Documentation Flashcards
What are the basic aspects that the project specifications dictate?
- Types and quality of materials
- Quality level of the workmanship
- Acceptable methods of fabrication and installation
- Other general requirements on the construction
What is typically included in the project manual?
- Bidding requirements
- Contract information (executed agreements, bond forms, ETC)
- General and supplementary conditions of the contract
- Construction specifications
What are some bidding documents which may be included in the project manual and their relationship to the contract?
Not technically part of the ‘contract documents’ but included in the project manual nonetheless
May include:
- invitation to bid
- pre-qualification forms
- instructions to bidders
- additional information to bidders (surveys, reports, ETC)
- bid forms (substitution request form, RFI form, sub-contractor list form, ETC)
What resources are available help in producing project specifications?
Spec-writing software/databases such as:
- SpecText (primarily for infrastructure and civil design)
- MasterSpec
- SpecLink-E
The CCB (Construction Criteria Base) by the NIBS (National Institute of Building Sciences).
What are the two fundamental types of specifications?
Prescriptive (also called “closed”), in which specific products and materials and called out
Performance (also called “open”), in which the final result of the construction is specified and the contractor as latitude to select products and materials to meet that performance level.
When and how are the two fundamental types of specifications generally used?
- *Prescriptive**
- Used less often, usually only when there is a particular reason to use a certain product or material or when the construction is already somewhat determined
- Usually three options are given to allow the contractor to select the most economical one for the current situation
- *Performance**
- Almost always used on public projects and projects that are being bid, to allow the bidder to find the most economical option
What are the different types of prescriptive specifications and the basic aspects of each?
“Proprietary Specification”
- Give the procurement and installation requirements for a specific product
- Usually provided by the manufacturer of that product
- The burden is completely on the specifier to ensure that the product specified meets all standards*
“Base Bid with Alternates”
- A prescriptive specification is given, with the option for the contractor to use an alternate that is of equivalent preformance
“Approved Manufacturers” (variant of Base Bid with Alternates)
- The specifier gives a list of manufacturers of a product, any of which the contractor can use
- Burden is on the specifier to ensure all manufacturers do indeed have products that meet the project needs
- Burden is on the designer to account of any of the possible products in their detailing*
“Approved Equal” (variant of Base Bid with Alternates)
- A prescriptive spec is given, with the option for the contractor to propose an alternate for the designer to approve
- Burden is on the contractor to research and prove a product is equivalent
- Designer must account for time to review proposed alternates during bidding or construction administration*
What are the different types of performance specifications and the basic aspects of each?
“Descriptive”
- The specifier give a detailed description of the material/product and the workmanship for its fabrication and installation.
- Most time-consuming and difficult to do well*
“Reference Standard”
Description of the material/product is given relative to an industry standard or testing method that it must meet
What is covered in CSI MaterFormat division 00?
“Procurement and Contracting Requirements”
- Bidding requirements
- Bid solicitation, instructions, information to bidders, ETC
- Bond certificates, financing info, ETC
- General and Supplementary Conditions of the contract
What is covered in CSI MaterFormat division 01?
“General Requirements”
Not to be confused with the General Conditions of the contract, but must coordinate with those requirements in the contract.
- Summary of the entire work
- Procedures for pricing, payment, ETC
- Procedures for alternates, value analysis, ETC
- Procedures for contruction progress evaluation
- Procedures for submittals, RFIs, inspections, ETC
- Owner-provided items
- Procedures for project close-out
What is covered in CSI MaterFormat division 02?
“Existing Conditions”
- Site remediation
- Subsurface investigation
- Surveying
- Demolition / removals
- ETC
What is covered in CSI MaterFormat divisions 03 through 06?
03 “Concrete”
- CIP and pre-cast
- Formwork
- Reinforcement
- Grouts
04 “Masonry”
- Brick
- CMU
- Stone
- Terra cotta
- Simulated masonry
- Glass block
05 “Metals”
- All structural metals (except light-guage stud framing)
- Ornamental metal
- Metal fabrications
06 “Wood, Plastics, and Composites”
- Structural wood framing
- Rough carpentry
- Finish carpentry and architectural wood
- Custom casework
- Structural plastics
- Plastic and wood fabrications
All include the cleaning, restoration, ETC of that material
What is covered in the CSI MasterFormat division 07?
07 “Thermal and Moisture Protection”
- Waterproofing
- Vapor retarders, air barriers, ETC
- Insulation
- Roofing (shingles, roof tiles, roof membranes, ETC)
- Flashing and joint sealers
Includes fire and smoke protection
Includes roof hatches, smoke vents, roof pavers, scuppers, smoke vents, ETC
What is covered in the CSI MasterFormat division 08?
08 “Openings”
- All types of metal, wood, and specialty doors
- Storefront systems
- Curtain wall systems
- All types of windows
- Glazing
- Skylights
- Door and window hardware
What is covered in the CSI MasterFormat division 09q?
09 “Finishes”
- Plaster
- Gypsum board (including light-gauge framing)
- Floor and wall tile
- Terrazzo
- All flooring materials
- Access flooring systems
- Acoustical ceilings
- Decorative ceilings
- Wall coverings
- Acoustical treatments
- Paints and other coatings
