The Use of Standard Materials and The Use of Standard Materials and MethodsMethods

Specifications not only bind the contractor to perform his work in a certain manner and to furnish material of a certain grade, but they also greatly influence the cost of the work and material furnished. Unusual characteristics, modifications of standard machines, and the introduction of new methods should be specified only when such unusual requirements are clearly needed to secure the best result, and after an investigation has shown plainly that the additional expense involved is commensurate with the better results to be obtained.

neither the best nor the cheapest is uniformly desirable or applicable, and the ideal quality for the specific conditions in question should be the aim in each case. Unnecessary requirements and restrictions as to the quality or character of material and supplies or of unusual methods of construction will add unnecessarily to the expense involved and constitute a serious error. Such specifications are all too common and frequently result in unwarranted expense, serious trouble, and sometimes in legal complications.

ResponsibilityResponsibility

The more general the specifications, the greater the The more general the specifications, the greater the degree of responsibility which the contractor should degree of responsibility which the contractor should required to accept. As the details are defined by the required to accept. As the details are defined by the specifications, the contractor’s responsibility must specifications, the contractor’s responsibility must of necessity decrease, for neither morally nor of necessity decrease, for neither morally nor legally can a man be held responsible for results legally can a man be held responsible for results which are entirely beyond his control.which are entirely beyond his control.

CHAPTER 17CHAPTER 17

Technical Specifications:Technical Specifications:Materials and ProcessesMaterials and Processes

Basic ConsiderationBasic Consideration

If one were to pick at random a number of If one were to pick at random a number of technical specifications for an assorted variety technical specifications for an assorted variety of jobs and compare them, it might appear at of jobs and compare them, it might appear at first that there was little similarity between first that there was little similarity between them. Fundamentally, however, each, if well them. Fundamentally, however, each, if well written, will have as its goal the presenting of written, will have as its goal the presenting of certain definite information arranged in the certain definite information arranged in the manner which will make this information of manner which will make this information of maximum value to those for whom it is maximum value to those for whom it is intended. A satisfactory arrangement for a intended. A satisfactory arrangement for a given set of technical specifications must given set of technical specifications must therefore be used on the type of operation therefore be used on the type of operation which it is intended to control which it is intended to control

Outlining Technical Specifications Outlining Technical Specifications for Construction Workfor Construction Work

In technical specifications for construction In technical specifications for construction work the material which should be included work the material which should be included and the manner in which this material should and the manner in which this material should be organized must be consistent with the be organized must be consistent with the organization of the trades and industry which organization of the trades and industry which are to construct the work and supply the are to construct the work and supply the

materialsmaterials..

Section Titles for a School Section Titles for a School BuildingBuilding

The following is an example of the title of the trade division of a The following is an example of the title of the trade division of a somewhat, different type of construction project, a school somewhat, different type of construction project, a school building:building:

1.1. Excavation, Filing, GradingExcavation, Filing, Grading2.2. Concrete ConstructionConcrete Construction3.3. Masonry WorkMasonry Work4.4. Structural Steel and Miscellaneous IronworkStructural Steel and Miscellaneous Ironwork5.5. Carpentry and MillworkCarpentry and Millwork6.6. Finish HardwareFinish Hardware7.7. Roofing and WaterproofingRoofing and Waterproofing8.8. Sheet-metal WorkSheet-metal Work9.9. Lathing and PlasteringLathing and Plastering10.10. Insulation and Acoustic TileInsulation and Acoustic Tile11.11. Resilient FlooringResilient Flooring12.12. Ceramic TieCeramic Tie13.13. PaintingPainting14.14. Glass and Glazing Glass and Glazing 15.15. Plumbing and SeweringPlumbing and Sewering16.16. Heating and VentilatingHeating and Ventilating17.17. Electrical Work and FixturesElectrical Work and Fixtures

Outlining Trade Technical Outlining Trade Technical SpecificationsSpecifications

When all the work for the complete project has When all the work for the complete project has been divided between the various trades, each been divided between the various trades, each of the trade technical specifications may be of the trade technical specifications may be prepared.prepared.

