BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS (CIVIL WORKS)

TABLE OF CONTENTS :

1. DEFINITION :
2. FACTORS :
3,AIMS AND PRINCIPALS :
4. CLASSIFICATION :
(i) GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
(ii) DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS
Definition :
 Describes the nature and class of work, materials to be used in
work etc.
 Describe Quality and quantity of materials, proportion of
mortar, workmanship, method of preparation and execution
and method of measurements etc. and details which are not
mentioned in drawings.
 Drawings and Specifications collectively define the complete
details of BUILDING/structure.
2- Factors :
The factors on which specifications depend upon
are mentioned below :
 Nature of the work
 Strength of materials
 Type and Availability of materials
 Quality of Materials
AIMS AND PRINCIPALS :
 SUCCESSFUL PLANNING AND EXECUTION OF WORK
WITHOUT ANY AMBIGUITY AND DISPUTE AND WITHIN
AVAILABLE BUDGET AND TIME SCHEDULE.
CLASSIFICATION :
SPECIFICATIONS ARE OF TWO TYPES :
 1.General or Brief Specification :
It is different for different classes of buildings i.e.
 First Class
 Second Class
 Third Class
 Fourth Class
 2.Detailed Specifications :
 General Specifications :
1. Foundation and Plinth :
 First Class Buildings : Ist class brickwork in 1:6 cement
mortar over 1:4:8 cement concrete
 Second Class Buildings : Ist class brickwork with lime
mortar over lime concrete
 Third Class Buildings : IInd class brickwork in lime mortar
over lime concrete
 Fourth Class Buildings : Sun-dried or kutcha bricks in mud
mortar
General Specifications (Damp Proof Course)
 First Class Buildings : 1:1.5:3 cement concrete of 1”
thickness with standard water proofing material mixed with
cement and two coatings of bitumen.
 Second Class Buildings:1:2 cement mortar of 2cm thickness
with standard water proofing material.
 Third Class Buildings : 1:2 cement mortar of 2cm thickness
with standard water proofing material.
 Fourth Class Buildings : No Damp Proof course.
General Specifications (Superstructure ) :
 First Class Buildings : First class brickwork with
1:6 cement mortar. Lintels over doors and
windows shall be of RCC.
 Second Class Buildings : Second class
brickwork in lime mortar. Lintels over doors and
windows shall be of RB.
 Third Class Buildings : Second class brickwork
in mud mortar. Doors and window openings
 provided with arches of second class brickwork in lime
mortar or wooden planks
Fourth Class Buildings :
 Sun-dried or kutcha bricks in mud mortar. Doors and
window openings provided with arches of second class
brickwork in lime mortar or wooden planks
General Specifications : Roofing
 First Class Buildings :Height of rooms shall not be less than
12’. Over RCC slab insulation layer should be provided.
 Second Class Buildings : R.B. slab with 7.5cm lime concrete
terracing aove (Flat terraced roofs over wooden beams or Jack
arched roofs)
 Third Class Buildings : Mud over bricks or planks over
wooden beams OR G.I. sheet sloping roof
 Fourth Class Buildings : Tile roof over bamboo and wooden
supports
General Specifications (Flooring) :
 First Class Buildings : 2.5cm cement concrete over 7.5cm
lime concrete
 Second Class Buildings : 2.5cm cement concrete over
7.5cm lime concrete. Verandah floor shall be of brick tile
over lime concrete
 Third Class Buildings : Brick on edge floor over well
rammed earth
 Fourth Class Buildings : Kutcha floor or earthen floor
finished with cow-dung lapping
General Specifications (Finishing) :
 First Class Buildings : Inside and outside shall be 12mm
cement lime plastered 1:1:6. Inside and outside whitewashed
with interior distempered.
 Second Class Buildings : Inside and outside shall be 12mm
cement mortar plastered 1:6. Ceiling shall be cement plastered
1:3. inside and outside whitewashed.
 Third Class Buildings : Inside and outside shall be plastered
with lime mortar and whitewashed.
 Fourth Class Buildings : Inside and outside shall be water
proof mud plastered
DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS OF BUILDING WORKS :
THE DETAILED SPECIFICATION OF DIFFERENT ITEMS OF
WORK ARE PREPARED SEPARATELY AND DESCRIBE WHAT
THE WORKS SHOULD BE AND HOW THEY SHALL BE
EXECUTED AND CONSTRUCTED.
DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS ARE WRITTEN TO EXPRESS
 THE REQUIREMENTS CLEARLY IN A CONCISE FORM AVOIDING
REPETITION AND AMBIGUITY.
 TO BE ARRANGED AS FAR AS POSSIBLE IN SAME SEQUENCE /
ORDER IN WHICH WORK IS TO BE EXECUTED.
THE DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS IF PREPARED PROPERLY ARE
VERY HELPFUL FOR THE EXECUTION OF WORK AND VERY
IMPORTANT PART OF CONTRACT DOCUMENT.
 EVERY ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT PREPARES DETAILED
SPECIFICATIONS OF THE VARIOUS ITEMS OF WORKS AND GET
THEM PRINTED IN BOOK FORM UNDER THE NAME
SPECIFICATIONS.
OR DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS WHICH ARE ATTACHED WITH
TENDER DOCUMENTS AND FORMS PART OF CONTRACT .
 NEW ITEMS OF WORK FOR WHICH SPECIFICATIONS
ARE YET TO BE FRAMED BY ENGINEERING
DEPARTMENT, MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATIONS
ARE RELIED UPON AND ADOPTED.
 WHEREVER THERE IS ANY DOUBT IN SPECIFICATION
AND ITEMS OF WORK, IS CODE/ DECISION OF
ENGINEER-IN-CHARGE WILL BE FINAL AND
BINDING. CONTRACTORS ARE ELIGIBLE FOR
ADDITIONAL COST IF ANY ARISING OUT OF SUCH
DECISION OF ENGINEER-IN-CHARGE.
THE WORK SHALL BE CARRIED OUT ACCORDING TO THESE
SPECIFICATIONS WHETHER SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED
ELSEWHERE OR NOT.
WHENEVER THE SPECIFICATIONS ARE NOT GIVEN OR WHEN
THE SPECIFICATIONS ARE AMBIGUOUS, INDIAN STANDARDS
AND FURTHER AMENDMENTS WILL BE CONSIDERED AS FINAL
AND BINDING.
ALL WORKS SHALL BE CARRIED OUT SIMULTANEOUSLY WITH
ELECTRICAL, PLUMBING, SANITARY AND OTHER SERVICES AND
 IN CO-OPERATION WITH THE CONTRACTORS OF THE ABOVE
SERVICES.
THE BUILDING CONTRACTOR SHALL KEEP THE OTHER
CONTRACTORS INFORMED OF THE PROPOSED PROGRAM OF
WORK, WELL IN ADVANCE, SO THAT THE BUILDING WORK IS
NOT HINDERED.
THE WORK SHALL BE RELATED TO THE DRAWINGS WHICH THE
CONTRACTOR IS PRESUMED TO HAVE STUDIED.
THE SOURCES OF MATERIALS STATED IN THE SPECIFICATIONS
ARE THOSE FROM WHICH MATERIALS ARE GENERALLY
AVAILABLE.
MATERIALS NOT CONFORMING TO SPECIFICATIONS SHALL BE
REJECTED EVEN IF THEY COME FROM THE STATED SOURCES.
THE REQUIREMENTS OF SPECIFICATIONS SHALL BE FULFILLED
BY THE CONTRACTOR WITHOUT EXTRA CHARGES i.e. THE ITEM
RATES QUOTED SHALL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TAKEN THESE
SPECIFICATIONS INTO ACCOUNT.
NO EXTRA IN ANY FORM WILL BE PAID UNLESS IT IS
DEFINITELY STATED AS AN ITEM IN THE BILL OF QUANTITIES.  
THESE ARE REQUIREMENTS THE CONTRACTOR SHALL FULFIL
AFTER THE ISSUE OF LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE BUT BEFORE THE
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT.
TOLERANCES:
DEVIATION - THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE ACTUAL (I.E.,
MEASURED) SIZE OR POSITION AND THE SPECIFIED SIZE OR
POSITION.
PERMISSIBLE DEVIATION - THE SPECIFIED LIMIT(S) OF
DEVIATION.
TOLERANCE - THE RANGE BETWEEN THE LIMITS WITHIN
WHICH A SIZE OR POSITION MUST LIE.
 MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT:
BILL/SCHEDULE - THE BILL/SCHEDULE OF QUANTITIES.
3. NOTES ABOUT MEASUREMENT AND PAYMENT :

