Design & Specification Flashcards
What are the two different types of specification?
Specifications are usually described as either performance or design
What is a performance specification?
A performance specification sets out design parameters within which contractors are invited to submit proposals.
Why would a client chose a performance specification?
If a client wishes the responsibility for design to be contracted out, then his or her consultants will set performance requirements to be achieved. It will then be up to the contractor to decide upon the design solution.
Why are performance specifications on a ‘design and build’ basis increasing?
A growing number of clients seek to contract out all the design risk.
What is a designed specification?
This is when the products to will be names and the assemble described and supported with drawn information.
When is a design specification used?
This is when the author wishes to prescribe the project as fully as possible.
What specification is the traditional procurement form?
A design specification is the traditional form. and relies less on a specialised contractor like a performance specification.
What are contained within the Preliminaries?
The Preliminaries section will usually list the exact contractual requirements of the project. Preliminaries relate to the cost-significant items required by the method and particular circumstances under which the work is to be carried out, and those costs concerned with the whole of the works rather than just Work Sections. These costs may either be ‘one-off’ fixed costs, such as the management of the project, security, services provision or costs associated the insurances of the project for example.
What is the second section of a specification?
The second section of a specification is known as the ‘materials and workmanship’ section which sets out in detail the type and manner in which all materials are to be used and installed.
What is the third section of a specification?
The third and final section of the specification is known as the pricing schedule and provides an elemental or trade by trade breakdown of the project for the contractor to price. This may take the form of a detailed bill of quantities or contract sum analysis.
What do you use to format the Preliminaries?
I use the NBS Chorus platform to complete the preliminaries bill section where I select the chosen SBCC building contract and complete the required sections specific to that project.
What are some problems with specifications?
Under prescription - If the specification is inadequate, there may be difficulties establishing the scope of works. Clarifications will be deemed to be variations to the works and will attract cost. Tolerances will be undefined, affecting the quality of the finished product.
Over prescription - A ‘hands-tied’ approach will leave no room for the contracting parties to exercise their skills to contribute improvements to design or offer alternatives to specified products. The products specified may not be economically priced, and the use of equivalent products should be encouraged.
What is the RICS practice information on design?
The design, delivery and management of healthy buildings: a practical guide.
