TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS

ARE 459
CONTRACTS & SPECIFICATIONS
Specifications Handout # 3
By
By
Zulfikar Zulfikar A. A. A. A.
Presentation Outline
Presentation Outline
Types of Specifications
Systems of Writing Specifications
Types of Specifications
Performance Specifications
Descriptive Specifications
Reference Specifications
Proprietary Specifications
Examples
Reference standards Agencies
Objectives of Class :
Objectives of Class :
To introduce the methods of writing specifications
To provide an understanding of the different types of
specifications and provide examples
To introduce the role of standards and standard Agencies
Methods of Writing Specifications
Two basic approaches to writing specifications: Two basic approaches to writing specifications:
The Method system and The Method system and
The Results system. The Results system.
Method system: Method system:
The The specifier specifier describes in detail the materials, workmanship, installation, a describes in detail the materials, workmanship, installation, and nd
erection procedures to be used by the contractor in the conduct erection procedures to be used by the contractor in the conduct of his work of his work
operations in order to achieve the results expected. operations in order to achieve the results expected.
The method system can best be described as a descriptive specifi The method system can best be described as a descriptive specification; cation;
The specifications code sets forth specific materials and method The specifications code sets forth specific materials and methods that are s that are
permitted under the law in the construction of a building. permitted under the law in the construction of a building.
Methods of Writing Specifications
Results system: Results system:
When the When the specifier specifier instead elects to specify results, he places on the contractor instead elects to specify results, he places on the contractor the the
responsibility for securing the desired results by whatever meth responsibility for securing the desired results by whatever methods the contractor ods the contractor
chooses to use. chooses to use.
The results system is best described as a performance specificat The results system is best described as a performance specification. ion.
Under the performance code, materials and methods are left to th Under the performance code, materials and methods are left to the architect and e architect and
engineer, provided that performance criteria for fire protection engineer, provided that performance criteria for fire protection, structural , structural
adequacy, and sanitation are met. adequacy, and sanitation are met.
As a matter of fact, both the descriptive specification and the As a matter of fact, both the descriptive specification and the performance performance
specification can be used together in the same project specifica specification can be used together in the same project specification, each in its tion, each in its
proper place, in order to achieve the prime objective. proper place, in order to achieve the prime objective.
Types of Specifications

There are four types of Specifications:
There are four types of Specifications:

Descriptive Specifications
Descriptive Specifications

Performance Specifications
Performance Specifications

Reference Specifications
Reference Specifications

Proprietary Specifications
Proprietary Specifications

Closed Proprietary Specifications
Closed Proprietary Specifications

Open Proprietary Specifications
Open Proprietary Specifications
Descriptive Specifications
Definition: Definition:. is a detailed written description of the required properties o . is a detailed written description of the required properties of a product, f a product,
materials, or piece of equipment, and the workmanship required f materials, or piece of equipment, and the workmanship required for its proper or its proper
installation. installation.
Described In Cookbook Fashion Are The Materials, Workmanship, In Described In Cookbook Fashion Are The Materials, Workmanship, Installation, And stallation, And
Erection Procedures To Be Employed By The Contractor. Erection Procedures To Be Employed By The Contractor.
In Descriptive Specifications And In Proprietary Specifications In Descriptive Specifications And In Proprietary Specifications The Products And The Products And
Processes Are Specified But Results Are Not Specified. Processes Are Specified But Results Are Not Specified.
Defines Exact Properties Of Materials And Methods Of Installatio Defines Exact Properties Of Materials And Methods Of Installation Without Using n Without Using
Proprietary Names. Proprietary Names.
When Descriptive Specifications Are Used, The Burden Of Performa When Descriptive Specifications Are Used, The Burden Of Performance Is Assumed nce Is Assumed
By The Preparer. By The Preparer.
Descriptive Specifications: Example

A CONCRETE MIX OF FOUR PARTS

A CONCRETE MIX OF FOUR PARTS
COARSE AGGREGATE, TWO PARTS FINE
COARSE AGGREGATE, TWO PARTS FINE
AGGREGATES, AND ONE PART CEMENT
AGGREGATES, AND ONE PART CEMENT
WITH A 0.5 WATER CEMENT RATIOS. A
WITH A 0.5 WATER CEMENT RATIOS. A
PERFORMANCE STRENGTH OF 3000 PSI
PERFORMANCE STRENGTH OF 3000 PSI
AFTER 28 DAYS IS IMPLIED IN THE
AFTER 28 DAYS IS IMPLIED IN THE
DESIGN MIX.
DESIGN MIX.
Descriptive Specifications: When to Use ?

