CHAPTER 8 Construction Specifications I N T R O D U C T I O N Building plans, including all of the elements that make up a complete set of residential or commercial drawings, contain general and specific information about construction. It is often very difficult to provide all of the required information on a set of plans. Schedules, as discussed in detail in Chapter 16, provide specific information about items and applications such as doors, windows, appliances, fixtures, hardware, finishes, and structural components. Information that cannot be provided clearly or completely on the drawing or in schedules is provided in construction specifications. Specifications are an integral part of any set of plans. Specifications are part of the construction and contract documents consisting of written technical descriptions of materials, equipment, construction systems, standards, and work quality. Construction specifications often follow the guidelines of the individual architect or engineering firm where the architectural design and drawings are created. Specifications can be as basic as a description of materials created for a construction loan, or can be as indepth as MasterFormat, a detailed specifications format published by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). RESIDENTIAL DESCRIPTION OF MATERIALS Most lenders have a format for providing residential construction specifications. The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) have a specification format titled Description of Materials. This specifications form is used widely, as is or with revisions, by most residential construction lenders. The same form is used by the Farm Home Administration (FmHA) and by the Veterans Administration (VA). A completed FHA Description of Materials form for a typical structure is found on the Student CD and shown in Figure 8-1. The sample completed form is for the model home used in the step-by-step instructions found throughout this textbook. A blank FHA Description of Materials form is also found on the Student CD. You can also access this form online by doing an Internet search using the words FHA Description of Materials. The plans, construction specifications, and building contract together become the legal documents for the construction project. These documents should be prepared very carefully in cooperation with the architect, client, and contractor. Any variation from these documents should be approved by all three parties. When brand names are used, a clause specifying or equivalent can be added. This means that another brand that is equivalent in value and quality to the one specified can be substituted with the client or construction supervisor s approval. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS Specifications are written documents that describe in detail the requirements for products, materials, and workmanship upon which the construction project is based. A specification is an exact statement describing the characteristics of a particular aspect of the project. Specifications communicate information about required products to be used in construction, as a basis for competitive construction bidding, and to measure compliance with contracts. Proprietary product specifications, method specifications, and endresult specifications are types of performance specifications commonly used in the construction industry. Proprietary product specifications provide specific product names and models for desired applications. When this type of specification is used, a named product can be followed by or equivalent, which allows for equal alternatives and helps promote competition in providing the product. Proprietary product specifications can limit competition, increase cost, and decrease flexibility. Method specifications outline material selection and the construction operation process to be followed in providing construction materials and practices. Method specifications provide the final desired structure, such as the concrete thickness and strength, or the lumber dimensions, spacing, species, 141
142 Architectural Drafting and Design FIGURE 8-1 Completed FHA Description of Materials form for the model home used throughout this textbook.
Chapter 8: Construction Specifications 143 FIGURE 8-1 Continued
144 Architectural Drafting and Design FIGURE 8-1 Continued
Chapter 8: Construction Specifications 145 FIGURE 8-1 Continued
146 Architectural Drafting and Design and grade. Method specifications allow for more flexibility, but the owner is responsible for the performance. End-result specifications describe the final characteristics of the products and methods used in construction, and the contractor can use a desired method for meeting the requirements. End-result specifications often provide minimum and maximum as a range of acceptable completion. For example, slab gravel under concrete might be specified between 4" and 8" thick with specific compaction given. End-result specifications can use statistical methods to estimate overall material quality based on a limited number of random samples. End-result specifications place construction quality on the contractor, by defining the desired final product. This gives the contractor freedom in achieving that final product, which can lead to innovation, efficiency, and lower costs. SPECIFICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN Minimum construction specifications, as established by local building officials, vary from one location to the next, and their contents are dependent on specific local requirements, climate, codes used, and the extent of coverage. You should verify the requirements for a construction project in your location, because they can be different from those given in this discussion. Refer to Chapter 9 for specific information related to national building codes. For more information about the general classifications of construction specifications, see the Student CD, TYPICAL MINIMUM CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN. SPECIFICATIONS FOR COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION Specifications for commercial construction projects are often more complex and comprehensive than the documents for residential construction. Commercial project specifications can provide very detailed instructions for each phase of construction. Specifications can establish time schedules for the completion of the project. Also, in certain situations, the specifications include inspections in conjunction with or in addition to those required by a local jurisdiction. Construction specifications often follow the guidelines of the individual architect or engineering firm, although a common format has been established. Published by CSI and CSC, the common format is called MasterFormat: Master List of Numbers and Titles for the Construction Industry. The information used in this textbook is from MasterFormat and UniFormat and is published by CSI and CSC; it is