AR553 BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS

Objectives: This Course Is Intended To Impart Training In the Mode Of Detailed Clause by
Clause Specifications As Complimentary To the Detail Drawings.

Module-1
Introduction-Definition-Importance-Scope Of The Subject; Specification Forming Part Of
Building Contract, Drafting Specification, Correct Form Of writing, Avoiding Duplication
,Ambiguity And Conflicting Statements. Correct Order of Sequence, Specification of Simple
Building Materials i.e Brick, Stone, Lime, Cement and Wood etc.

Module-2
Detail specification of Excavation In Foundation, Plain Cement Concrete, Masonry in Brick and
Stone (Rubble and ashlars), Reinforced Cement Concrete Work
Materials Quality and Standard, Various Mixes, Cutting Bending and Fixing Of
M.S.bars.Centering Shuttering and Its Time Of Removal. Curing of Concrete, Flooring Paving
and Tiling Indian Patent Stone. Terrazzo In -Situ, Flag Stone Flooring, Water proofing of
Structure, Carpentry and Joinery
Roof Work in Timber, Paneled Door And Glazed Windows. Specification for Structural steel
work, Materials, Quality and Setting Out. Cutting and Welding. Specification of First Class
Building. Specification of Second Class Building.

Module-3
Building Boards- Ply Wood Particle Boards, Block Boards, Acoustic Board. Flooring-Asphalt
Rubber cork, Linoleum, Parquet, Etc.Glass- Various types Of Glass Used In buildings. Patent
Glazing For Factories .Glass Brick Partitions Pavements Lights. Special
Paints-Plastic Emulsion Paints, metal Paints, Cement Paints.
Standard Specification for Different Institutions Like P.W.D, M.E.S, C.P.W.D, BIS Etc. Abstract
Of Quantities And Writing Of Schedules, Rate And Material Analysis. Bill of Quantities.

References:
1. L.M.Chakroborty: Estimating, costing, Specification &Valuation in Civil Engineering.

BUILDING SPECIFICATIONS
MODULE -1
Contents:
Sl. 1 Introduction Definition, Importance & Scope of the Subject;
Sl. 2 Specification Forming Part of Building Contract,
Sl. 3 Drafting Specification - Correct Form of Writing in order of Sequence avoiding
Duplication, Ambiguity & Conflicting Statements.
Sl. 4 Specification of Simple Building Materials - Brick, Stone, Lime, Cement, Wood etc.

Serial 1

Construction drawings focus on a buildings shape, appearance, and dimensions, while the
written construction or building specifications focus on what materials will be used and
how they should be installed.
What information goes in notes on the drawings, and what goes in the specs is up to the
designer, but a good set of detailed specs goes far beyond what could possibly be put into a
drawing.
Its OK if the same information appears in both places, but if there is a contradiction, the
specifications generally take priority, at least legally.
Specs are much more valuable if they go farther and provide detailed installation
requirements and establish quality standards for the materials and the workmanship.
Equally important is providing a measurable way to determine whether the work has met
the standard.
On a large job, the specs will be broken down by trades, so there will be specs for the
painting, roofing, concrete work, flooring, and so on.

Serial 2
Building specifications are an important group of documents which forms part of the
Construction Contract. These documents are used to work out the contract price (Project
Value) at the beginning of the Project.
Building specifications or Specs, as they are generally called, consist of anything &
everything which the Project requires for smooth completion of the Project.

Types of Construction Specifications

There are generally four types of specifications which the Construction Industry demands that
are appended below.

Contract Document, for a construction project, consist of the Agreement, Conditions of the
Contract, Drawing, Specifications, Addenda, as well as other miscellaneous documents
associated with the contract between the project Owner and the Contractor hired to complete
the work.
Following are the types of Specifications that are normally catered to in a Contract Document.
Construction Specifications
The purpose of construction specifications is to delineate the requirements regarding the
materials, products, installation procedures and quality aspects involved with execution
of work and fulfilment of the contract. Specifications can be divided into three primary
categories: performance, prescriptive and proprietary, which is described below.
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.
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.
As an example, a performance specification is used in the construction of an industrial
pumping system. The specification would then 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 (say 40 feet).

The specification will also state the liquid to be pumped at what temperature and its
corrosiveness (pH value).
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:
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.
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.
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.

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 materials, equipment or installations already on site.
It might also be that the Owner may have inclination to use certain products of his
choice.
 In both the cases the owner may want to maintain consistency of materials or possibly
simply puts his preference.
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.
Requiring the use of one specific product type can lead to the perception of favouritism
towards a certain manufacturer and may eliminate competition during the bid phase, which
may increase the project cost.
They will usually state, in the schedule of works as specific manufacture or equivalent and
allow the contractor to select from a list of approved suppliers in case the contractor is
unable to provide the product.

Serial - 3

Quantum of Specification
How detailed a spec should be depends on the complexity and requirements of the job.
Recommended are the basic specs, such as listing the products to be used by brand and
model for just about every product and material to be used on the job.
Many construction jobs are done with no or minimal written specifications resulting in
customers frustration by not knowing what they are getting. In the absence of a written spec,
they often get so-called builders grade products, a euphemism for cheap and basic
materials.

To get a better result, a quality job and to avoid substandard materials and workmanship,
one must spell out basic written specifications identifying types of products, their quality,
usage, performances, applications, finishes, etc.

Beyond that, detailed specs are a must for portions of the job that are very costly, require
specific workmanship & products, prone to problems and are critical to the success of the
project.

It should not be at all assumed of a construction without a written specification. With it the
Architect stays in a much stronger position, to get the work repaired, if problems show up
after the work is done.

Examples of products or systems that should have detailed installation specs, and issues to
cover in the specs, include:

Products Specification required

 Concrete, brick & other works in Concrete mix, strength, reinforcements, bricks,
sub & superstructure. mortars, plasters, finish, expansion movement ,
joints, allowable cracks, etc.

Roofing (for sloped roofs) Type, weight/thickness/warranty period of

roofing; type of underlayment, flashing, etc.
Carefully spec details for low-slope roofs, and for
complex roofs with hips and valleys, detailing
how valleys will be waterproofed. Get detailed
material and installation specs for roofing
materials such as wood, metal, tile, slate, and
composite materials.

Roofing on concrete slabs. Type, weight / thickness / warranty period of

roofing; type of underlayment, process of
operation, performance standard, etc.

Windows and doors & Skylights Type, model, and energy efficiency (insulation &
air sealing), flashing details around doors and
windows to prevent leaks, which are common.

HVAC systems Selection of system, installation efficiency.

Ceramics in flooring & on walls Methods & standards of trouble free installation,
finishes, substrates, adhesives & joints.

Special construction for wind or This includes wind-resistant structures, impact-

seismic loads: resistant windows, engineered framing and
shear wall requirements.

Metal works in windows, grills, Type (stainless steel, copper, brass, or double
flashings, fasteners and hardware. hot-dipped galvanized) & performance.

Any other work which is required for Types, materials, strengths, operation &
successful completion of project. performance.