SPECIFICATION PURPOSE & IMPORTANCE OF SPECIFICATIONS 1. Specification is defined as a written document describing in detail the scope of work, materials to be used, methods of installation, and quality of workmanship for a parcel of work to be placed under contract. 2. It provides information for proper construction or material and equipment which cannot be placed in drawings. 3. It segregates the information shown on the drawings into various sections. 4. It instruct the different material suppliers of the extent of their work 5. It constitutes one of the contract documents together with the drawings and the agreement of contract between the owner and the contractor. In court it is more important than the drawings. 6. The contractor can then get his subcontracts on the basis of the specification breakdown of sections. QUALIFICATION OF SPECIFICATION WRITER 1. A professional specification writer maintains a good library of technical documents, an extensive collection of manufacturer literature and catalogs and is knowledgeable in various codes used in his area. 2. The following qualifications are necessary for an effective specification writer: a. A degree in the required discipline and eventual professional registration b. A good basic skill in drafting and detailing c. A thorough knowledge of construction gained by extensive field inspection d. The ability to write in a proper and concise manner e. An orderly mind f. The ability to get along with fellow workers TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS 1. Performance Specifications - the result of the product, rather than the product itself are specified 2. Descriptive Specifications - gives a description of the product 3. Brand Name Specification - the desired product is specified by the name given and model number “or an equal approved by the architect” 4. Closed Specification -there are two types of closed specifications, the single product and the multi product. Closed specifications are usually brand name specifications. The multi product is the same as a single product except that more than one product is used. “no other brand will be accepted” 5. Open Specifications - open because all manufacturers whose product meet performance or description specified may bid. All performance and descriptive specifications are open. Brand name specifications are open if the phrase “or equal” 6. Reference Specification - the item desired is referred to by a number corresponding to a number published in a specification. 7. Combination Specification -it is possible to have combinations of performance, description and reference specification. 1 THE 16 DIVISION UNIFORM CONSTRUCTION INDEX Division 1- General Requirement Division 2- Site Work Division 3- Concrete Division 4- Masonry Division 5- Metals Division 6- Wood & Plastics Division 7- Thermal & Moisture Protection Division 8- Doors And Windows Division 9- Finishes Division 10- Specialties Division 11- Equipment Division 12- Furnishings Division 13- Special Construction Division 14- Conveying System Division 15- Mechanical Division 16- Electrical The use of a standard format for construction specifications is important for the following reasons: a. The use of the same procedure lessens the chance of omission or duplication of items. b. It facilitates the location of items in the same place in each section after the users become familiar with the format. c. Its outline can serve as a checklist during the design development stage. THE 3 PART SECTION FORMAT Each of the 16 divisions of the Uniform Construction Index is further divided into sections in the specifications, 3 Part Section Format. The specifier must discipline himself to ask three fundamental questions about the product: a. What is the product? b. How it is incorporated into the work c. What interrelationships have existed, do exist, or will exist for thr product with the remainder of the product or with any portion of the project. The 3 basic parts of the section format are: Part 1- General This part covers general areas concerned which precede and follow the work, and which define the scope of work Part 2- Products This part defines in detail the materials, equipment, systems, fixtures, etc which will be incorporated into the work Part 3- Execution It describes in detail the manner in which items covered by part 2 are to be incorporated into the work. ELEMENTS OF SPECIFICATIONS COMPOSITION Drawing in general shall show: a. Architectural and engineering design b. Plans, elevations, details and all essential dimensions c. Designation of each portion by the title or symbol, to allow reference to it d. The extent of the various material by symbols and otherwise e. Notes giving the basic design data, assumed loads, allowable stresses, design references and requirements f. Limit of work Specification shall give all necessary information governing: a. Materials and workmanship b. Inspection and tests c. Supplementary contractual requirements d. Necessary information which is not supplied by the drawings 2