used with permission from CSI, 2008. For more information on organizations involved with construction specifications, please contact: Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) 99 Canal Center Plaza, Suite 300 Alexandria, VA 22314 800-689-2900; 703-684-0300 Web site: www.csinet.org Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) Web site: www.csc-dcc.ca The MasterFormat: Master List of Numbers and Titles for the Construction Industry is a master list of numbers and subject titles for organizing information about construction work results, requirements, products, and activities into a standard sequence. Construction projects use many different delivery methods, products, and installation methods. Successful completion of projects requires effective communication among the people involved. Information retrieval is nearly impossible without a standard filing system familiar to each user. Using MasterFormat numbers and titles facilitates standard filing and retrieval schemes throughout the construction industry. MasterFormat numbers and titles are suitable for use in project manuals, for organizing cost data, for referencing keynotes on drawings, for filing product information and other technical data, for identifying drawing objects, and for presenting construction market data. Each MasterFormat number and title defines a section, arranged in levels depending on the depth of coverage. The broadest collections of related construction products and activities are level-one titles, otherwise known as divisions. Each division in the MasterFormat 2004 Edition: Numbers and Titles is made up of level-two, level-three, and occasionally level-four numbers and titles assigned by MasterFormat, each of which defines a gradually more detailed area of work results to be specified. Work results are traditional construction practices that typically result from an application of skills to construction products or resources. The MasterFormat 2004 Edition numbers are established using a six-digit system. The following is an example showing how the list of numbers and titles is used: Division 04 Masonry The first two numbers, 04 in this example, represent the division and are also called level one. The complete list of divisions is given in the next section of this textbook.
Chapter 8: Construction Specifications 147 Division / Level one Masonry Level two Common Work Results for Masonry Level three Masonry Anchorage and Reinforcing Level four Masonry Reinforcing Bars FIGURE 8-2 Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat titles and numbering system. 04 05 Common Work Results for Masonry The second pair of numbers, 05 in this example, is referred to as level two. In this case, Common Work Results for Masonry is a subcategory of Masonry. 04 05 19 Masonry Anchorage and Reinforcing The third pair of numbers, 19 in this example, is called level three. In this case, Masonry Anchorage and Reinforcing is a subcategory of Common Work Results for Masonry. 04 05 19.26 Masonry Reinforcing Bars Occasionally, level-four numbers are provided, such as.26 in this example. When level-four numbers are used, they follow level-three numbers and are separated from level-three numbers with a dot. Levelfour numbers are used when the amount of detail requires an additional level of classification. In this case, Masonry Reinforcing Bars is a subcategory of Masonry Anchorage and Reinforcing. An example of the six-digit numbering system with levels one through four is shown in Figure 8-2. MasterFormat Division Numbers and Titles 04 05 19.26 The MasterFormat has two main groups: (1) Procurement and Contracting Requirements, and (2) Specifications. Procurement and Contracting Requirements are referred to as series zero because they begin with a 00 level-one numbering system prefix. These documents are not specifications. They establish relationships, processes, and responsibilities for projects. The Specifications group contains the construction specifications subgroups and their related divisions. Some divisions are identified as reserved for future additions or specific user applications. The following is an outline of the divisions found in the two groups: PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING REQUIRE- MENTS GROUP Division 00 Procurement and Contracting Requirements SPECIFICATIONS GROUP GENERAL REQUIREMENTS SUBGROUP Division 01 General Requirements FACILITY CONSTRUCTION SUBGROUP Division 02 Existing Conditions Division 03 Concrete Division 04 Masonry Division 05 Metals Division 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites Division 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection Division 08 Openings Division 09 Finishes Division 10 Specialties Division 11 Equipment Division 12 Furnishings Division 13 Special Construction Division 14 Conveying Equipment Divisions 15 through 19 Reserved FACILITY SERVICES SUBGROUP Division 20 Reserved Division 21 Fire Suppression Division 22 Plumbing Division 23 Heating, Ventilating, and Air- Conditioning (HVAC) Division 24 Reserved Division 25 Integrated Automation Division 26 Electrical Division 27 Communications Division 28 Electronic Safety and Security Division 29 Reserved SITE AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUBGROUP Division 30 Reserved Division 31 Earthwork Division 32 Exterior Improvements Division 33 Utilities Division 34 Transportation Division 35 Waterway and Marine Construction Divisions 36 through 39 Reserved PROCESS EQUIPMENT SUBGROUP Division 40 Process Integration Division 41 Material Processing and Handling Equipment
148 GOING GREEN GreenFormat The Construction Specifications Institute has established GreenFormat: The Construction Product Sustainability Information Reporting Guide. GreenFormat is a new CSI format allowing manufacturers to accurately report the sustainability measuring properties of their products, and providing designers, contractors, and building operators with basic information to help meet green requirements. When using GreenFormat, construction product manufacturers complete an online GreenFormat reporting questionnaire that collects the sustainable information about their product. Data from the questionnaires are displayed in a standardized style designed to ease sustainable design decision making. Access to the GreenFormat report and the resulting data is provided through http://www.greenformat.com. Those using the Web site can print reports on specific products based on their questions within the database. Sustainable information reported in GreenFormat is grouped into categories, each containing individual topics and questions about product sustainability. The categories are organized with topics more likely to be important to design decisions first. This flexible structure can adapt to anticipated changes in the industry. As sustainability issues evolve, new topics and questions are added in the appropriate category, and existing topics and