Writing Descriptive Specs Is A Lengthy And A Tedious
Writing Descriptive Specs Is A Lengthy And A Tedious
Process.
Process.

When To Be Used:
When To Be Used:

1. Brand Names Is Forbidden
1. Brand Names Is Forbidden

2. Performance Specs Is Not Adequate
2. Performance Specs Is Not Adequate

3. Adequate Reference Standards Do Not Exist.
3. Adequate Reference Standards Do Not Exist.

4. This Approach Is Used When The
4. This Approach Is Used When The
Specifier
Specifier
Has
Has
Gained Wealth Of Information And Experience From
Gained Wealth Of Information And Experience From
Use Of Known Materials And Methods.
Use Of Known Materials And Methods.
Preparing Descriptive Specifications

Research available products
Research available products

Research critical features needed.
Research critical features needed.

Analyze and compare requirements with available
Analyze and compare requirements with available
products.
products.

Determine which features are best specified and
Determine which features are best specified and
which are best shown on the Drawings.
which are best shown on the Drawings.

Describe critical features.
Describe critical features.

State the minimum acceptable requirements and
State the minimum acceptable requirements and
be certain they can be met.
be certain they can be met.

Provide specific information about submittals,
Provide specific information about submittals,
testing, and other procedures necessary to ensure
testing, and other procedures necessary to ensure
acceptable products will be provided.
acceptable products will be provided.
Performance Specifications
Definition: Definition: Is A statement of required results with criteria for verifying Is A statement of required results with criteria for verifying compliance, compliance,
but without unnecessary limitation on the methods for achieving but without unnecessary limitation on the methods for achieving the results. the results.
OR OR a performance specification a performance specification can be defined as specifying an end result by can be defined as specifying an end result by
formulating the criteria for its accomplishment formulating the criteria for its accomplishment
.
.
Part 1 Required Results: Part 1 Required Results:
Means All Desired End Results Must Be Spelled Out. Means All Desired End Results Must Be Spelled Out.
Part 2 With Criteria For Verifying Compliance Part 2 With Criteria For Verifying Compliance
Means The Criteria Is Capable Of Measurement, Test Evaluation, O Means The Criteria Is Capable Of Measurement, Test Evaluation, Or Other r Other
Acceptable Assurances. Acceptable Assurances.
Part 3 Part 3
Without Unnecessary Limitations On The Methods For Achieving The Without Unnecessary Limitations On The Methods For Achieving The Required Required
Results. Results.
Performance Specifications: Example
An example of a performance specification is one for a complete An example of a performance specification is one for a complete installation of a installation of a
heating system. The specification spells out the following perfo heating system. The specification spells out the following performance requirements: rmance requirements:
1. The heating plant shall be capable of providing an interior t 1. The heating plant shall be capable of providing an interior temperature of 70 emperature of 70 F F
when the out when the out- - side temperature is O side temperature is O
0 0
F. F.
2. The heating system shall use No.6 oil and shall be a hot 2. The heating system shall use No.6 oil and shall be a hot- -water system. water system.
3. The heating elements shall be fin 3. The heating elements shall be fin- -type base type base- - board radiation. board radiation.
4. Controls such as thermostats, 4. Controls such as thermostats, aquastats aquastats, and other safety devices shall be , and other safety devices shall be
provided to regulate heat and prevent explosion. provided to regulate heat and prevent explosion.
For example, in a performance specification for a paint material For example, in a performance specification for a paint material, the end result is , the end result is
obtained by specifying or formulating the following criteria. obtained by specifying or formulating the following criteria.
1. The painted surface shall withstand 10 washings with a mild d 1. The painted surface shall withstand 10 washings with a mild detergent. etergent.
2. The painted surface shall show no sign of 2. The painted surface shall show no sign of alligatoring alligatoring or crazing. or crazing.
3. The painted surface shall be resistant to abrasion when using 3. The painted surface shall be resistant to abrasion when using the Taber abrasive the Taber abrasive
method. method.
Application Of Performance Specifying:
Performance Has Two Meanings: Performance Has Two Meanings:
1) Simple Performance Criteria Can Be Incorporated Into Any Spec 1) Simple Performance Criteria Can Be Incorporated Into Any Specifications ifications
Example : Performance Example : Performance
Water Resistance Foundation Water Resistance Foundation
Descriptive Descriptive
Use Bitumen Type Use Bitumen Type
2) A Method Of Eliciting Improved Products And Methods By Statin 2) A Method Of Eliciting Improved Products And Methods By Stating The Desired g The Desired
Results And Leaving The Rest To The Innovative Industrial Produc Results And Leaving The Rest To The Innovative Industrial Producer. er.
It is possible to successfully combine performance specifying an It is possible to successfully combine performance specifying and descriptive specifying d descriptive specifying
for the same project. for the same project.
Using both for a single requirement should be avoided. Using both for a single requirement should be avoided.
If it is known how a specific item performs, it is not difficult If it is known how a specific item performs, it is not difficult t work backwards and t work backwards and
describe its performance in sufficient detail so bidders will kn describe its performance in sufficient detail so bidders will know exactly which product ow exactly which product
is desired. is desired.
Reference Specifications
Reference standards are requirements set by authority, custom, o Reference standards are requirements set by authority, custom, or general consensus r general consensus
and are established as accepted criteria. and are established as accepted criteria.
They are published by trade associations, government, and instit They are published by trade associations, government, and institutional organization. utional organization.
REFERENCE STANDARDS INCLUDES REFERENCE STANDARDS INCLUDES
ASTM ASTM
American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) Specifications
Materials standards Materials standards
workmanship Standards workmanship Standards
Test Methods Standard Test Methods Standard
ANSI ANSI
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards. American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.
Materials standards Materials standards
workmanship Standards workmanship Standards
Reference standards are incorporated in specification by referen Reference standards are incorporated in specification by reference to a number, a ce to a number, a
letter, or other designation. The provisions of standards so ref letter, or other designation. The provisions of standards so referenced become a erenced become a
part of the project document. part of the project document.
Reference Specifications: Example

