Construction Documents Phase Quiz

The Construction Documents Phase is the most extensive phase for the architect, typically accounting for 40-45% of their work and fees.

The architect, interior designer, and engineers finalize all technical drawings and engineering details during this phase.

During this phase, heating, ventilation, plumbing, electrical, gas, and energy calculations are finalized, and all products and materials are selected or scheduled.

Multiple drawing sets, including a filing set for approvals and a separate set for the contractor, are produced during this phase.

Any comments from the building department are addressed during this phase, unless specified otherwise.

A clear and detailed written description of the intended work in a project.

Specifications should be precise and describe products, materials, standards, equipment, services, construction systems, methods, processes, and workmanship.

Specifications establish the quality of the work and describe the physical and environmental conditions to be created and maintained.

Specifications communicate project requirements and must be modified to suit each project.

Specifications supersede the drawings in order of precedence.

Specifications are the written version of drawings, providing more specific detail.

Specifications can lead to legal liability if not done correctly, making it crucial for them to be accurate and unambiguous.

Specifications are usually provided in a bound book and form part of the construction contract documents and project manual.

Most organizations have pre-formatted project manuals for common projects, making it easier to modify the sections for specific projects.

Certified spec writers, who are professionals in the field, can help with specifications.

Drawings and specifica

Specifications should not contradict the drawings, and if they describe the same thing, they should be written identically.

Drawings provide graphic information about use, size, and location, while specifications cover administrative matters, materials, assembly systems, scope, and quality of work.

Vendors or suppliers can provide specification sections related to their products, helping to ensure accuracy and eliminate potential ambiguities.

The MasterFormat specification system, developed by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), provides a standardized way to organize and categorize construction information.

The MasterFormat is organized into divisions, section numbers, and titles that follow the construction process.

Each division of the MasterFormat system is divided into three sections: General, Product, and Execution.

The General section focuses on administrative matters, allowances, warranties, shop drawings, submittals, mock-ups, LEED credits, storage, and handling of materials.

The Product section specifies the chosen material, installation methods, required tests, fabrication, acceptable manufacturers, and storage.

The Execution section provides the contractor with installation instructions, humidity and temperature requirements, cleanliness standards, inspections, and subcontractor qualifications.

A proprietary method describes products and systems using trade names and key characteristics, often referencing catalog descriptions.

A proprietary method restricts specifications to a single trade name, potentially limiting competition.

A prescriptive specification provides detailed instructions for products, materials, or systems, and their installation.

A performance specification outlines the desired outcome for materials and systems in the completed building.

Effective specification writing requires clarity, consistency, conciseness, and accuracy, achieved through proper vocabulary, grammar, and sentence structure.

Use Canadian spelling, abbreviations cautiously, consistent punctuation and grammar, and avoid unnecessary words and run-on sentences.

The Construction Documents phase is the architect's most intensive phase, typically taking up 40-45% of their total work and fees.

During this phase, architects, interior designers, and engineers work together to finalize all the technical details for constructing a project.

The Construction Documents phase involves selecting and scheduling specific materials and systems for a project, like heating, plumbing, and electrical.

The architects produce various sets of drawings in this phase, including a set for approval from the building department and another for the contractor to use during construction.

Any feedback or comments from the building department regarding the construction documents are addressed and revised during this phase.

Specifications are a detailed written description of the intended work for a construction project.

Specifications are more precise than drawings and include descriptions of products, materials, standards, equipment, construction methods, and quality of work.

Specifications also establish the quality standards that must be maintained during construction and describe the physical environment to be created.

Specifications are crucial for clearly communicating the project requirements to everyone involved in the construction process.

Specifications should be modified to suit the specific needs of each project.

Specifications have a higher order of precedence than the drawings, meaning if there's a conflict, the specifications will override the drawings.

Specifications can become a legal issue if they're not written clearly and accurately. It's crucial to avoid ambiguity and potential misinterpretations.

Specifications are typically organized into a bound book, which forms part of the construction contract documents and project manuals.

Most construction firms have pre-designed project manuals, which they can easily adapt to the specific details of new projects.

Certified spec writers are professional experts in writing specifications who can provide valuable support for complex projects.

It's important to ensure that drawings and specifications work together without any contradictions.

Drawings and specifications serve different purposes. Drawings communicate the visual layout, while specifications provide detailed descriptions of materials and methods.

Vendors or suppliers can often provide ready-made specification sections for their specific products, eliminating potential ambiguities.

The MasterFormat is a standardized system developed by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) for organizing and categorizing construction information.

The MasterFormat organizes information into divisions, section numbers, and titles, following the sequence of the construction process.

Each division in the MasterFormat is further divided into three sections: General, Product, and Execution.

The General section covers administrative matters, allowances, warranties, submittals, mock-ups, LEED credits, and material handling.

The Product section specifies the chosen materials, installation methods, fabrication details, and acceptable manufacturers.

The Execution section provides instructions for installation, humidity and temperature requirements, cleanliness standards, and subcontractor qualifications.

The Proprietary method describes products and systems by their specific trade names and characteristics, often using information from catalogs.

Using the Proprietary method limits specifications to a single brand, potentially limiting competition from other suppliers.

The Prescriptive specification method provides detailed instructions for products, materials, and their installation, using generic descriptions without specific brands.

The Performance specification method describes the desired end result of materials and systems, focusing on their performance in the completed building.