Construction contracts > Lecture 8: Specifications > Flashcards

Lecture 8: Specifications Flashcards

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1
Q
  1. “A written or printed description of the work to be done,
    forming part of the contract and describing qualities of
    material and mode of construction and also giving dimensions and other information not shown on the drawings.”
  2. Complements and explains the drawings.
  3. In case of conflict, the ___ override the drawings.
  4. Should be read in conjunction with the other contract
    documents.
  5. Encompasses the general conditions by reference.
  6. Prepared by experienced personnel within the design firm.
  7. Reviewed by both designer and specifier to ensure proper coordination.
A

specifications

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2
Q

Specs are written by the A/E or the Engineer for the use of:

A
  1. Owner
  2. GC
  3. SC
  4. Suppliers
  5. Manufacturers
  6. Inspectors
  7. Purchase agents
  8. Insurance Co.
  9. Bonding agencies
  10. Lawyers
  11. Banks
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3
Q

Specifications are used to set and explain what?

A
  1. Technical requirements
  2. Legal requirements
  3. Bidding procedures
  4. Alternates
  5. Options
  6. Limits
  7. Special precautions and installation / manufacturing procedures
  8. Testing and inspection procedures
  9. Assist in obtaining AHJ approvals for installation of products or processes
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4
Q

Technical Specifications cover:

A
  1. Dimensions
  2. Tolerances
  3. Installation procedures including workmanship
  4. Mixes
  5. Tests and expected performance criteria
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5
Q

Specifications Legal considerations cover:

A
  1. Order of precedence and hierarchy of
    contract documents.
  2. General and particular (special) contract
    conditions.
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6
Q

Specifications Insurance considerations cover:

A
  1. Owner’s liability
  2. Contractor’s liability
  3. A/E’s liability
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7
Q

Specifications Bidding requirements cover:

A
  1. Invitation to bid
  2. Instructions for bidders
  3. Bid form
  4. Bid bond
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8
Q

Specifications Alternates and options cover:

A
  1. Additions
  2. Deletions
  3. Changes in quantities / scope of work
  4. Substitution of material / equipment
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9
Q

Specifications Limits cover:

A
  1. Duties/responsibilities of different contractors / sub-contractors.
  2. Sequences and time frames in case of multiple GC’s.
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10
Q

Specifications Inspection and testing procedures cover:

A
  1. Type of test
  2. Who will conduct it
  3. How should it be conducted
  4. Who will pay for it
  5. Procedure in case of failure to meet quality measures.
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11
Q
  1. Should complement drawings.
  2. Should not contradict with, duplicate, or
    overlap with drawings.
  3. Its preparation should be coordinated
    with the drawings development including
    schedules, checklists, notes of changes.
  4. Standard terminology and legends used
    whenever possible.
A

Specs relationship to Drawings

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12
Q

Drawings show:

A 
1. Size, shape, and location 
of material, equipment, 
and fixtures.
2. Detail and overall 
dimensions
3. Schedules of finishes, 
doors, windows, etc.
4. Physical extent of 
alternates
5. Interrelation of material, 
equipment, and space
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13
Q

Specs show:

A 
1. Type and quality of 
material, equipment, and 
fixtures.
2. Quality of workmanship
3. Methods for fabrication 
and installation
4. Test and code 
requirements
5. Allowances and tolerances
6. Alternates and options
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14
Q

also known as Descriptive or Design specifications

A

Method System:

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15
Q

also known as Performance or Output

specifications.

A

Results System:

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16
Q

Refer to established standards

A

Reference Specs:

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17
Q

also known as closed specs, specifying exact type and model.

A

Proprietary specs:

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18
Q

the 4 C’s:

A
  1. Clear
  2. Concise
  3. Correct
  4. Complete
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19
Q

describes in detail the method,
material, workmanship, and erection or
installation procedures.

