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?
supplements to bid forms include:
what are the contents of contract forms in a project manual?
Conditions of the contract:
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
master specification
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
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
Prescriptive Specifications:
Describes the means and methods for achieving the desired result, but without stating the result.
• 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
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?
types include: despcriptive, reference, performance
descriptive spec is
a type of open spec.