trade, or
2. Avoid complex sentences and stilted (artificially function.
formal) language.
3. Use simple sentences and common words. 16-DIVISION FORMAT
ADVANTAGES
SENTENCE FORM 1. Provide a standard, fixed framework for
● Form simple declarative sentences or organizing specifications
imperative statements. 2. Serves as a sequencing guide for arranging
○ Ex. “Place a label on the front of the specification sections.
data outlet faceplate” 3. Provides easy retrieval of information.
● Do not write in the indicative form.
○ Ex. “Contractor shall place a label on 1995 CSI MASTERFORMAT
the front of the data outlet 16-DIVISION UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION INDEX
faceplates.” Division 1: General Requirements
● Start with a verb. A word of action. Division 2: Site Work
Division 3: Concrete
SPECIFICATION LANGUAGE Division 4: Masonry
Words to Avoid: Division 5: Metals
● ALL Division 6: Wood and Plastics
● ANY Division 7: Thermal and Moisture Protection
● EVERY Division 8: Doors and Windows
● SHOULD Division 9: Finishes
● COULD Division 10: Specialties
● PLEASE Division 11: Equipment
● MUST Division 12: Furnishings
● IS TO Division 13: Special Construction
Division 14: Conveying Systems
SPECIFICATION LANGUAGE Division 15: Mechanical
Terms should be defined in the contract. Division 16: Electrical

Furnish: to supply and deliver to the project site, ready
to install.
Install: to place in position for service or use. Provide:
to furnish and install, complete, ready for use.
➢ Avoid using abbreviations in the body of a
specification
➢ Every word in a specification is important. Do
not underline, bold, italicize, highlight.
SPECIFICATION WRITING
UNIFORM SYSTEM: MASTERFORMAT
A format developed by the Construction
Specifications Institute for coordinating specifications,
2004 CSI MASTERFORMAT
In 2001, a task team with associates from both
the CSI and the Construction Specifications Canada
(CSC) was charged with examining whether there was a
need to revise and possibly expand the 16 division
edition in response to the many changes that had taken
place in the industry. The 2004 version composed of
(1) General Requirements,
(2) Facility Construction
(3) Facility Services,
(4) Site and Infrastructure, and
(5) Process Equipment
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS SUB-GROUP
Division 1: General Requirements Division 45: Industry-Specific Manufacturing Equipment
Divisions 46 - 47: (Reserved)
FACILITY CONSTRUCTION SUB-GROUP Division 48: Electrical Power Generation
Division 2: Existing Conditions Division 49: (Reserved)
Division 3: Concrete
Division 4: Masonry THREE PART SECTION FORMAT
Division 5: Metals PARTS
Division 6: Wood, Plastics, and Composites 1. GENERAL
Division 7: Thermal and Moisture Protection Defines specific administrative and
Division 8: Openings procedural requirements unique to
Division 9: Finishes this section.
Division 10: Specialties ● Scope
Division 11: Equipment ○ Related Work Specified
Division 12: Furnishings ○ Furnished by others
Division 13: Special Construction ○ Furnished but not installed
Division 14: Conveying Systems ○ Furnish by the Owner
Divisions 15 - 19: (Reserved) ● Description of Systems
○ Water Supply System
FACILITY SERVICES SUB-GROUP ○ Chilled Water System
Division 20: (Reserved) ○ Wiring System
Division 21: Fire Suppression ○ Telephone System
Division 22: Plumbing ○ Fire Detection System
Division 23: Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning ○ Integrated Ceiling System
Division 24: (Reserved) ○ Curtain Wall System
Division 25: Integrated Automation ● Requirements of Regulatory
Divisions 26: Electrical Agencies
Division 27: Communications ○ Permits
Division 28: Electronic Safety and Security ○ Codes
Division 29: (Reserved) ○ Ordinances
○ U.L. Regulations
SITE & INFRASTRUCTURE SUB-GROUP ○ Tests by Agencies
Division 30: (Reserved) ○ Design Conditions
Divisions 31: Earthwork ● Qualifications
Division 32: Exterior Improvements ○ Qualification of
Division 33: Utilities Manufacturer
Division 34: Transportation ○ Qualification of Applicators
Division 35: Waterway and Marine Construction ○ Qualification of Welders
Divisions 36 - 39: (Reserved) ○ Qualification of Erectors
○ Qualifications of Testing
PROCESS EQUIPMENT SUB-GROUP Agency
Divisions 40 - 43: Process Integration, Material ● Submittals
Processing and Handling Equipment; Process ○ Time and Sequence
Heating, Cooling, and Drying Equipment; and Schedules
Process Gas and Liquid Handling, Purification, ○ Shod Drawings
and Storage Equipment ○ Samples
Divisions 44: Pollution Control Equipment
 ○ Manufacturer’s Literature ○ Asphalt Binder Mix
List ○ Asphalt Topping Mix
○ Parts List ○ Terrazzo Mix
○ Certificates
○ Guarantees and Bonds ● Mixes
● Mock-Up Product Handling ● Equipment
○ Sample Panels ● Fabrication
○ Models ○ Fabrication of Structural
○ Window Assembly Steel
○ Door Assembly ○ Fabrication of Reinforcing
○ Curtain Wall Assembly Steel
○ Panel Wall Assembly ○ Fabrication of Doors
○ Integrated Ceiling Assembly ○ Fabrication of Windows
● Environmental Conditions ○ Fabrication of Toilet
○ Temperature Partitions
○ Humidity ● Source Quality Control
○ Lighting ○ Mill Tests
○ Ventilation ○ Factory Tests
● Protection ○ Plan Tests
○ Drop Cloths ○ Shop Tests
○ Removal of Hardware
○ Removal or Flammable 3. EXECUTION
Rubbish Smoke Describes in detail, the quality of
● Operating Instructions items that are required for
○ For Mechanical and incorporation into the project under
Electrical System this section.
● Extra Stock
○ Spare Parts ● Condition of Surfaces
○ Extra Tiles ● Preparation
○ Extra Wall Covering ○ Fine Grading
○ Resilient Flooring ○ Treatment of Formwork
○ Extra Brick ○ Treatment of Galvanized
○ Tools Surfaces
○ Maintenance Materials ○ Treatment of Wood
● Alternates Surfaces
● Measurement and Payment ● Installation
○ Placing Concrete
2. PRODUCTS ○ Laying Bricks
Describes in detail, the quality of ○ Framing Floors
items that are required for ○ Applying Paint
incorporation into the project under ○ Clearing Site
this section. ○ Erection of Trusses
● Field Quality Control
● Materials ○ Soil Composition Tests
○ Plaster Mix ○ Pile Load Tests
○ Concrete Mix
 ○ Concrete Compression V = 0.20 m. x 0.30 m. x 1.00 m
Tests V (column) = 0.06 cu.m.
○ Concrete Slump Tests
○ Plumbing Tests V = 0.43 cu.m + 0.06 cu.m.
● Adjusting V (structure)= 0.49 cu.m.
● Patching
● Cleaning V (backfill) = V (excavation) - V (structure)
● Schedules V = 1.44 cu.m – 0.49 cu.m
V (backfill) = 0.95 cu.m

