A specification is a specific description of a particular subject.

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 technical drawings of a structure will show the proportions and relative positions of the various
components of the structure.

Specifications are the written requirements for a material, product, or service for a proposed project,
like a building, bridge or machine.

Specifications describe the nature and the class of the work, materials to be used in the work,
workmanship etc. and is very important for the execution of the work.
The cost of a work depends much on the specifications. Specifications should be clear.
Importance of Specifications:

(i) The cost of an unit quantity of work is governed by its specification.

(ii) Specifications of a work are required to describe the quality and quantity. of different materials required
for a construction work and is one of the essential contract documents. Thus a contractor can make a
program to procure the materials required for a project and the owner can check the quality of materials
conforming to the specification avoiding dispute with contractor.

(iii) This also specifies the workmanship and the method of doing the work. Thus specification of a work
serves as a guide to the supervising staff of the contractor as well as to the owner to execute the work to
their satisfaction.

(iv) A work is carried out according to its specification and the contractor is paid for the same. Any change in
specification changes the tendered rate.
Importance of Specifications:

(v) As the rate of a work is based on specification a contractor can calculate the rates of various items of
works in a tender with his procurement rates of materials and labor. Thus tender paper without
specifications of works is baseless, incomplete and invalid.

(vi) Specification is necessary to specify the equipment's, tools and plants to be engaged for a work and
thus enables to procure them beforehand.

(vii) The necessity of specification is to verify and check the strength of materials for a work involved in a
project.

(viii) Specification is an essential contract document and is required for Arbitration or court cases .
Procedure of Writing Specifications:

While writing specification the following principles shall be adopted:

(i) Description of materials: The quality and size of materials required to do an item of work shall
be fully described fur checking up at site according to the bindings provided in the specification.
The proportion of mixing or treatment of materials if required before use shall be clearly
described.

(ii) Workmanship: Complete description of workmanship, the method of mixing to the proportion,
the method of laying, preparation of base or surface, compaction, finishing and curing etc.
specifically applicable to the item of work shall be clearly stated in different clauses.

(iii) Tools and plants (T. & P.): The tools and plants to be engaged to carry out a work shall be
described. The method of operation and by whom to be supplied shall be stated.
Procedure of Writing Specifications:

(iv) Protection of new work: The method of protection of new works against damage or the method of
curing if required, the test of completed work if necessary shall be described in separate clauses.

(v) Expression: While writing a specification endeavor shall be made to express the requirements of
:he specification clearly and in concise form avoiding repetition and unusual words. The style of
tense shall remain same throughout The sentences shall be short, simple and concise. As the
specifications are the legal documents, terms such as suitable, proper used and words having more
than one meaning shall be avoided.

(vi) Clauses of the specifications: The clauses shall be arranged in the order in which work shall be
carried out. This does not mean to follow the works according to the order of arrangements. But it
facilitates reference. While framing clauses for quality of materials, workmanship, tools and plants
etc. Practical possibilities shall be realized. Correct and complete but not repeated information shall
be given so :hat the owner and the contractor can carryout the work following the specifications.
Abbreviations which are familiar can be used.
 Types of Specifications

1.General Specifications
2.Detailed Specifications

General Specifications
In general specifications, nature and class of works and names of materials that should be used are
described. Only a brief description of each and every item is given. It is useful for estimating the project.
The general specifications do not form a part of contract document.

Detailed Specifications
They specify the qualities, quantities and proportions of materials and the method of preparation and
execution for a particular item of works in a project. The detailed specifications of the different items of
the work are prepared separately and they describe what the work should be and how they shall be
executed. While writing the detailed specifications, the same order sequence as the work is to be
carried out is to be maintained.
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS ACCORDING TO DIFFERENT CLASS OF BUILDINGS

General specifications of a First Class Building

1st class brickwork in lime mortar or
1:6 cement mortar over lime concrete or
1:4:8 cement concrete

General specification of a Second Class Building

1st class brickwork with lime mortar over lime concrete

General specification of a Third Class Building

2nd class brickwork in lime mortar over lime concrete

General specification of a Fourth Class Building

Sun-dried or kutcha bricks in mud mortar
General Specification of 1st class Building

Foundation and plinth- Foundation and plinth shall be first class brick work in lime mortar or 1:6 cement
mortar over lime concrete or 1:4:8 cement concrete.

Damp proof course- D.P.C shall be 2.5 cm(1) thick cement concrete 1:1 :3 mixed with one kg of
Impermo per bag of cement or other standard water proofing materials as specified and painted with two
coat of bitumen.

