Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
Structure Language
and Writing
Safety Moment
Schedule
1:30 to 2:45
2:45 15 minute break
3:00 to 4:15
4:15 Q&A and wrap up
References
Th
he Contra
act
Specifications
p
are one of the
basic components that
make up the contract
agreement between the
Owner and the Contractor
Specifications
- Table of Contents
- Summary of Work
- Division
Di i i 00
00-49
49
Drawings
- Coversheet
- Legend
- Plans
- Details
Data Sheets
The Contract
Administrative
Legalese
Schedule
Terms
Definitions
Address
dd
off the
h project
j site
i
Identification of the Parties to the Contract
The Contract
Contractor Drawings:
g The
drawings are graphic
representations of the work
upon which the contract is
based. As the graphic
documents usually contain
more then plan views, the
preferred term is Drawings
rather then Plans. Theyy
show the quantitative
extent and relationships of
elements to one another
another.
8
The Contract
Specifications
Definition: Specifications
p
define the requirements
q
for p
products,,
materials and workmanship upon which the contract is based and the
requirements for administration and performance of the project.
They are written to achieve a Work Result
The Contract
Specifications
Th
They are generally
ll written
itt
for each subject as
sections and organized
under [CSI]
MasterFormat
MasterFormat is a list
of titles that represent
construction practices or
work results that result
from the application
pp
of
skills and procedures to
the materials, products or
assemblies
10
Drawings
Graphically shows the component in
relation to the rest of the building and
surrounding components
Graphically shows a symbol
representing a component not drawn
to scale.
Provides dimensions for the
component placement
placement.
Annotations specific to the component
placement. Such as Coordinate the
fire p
pull station with the fire
extinguisher mounted adjacent to the
door.
Specification items are not repeated on
the
h d
drawings.
i
Specifications
Provides the component
specifications of performance, size,
weight
Provides component labeling and
testing requirements
Identifies the Contractor
qualifications to install the
components
components.
Provides direction to the contractor in
the execution of construction to get a
common work result. It does not
repeat manufacturers or Code
requirements.
Drawing information is not repeated
in the
h specs.
11
12
13
The Contract
Each
is a contract but it is the contract between the Owner and the
Contractor that we are addressing for this type of contracting
contracting.
Owner
Contractor
Architect
Engineer
Subcontractor
Vendor
Manufacturer
Supplier
Design-Builder
Construction Manager
g ((CM))
Contract Administrator
Contracting Strategy
Design Bid Build
Design/Build
EPC Engineer Procure
C t t
Construct
Specification Language
18
Writing Example 1
Design-Bid-Build
Bad Example: The Communications Contractor shall coordinate with the
Electrical Subcontractor for cable supports and pathways.
Good Example: Cable supports and pathways are shown on the Electrical
Drawings.
Drawings
The bad example refers to a subcontractor. For Design-Bid-Build we always
write
it as if the
th O
Owner if ttalking
lki di
directly
tl tto th
the G
Generall C
Contractor.
t t W
We never
identify the subcontractors because we dont assume who the General
Contractor will subcontract to.
Writing Example 1
Design-Bid-Build
Bad Example: The Communications Contractor shall coordinate with the
Electrical Subcontractor for cable supports and pathways.
Good Example: Cable supports and pathways are shown on the Electrical
Drawings.
Drawings
The bad example is in the indicative form. You are indicating who is doing the
work.
k The
Th good
d example
l iis iin the
h i
imperative
i fform. YYou are jjust telling
lli them
h
to do the work. This is the preferred method.
Sentence Form
The imperative
p
form is the p
preferred sentence form.
This does not mean the indicative form, using the word
shall, can never be used.
For example: Install outlet labels on the front of the face plate. The
label format shall meet the requirements of Section 27_05_53
Communication Identification.
Special Note: Use this same sentence form for writing notes
on drawings.
Specification Language
Know yyour audience Its the Contractor
Know the Parties of the Contract Understand the
contracting strategy
Writing Style
Be Accurate, Brief, Clear
Avoid complex sentences and stilted language.
Use simple sentences with terms and words that
are easily
il understood
d t d
Writing Example 2
Be Accurate, Brief and Clear
Bad Example:
The Contractor shall mount the TO above lab bench matchingg
the height of light switch, fire alarm pull station and avoiding
fire extinguisher on the wall unless noted otherwise.
Issues:
TO is an abbreviation of Telecom Outlet
The sentence is stilted
By listing specific items to coordinate with, they may not
coordinate with other items.
Everything is unless noted otherwise. That is why you
note things.
Writing Example 2
Be Accurate, Brief and Clear
Bad Example:
The Contractor shall mount the TO above lab bench matchingg
the height of light switch, fire alarm pull station and avoiding
fire extinguisher on the wall unless noted otherwise.
