INFORMATION SHEET 5.1-1 Construction Work Specifications

INFORMATION SHEET 5.
1-1
Construction Work Specifications
Learning Objectives
After reading this information sheet, you must be able to:
1. Define construction work specifications;
2. Identify types of construction work specifications
Construction contracts need to be as detailed as possible to ensure

that the project is completed the way the client wants. One useful way to
achieve this is through the specifications portion of the contract. This is
where a customer can get as specific as possible to set the materials and
installation standards they want.
Construction specifications [1]
Construction specifications are a part of the construction contract.

They detail the work, materials, and installation required to complete a
project. The specs are a subcontractor’s field guide on what materials to use,
how to install them, and the desired level of quality. Construction
specifications, as noted, become a part of the legal documents of the
agreement and form a cornerstone of the project design. In fact, in most
cases, the construction specifications override the project drawings in the
event of conflicting information.
The purpose of construction specifications is to delineate the
requirements regarding the materials, products, installation procedures and
quality aspects involved with execution of the work and fulfillment of the
contract.
Types of Construction Specifications
There are two types of specifications.

1. General Specifications
2. Detailed Specifications
GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS
General specifications provide a very brief explanation about
construction materials and construction work. Generally, Architect
mentioned these specifications on a drawing, which helps for estimating the
construction work. These specifications are not a part of contract. These
specifications help about knowing the name of different materials, their
ratios, and quantities.
DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS
Detailed specifications convey the requirements of project to
contractor through a detailed explanation of materials and work. It provides
a complete knowledge about the construction material, workmanship of
construction work, ratio of different materials, mixing method, quantity of
individual material, how to prepare the materials and conduct the
installation, different testing requirements to be followed and how work will
be measured. Detailed specifications are a part of contract, that’s why it
helps in understanding the contract. Detailed specifications should be
written in a pattern which is to be followed during execution of work.
TYPES OF DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS
Detailed Specifications are of two types:

1. Standard Specifications
2. Special Specifications
STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS
Standard specifications are those which
remain same for various types of projects.
These specifications can be used for every
project that fall into this category. Different
public sector organizations collect data
from various types of construction work Standard specifications [2]
and published data in the form of a book. No need to write detailed
specifications again and again for every project. It saves from mistakes while
writing specifications over and over again.
Detailed specifications help during the preparation of Tender
Documents. One has just to mention the reference number of standard
specifications.
SPECIAL SPECIFICATIONS
Sometime construction projects are of special

type. Specifications for these types of projects
are not mentioned in detailed specifications
book. Consultant has to write specifications
for this type of work. In tender documents
Special specifications [3]
these specifications are written separately under Special Specifications
heading.
Performance Specifications
A performance specification is a document that specifies the
operational requirements of a component or installation. Simply put, a
performance specification tells the contractor what the final installed
product must be capable of doing. The contractor is not instructed as to how
to accomplish the task of meeting the performance specification
requirements - only as to how the component must function after
installation. For example, a performance specification may be used in the
construction of an industrial pumping system. The specification would
provide a required pumping rate (say 500 gallons per minute), a required
pressure (20 psi) and the difference in height between the pump and the
final destination (+40 feet). The specification will also state that the liquid to
be pumped will be at a temperature of 140°F and is corrosive (pH of 3). It is
up to the contractor to provide pumping equipment that meets or exceeds
the requirements stated in the specification. In many cases the contractor
will also be required to test equipment to make sure that is operating
properly, and will provide operations manuals.
The general concept behind the performance specification is for the

architect or engineer to describe what they need, and the contractor to
determine the best way to get there. The performance specification focuses
on the outcome and shifts the selection of materials and methods, as well as
a portion of the design work, onto the shoulders of the contractor. This
approach can provide incentives for innovation and flexibility in the
construction approach, but also reduces the amount of control that the
architect or engineer has over the project.
Prescriptive Specifications
Prescriptive specifications convey the requirements of a project
through a detailed explanation of the materials that the contractor must
use, and the means of installing those materials. This type of specification
will typically be formatted in a manner similar to the following sections:
1. General: This section will typically contain references to
national/international standards, design requirements, a list of
required submittals from the contractor to the architect/engineer,
quality control requirements and product handling requirements.
2. Products: This section will describe, in detail, the various products

required for the task covered by the specification along with the
individual structural and performance requirements of each product.
3. Execution: This section will explain how to prepare the materials and
conduct the installation, including the testing requirements to be
followed.
Prescriptive specifications shift more of the project design control onto
the shoulders of the architect or engineer and away from the contractor by
establishing a set of rules that is to be followed for each project component.
This type of specification provides more certainty regarding the final product
composition than the performance specification, and is very frequently used
for highly complex portions of a project.
Proprietary Specifications
Proprietary specifications are those that require the use of a single
approved product type for any particular installation. Proprietary
specifications are often used in cases where there is existing equipment or
installations already on site. In these cases the owner may want to maintain
consistency of materials or possibly simply prefers a specific type of
product.
Also, in highly complex installations where there is only one
specific piece of equipment that will accomplish a specified task, a
proprietary specification is required.
Architects and engineers typically try to avoid utilizing
proprietary specifications except when absolutely necessary, and
will usually allow the contractor to select from a list of approved
suppliers. Requiring the use of one specific product type can lead
to the perception of favoritism towards a certain manufacturer and
may eliminate competition during the bid phase, which may
increase the project cost.

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INFORMATION SHEET 5.

Construction contracts need to be as detailed as possible to ensure

Construction specifications [1]

Construction specifications are a part of the construction contract.

Types of Construction Specifications

There are two types of specifications.

TYPES OF DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS

Detailed Specifications are of two types:

Sometime construction projects are of special

The general concept behind the performance specification is for the

2. Products: This section will describe, in detail, the various products

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