Specifications

1) Specifications

1.1) Introduction
A specification is a specific description of a particular subject.
An engineering specification contains detailed description of all
workmanship and materials which are required to complete an
engineering project in accordance with its drawings and details.
The technical drawings of a structure will show the proportions and
relative positions of the various components of the structure.
Many a time it is not possible to furnish the information on the
drawings, regarding the quality of materials to be used and the quality
of workmanship to be achieved during construction, due to shortage of
space. This data regarding the materials and workmanship is conveyed
in a separate contract document which is known as the "specifications"
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for the work.
 The drawings and specifications form two
important contract documents.
The information such as dimensions which can be
expressed graphically are put on drawings whereas
the instructions which can be put in words form
specifications.
The "specification" is furnished separately along
with drawings and is an essential part of all
engineering contracts.
But, specifications are given more Weightages and
legal strength and in case of any dispute between
drawings and specifications, the provisions of
specifications shall govern.
1) Specifications

1.2) Importance of Specifications:

(i) The cost of an unit quantity of work is governed by its specification.
(ii) Specifications of a work are required to describe the quality and
quantity. of different materials required for a construction work and is
one of the essential contract documents. Thus a contractor can make a
program to procure the materials required for a project and the owner
can check the quality of materials conforming to the specification
avoiding dispute with contractor.

(iii) This also specifies the workmanship and the method of doing the
work. Thus specification of a work serves as a guide to the supervising
staff of the contractor as well as to the owner to execute the work to
their satisfaction.

(iv) A work is carried out according to its specification and the contractor is
paid for the same. Any change in specification changes the tendered
rate.

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1) Specifications

1.2) Importance of Specifications:

(v) As the rate of a work is based on specification a contractor can

calculate the rates of various items of works in a tender with his
procurement rates of materials and labor. Thus tender paper without
specifications of works is baseless, incomplete and invalid.

(vi) Specification is necessary to specify the equipments, tools and plants

to be engaged for a work and thus enables to procure them
beforehand.

(vii) The necessity of specification is to verify and check the strength of

materials for a work involved in a project.

(viii) Specification is an essential contract document and is required for

Arbitration or court cases .

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1) Specifications

Principles of Writing Specifications:

While writing specification the following principles shall be

adopted:

(i) Description of materials: The quality and size of materials

required to do an item of work shall be fully described for
checking up at site according to the bindings provided in the
specification. The proportion of mixing or treatment of materials
if required before use shall be clearly described.
(ii) Workmanship: Complete description of workmanship, the
method of mixing to the proportion, the method of laying,
preparation of base or surface, compaction, finishing and curing
etc. specifically applicable to the item of work shall be clearly
stated in different clauses.

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1) Specifications

(iii) Tools and plants (T. & P.): The tools and
plants to be engaged to carry out a work shall
be described. The method of operation and by
whom to be supplied shall be stated.

(iv) Protection of new work: The method of

protection of new works against damage or the
method of curing if required, the test of
completed work if necessary shall be described
in separate clauses.

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v) Expression:
While writing a specification endeavor shall
be made to express the requirements of the
specification clearly and in concise form
avoiding repetition and unusual words.

The style of tense shall remain same

throughout The sentences shall be short,
simple and concise.
 As the specifications are the legal
documents, terms such as suitable,
proper used and words having more
than one meaning shall be avoided.

(vi) Clauses of the specifications:

The clauses shall be arranged in the
order in which work shall be carried
out.
 While framing clauses for quality of materials, workmanship, tools
and plants, etc, practical possibilities shall be realized.

Correct and complete but not repeated information shall be given so

that the owner and the contractor can carryout the work following
the specifications.

Abbreviations which are familiar and well known in the building

industry should be used. It reduces typing work and facilitates easy
understanding.
(vii) Accuracy:- The information given in the
specifications should be complete and correct
otherwise that may lead to dispute by
contractor in future during the work.

(viii) Conflicting requirements:- the clauses of

the specifications should be framed in such a
way that no conflicts of any type result.
1) Specifications

Types of Specifications:
The specifications are broadly divided into two types

(i) Brief specifications.

(ii) Detailed specifications.

(i) Brief specifications

Only a brief description of each and every item is given.

It is useful for estimating the project without going through the lengthy
detailed specifications, general information for the quantities of
materials, nature and class of work can be known from the general
specifications, but they do not form part of the contract document.

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1) Specifications

Detailed specifications

The detailed specifications form a part of the contract document. The

detailed specifications of the different items of works are prepared
separately and they describe what the work should be and how they shall
be executed and constructed.

Detailed specification for a particular item specify

The qualities, quantities and proportions of materials, and the method of
preparation and execution for that particular item of work in a project.
Physical, chemical and electrical tests if any requires for the finished
work to ensure the desired strength or quality.

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 The type of machinery, equipments and special
tools and plant, their methods of operation when
involved during execution.
The method and duration of protection of finished
works as required
the involvements and responsibility for auxiliary
works, incidental damages etc. during execution of
the original work
Detailed specifications are of three types:-

(i) General specifications:- These are applicable to the work as a

whole.

