Quantity Surveying: Technical Specifications for Civil Works PDF

Here is the converted markdown format of the document # Quantity Surveying / 4th Civil Dep./ Baghdad University Prof. Dr. Meervat Altaie # CHAPTER FIVE: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ## 5.1 Introduction What are specifications? Specifications describe the nature and the class of the work, materials to...

Here is the converted markdown format of the document # Quantity Surveying / 4th Civil Dep./ Baghdad University Prof. Dr. Meervat Altaie # CHAPTER FIVE: TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS ## 5.1 Introduction What are specifications? Specifications describe the nature and the class of the work, materials to be used in the work, workmanship etc. It is very important for the execution of the work. The cost of the work depends much on the specifications. ## 5.2 Technical Specifications Document: This document describes the required characteristics of materials, products, and work necessary for the completion of each art of the project. It may specify minimum acceptable standards, quality allowances, measurement units, and evaluation criteria. The specifications may also guide the contractor on how to execute the work. ## 5.3 Purpose of Preparing Technical Specifications: The primary purpose of preparing specifications is to enable all parties involved in the project to access detailed information that may no be fully presented in project drawings. This information benefits the following stakeholders: * The Contractor: Uses the technical specifications to deter main the method of execution or each work section and manage the overall workflow * Estimator Engineer (within the Contractor's Team): Prepares accurate pricing for each work section * The Procurement Officer (within the contractor's team): Identifies the type and quality of materials to be purchased. * The Resident Engineer: Verifies and approves the materials used and the work executed by the contractor. * The client (Project Owner): Assesses the work progress and ensures quality compliance in each part of the project. * Subcontractors: Use the specifications to prepare their bids and estimate pricing for specific project sections correctly. ## 5.4 Approved Systems for Writing Specifications Specifications should be written in a concise, clear, and practical manner, avoiding ambiguous or overlapping terms. They should not repeat information already provided in drawings or schedules, no should they include outdated, irrelevant, or impractical materials when using standard or old specifications for new projects. ## 5.5 Methods of Writing Specifications 1. Comprehensive Description Method 1. This method provides a detailed explanation of each material, its characteristics, method of application, testing requirements, and every step the contractor must follow to achieve the desired results. 2. It helps reduce disputes and misunderstandings 3. The length of specifications depends on the design complexity 2. Performance-Based Specification Method 1. This method only specifies the required results, leaving the contractor fully responsible for achieving them 2. The contractor has the flexibility to choose the work method 3. Reference Standard Method 1. This method refers to official of international standards issues by recognize organizations 2. All materials and testing procedures must comply with these standard reference 3. Common organizations used for reference include: 1. ISO (International Organization for Standardization) 2. ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials) 3. BSI (British Standards Institution) 4. DIN (German Institute for Standardization) 5. JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards) 6. AASHO (American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials) 7. Arab Organization for Standardization and Metrology 4. Brand Name Specification Method 1. In this method, a specific branded product or manufactured is selected as a reference standard for comparison ## 5.6 Type of Specifications The type of specification depends on the intended purpose, and thus, specifications can be categorized into the following: 1. Contract Specifications These specifications are prepared for a specific project and are classified into: * Summary Specifications: * Written at the beginning of the project after the completion of preliminary drawings. * Provide key specification and fundamental decisions * Not written as part of the contract but serve as a reference for reviewing essential decisions. * Later incorporated into the contract specifications along with special conditions and requirements. * General (Concise) Specification: * Provide a general idea about the type of work, material classification, and a brief description of the materials and their properties. * Detailed Specifications: * Describe the required work, materials used, their quantities, methods of application, and processing. * Specify the levels of accuracy and quality in execution * Define the tests applied during the work to ensure the quality and suitability of materials and execution * Establish the payments method for complete work 2. Guide Specifications These specifications serve as a guideline for preparing contract specifications and provide a clear concept of the type of construction of a specific project 3. Standard Specifications These are written instructions compiled in a specialized document that includes: * General requirements * Work sections * Materials * Measurement methods * Testing procedures * Payment methods for complete quantities Standard specifications are classified into: * International Standard Specifications * local Standard Specifications 4. Performance Specifications These focus on defining the requirements performance of a product or system and are primarily used in content related to machinery and equipment. 5. Method System Specifications These define materials and work or situation methods based on specific standards. This approach is used when it is difficult to evaluate the quality of materials or the implies method solely through periodic tests tests or measurements before the final connection of structural components 6. Project Specifications These are the final specifications for a unique construction project. They are developed based on general specifications, policy specifications, and guide specifications. 7. Description Specifications These describe the final expected outcome of the product that the owner requires, providing some indicators of suggested requirements while leaving the the method of execution to the contractor. 8. Brand Name specification These specifications specify the desired product by referring to a particular brand name model number, or both 9. Reference Specifications These refer to specific standard specification document, ensuring compliance with predefined industry standards 10. Combination Specifications These specifications incorporate one of more of the previously mentioned types, combining multiple approaches to ensure comprehensive detailing ## 5.7 Important considerations When Writing Specifications * Avoid Redundancy * Specifications should provide supplementary information to what is found in the projects documents * They should not contradict or duplicate details already included in the drawing or other documents * Avoid Ambiguous Phrases: * Some general or non-technical phrases, such as "the contractor must fulfill all project requirements, whether stated or not" , should be avoided as they lack precision. * Clarification of Scope of work * Phrases such as "this work includes other related tasks" should clear by defining defines cope for example: * In excavation works, mention that trenches for electrical or plumbing installations are included. * In concrete works, specify that foundation footings for machinery are part of the work ## 5.8 Details Included in Specifications: * Type and characteristics of materials, equipment, and tools. * Required level of quality and workmanship * Work or installation methods * Required inspections and testing procedures * Internationally recognized standards approval ## 5.9 Details Covered in Drawings: * Boundaries, dimensions, shape, and placement of each component * location of material, equipment, and machinery. * General and specifications details * Finishing details for interiors, exteriors, doors, and windows * final measurements and specifications of installed equipment To Prevent redundancy or contradictions, specifications should be written alongside, the project drawings , ensuring are continuous and coordinated review process