Good Example
Mount the telecommunications outlet above the lab bench
bench.
Coordinate the mounting height with other wall mounted
devices.
Writing Example 3
Avoid complex
p sentences and stilted language
g g
Bad Example:
Perform permanent link test on temporarily removed outlets.
For outlets that were temporarily removed during remodeling,
perform a permanent link test on each circuit according to
paragraph 3.4 of this section.
Issues:
Stilted language
g g
Two sentences say almost the same thing. Combine the
sentences.
Itt iss good to refer
e e to a Section
Sect o number
u be (e
(e.g.
g 27 00 15)
5) but do not
ot
refer to a paragraph. Paragraph number are too easily changed
by adding or deleting paragraphs.
Writing Example 3
Avoid complex
p sentences and stilted language
g g
Bad Example:
Perform permanent link test on temporarily removed outlets.
For outlets that were temporarily removed during remodeling,
perform a permanent link test on each circuit according to
paragraph 3.4 of this section.
Good Example:
P
Perform
f
a permanentt link
li k ttestt on th
the outlets
tl t th
thatt were
temporarily removed during remodeling.
Specification Language
Words to Avoid
All
Anyy
Every
Should
Could
Please
Must
Is to
Specification Language
Know the meaningg of your
y
words and use them
consistently.
Terms should be defined in the contract.
Furnish to supply and deliver to the project site,
ready to install.
Install to place in position for service or use.
Provide to furnish and install, complete, ready for
use.
use
Writing Style
Abbreviations
Writing Style
Every word in a specification is important.
Do not:
Underline
Bold
Italicize
Highlight
Do
D nott use color
l iin fi
finall specifications.
ifi ti
Abbreviations in a sentence.
Uncommon words
The use of unless noted otherwise.
Should
Should is not clear direction
direction.
Should not is not to be made bold and underlined for
emphasis.
Part 1
Questions ?
X O O
O X X
O
X O O
O X X
O
X
CSI SectionFormat
SectionFormat//
PageFormat
$75 for non-CSI
non CSI members
CSI MasterFormat
MasterFormat
Old Format used 5 digits
Example: 16704 Communication Cabling
New Format uses 6 digits
Example: 27_10_00 Structured Cabling
New Format with 8 digits
Example: 27_15_00.19 Data Communications
Horizontal Cabling
CSI MasterFormat
MasterFormat
CSI MasterFormat
MasterFormat
Recommendations for selectingg CSI numbers:
Follow the MasterFormat
Keep
p it simple
p
Use the 6 digit number when possible.
Avoid using every CSI number in the
MasterFormat
Ideally use only one CSI number
EExample:
l 27
27_00_00
00 00 C
Communications
i i
Example for Performance Spec. 27_00_05 Common Work
Results for Communications
CSI SectionFormat
SectionFormat
SectionFormat
SectionFormat organizes information into 3 parts
Part 1 General
Administrative information unique to this section
that is not covered in the Division 1 administrative
section.
Part 2 Products
Products specific to this section. Description,
manufacturer, part numbers, color, .
CSI SectionFormat
SectionFormat
Part 3 Execution
Executable information on the products listed in
Part 2.
Assembly information
Testing
Action Items
Avoid repeating information in each Part.
CSI SectionFormat
SectionFormat - Sample
Part 1 - General
Administrative
Related Work
Related Sections
Qualifications
f
Submittals
Standards
Design Guide
References
CSI SectionFormat
SectionFormat - Sample
Part 2 - Products
Manufacturers
Specific Products by
category
Accessories related to
the
h product
d
No submittal
requirements
No execution related
information.
Install
Test
Mount
Label
No Submittals in this
part.
CSI SectionFormat
SectionFormat
The CSI SectionFormat
SectionFormat/PageFormat
/PageFormat documents
includes:
Examples
Article Headers
Sample Templates in the Appendix
CSI PageFormat
PageFormat
Example Specification
Master Specifications
Referred to as Boiler Plate Specifications
p
Owner Master Specifications
A/E
/ or Consultant Master Specifications.
p
Saves a lot of time in not writing specs from scratch
Allows for lessons learned to be captured
p
for
corporate knowledge
Provides consistency in construction requirements.
Can result in a non-specific project scope if not
properly revised by the author.
Buy vs. Maintain
i i
Where is Art
725?
Master Spec
Spec. Tips
Using Notes to Specifier within body of text.
Master Spec
Spec. Tips
Using brackets [ ] or { } for common choices.
Master Spec
Spec. Tips
Highlight action items required by the
specifier. Do not publish until highlights,
brackets and NTS have been deleted.
The End
Questions ?