(ii) Technical specifications:- These specifications describe the

technical requirements of each type of construction. The technical
specifications are of three types:-

(a) Specifications for materials & workmanship

(b) Specifications for performance
(c) Specifications for commodities.
1) Specifications

Standard Specifications:
Detailed specifications for different works are drawn up by an engineering
department and printed to serve as a standard guide to the department
and also to refer it in the specification part of a tender paper to avoid
writing the lengthy specifications.

Thus, standard specifications save valuable time, labor, stationery

expenditure and above all eliminates the scope of deviations and
mistakes during preparation of huge number of tender papers through a
Divisional Office.

For example, specifications for earthwork, concrete works, brickwork etc.

are commonly required for different works. The specifications for these
common works become same. So, it is needless to write such common
specifications repeatedly in the specification part of a tender paper.

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1) Specifications
Instead of writing such specifications they are referred to the
departmental standard specification.

The departmental specifications may be revised periodically according

to the development of technology.

Generally the C.P.W.D., P.W.D., M.E.S., Irrigation and Waterways,

Railways departments have their own departmental standard
specification. Other departments or organizations that have no
standard specification generally refer to any of the above departments
for the same.

Some items that are not covered or works not well covered by the
departmental standard specifications, special specifications for such
items are drawn up by the Engineer-in-Charge, approved and included in
the tender paper under a heading "special specifications."

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1) Specifications
1.7) Open or Manufacturers Specifications:
Open specifications are specifications of products of manufacturers which
state both physical and chemical properties and such other information of
the product, but not description of workmanship to be achieved during
construction.

The physical properties specify mainly the strength, weight, thickness or

size and such other physical properties of the product. The chemical
properties specify mainly the composition of chemical contents of the
product and precautionary measures if any required for storing the
product.

An authority requiring a product such as steel, cement, pipes, valves, wire,

paints, bricks etc. specifies the minimum requirement of properties of a
product through open specification. Manufacturers who can produce
materials satisfying the open specification may be permitted to supply the
materials at an agreed cost.
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1) Specifications

1.7) Open or Manufacturers Specifications:

Advantages of Open Specification:
(i) When procurement of materials are not restricted among a few traders
with their respective trade marks and any trader can supply materials
satisfying the open specifications, progress of work does not suffer due
to short supply of materials.

(ii) Due to open specifications materials can be procured at more competitive

rates.

(iii) Regional or local manufacturers can take the advantage to manufacture

the materials and as a result the transportation charge and delivery time
may be reduced.

(iv) Due to open specifications, the quality of material is standardized and, as

a result, private parties can easily select a material depending on its
quality
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1) Specifications

1.7) Open or Manufacturers Specifications:

Disadvantages of Open Specification:

(a) Frequent checking of materials of various manufacturers becomes

necessary. But checking of properties of materials is done mainly from
Govt. test laboratories. Due to heavy rush from different manufacturers
the result of test reports are delayed. As a result procurement order to a
new manufacturer cannot be placed timely .

(b) Due to limitations of open specifications interest for further

improvements of the quality of materials is hampered.

(c) New manufacturers may receive the order offering very low rates but after
a short supply may fail to supply or maintain the quality of materials
throughout the supply period.

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1) Specifications

Restricted Specifications:

In restricted specification the material for an item of work is described

and the procurement among some approved manufacturers or brands of
the material is restricted.

Thus the standard of materials such as for plumbing, painting, fittings

etc., are assured to be of a certain degree of quality up to the satisfaction
of the Owner.

The materials of the approved manufactures should be equivalent in

quality and more or less at per cost.

To provide restricted specification for materials, an up-to-date

knowledge of the market for the qualities and cost of the different
manufacturers is essential.

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 GENERAL SPECIFICATIONS OF BUILDINGS
WORK 1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH

FOUNDATION & 1st class b.w in lime 1st class b.w in lime 2nd class b.w in lime Sun-dried kutcha bricks
PLINTH mortar or c.c mortar or c.c mortar or c.c in mud mortar

2.5cm thick in 1:1.5:3 2cm thick in 1:2 C.C + 2cm thick in 1:2 C.C +
DPC ---
C.C+ 1Kg Impermo 1kg Impermo Bag 1kg Impermo Bag

1st B.W in 1:6 CC. 2nd B.W. Lintels of

SUPER-STRUC 2nd B.W in mud mortar ----
Lintels of RCC Rein.Bricks

RCC Slab + Insulation. Rei.Brick Slab with Mud over tiles or bricks Tile over bamboo or
ROOFING
Min. Height 12Ft. Lime conc Or A.C Sheet or wooden planks wooden support