Before the advent of materials standards such as American
Before the advent of materials standards such as American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications,
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) specifications,
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards,,
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards,,
materials were minutely described in the specifications so that
materials were minutely described in the specifications so that
the
the
contractor was completely aware of what the
contractor was completely aware of what the
specifier
specifier
wanted.
wanted.

In many instances, these descriptive specifications for material
In many instances, these descriptive specifications for material
s
s
have been supplanted by the aforementioned standards.
have been supplanted by the aforementioned standards.

For example, in lieu of describing
For example, in lieu of describing
portland
portland
cement in detail, as to
cement in detail, as to
quality, fineness module, and other characteristics,
quality, fineness module, and other characteristics,

the
the
Specifier
Specifier
now simply states that
now simply states that
portland
portland
cement must
cement must
"meet the requirements of ASTM C
"meet the requirements of ASTM C
-
-
150, Type_."
150, Type_."
Reference Specifications: Merits & Demerits

Benefit Of Standards Specs. :
Benefit Of Standards Specs. :

Incorporation By Reference Saves The
Incorporation By Reference Saves The
Specifier
Specifier
The Work Of
The Work Of
Writing An Elaborate And Lengthy Test.
Writing An Elaborate And Lengthy Test.

Disadvantages: (Liabilities)
Disadvantages: (Liabilities)

1. Bad Reference Standards Coexists With Good Ones.
1. Bad Reference Standards Coexists With Good Ones.

2. Reference Standards Can Create Duplication And Within The
2. Reference Standards Can Create Duplication And Within The
Contract Documents.
Contract Documents.