A

Specifier

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20
Q

is responsible for the output, or

performance of the finished product, as long as instructions were followed by contractor.

A

Specifier

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21
Q

Descriptive specs can allow for approved substitutes, also

referred to as ________.

A

“or equal ” or “or approved equal ”

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22
Q
  1. Shifts part of the risk for non conformance to
    the A/E or the specifier
  2. Should be used only for well tested and
    proven elements.
  3. Can be open or closed specs.
A

Descriptive Specifications

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23
Q
  1. The specifier sets expected or required
    output or performance criteria the contractor has to meet without unnecessary limitations on the method to be used.
  2. The burden of compliance is totally shifted to the contractor.
  3. Used in cases where the contractor has
    better experience with the system than the
    specifier.
  4. Used mostly in design/build projects.
A

Performance Specifications

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24
Q
  1. Refers to a standard established for material, test method, workmanship, or installation procedure.
  2. Standards can follow either design or
    performance specs.
  3. Examples include ASTM, ANSI, DIN, AASHTO, BSS.
  4. Contractor responsible for acquiring a copy of the referenced standard specs, and following its instructions.
Study These Flashcards
A

Reference Specifications

25
The A/E may require the contractor to keep a copy of the ____ on site for supervision.
reference specs
26
1. Specifier may use them as a template, or as a baseline with some modifications. 2. Specifier must ensure referencing the correct specs. 3. Danger of mixing and matching reference specs resulting in conflict and contradiction.
reference specs
27
1. Specifier states clearly and definitively information (actual make, model, catalog number, color, etc.) for a product, Manufacturer, or installation procedure. 2. Narrowest type of specs.
Proprietary Specifications
28
Advantages include of Proprietary specs include what?
1. Product selection closely controlled 2. Bidding simplified by narrowing competition and removing product pricing as a major variable 3. Reduced effort in preparing specifications resulting in time shortening and cost savings
29
Disadvantages of Proprietary specs include:
1. Competition is reduced or eliminated 2. Certain products or manufacturers may be favored by the specifier over others
30
1. Used when several competing brands can achieve same appearance, performance, or properties. 2. Mostly used in public projects to allow for fair competition, lower price, and avoid nepotism and favoritism. 3. May assist in Value Engineering. 4. Contractor has burden of proving it equal to specified item. 5. May also be listed as “Or approved equal”, clarifying that it needs A/E’s approval.
Or Equal Clauses
31
Related issues:
1. Base bid or closed specs 2. Bidder’s choice or restricted specs 3. Open Specs 4. Bidder’s list of substitutions
32
Related issues
1. Bid includes substituted items 2. Includes difference in price from originally specified item 3. Adds burden on A/E to ensure compliance
33
Products are defined by stating:
1. Spec standard 2. Specific product name 3. Number and names of substitutes 4. Reason for substitution
34
Approved equals listed in ______ if during bidding process, or in a contract change after signing the contract
addendum
35
Written requests for approval of substitutes should be presented by vendors to:
1. Form a basis of understanding and eliminate misrepresentation 2. Eliminate non conforming items 3. Permit objective review 4. Show interest in bid 5. Should be considered only from prime bidders
36
1. Is a warranty supplied by the owner to the contractor that if the contractor builds according to the plans and specs, a satisfactory product will result. 2. In other words, if the contractor follows the plans and specs correctly, he/she is not responsible for the results.
Spearin Doctrine or Spearin Warranty:
37
If the specs listed an item that is not in production, and the contractor cannot find such a product, he/she can obtain relief using the doctrine of _______.
“Impossibility of Performance”
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Where time and/cost obstacles are so great to overcome within practical limits.
“Practical Impossibility”
39
This applies to design or descriptive specifications only, as the Contractor selects the products under performance specifications.
“Impossibility of Performance” or “Practical Impossibility”
40
