1. Final Project - Specifications Flashcards
project manual
a bound book containg all the contract and nonctract documents for a construction project, except drawings
includes specificiations
the project manual is divided in 4 major parts
1) bidding requirements
2) parts of the contract
3) the general and supplementary conditions of the contact
4) the technical specifications
what are the contents of bidding requirements in a project manual?
- invitation to bid
- prequalification forms
- instructions to bidders
- information available to bidders
- bid forms
supplements to bid forms include:
- bid security form
- subcontractor list
- subsititution list
what are the contents of contract forms in a project manual?
- Agreement (contract between owner and contractor)
- Performance bond
- Labor and materials payment bond
- Certificates of insurance
Conditions of the contract:
- General conditions of the contract
- Supplementary conditions
Technical specs and drawings are complementary. How so?
Drawings show general configuration and layout of building components, along with general notes to explain graphics
Techincal specs describe the quality of materials and workmanship along with general requirements for the execution of the work, standards, and other items that are more appropriately described in written, rather than graphic, form
what is one method of ensuring that wirtten techincal specifications contain requirements for all the mateirals and construction idicated on the drawings?
-the use of a common checklist between spec writer and project manager
when there is a conflict between the drawings and the specifications, which is more binding in the case of conflicting information
written specifications
what are the four areas of concern when coordinating informatioin between drawings and techincal specs?
1) specs should contain all the materials and construction indicated on the drawings
2) the terminology used in both documents should be the same
3) dimensions and thicknesses should only be indicated on one document
4) notes on the drawings should not describe methods of installation or material qualities; these belong in the specs
When incorporating the mechanical engineer’s spcifications into the project manual, the architect should establish all of the following except the
a. exact numbering system of the specifications
b. type of header and footer used on each page
c. content of each specification section
d. page layout of the specification
c. content of each specification section
The architect is responsible for developing the overall format and appearance of the project manual and the specification section. Each consultant is responsible for the conent of their respective specifications
Which of the following would not be in a project manual
a) bid log
b) subsurface soil conditions report, noted “for information only”
c) sitework specification
d) bid bond form
a) bid log
a bid log is ued by the architect to record the bids as they are opened and to help the owner evaluate them. It is never included in the project manual
- a subsurface soil conditions report would not be part of the contract documents, but may be included in the project manual and be designated “for information only”
- a sitework spec is one of the technical section and would be included in the manual,
- bid bond would be included in the manual;considered to be a bidding document , not part of contract documents
master specification
- a prewritten test that includes the majority of requirements for a particular specification section
- edited by deleting uneccessary portions, and adding particular information related to project at hand
Project Specifications
Developed for a specific project
Model Specifications
Specific and similar kinds of projects - minimal editing
Outline or Preliminary Specifications
During design - appearance, texture & other criteria
two broad categories of specificatoins
1) prescriptive / proprietary
2) performance
base bid with alternates
- type of spec that calls out a propietary product but allows the substitution of other products that the contractor thinks are equal to the one stated
- dangerous method of specifying because contractor may substitute a less expensive item that he or she thinks is equal but is actually not
two variation of base bid specs
1) list several apporved manufacturers of a product
- contractor is free to bid on any one listed
- satisfies the requirement for public work where at least 3 manufacturers must be listed
- burden is on architect to make sure all options are equal
2) base bid with approved equal language
- states that one product or an approved equal must be used
- contractor may propose and substitution but it must be apporvied by architect
- burden on contractor for finding a substitution
- burden is also placed on architect to fairly and accurately evaluate proposed substituions from contracto
- spec must clearly state how much lead time the contractor must give the architect and how alternates will be evaluated
why are descriptive specs more difficult to write?
-architect must include all the pertitnent requirements for the construction and installation of the product
Which of the following types of specs would probably NOT be used to specify asphalt shingles?
a. descriptive
b. base bid with “approved equal” language
c. reference standard
d. base bid with alternates
d. base bid with alternates
base bid with alternates is not apporpriate because this type of spec would leave too much to the discretion of the contractor without provision for review by the architect
- there are many different types of shingles available and this type of spec may leave the owner open to use of an inferior product
- a better spec would be the base bid with approved equal language
Prescriptive Specifications:
Describes the means and methods for achieving the desired result, but without stating the result.