3. Standards Can Contain Hidden Choices
3. Standards Can Contain Hidden Choices

4. Standards Generally Refer To Minimum Requirements
4. Standards Generally Refer To Minimum Requirements
Reference Specifications: Merits & Demerits
Disadvantages: (Liabilities) Disadvantages: (Liabilities)
1. Bad Reference Standards Coexists With Good Ones. 1. Bad Reference Standards Coexists With Good Ones.
2. Reference Standards Can Create Duplication And Within The Con 2. Reference Standards Can Create Duplication And Within The Contract tract
Documents. Documents.
3. Standards Can Contain Hidden Choices 3. Standards Can Contain Hidden Choices
4. Standards Generally Refer To Minimum Requirements 4. Standards Generally Refer To Minimum Requirements
To ELIMINATE THE ABOVE PROBLEMS To ELIMINATE THE ABOVE PROBLEMS
1. Know THE STANDARD 1. Know THE STANDARD
2. Incorporate The Standard Properly 2. Incorporate The Standard Properly
3. Enforce The Requirement Of The 3. Enforce The Requirement Of The
Standard Standard
Reference Specifications: Know the Standard
Know The Standards Know The Standards
- -Review The Reference Standard Review The Reference Standard
- -Content And Purpose Content And Purpose
- -The Standard Should Be Free Of The Standard Should Be Free Of
Duplication That Might Lead To Conflicts With Other Project Duplication That Might Lead To Conflicts With Other Project
Requirements. Requirements.
Duplication May Occur When Two Or More Reference Standards Are Duplication May Occur When Two Or More Reference Standards Are
Used/For A Given Product. It Is Possible That The Requirements O Used/For A Given Product. It Is Possible That The Requirements Of One f One
Standard May Conflict With Another. Standard May Conflict With Another.
Reference Standards Dealing With Workmanship May Contain Stateme Reference Standards Dealing With Workmanship May Contain Statement nt
Similar To Those In Conditions Of The Contract. Similar To Those In Conditions Of The Contract.
Reference Specifications: Incorporate the
Standard Properly
Incorporate The Standard Properly Incorporate The Standard Properly
Complete Designation Complete Designation
Name Of The Writing Organization Name Of The Writing Organization
Number Of The Standard Number Of The Standard
Title Title
Date Of Issue Date Of Issue
The Writing Organization Is Referred To By Its Initials Or Acron The Writing Organization Is Referred To By Its Initials Or Acronym. It Is Appropriate To Spell ym. It Is Appropriate To Spell
Out The Organizations Name Along With Its Initials (Acronym) In Out The Organizations Name Along With Its Initials (Acronym) In Parentheses When It Is First Parentheses When It Is First
Mentioned In The Specification Section. Mentioned In The Specification Section.
Use Of Dates Use Of Dates
Standards Are Revised Form Time To Time. The Revision Are Dated Standards Are Revised Form Time To Time. The Revision Are Dated With The Year Of Issue. With The Year Of Issue.
Approaches For Fixing The Dates Of Reference Standards. Approaches For Fixing The Dates Of Reference Standards.
Include the dates of reference standards. For Example: ASTM Include the dates of reference standards. For Example: ASTM C150 C150 - -84 84
STANDARDS SPECIFICATION FOR PORTLAND CEMENTS STANDARDS SPECIFICATION FOR PORTLAND CEMENTS
THE SPECIFIER IS RESPONSIBNLE FOR FINDING DATE OF THE LATEST THE SPECIFIER IS RESPONSIBNLE FOR FINDING DATE OF THE LATEST
EDITION EDITION
Proprietary Specifications:
Proprietary Specifications:

Proprietary specifications identify the desired

Proprietary specifications identify the desired
products by manufacturer
products by manufacturer

s name, brand name,

s name, brand name,
model number, type designation, or other unique
model number, type designation, or other unique
characteristics.
characteristics.

A specification is considered a proprietary

A specification is considered a proprietary
specification when the product specified is only
specification when the product specified is only
available from one source.
available from one source.
Proprietary Specifications: Advantages
Proprietary Specifications: Advantages

Close control of product selection
Close control of product selection

Preparation of more detailed and complete drawings
Preparation of more detailed and complete drawings
based on precise information obtained from
based on precise information obtained from
manufacturers data.
manufacturers data.

Decreases the size of the specification and reduces
Decreases the size of the specification and reduces
production time
production time

Simplification of bidding by narrowing competition and
Simplification of bidding by narrowing competition and
removing product pricing as a major variable.
removing product pricing as a major variable.
Proprietary Specifications: Disadvantages
Proprietary Specifications: Disadvantages

Elimination or narrowing of competition

Elimination or narrowing of competition

Requiring products with which the contractor has

Requiring products with which the contractor has
perhaps little or bad experience.
perhaps little or bad experience.