CONCRETE WORKS
ESTIMATES PROBLEM:
Estimate the quantity of cement, sand and gravel
needed for 1 piece of the footing. Use Class AA
concrete – 40kg cement bag for footings

Column footing is 1.20m x 1.20m x 0.30 meters

V (Conc. Footing) : 1.20 x 1.20 x 0.30m = 0.43 cu.m

Formula: V (Conc. Footing) x Mixture Proportion

Cement: 0.43 cu.m x 12 = 5.16 or 6 bags

Sand: 0.43 cu.m x 0.5 = 0.23 cu.m
Gravel: 0.43 cu.m x 1 = 0.43 cu.m

REBARS
EXCAVATION & BACKFILL Architectural Materials & Finishes
PROBLEM: Masonry Works:
Find the volume of excavation if the size of column o CHB (thickness) – 4”, 6”, 8”
footing is 1.20 meters square having a depth of 1.00 o CHB (dimension) – 20cm x 40cm
meter. o 12.5 pcs of CHB per 1 square meter
V = 1.20 m. x 1.20 m. x 1.00 m.
V = 1.44 cu.m.

PROBLEM:
Find the volume of backfill if the size of column footing
is 1.20m x 1.20m, footing thickness is 0.30 meters
having a depth of 1.00 meter. Column Size is 0.20m x
0.30m

V = 1.20 m. x 1.20 m. x 1.00 m

V = 1.44 cu.m.

V = 1.20m x 1.20m x 0.30m

V (footing) = 0.43 cu.m