The trade specifications are divided into section, The trade specifications are divided into section, each of which presents, each of which presents, in the amount of in the amount of detailed required,detailed required, the information which is the information which is necessary for the trade to have in order to necessary for the trade to have in order to perform properly the particular items of work perform properly the particular items of work which is covered in the section.which is covered in the section. Each trade Each trade technical specification will have a list of section technical specification will have a list of section titles which will be applicable only to the one titles which will be applicable only to the one particular trade and the one particular project. In particular trade and the one particular project. In writing trade technical specifications, there is no writing trade technical specifications, there is no substitute for an intimate knowledge of the work substitute for an intimate knowledge of the work to be performed.to be performed.

Example of Trade Technical Example of Trade Technical Specification Section TitlesSpecification Section Titles

The section titles for a set of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning The section titles for a set of heating, ventilating, and air-conditioning specifications for a small office building will be given to illustrate in specifications for a small office building will be given to illustrate in general terms the organization pattern used and the type of material general terms the organization pattern used and the type of material covered.covered.

1.1. GeneralGeneral 20.20. Oil burnerOil burner

2.2. Scope of the workScope of the work 21.21. Oil tank and piping Oil tank and piping

3.3. Manufacturer’s namesManufacturer’s names 22.22. Vacuum heating and boiler feed Vacuum heating and boiler feed

and numberand number pumppump

4.4. Heating, ventilating, and Heating, ventilating, and 23.23. Steam and condensate Steam and condensate piping piping

air conditioning drawings air conditioning drawings systemsystem

5.5. Cooperation with otherCooperation with other 24.24. Reheat piping systemReheat piping system

contractorscontractors 25.25. Steam and condense pipe fittingsSteam and condense pipe fittings

6.6. Coordination of Suncons.Coordination of Suncons. 26.26. Pipe hangers and Pipe hangers and supportssupports

7.7. Description of the systems 27.Description of the systems 27. ValvesValves

8.8. Air-conditioning plenumAir-conditioning plenum 29.29. Zone-reheat circulator Zone-reheat circulator pump and pump and

systemsystem temperature control valvetemperature control valve

9.9. Air-conditioning fans Air-conditioning fans 30.30. Wall fin radiation and unit heaterWall fin radiation and unit heater

10.10. Air filtersAir filters 31.31. Hot water tank and heaterHot water tank and heater

Example of Trade Technical Example of Trade Technical Specification Section Titles Specification Section Titles

ContinuationsContinuations11.11. Heating, cooling, andHeating, cooling, and 32.32. Temperature controlsTemperature controls

12.12. Duct workDuct work 33.33. Pipe, duct, hot water tank, andPipe, duct, hot water tank, and

13.13. Registers, grilles, and Registers, grilles, and breeching insulationbreeching insulation

ceiling outletsceiling outlets 34.34. Exhaust ventilation and fansExhaust ventilation and fans

14.14. Refrigeration condensingRefrigeration condensing 35.35. Kitchen hoodsKitchen hoods

unitsunits 36.36. Connections with the electrical Connections with the electrical tradetrade

15.15. Refrigeration piping andRefrigeration piping and 37.37. GuaranteeGuarantee

accessoriesaccessories 38.38. Final clean-up and inspectionFinal clean-up and inspection

16.16. Refrigeration-systemRefrigeration-system

testing and chargingtesting and charging

17.17. Refrigeration condenserRefrigeration condenser

water pipingwater piping

18.18. BoilerBoiler

19.19. Smoke breeching andSmoke breeching and

barometric draft-control damperbarometric draft-control damper

Explanation of some general terms the Explanation of some general terms the organization pattern used and type of organization pattern used and type of

material coveredmaterial coveredGENERAL.GENERAL. All work listed is subject to the General And All work listed is subject to the General And

Special conditions preceding. This contractor and his Special conditions preceding. This contractor and his subcontractors shall be responsible for and governed subcontractors shall be responsible for and governed by all requirements thereunder.by all requirements thereunder.

This section is included to notify all heating This section is included to notify all heating contractors who wish to submit bids that there are contractors who wish to submit bids that there are sections of the specifications other than the trade sections of the specifications other than the trade technical specifications with which they should technical specifications with which they should familiarized themselves; otherwise, they might read familiarized themselves; otherwise, they might read only that section and miss some of the requirements only that section and miss some of the requirements for the project.for the project.