questions that become obsolete or change are dropped if necessary. The structure can be applied to all construction products and product categories. Refer to www.greenformat.com to see the categories and their contents and to view additional information about GreenFormat. Division 42 Process Heating, Cooling, and Drying Equipment Division 43 Process Gas and Liquid Handling, Purification, and Storage Equipment Division 44 Pollution Control Equipment Division 45 Industry-Specific Manufacturing Equipment Divisions 46 and 47 Reserved Division 48 Electrical Power Generation Division 49 Reserved The UniFormat Uniform Classification System UniFormat is a uniform classification system for organizing preliminary construction information into a standard order or sequence on the basis of functional elements. Functional elements, also referred to as systems or assemblies, are common major components in buildings that perform a known function regardless of the design specification, construction method, or materials used. The use of UniFormat can provide consistent comparable data across an entire building life cycle. Building life cycle refers to the observation and examination of a building over the course of its entire life. The life cycle of a building considers everything about the building from design, commissioning, operation, and decommissioning. The purpose of UniFormat is to achieve consistency in economic evaluation of projects; enhance reporting of design program information; and promote consistency in filing information for facility management, drawing details, and construction market data. UniFormat classifies information into nine level-one categories, which can be used to arrange brief project descriptions and preliminary cost information. The first level-one category is Project Description, which includes information about the project, through cost estimating and funding. The last eight level-one categories are referred to as Construction Systems and Assemblies, which include construction applications and practices, such as foundation, roofing, exteriors, electrical, and plumbing. Each of the Construction Systems and Assembly categories is identified with a letter and title as follows: A Substructure B Shell C Interiors D Services E Equipment and Finishings F Special Construction and Demolition G Building Site Work Z General
Chapter 8: Construction Specifications 149 UniFormat has a numbering system that divides each level-one category into level-two, level-three, level-four, and level-five titles with set alphanumeric labels. The following is an example showing the first three levels of the UniFormat alphanumeric system for a specific category: Level 1: D Services Level 2: D20 Plumbing Level 3: D2010 Plumbing Fixtures CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS Documents is a general term that refers to all drawings and written information related to a project. Construction documents are drawings and written specifications prepared and assembled by architects and engineers for communicating the design of the project and administering the construction contract. The two major groups of construction documents are bidding requirements and contract documents. Bidding requirements are used to attract bidders and explain the procedures to be used for submitting bids. Bidding requirements are the construction documents issued to bidders for the purpose of providing construction bids. Contract documents are the legal requirements that become part of the construction contract. The construction drawings and specifications are found within the contract documents. Construction Drawings As you learn concepts and develop skills covered throughout this textbook, you will be creating construction drawings. Drawings show lines and text for the purpose of providing information about the project. These drawings are a principal part of the set of construction documents. The individual drawings needed depend on the specific requirements of the construction project. The drawings for a small residential addition might fit on one or two pages, while the drawings for a commercial building might be on a hundred or more pages. Drawings vary in how much information they show, depending on the use, the project phase, and the desired representation. In addition to plan views, elevations, sections and details, drawings can have schedules that have a detailed list of components, items, or parts to be furnished in the project. You will create all of these drawings and features as you progress through this textbook. Coordinating Drawings and Specifications A complete set of construction documents contains drawings and specifications. These combined drawings and specifications are often referred to as plans. One person or a unified team of people should coordinate drawings and specifications. The elements used in the drawings and specifications, such as symbols, abbreviations, and terminology, should be standardized to prevent confusion. After the construction documents are prepared in a professional manner, the construction coordination must be conducted with effective communication. The drawings should locate and identify materials and should include the assembly of components, dimensions, details, and diagrams. The drawings have notes, but notes should be used only to identify, not to describe, a material or part. Overly detailed notes can obscure the drawing. Detailed written information should be placed in the specifications. Symbols used in the set of drawings should be represented as an approved standard and should be shown and labeled in a legend for reference purposes. Drawings do not need to be cross-referenced to the specifications. Drawings and specifications are combined to become the complete set of construction documents, which means that you do not have to provide notes that refer to the specifications when identifying an item on the drawings. The specifications are used to define the specific quality and type of material, equipment, and installation. The drawings provide quantity, capacity, location, and general written information in the form of notes, whereas the specifications clearly define items such as minimum requirements, physical properties, chemical composition, and installation procedures. Schedules are used on drawings to help simplify communication by providing certain items in a table format. The schedules can be placed on the drawings or in the specifications. The information found in schedules or on the drawings should not repeat the information found in the specifications. The drawings, schedules, and specifications must be carefully coordinated so the information is consistent. The MasterFormat divisions and sublevels can be used as a checklist to ensure that every required specification is included. MasterFormat is an effective system for indexing specifications for large projects, and can be used for light commercial or residential construction.