1 C.C over 3 L.C.

Mosaic Flooring. 1 C.C Earthen flooring with
FLOORING Verandah Painted or Brick on edge
over 3 L.C cowdung covering
brick
Walls 0.5 Cement Walls 0.5 Cement
Lime mortar and white
FINISHING plastered 1:1:6. plastered 1:1:6. N.A
washed
Outside Snowcem Outside Snowcem
Chaukhats Teak
4.3cm thick with Salwood, Sheesham Salwood, Chir Mango. Chir Mango Wood or
DOORS & WINDOWS
fittings & full/partial with Iron Fittnings Ordinary Paint Coating country wood
glaze
Water pipes in C.I &
Painted. Water pipes in C.I.
MISC. N.A ---
Electric,Sanitary Fittings not compulsory
Fittings Compulsory
 Such time to time market study encourages
competition among the manufacturers to
improve the quality of their products with
competitive rates in order to be included in
the approved list of the restricted
specification. Otherwise, due to monopoly,
the cost of such materials provided in the
restricted specifications may be increased.
 1. Specifications for excavation
Starting of work-workmanship-excavated material-protection to existing
surfaces-measurement-what the rate includes
The excavation for the foundation trenches shall be carried out as per plan
The sides of foundation trenches shall be truly vertical and bottom
uniformly levelled.
The excavated material shall be stacked away from the sides of the
trenches by at least 2m.
All the existing services such as water pipes, sewers, electric cables, etc.
which are met in foundation shall be carefully protected by contractor as
per instructions of the engineer.
The excavation shall be measured as per exact length and width of the
lowest step of footings according to drawings.
 The depth of trenches shall be measured vertically
from the average ground level taken at site before
starting the work
The rate of excavation includes all timbering and
other supports necessary to secure the sides of
trenches and contractor shall be responsible for their
safety.
The materials or valuables found during excavation
shall be the property of the owner.
 Specifications for DPC
Proportion-coarse aggregate-fine aggregate-cement-water-proofing
compound-mixing-preparation of base-laying-curing
The proportion of damp proof course of cement concrete shall be (1:1.5:3)
or (1:2:4) by volume.

The usual thickness of DPC shall be between 25 mm to 40 mm.

The coarse aggregate shall be clean, hard & dense. The size of coarse
aggregates shall vary from 12mm to 6mm.
The fine aggregate shall be clean and of average size of 5 mm.
The cement shall be fresh and comply with all specifications.
The mixing of all the materials by volume shall be done on a clean and
solid plateform.
 The dry mix of all materials shall be turned at least once before adding
water and at least three times after adding required amount of water.
Water proofing compound shall be added and mixed with concrete to
make it water proof.
The base where DPC is to be laid shall be constructed with bricks on edge
or with frogs of the bricks down.
The top of the plinth bed over which DPC is to be placed shall be
thoroughly cleaned with a steel brush, washed and wetted before laying
damp proof course.
The wooden straight edges shall be fixed on plinth wall having the same
inner width as that of the required thickness of damp proof course.
 DPC shall be laid to the full width of the plinth or of super structure as per
drawing.
It shall be laid to the specified thickness over the plinth wall flush with the
floor surface and shall not be carried across the doorways or other
openings.
It shall be properly consolidated by tamping and levelled horizontally as
well as vertically.
Laying of DPC shall be completed on same day.
The concrete surface shall be roughened when air dry to impart proper
bondage with brickwork above.
The work shall be kept well watered for at least 7 days after laying, if there
is no commencement for further brickwork.
 In no case, brick work shall be commenced
unless the fresh work has been flooded with
water for at least 48 hours.
 SPECIFICATION FOR R.C.C WORKS
Steel Mild steel free from corrosion, grease, oil etc. Should be round and
capable of being deformed without fracture. Bars <40mm dia. shall be bent
cold by applying gradual motion. Bars >40mm dia. May be bent by heating to
dull red. Joints are to be avoided as far as possible where overlap is greater
than 40d. Cover for steel bars should be precast of around 1*1 section and
thickness of around 4-5 cm for beam & 1-2 cm for slab. While placing, bars
shouldnt move from their position.

Shuttering timber or steel plates to prevent leakage with necessary

bracings on sides that shouldnt yield on applying load. Coat of oil is preferable
to prevent adherence to concrete. Shouldnt be removed before 14 days.

Cement Concrete mix : 1:2:4

Mixing : By hand or by machine for a minimum of 3 times.

Laying : Shuttering should be clean and free from dust and concrete is to be
safely laid in position. Time b/w mixing & placing should not exceed 20 mins.
and care is to be taken in places where temp. is <4 Degree Celsius. Vibration is
then needed to ensure a dense mix of particles. If laying is suspended, a slope
of 30 degrees is to be left at end.
 SPECIFICATION FOR R.C.C WORKS
Curing After around 2hrs when concrete gets settled, it shall be kept damp
by covering with gunny bags or sprinkled/ponded (3 walls) with water for 24hrs
.

Finishing Exposed surface is plastered with 1:3 cement sand mortar not
exceeding 6mm thickness.

Measurement Done in cubic metres and no deduction is made for the

volume of steel. Steel reinforcement is measured separately in quintals.