CDS - Project Manual

Question 1

project manual contains

Answer 1

1. all contract documents and non-contract documents except the drawings

Question 2

project manual is organized by

Answer 2

1. bidding requirements
2. parts of the contract
3. general and supplementary conditions
4. technical specifications

Question 3

terminology used in specifications

Answer 3

should match that on the drawings

Question 4

specifications describe

Answer 4

1. the quality of materials and workmanship
2. general reqs for the execution of the work
3. standards
4. other items that are more appropriately described in written vs graphic form

Question 5

specifications should contain

Answer 5

requirements for all materials and construction indicated on the drawings

Question 6

dimensions and thicknesses should

Answer 6

only be indicated on one document (drawings OR specifications)

Question 7

notes on drawings should NOT describe

Answer 7

methods of installation or material qualities

Question 8

master specification

Answer 8

is a pre-written text that includes the majority of requirements for a particular specification set

Question 9

types of specifications

Answer 9

1. prescriptive: sometimes called “closed”; specifies brand names
2. performance: sometimes called “open”; results you want to achieve

Question 10

commonly used prescriptive specifications

Answer 10

1. proprietary specifications (most restrictive)

2. base bid with alternates (two types)

Question 11

proprietary specifications

Answer 11

1. easier to write and usually short
2. gives architect complete control over what is installed
3. does not allow for competitive bidding

Question 12

base bid with alternates

Answer 12

1. lists several approved manufacturers of a product

2. base bid with “approved equal” language

Question 13

commonly used performance specifications

Answer 13

1. descriptive specification

2. reference standard

Question 14

descriptive specification

Answer 14

1. detailed written requirements for a material or product and the workmanship required for its fabrication/installation
2. typically difficult to write

Question 15

reference standard

Answer 15

1. variation of descriptive
2. describes a material, product, or process based on requirements (reference standards) set by an accepted authority or test method
3. fairly easy to write and generally short

Question 16

organization of technical sections

Answer 16

1. MasterFormat developed by Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
2. 16 broad divisions that represent major categories of work (broad scope sections and narrow scope sections)

Question 17

MasterFormat individual sections made up of 3 parts

Answer 17

1. general reqs for the section
2. details specifications for the materials and products
3. tells how the product is to be installed

Question 18

specification writing guidelines

Answer 18

1. must be accurate, complete, and unambiguous
2. standards and test methods are applicable to the project and are the most recent editions
3. no contradictory info
4. do not include standards that cannot be measured
5. avoid exculpatory clauses: phrases that try to shift blame to the contractor/someone else in a general/broad way
6. avoid ambiguous phrases (ie. and/or, etc., any)
7. keep them short/concise
8. describe only one major idea in each paragraph

Question 19

open proprietary specifications

Answer 19

1. allows the substitution of approved equal products
2. the substitution product must match the quality and performance of the original one specified as determined by the architect

Question 20

instructions to bidders

Answer 20

used in conjunction with the general conditions and define bidding procedures and requirements for qualification of bid submittals

Question 21

supplementary conditions

Answer 21

modifications to the general conditions to accommmodate the legal, physical, or climatic conditions of the specific project

Question 22

special conditions

Answer 22

requirements which change from project to project (ex. soil borings, traffic control, reference documents including codes, temporary utilities, tests and inspections, shop drawings, cleaning, safety, signs, etc.)