Preparation of Specifications

Question 1

Language used should be clear, accurate and exact.

Answer 1

USE OF ENGLISH

Question 2

calendar day of 24 hours; working days
omitting Sundays and holidays; the
working day of ten hours; the shift of
eight or twelve hours

Answer 2

day

Question 3

long ton of 2240 pounds or short
ton of 2000 pounds

Answer 3

ton

Question 4

128 cubic feet or 100 cubic feet by
local usage

Answer 4

cord

Question 5

not only prevent disputes
but will also add to the efficiency and effectiveness of supervision and inspection

Answer 5

Clearness and exact language in sufficient detai

Question 6

Only those characteristics or features should be specified which are essential in
securing the desired results

Answer 6

BREVITY

Question 7

Carelessness and ignorance of the detailed requirements, which
should be included, often lead to indefinite specifications. Such
specifications are sometimes inserted with dishonest of vicious intent.

Answer 7

INDEFINITE
SPECIFICATIONS

Question 8

When only a limited amount of a particular kind of material or type of work needs to be specified, it
may be deemed appropriate to keep the requirements concise. However, the need still needs to
be precise and unambiguous.

Answer 8

INDETERMINATE SPECIFICATION

Question 9

Unnecessary or unreasonable requirements are always

Answer 9

ambiguous

Question 10

Specifications that cannot be reasonably enforced except under particular and
peculiar circumstances, should be eliminated and ignored except where an
absolute necessity for their enforcement arise

Answer 10

AMBIGUOUS
SPECIFICATION

Question 11

t is unwise and unsafe for any engineer to exercise
unnecessary and arbitrary control over any part of the
work

Answer 11

ARBITRARY
SPECIFICATION

Question 12

It is always desirable to determine in advance the character of all work required,
and to describe it so clearly that an intelligent bid for the same may be made by the
contract.

Answer 12

UNFAIR SPECIFICATIONS

Question 13

It is undesirable to make the limiting requirements too severe, unusual or extravagant,
as such requirements may materially add to the expense, prevent intelligent bids by
driving responsible contractors from the field, prevent the execution of the work, or involve
a confession of error and have to be modified to the embarrassment of their writer

Answer 13

UNNECESSARY
SEVERITY