SPECIFICATIONS

Specificationisanimportantdocumentattachedwithatender
form/contractagreementwhichinmostcasescontrolsthequalityof
materialsandworks.

Sometimes,specificationsmaybeusedtodescribematterswhich
couldnotbeexplainedclearlybydrawings/sketches.

specificationsshoulddefine:

Theextentofworktobecarriedout
Qualityofmaterials
Qualityofworkmanship
Proportionofmix
Howmaterialsshouldbeplacedandfixed
Acceptablestandardsforeachaspectoftheconstruction.
 NECESSITYOFSPECIFICATIONS

Thenecessityofspecificationsarethefollowing

1. Thespecificationsdefine the quality of materials and workmanship.

Hencethiswillhelpthecontractorto quote correct rates forthe
differentitemsofworks.

2. Theinformationcontainedinthespecificationswillserveas a guide to
the contractor as well as to the supervising staff during execution
ofthework.

3. Specificationshelptheownerto check and satisfy with the works,

during execution.

4. Itisnecessaryto specify the equipment tools and plants to be

used for a work.

5. In case of disputes between the owner and contractor withrespect

tothemethodofconstruction,qualityandquantityofmaterialsused,
equipmentsandmachineriesusedetc,the specifications play the
major role in solving the disputes and arriving at a settlement.
 SPECIFICATIONWRITING
Theprocessofspecification writing, conducted in parallel with design and
drawing work,helpscreatetheproperbalancebetweenclient,technicaland
aestheticrequirements.
The principle qualifications neededare:

familiarity with the project,includingthe design philosophy

expertise in editorial, technical and contractual matters
willingness and availability.
Whoshouldwritethespecification:

Inlargerorganizationsincludespecialist specification writers, project

managers, or members of the project design group.
Insmallofficethe chief architect.
Agoodspecificationshoulddothesethings:

Identify minimum requirements.

Allow for a competitive bid.
List of test methods to be used in testingforcompliancewithspecifications.
 PURPOSE OF GIVING SPECIFICATIONS

The cost of an unit quantity of work isgovernedbyitsspecifications.

Specificationofaworkisrequiredtodescribethequalityandquantityofdifferent
materialsrequiredforaconstructionworkandis one of the essential contract
documents.

Thisalsospecifies the workmanship and the method of doing the work.Thus

specificationofaworkservesasaguidetoasupervisingstaffofacontractoraswell
astotheownertoexecutetheworktotheirsatisfaction.

Aworkiscarriedoutaccordingtoitsspecificationandthecontractorispaidforthe
same.Any change in specification changes the tendered rate.

As the rate of work is based on the specification,acontractorcancalculatethe

ratesofvariousitemsofworksintenderwithhisprocurementratesofmaterialsand
labour.Thustenderratewithout specification of works is baseless, incomplete
and invalid.

Specificationisnecessaryto specify the equipment tools and plants to be

engagedforaworkandthus enables to procure them beforehand.

Thenecessityofspecificationisto verify and check the strength of materials fora

workinvolvedinaproject.
 TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS
GENERALSPECIFICATIONS
DETAILEDSPECIFICATIONS
GENERALSPECIFICATIONS
Ingeneralspecifications,nature and class of works and names of materials
thatshouldbeusedaredescribed.
Only a brief description of each and every item is given. It is useful for
estimating the project.
The general specifications do not form a part of contract document.

DETAILEDSPECIFICATIONS
The detailed specifications form a part of a contract document.
Theyspecify the qualities, quantities and proportions of materials and the
method of preparation and execution for a particular item of works in a
project.
The detailed specifications of the different items of the work are prepared
separately and they describe what the work should be and how they shall be
executed.
While writing the detailed specifications, the same order sequence as the
work is to be carried out is to be maintained.
 BASICSPECIFICATIONWRITINGPRINCIPLES
specifications must be clear, concise, complete, correct, and consistent.
CLEAR
Specificationsareatooltocommunicateanowner'sexpectationsregardingthe
performanceoftheworktothecontractor.Specificationsneedtobeunderstoodby
thecontractor'semployeeswhowillbedoingthework.The purpose and effect of
the specification should be clear from its language, and the language should
convey only one meaning.
CONCISE.
Concisespecificationsareessentialtoachievingqualityandefficiencyin
construction. Short sentences that break up information into smaller, easier-to-
process units are better for conveying complex information.
COMPLETE
Specifications should provide the information necessary to enable a bidder to
prepare a complete and responsible bid andtoenablethecontractortoconstruct
theprojectproperly.
CONSISTENT
Consistencyinlanguageselection,usage,format,andorganization will help
prevent conflicts and ambiguities in specifications.
CORRECT
Specificationsshouldbeaccurateandfactual.Sources of data used in the
specification should be reliable and current.Carelessstatementsorstatements
basedonunreliabledataarefrequentlythecauseofcontractadministration
problemsandcontractorclaims.
 SOURCESOFINFORMATION

Therearemanyavailablesourcesthatcanbeofassistancetoyouwhen
youaredevelopingyourspecifications.

Herearesuggestionsforgatheringspecificationinformation:

Collect as much information as possible from the end user asto

the function and performance of the requested product.Usetheir
expertiseandknowledge.
Collect product information from the industry (brochures,catalogs,
specs,etc.).Manymanufacturerslisttheircatalogsandproduct
specificationsontheinternet.
Look for standards and test information from professional
societies whereavailable.
Look for specification information from government entities. Use
theinternetande-mailforresearch.Manystateshavestandard
specificationslistedontheinternet.
Callonotherexperts inthepurchasingcommunityforhelp.