SCOPE OF THE WORK.SCOPE OF THE WORK. This work shall include all labor, This work shall include all labor, materials, tools, equipment, transportation, etc., materials, tools, equipment, transportation, etc., necessary install the complete systems of heating, necessary install the complete systems of heating, ventilating and air conditioning in accordance with the ventilating and air conditioning in accordance with the drawings and the specifications following.drawings and the specifications following.

Explanation of some general terms the Explanation of some general terms the organization pattern used and type of organization pattern used and type of

material coveredmaterial coveredMANUFACTURER’S NAMES AND NUMBERS.MANUFACTURER’S NAMES AND NUMBERS. Various items on the Various items on the

drawings and on the division of the specifications are listed drawings and on the division of the specifications are listed with name and number of some specific manufacturer. It is with name and number of some specific manufacturer. It is not the intent of these documents that the manufacturer so not the intent of these documents that the manufacturer so listed is to be given preference over other manufacturers, listed is to be given preference over other manufacturers, whose equipment is, in the opinion of the Engineer, equally whose equipment is, in the opinion of the Engineer, equally suitable. suitable.

GUARANTEE.GUARANTEE. A guarantee of one year after completion is A guarantee of one year after completion is usually given by the contractor to the owner. The contractor usually given by the contractor to the owner. The contractor guarantee the operation of all equipment or materials guarantee the operation of all equipment or materials installed under his contract. This guarantee shall cover all installed under his contract. This guarantee shall cover all defects in workmanship and material, and this contractor defects in workmanship and material, and this contractor shall rectify all such defects within the period of the shall rectify all such defects within the period of the guarantee without additional cost to the owner. guarantee without additional cost to the owner.

Explanation of some general terms the Explanation of some general terms the organization pattern used and type of organization pattern used and type of

material coveredmaterial covered

Specifications for Supplies.Specifications for Supplies. Specifications for supplies Specifications for supplies that are not a part of a contract that includes labor that are not a part of a contract that includes labor and materials are written in much the same fashion as and materials are written in much the same fashion as are the materials specifications for a labor and are the materials specifications for a labor and materials contract. For example, a specification for materials contract. For example, a specification for cement might read:cement might read:

Cement. All cement shall be Portland Cement and shall Cement. All cement shall be Portland Cement and shall confirm A.S.T.M. Serial Designation C150 and Shall be confirm A.S.T.M. Serial Designation C150 and Shall be Type I. the color shall be subject to approval by the Type I. the color shall be subject to approval by the Purchasing agent. All cement shall be the product of Purchasing agent. All cement shall be the product of one reputable manufacturer. Certification of one reputable manufacturer. Certification of specification conformance shall be furnished for each specification conformance shall be furnished for each shipment of a carload.shipment of a carload.

Some common modern Construction Some common modern Construction Materials and Methods use Materials and Methods use

In Roofing In Roofing Roof Retrofitter (APO GALFAN Roof Retrofitter)Roof Retrofitter (APO GALFAN Roof Retrofitter)Rib-type roofing (METALPLAS Twin Rib Roofing Sheet)Rib-type roofing (METALPLAS Twin Rib Roofing Sheet)Concrete roofing (TEGULA FILIPINA Concrete Roof Tiles)Concrete roofing (TEGULA FILIPINA Concrete Roof Tiles)

In Walls Interior and ExteriorIn Walls Interior and ExteriorMetal StuddingMetal StuddingExterior wall panels (EcoWall High Performance Exterior Wall Panels)Exterior wall panels (EcoWall High Performance Exterior Wall Panels)Pre-casting of WallsPre-casting of Walls

In Concrete mixedIn Concrete mixedPre-mixed concrete mixedPre-mixed concrete mixedRetardant for concrete mixedRetardant for concrete mixedAccelerant for concrete mixedAccelerant for concrete mixed

In Mechanics and EquipmentIn Mechanics and EquipmentConcrete Finisher or Paver for road concretingConcrete Finisher or Paver for road concretingConcrete pump truck Concrete pump truck Laser guided levelLaser guided level