3.1 MEASUREMENT :

 UNLESS SPECIFIED, ALL MEASUREMENTS SHALL BE BASED ON “PRINCIPALS OF

MEASUREMENT FOR WORKS OF CONSTRUCTIONS." THE TOLERANCES
SPECIFIED IN THESE SPECIFICATIONS ARE FOR EVALUATION OF ACCURACIES
ONLY BASED ON WHICH THE WORK SHALL BE ACCEPTED OR REJECTED.
 THE MEASUREMENT OF THE WORK PERFORMED WITHIN THE LIMITS OF
TOLERANCES SHALL BE THE MEASUREMENT OF ACTUAL WORK DONE IN
PLACE, IF THEIR DIMENSIONS ARE LESS THAN WHAT HAVE BEEN SPECIFIED OR
INSTRUCTED BY THE ENGINEER.
 IF THE ACTUAL WORK DONE IN PLACE IS MORE THAN WHAT HAS BEEN
SPECIFIED OR INSTRUCTED BY THE ENGINEER, BUT WITHIN THE LIMIT OF
TOLERANCES, THE MEASUREMENT SHALL BE THE MEASUREMENT OF THE
WORK WHAT HAS BEEN SPECIFIED OR INSTRUCTED BY THE ENGINEER.
3.2 PAYMENT :