1. Standards published by professional and industry associations. 2. Recommended specs requirements disseminated by material manufacturers. 3. Guide specs published by governmental agencies. 4. Municipal, county, state, and federal codes.
Reference sources
41
Construction in a given area should | comply with the _________.
area codes and ordinances
42
In case of code overlap, highest one | should prevail ........
Federal over state, State | over county, etc.
43
In case of absence of local codes, national codes may be used (e.g.____, etc.) as a base for doing work in accordance with standards of good practice.
BOCA
44
Produced by the International Conference of Building | Officials.
UBC (Uniform Building Code)
45
Produced by American Insurance Association
NBC (National Building Code)
46
Produced by Building Officials and Code Administrators | International, Inc.
BBC (Basic Building Code)
47
Produced by the American Society of Mechanical | Engineers and the American Public Health Association
NPC (National Plumbing Code)
48
``` 1. The use of these codes or standards saves time and space, since requirements are included by reference. 2. May be used “as is” or “with modification”. 3. Should be checked for compliance with codes. ```
Specification Codes
49
``` 1. Several branches and agencies of the federal government have their own published standards and guide specs. 2. May pertain to materials and methods or to employment practices and minimum wages. 3. Examples include: Military Specs, Federal Specs, Corps of Engineers Regulations, FHWA Guidelines, etc. ```
Agency Standards
50
1. Most major manufacturers publish recommended specs for use by designers. 2. Some of these specs may be proprietary (Only one manufacturer satisfies the requirements). 3. May include requirements for material, equipment, and/or workmanship. 4. Examples include: F.W. Dodge (Sweet’s), National Ready Mix Concrete Association, etc.
Manufacturers’ Specs
51
1. Reduces time and effort needed to locate particular parts or components specs. 2. Standardizes the order of listing of different requirements. 3. Simplifies the review effort for omissions or duplication. 4. Facilitates the use of information by different project team members. 5. Includes a standardized numbering system for work allocation and assignment.
Organizing the Specs.
52
1. Most widely used type of organized specs. 2. Developed and published by the CSI (Construction Specifications Institute). 3. Aims at improving the quality of construction specs. 4. Provides uniformity in specs writing by furnishing a standard arrangement of specs material. 5. Project specs are divided into 50 divisions. 6. Divisions are derived from an interrelationship of material, trade, function, or space. 7. Leads to increased bidding consistency and accuracy.
CSI Masterformat
53
is organized into 50 divisions. Division 00 contains procurement and contracting requirements.
MasterFormat | ®
54
Divisions 01 through 49 contain the ___________.
specifications
55
1. Each item follows a five digit section number (e.g. 15010 Provisions common to mechanical installations). 2. Alphanumeric section numbers may be used instead of 5 digit numbers (e.g. 2A, or 4C). 3. Division headings are based on 4 major categories: a. Materials b. Trades c. Functions of Work d. Place e. Some of these headings may be predominant in some divisions (e.g. materials in division 4, trades in division 5, functions in division 7, place in division 2, etc.)
Using the Masterformat
56
1. Eliminates or reduces worries about additions/ deletions. 2. Specs can be prepared in advance before design completion. 3. Facilitates correspondence with reference to material samples, shop drawings, submittals, etc. 4. Adopted by major organizations (AIA, Government, etc.)
Advantages of Masterformat
57
1. Standard part of the specifications that defines the following: 2. Administrative and procedural requirements: processes for contract administration, assignment of contractual responsibilities, and methods for communicating, controlling, and assuring quality. 3. Temporary Facilities and Controls 4. Performance requirements 5. Life cycle activities such as commissioning, facility operation, maintenance, and decommissioning.
Division 01: General | Requirements
58
Conditions of the Contract
1. Are inherent part of the agreement 2. With the agreement govern the content of the entire contract. 3. Contain conceptual principles applicable to most projects.
59
Division 01 - General Requirements
1. Are inherent part of the specifications 2. Administratively govern the specification sections 3. Contains specifics directly applicable to a particular project
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