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    Specifications

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    Anton_Young_1962
    Specifications provide written instructions to fully describe the work to be accomplished and quality required for a construction project. They supplement drawings and provide details that cannot be shown graphically. Specifications guide cost estimates for bids and instruct contractors on procurement, construction methods, and quality standards. The owner or their representative typically prepares specifications, with input from others involved in the project. Specifications are presented in the sequence that construction operations will proceed and cover each major construction type through separate divisions.

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    © All Rights Reserved

    Specifications

    Uploaded by

    Anton_Young_1962
    24 views10 pages
    Specifications provide written instructions to fully describe the work to be accomplished and quality required for a construction project. They supplement drawings and provide details that cannot be shown graphically. Specifications guide cost estimates for bids and instruct contractors on procurement, construction methods, and quality standards. The owner or their representative typically prepares specifications, with input from others involved in the project. Specifications are presented in the sequence that construction operations will proceed and cover each major construction type through separate divisions.

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    6. Specifications

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    Specifications provide written instructions to fully describe the work to be accomplished and quality required for a construction project. They supplement drawings and provide details that cannot be shown graphically. Specifications guide cost estimates for bids and instruct contractors on procurement, construction methods, and quality standards. The owner or their representative typically prepares specifications, with input from others involved in the project. Specifications are presented in the sequence that construction operations will proceed and cover each major construction type through separate divisions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    24 views10 pages

    Specifications

    Uploaded by

    Anton_Young_1962
    Specifications provide written instructions to fully describe the work to be accomplished and quality required for a construction project. They supplement drawings and provide details that cannot be shown graphically. Specifications guide cost estimates for bids and instruct contractors on procurement, construction methods, and quality standards. The owner or their representative typically prepares specifications, with input from others involved in the project. Specifications are presented in the sequence that construction operations will proceed and cover each major construction type through separate divisions.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    of 10

    Construction Contracts Administration

    – Specifications

    Specifications (What?)
    • What?
    – Specifications are written instructions to be
    used in conjunction with the drawings so that
    together they fully describe and define the
    work that is to be accomplished along with the
    quality required
    – Specifications are supplement to the drawings
    and show information that cannot be easily
    shown in graphic form
    Specifications (Why?)
    • Why? (Purpose of specifications)
    – Guide bidders in cost estimate for their
    proposals
    – Guide the contractor during the:
    • Procurement phase
    – Ordering of materials
    • Construction phase
    – Erections and installations
    – Performance of work (quality of
    workmanship )

    Specifications (Who?)
    • Who prepare them?
    – Owner / owner representative

    • While one party or department is


    responsible for their preparation, the
    specifications are ultimately done by all
    those involved in the project
    Relationship to the Drawings
    • Normally the drawings provide a physical
    description of the project and the
    specifications provide information
    regarding:
    – Quality of materials
    – Quality of workmanship
    – Erection and installation methods
    – Tests and inspections

    Specifications Presentation
    • The specifications are normally presented:

    – In approximately the same general sequence


    as the corresponding construction operations
    actually proceed in the field

    – It is customary that a separate division of the


    specifications be devoted to each major type of
    construction operation that will be involved

    – Such as excavation, concrete, structural steel,


    insulation, electrical work, etc.
    Qualifications for Specs Writer

    • A thorough knowledge of the


    construction process and design process
    • A good understanding of construction
    materials and construction methods
    • Be skillful with technical writing
    • Access to reference information

    Qualifications for Specs Writer II


    • A specification is not the place to show the
    extent of the knowledge of the A/E, but is a
    place to show:
    – How clearly and exactly he can describe the
    essential and practicable limits of the qualities
    of work and material needed
    – How well he can protect his client by definite
    and proper requirements
    – How fair and just he will be in his treatment of
    contractors.
    References for Specifications
    • Codes
    – Dept. of public works; and housing technical
    specifications for architectural and civil works
    • Standards
    – Professional and industry associations
    • Recommendations
    – Material manufacturers

    Specifications Approaches

    • Two approaches to writing specifications:

    – Performance-based (results)
    specifications

    – Methods-based (prescription)
    specifications
    Performance (Results) Specifications

    Characteristics
    • Describe in detail the required performance or
    service characteristics of the finished product or
    system
    • Methods used to achieve desired results is left to
    the preference of the contractor, but must be
    guaranteed
    • Methods of testing and measurement, to
    evaluate the results, should be spelled out in the
    specifications
    • Avoid drastic changes from performance
    standards

    Performance (Results) Specifications II


    Presentation
    • Present specifications in an orderly
    fashion to guard against errors and
    omissions including:
    – General description of product/system
    – Design and installation requirements
    – Product/systems operating conditions
    – Test/measurement information detailed
    – Guaranties/warranties required
    Performance (Results) Specifications III
    Advantages
    • Provide competition among products and systems
    • Contractor improve its experience and knowledge
    in its specialized field
    • Specs writer does not need to have an extensive
    knowledge of products and systems as would be
    required under prescription specs

    Disadvantage
    • In some instances, devising adequate
    testing/measuring systems by which results can be
    evaluated is difficult

    Methods (Prescription) Specifications


    Characteristics
    • Specifications describe in detail the methods to
    be used and the procedures to be followed
    • If the material is specified by brand name or
    manufacturer, the specifications writer has the
    advantage of knowing the performance
    characteristics of the material/system because of
    its past performance on other projects
    • A specifications writer assumes more
    responsibility with prescription specifications
    Methods (Prescription) Specifications II
    • The specifications writer warrants the
    performance of the products/systems and not
    the contractor
    • The specifications writer should make sure
    that the requirements are realistic
    • The specifications writer should be fully
    aware of the materials and field methods he
    is specifying
    • Impractical requirements lead to extra cost to
    the owner

    Open vs. Closed Specifications

    • Open specifications:
    – Encourages competition among
    firms/manufacturers
    – A must for publicly funded projects
    • Closed specifications
    – The use of only one product brand
    Restricted Specifications
    • Restricted specifications is the combination of
    performance (results) and methods
    (prescription) specifications
    – Minimum 3 brand names listed followed by
    the phrase “or approved equal”
    – The phrase “or approved equal” is interpreted
    to mean approved as equal by the owner
    – Contractors request for another brand to be
    added to the list must be done at the bidding
    stage. If the owner is in agreement, an
    addendum will be issued

    Restricted Specifications II
    Disadvantages

    • Sometimes difficult to find products that


    are equal and that meet specification
    writers approval (use performance specs
    in this case)
    • In situations where only one manufacturer
    is aware of absence of competition, it may
    increase price
    • Costs more to owner
    Standard Format
    • Single standard format
    – Avoid confusion
    – Assure effective communication

    • Dept. of public works; and housing


    format
    – Improved quality of construction specifications
    – Achieve uniformity in specification writing

    Standard Format II
    • Specifications should be presented:
    – In standard forms
    – In understandable language
    – 4 C’s:
    • Clear
    • Concise
    • Correct
    • Complete

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