Favoring of certain products and manufacturers

Favoring of certain products and manufacturers
over others
over others
Proprietary Specifications: Types
Proprietary Specifications: Types

Closed Proprietary Specifications

Closed Proprietary Specifications

Open Proprietary Specifications

Open Proprietary Specifications

The Fundamental Distinction Between Closed

The Fundamental Distinction Between Closed
And Open Proprietary Specs Concern
And Open Proprietary Specs Concern
Substitutions
Substitutions

Closed Specs Prohibits Substation
Closed Specs Prohibits Substation

Open Specs Permits Substitution
Open Specs Permits Substitution
Closed ProprietarySpecifications
Closed ProprietarySpecifications
Only one product is named. Only one product is named.
Several products may be named as options: Several products may be named as options: Multiproducts Multiproducts Specification Wide Range Of Specification Wide Range Of
Products Difficult To List All Products Difficult To List All
No substitutions No substitutions
Omission Of Some Brands Will Put The A/ Omission Of Some Brands Will Put The A/Ee Ee Under Heavy Questions Form Those Under Heavy Questions Form Those
Suppliers Suppliers
Advantages Of Closed Specs: Advantages Of Closed Specs:
1. Permits Design To Be Completed Down To The Smallest Detail. ( 1. Permits Design To Be Completed Down To The Smallest Detail. (Promote Promote
Accurate Adding) Accurate Adding)
Disadvantages Disadvantages
1. High Cost 1. High Cost
2. Contractor Experience 2. Contractor Experience
3. Conflict Between The 3. Conflict Between The Specifier Specifier And The Supplier And The Supplier
Open Proprietary Specifications
Open Proprietary Specifications

Only one product is named.
Only one product is named.

Several products may be named as options
Several products may be named as options

Products are allowed as substitutions after approval by
Products are allowed as substitutions after approval by
A/E.
A/E.

Open proprietary specifications can include prices
Open proprietary specifications can include prices
requested for specified alternates; Substitutions and cost
requested for specified alternates; Substitutions and cost
adjustments may be proposed by the bidders.
adjustments may be proposed by the bidders.
Reference Standards Agencies
Reference Standards Agencies
BENEFITS OF STANDARDS BENEFITS OF STANDARDS

Architects and
Architects and
specifiers
specifiers
constantly make use of reference
constantly make use of reference
standards in specifications.
standards in specifications.

One major benefit is reduction in of construction specifications
One major benefit is reduction in of construction specifications

It ensures degree of quality since the reference standards refle
It ensures degree of quality since the reference standards refle
cts
cts
the combined knowledge and experience of the people engaged in
the combined knowledge and experience of the people engaged in
its development.
its development.

They also reduce the number of types, sizes of materials
They also reduce the number of types, sizes of materials

They standardize methods of testing, and provide standards on th
They standardize methods of testing, and provide standards on th
e
e
quality of workmanship
quality of workmanship

Standards are developed by committees consisting balanced
Standards are developed by committees consisting balanced
working group like material manufacturers, suppliers,
working group like material manufacturers, suppliers,
independting
independting
testing agencies, contractors, public authorities. etc.
testing agencies, contractors, public authorities. etc.
ASTM STANDARDS
ASTM STANDARDS

American Society of Testing & Materials

American Society of Testing & Materials

http://
http://
www.astm.org
www.astm.org
/
/

ASTM International is a not

ASTM International is a not
-
-
for
for
-
-
profit
profit
organization that provides a global forum for the
organization that provides a global forum for the
development and publication of voluntary
development and publication of voluntary
consensus standards for materials, products,
consensus standards for materials, products,
systems, and services.
systems, and services.
AASHTO STANDARDS
AASHTO STANDARDS

http://
http://
www.aashto.org
www.aashto.org
/
/

American Association of State Highways and
American Association of State Highways and
Transportation Officials
Transportation Officials

AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association
AASHTO is a nonprofit, nonpartisan association
representing highway and transportation
representing highway and transportation
departments
departments

It represents all five transportation modes: air,
It represents all five transportation modes: air,
highways, public transportation, rail and water. Its
highways, public transportation, rail and water. Its
primary goal is to foster the development, operation
primary goal is to foster the development, operation
and maintenance of an integrated national
and maintenance of an integrated national
transportation system
transportation system
ACI STANDARDS
ACI STANDARDS

American Concrete Institute

American Concrete Institute

http://www.aci
http://www.aci
-
-
int.org/
int.org/

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is a non

The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is a non
-
-
partisan organization that gathers and disseminates
partisan organization that gathers and disseminates
information about the properties and applications
information about the properties and applications
of concrete and promulgates recommended
of concrete and promulgates recommended
practices, referred to as ACI standards.
practices, referred to as ACI standards.
SUMMARY
SUMMARY

Methods of Writing Specifications:
Methods of Writing Specifications:

Method System
Method System

Result System
Result System

Types of Specifications:
Types of Specifications:

Descriptive
Descriptive

Performance
Performance

Reference Standard
Reference Standard

Proprietary
Proprietary