Superstructure- Superstructure shall be of first class brick work lime mortar or 1:6 cement mortar. Lintels
over doors and windows shall be of R.C.C.

Roofing- Roof shall be of R.C.C. slab with an insulation layer and lime concrete terracing above,
supported over R.S.Joist or R.C.C. beam as required. Height of rooms shall not be less than 3.7m (12
feet).

Flooring- Drawing room and dining room floors shall be mosaic (terrazzo). Bathroom and W.C. floor and
dado shall be of mosaic (terrazzo). Floors of bedroom shall be coloured and polished of 2.5cm (1) cement
concrete over 7.5cm (3) lime concrete. Floors of other shall be of 2.5cm (1) cement concrete over 7.5cm
(3) lime concrete polished.
Finishing- Inside and outside wall shall be of 12mm (1/2) cement lime plastered 1:1:6. Drawing, dining, and
bedrooms-inside shall distempered, and others-inside white washed 3 coasts. Outside shall be coloured
snowcem washed two coats over one of white wash.

Doors and windows- Chaukhats shall be seasoned teak wood. Shuttering shall be teak wood 4.3cm (1 )
thick panelled and partly glazed as required, with additional wire gauge shutter. All fitting shall be of brass.
Doors and windows shall be varnished or painted two coats with high class enamel paints over one coat of
priming. Windows shall be provided with iron grating or grills.

Miscellaneous- Rain water pipes of cast iron or of asbestos cement shall be provided and finished painted.
Building shall be provided with 1st class Sanitary and Water fittings and Electrical installations. 1 meter wide
7.5cm thick C.C. 1:3:3 apron shall be provided all round the building.
 General Building specification of a Second Class Building

Foundation and plinth- Foundation and plinth shall be of 1st class brick work with lime mortar over lime
concrete.

Damp proof course- D.P.C. shall be of 2cm () thick cement concrete 1:2 mixed with 1 kg of Impermo per
bag of cement or other standard water proofing materials.

Superstructure- Superstructure shall be of 2nd class brickwork in lime mortar. Lintels over doors and windows
shall be of R.B.

Roofing- Roofing shall be of R.B. slab with7. Cm lime concrete terracing above (or flat terraced roof supported
over wooden battens and beams, or Jack arch roof). Verandah roof may be of A.C. sheet.

Flooring- Floors shall be 2.5cm (1) cement concrete over 7.5cm (3) L.C. verandah floor shall be of brick tile
or flag stone over lime concrete, finshed cement painted.

Finishing- Inside and outside wall shall be of 12mm cement mortar plastered 1:6. Ceiling shall be cement
plastered 1:3. Inside shell be white washed 3 coats, coloured wash two coats 0ver one coat of white wash.
Doors and windows- Chaukhat shall be of R.C.C. or well seasonal sal wood, shutter of shisham wood or
deodar wood 4cm (1 ) thick, panelled, glazed or partly paneled and partly glazed as required, fitted with
iron fitting fittings. Doors and windows shall be painted two coat over one coat of priming.

Miscellaneous- Rain water pipe shall be of cast iron finished painted. Electrification, sanitary and water
fitting may be provided if required.
Building specification of Third class building

Foundation and plinth- Foundation and plinth shall be 2nd class brickwork in lime mortar over lime concrete.
Damp proof course shall be 2cm thick cement mortar 1:2 mixed with standard water proofing compound.

Superstructure- Superstructure shall be of second class brickwork in mud mortar. Doors and windows
opening shall be provided with arches of 2nd class brickwork in lime mortar or with wooden planks.

Roofing- Roofing shall be of mud over tile or bricks or planks over wooden beam or of tile or G.I. sheet or
A.C. sheet sloping roof.

Flooring- Flooring shall be of brick-on-edge floor over well rammed earth.

Finishing- inside and outside walls shall be plastered with lime mortar and white wash three coats.

Doors and windows- Chaukhat shall be of salwood and shutters of chir mango or other country wood.
Doors and windows shall be painted two coat with ordinary paint over one coat of priming.
General Building specification of fourth class building

Foundation and superstructure- Foundation and superstructure shall be of sun-dried or kutcha

bricks in mud mortar. Doors and windows opening shall be provided with arches of 2nd class brickwork
in lime mortar or with wooden planks. Inside and outside shall be water proof mud plastered.

Roofing- Roof shall be tile roof over bamboo and wooden support.

Flooring- Floor shall be kutcha or earthen floor finished with cowdung lepping.

Doors and windows- Doors and windows shall be of chir or mango wood or country wood.