- Descriptive (Open) Spec: used in competitive bidding, and does not give level of control in closed spec.
- Describe characteristics, materials, finishes, workmanship, and fabrication of products without stating individual trade or manufacturer’s names required.
- Consensus Spec: written agreement on certain materials, testing procedures that conform to criteria developed and recognized by the public or authority.
- When referenced, the standard becomes part of the spec.
- Proprietary (Closed) Spec: does not allow for substitution, and typically used to control aesthetics, function, and quality.
- Identify name, model number, finish type, and submittal requirement.
• Desirable only when there is no practical way to specify a unique product by performance or consensus. Minimum of three brand names of comparable quality. Div 1 allows approved alternatives - process of getting approval required.
Prescriptive Method
- Detailed statement of products, materials, or systems and their installation requirements
- It is a GENERIC description, no product or names or reference to standards
Ex: a 26 ga pre-finished sheet metal flashing
Who’s primarily responsible for prescriptive specifications?
contractor,
BUT architect’s potential liability is increased because he assumes responsibility for performance.
State: “complete all work in accordance with the manufacturer’s written instructions and specifications”
describe open specs and name the types of open specs?
- Several (3-5) appropriate material/product/systems are given and the contractor can use any of them, or suggest his own if he can prove the performance and quality is equal.
- used when you have a public job and/or want competitive bidding.
- responsibilites lie in the hands of the contractor for performance. They can submit substitution requests for approval during bidding, or risk it getting rejected during shop drawings/ inspection.
types include: despcriptive, reference, performance
descriptive spec is
a type of open spec.
- they outline the final results desired but do not specifically tell the contractor what materials to use
- descriptive specs require the architect to list all of the desired characterisitcs of the material and put the onus on the contractor to find a product that will satisfy the requirements
- difficult to write because of the level of detail that must be included to ensure that an apporpriate product is chosen
who’s primarily responsible for descriptive specs?
The architect assumes total responsibility for the function and performance of a product.
descriptive spec
- type of open spec
- All components of products, their arrangement and methods of assembly, physical and chemical properties, arrangement and relationship of parts, and numerous other details and requirements are described.
- The most detailed of all specifications to be used when the architect is certain the assembled product will function properly.
when should proprietary specs be used?
You or the owner want to see something specific, because you want it, or know it will work best for the application (eg: Owner wants the same window to match the rest on the existing house)
which spec is most restrictive
proporietary sepcs
- give architect complete control of what is installed
- do not allow for competitive bidding
- easier and shorter to write
- burden is on the specifier who must call out products that meet code requirements and within budget
Performance Specifications:
Describes required work results, verifiable as meeting stipulated criteria and free of unnecessary process limintations.
Performance specifications are numbered and titled by UniFormat, NOT Master Format.
Performance Method
- tell what results the final construction assembly should achive
- give contractor some choice in how they will be achieved
- Specifier choses what is needed to comply with the requirements of the project, rather than describing how it is to be built.
- Comply with testing = performance spec
Ex: Windows: to CAN/CSA - A440
- Type: projected: top projected with triple glazing*
- Classification Rating : Air tightness A3, Water tightness B5, Wind load resistance : C2*
when should a performance spec be used?
-You don’t have a manufacture preference and the contractor can competitively bid
performance spec
- used when specifier wants to encourage new ways of achieving a particular end result
- example: a movable partition system could be specified by stating its required fire rating, acoustical properties, finish, max thickness, required size
- difficult to write because they require specifier to know all the criteria, state the methods for testing compliance, and be prepared for cost concequences
who is priamarily responsible for performance specifications?
Contractor fully responsuble,
but architect needs more research
reference standard spec
- type of open spec
- Like an open spec, but items have to meet specific testing authority requirements (UL, ASTM, ANSI)
- easy to write
- chances for error are reduced and liability is minimized
- burden is on architect to know what is in the standard and how to refer to the appropriate part of the standard if it includes more provisions than are needed for the job
when should a reference standard spec be used?
-You want or need things to conform to requirements.
-who is primarily responsible for a reference standard spec?
contractor
a reference standard spec is
a type of open spec
- simpler to write than descriptive specs
- refers to industry standards to deine the desired characteristics of materials and installation items