UNLESS SPECIFIED IN THE CONTRACT, THE CONTRACT UNIT RATES AND/OR

PRICES FOR ITEMS AS SET OUT IN THE BILL OF QUANTITIES ARE THE FULL AND
THE FINAL COMPENSATION TO THE CONTRACTOR FOR.
• SUPPLY OF ALL MATERIALS NECESSARY TO COMPLETE THE ITEM AS PER
RELEVANT SPECIFICATIONS;
• USE OF MATERIALS, LABOURS, TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, MACHINES AND OTHER
RESOURCES AS PER NEED;
• ALL HANDLING, PACKING CHARGES AND TRANSPORTATION;
• COST OF SUPERVISION, QUALITY ASSURANCE, TEMPORARY AND ANCILLARY
WORKS; • SITE COMMISSIONING;
• MAINTENANCE AND MAKING GOOD;
• ALL DUTIES AND OBLIGATIONS AS SET OUT IN THE CONTRACT
• GENERAL WORKS SUCH AS SETTING OUT, CLEARANCE OF SITE BEFORE
SETTING OUT AND AFTER COMPLETION OF WORKS
• THE PREPARATION OF DETAILED WORK PROGRAM
• PROVIDING SAMPLES OF VARIOUS MATERIALS PROPOSED TO BE USED
 • THE DETAILED DESIGN AND DRAWING OF TEMPORARY WORKS
• TESTING OF MATERIALS
• ANY OTHER DETAILS AS REQUIRED BY THE CONTRACT
• COST OF ALL OPERATIONS LIKE STORING, ERECTION, MOVING
INTO FINAL POSITION, ETC. NECESSARY TO COMPLETE AND
PROTECT THE WORK TILL HANDING OVER TO THE EMPLOYER;
• THE COST FOR SAFEGUARDING THE ENVIRONMENT
• ALL INCIDENTAL COSTS, NOT COVERED UNDER ABOVE STATED.
WHERE THE BILL OF QUANTITIES DOES NOT INCLUDE THE ITEMS
MENTIONED IN THIS SECTION, NO SEPARATE PAYMENT SHALL BE
MADE FOR SUCH WORKS.
3.3 NATIONAL SPECIFICATIONS :
 CERTAIN SPECIFICATIONS ISSUED BY VARIOUS NATIONAL OR
OTHER WIDELY RECOGNIZED BODIES ARE REFERRED TO IN THESE
SPECIFICATIONS. SUCH SPECIFICATIONS SHALL BE DEFINED AND
3.5 UNITS OF MEASUREMENT,

UNITS OF MEASUREMENT
The Symbols for units of measurement are used in these Specifications as they are given below.
Length :
mm millimetre
m meter
km kilometre
Area :
sq. mm. or mm2 square millimetre
sq.m. or m2 square meter
sq. km. or km2 square kilometre
Volume :
Cubic MM or MM3
Cubic METER OR M2
4. QUALITY CONTROL
4.1 SCOPE
THIS SECTION COVERS THE QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM AND PROCEDURES,
QUALITY ASSURANCE PLAN, PROGRAM OF TESTS, TRIALS, AND GENERAL
PROCEDURES FOR ACCEPTANCE AS WELL AS LABORATORY ARRANGEMENTS AND
RELATED FACILITIES WHICH ARE REQUIRED FOR THE SELECTION AND CONTROL
OF THE QUALITY OF MATERIALS AND WORKMANSHIP.
4.2 CONTRACTOR RESPONSIBLE FOR THE QUALITY OF THE WORKS
ALL MATERIALS INCORPORATED AND ALL WORKMANSHIP PERFORMED SHALL
BE STRICTLY IN CONFORMITY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SPECIFICATIONS
AND THE CONTRACTOR SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE QUALITY OF THE
WORKS IN THE ENTIRE CONSTRUCTION WITHIN THE CONTRACT.
THE CONTRACTOR SHALL PROVIDE, USE AND MAINTAIN ON THE SITE,
THROUGHOUT THE PERIOD OF EXECUTION OF THE CONTRACT, A LABORATORY
WITH ADEQUATE LABORATORY EQUIPMENT OPERATED BY COMPETENT STAFF
FOR CARRYING OUT TESTS REQUIRED FOR THE SELECTION AND CONTROL OF THE
QUALITY OF MATERIALS AND FOR THE CONTROL OF WORKMANSHIP IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THESE SPECIFICATIONS.
 THE LIST OF LABORATORY EQUIPMENT TO BE PROCURED AND LABORATORY
FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED SHALL BE THIS SPECIFICATION.
 THE CONTRACTOR SHALL ASSUME THAT TESTS SHALL BE REQUIRED ON ALL
MATERIALS TO BE USED IN THE WORKS AND ON ALL FINISHED WORKS OR PART
OF WORKS.

4.3 QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM

THE QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM COMPRISES THE METHODS, PROCEDURES

AND ORGANIZATION FOR THE QUALITY CONTROL OF THE WORKS. THE
CONTRACTOR SHALL IMPLEMENT THE QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEM IN THE
FOLLOWING SEQUENCES:

A) COMPLIANT TESTING FOR MATERIALS INCLUDING LABORATORY TRIALS,

B) COMPLIANT TESTING FOR METHODS AND EQUIPMENT PRIOR TO THE
COMMENCEMENT OF THE WORK, INCLUDING SITE TRIALS OR TRIALS
SECTIONS,