150 Architectural Drafting and Design ADDITIONAL RESOURCES See CD for more information The following Web sites can be used as a resource to help you find information related to construction specification procedures and keep current with trends in the industry. These Web site links are also provided on the Student CD where you can select a link and go automatically to the specified Web site. Company, Product, Address or Service www.csc-dcc.ca Construction Specifications Canada www.csinet.org Construction Specifications Institute www.greenformat.com www.nahb.org www.hud.gov GreenFormat report and the resulting data National Association of Home Builders U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Construction Specifications Test See CD for more information QUESTIONS DIRECTIONS: Answer the following questions with short, complete statements or drawings as needed on an 8 1/2" 11" sheet of notebook paper, or complete the electronic chapter test on the Student CD. 1. Letter your name, Chapter 8 Test, and the date at the top of the sheet. 2. Letter the question number and provide the answer. You do not need to write the question. Answers can be prepared on a word processor if approved by your course guidelines. Question 8 1 Give a general definition of construction specifications. Question 8 2 Identify the basic differences between residential and commercial specifications. Question 8 3 List four factors that influence the specific requirements of minimum residential construction specifications established by local building officials. Question 8 4 Refer to the Student CD: Supplemental Reference, TYPICAL MINIMUM CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS FOR RESIDENTIAL DESIGN. Using general terms, list the typical minimum construction requirements for the following categories: a. Room dimensions b. Light and ventilation c. Foundation d. Framing e. Stairways f. Roof g. Chimney and fireplace h. Thermal insulation and heating i. Fire warning system A partial example would be as follows: 4. d. Framing 1. lumber grades 2. beams bearing area Question 8 5 Briefly describe the format established by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) for construction specifications. Question 8 6 Define work results. Question 8 7 Define functional elements. Question 8 8 Define systems or assemblies. Question 8 9 Define building life cycle. Question 8 10 Define construction documents. Question 8 11 Define bidding requirements. Question 8 12 Define contract documents. PROBLEMS Problem 8 1 Obtain a blank copy of the FHA Description of Materials form from your instructor, from the Student CD, or by doing an Internet search
Chapter 8: Construction Specifications 151 using the words FHA Description of Materials. Make a copy or print of the Description of Materials form and keep it in a notebook or folder for reference. Alternately, if you access the Description of Materials form from the Internet, you can save a copy in a file with the same name on your computer. As you progress through this textbook, problems are assigned that allow you to complete a set of residential working drawings. Access and complete the Description of Materials form as you complete each drawing in the set of architectural plans for the residence you select or are assigned as a continuing problem. If you create more than one set of plans, fill out a separate Description of Materials form for each set of working drawings. Problem 8 2 Use a word processor to write an approximately 150-word report covering the difference between proprietary product specifications, method specifications, and end-result specifications. Problem 8 3 Use a word processor to write an approximately 500-word report covering the Construction Specifications Institute and Construction Specifications Canada MasterFormat: Master List of Numbers and Titles for the Construction Industry. Include detailed information about the purpose and function of this specifications format. Explain and show an example of the numbering system. List the MasterFormat division numbers and titles. Problem 8 4 Use a word processor to write an approximately 250-word report covering construction documents, construction drawings, and coordinating drawings and specifications.