POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES
LOPEZ, QUEZON BRANCH
BS Architecture Program
2nd Semester 2021-2022
SPECIFICATION
WRITING
AND
QUANTITY
BUILDING TECHNOLOGY SURVEYING
ARCH 30293
Compiled By:
Arch. MARIA VILLA A. SARMIENTO, UAP
Instructor 1 - PUP Lopez Quezon Branch
1 2 3 4 5 6
Lesson 1. Lesson 2. Lesson 3. Lesson 4. Lesson 5. Lesson 6.
Introduction to Introduction to Estimating Civil Estimating Electrical Plumbing
Specification Estimating and Works Architectural Materials Fixtures and
Writings Quantitative Materials and Materials
Surveying Finishes
COURSE OUTLINE
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LESSON 1
INTRODUCTION TO
SPECIFICATION
WRITING
A written document describing in detail
the scope of work to be done, materials
and equipment to be used, method of
installation or application and the quality
of workmanship for a certain work to be
placed under contract; generally it does
not include material cost; an explicit sets
of requirements to be satisfied by a
material, product or service; a written,
verbal description of work to be
performed. As a legal consideration,
specifications shall govern over drawings.
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TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
▪ PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION
A specification that stipulates how a particular component or
system must perform without giving the means to be employed
to achieve the results.
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TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
▪ DESCRIPTIVE SPECIFICATION
A specification that stipulates the exact quantities and qualities
or properties of materials to be furnished and how they are to be
assembled or installed in a construction.
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TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
▪ REFERENCE SPECIFICATION
A specification that refers to a standard specification to
indicate the properties desired in a material or component and
the methods of testing required to substantiate the performance
of products, a standardized mandatory language documents
prescribing materials, dimensions and workmanship, incorporated
by reference in the contract documents, with information in the
mandatory requirements checklist; refers to a standard
established for either a material, a test method, or an installation
procedure.
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TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
▪ PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATION
A specification that stipulates the use of specific products,
systems, or processes without provision for substitution; one in
which the specifier states outright the actual make, model, catalog
number, and so on, of a product or the installation instruction of a
manufacturer.
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TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
▪ BRAND NAME SPECIFICATION
A type of specification where the desired product is specified
by the name given by the manufacturer or by the manufacturer’s
name and model number.
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TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
▪ CLOSED SPECIFICATION
In closed specification, there are two (2) types of this type of
specification namely: the single product and the multi-product
specification. Closed specifications are generally brand name
specifications. This is used basically where material is required to
match existing materials in terms of quality, type and
performance.
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TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
▪ OPEN SPECIFICATION
This is the opposite of closed specification, it is called open
because all manufacturers whose product meet performance or
description specified, may qualify to bid. All performance and
descriptive specifications are open. Brand name specification is
are open if the phrase “or equal” is used.
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TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
▪ COMBINATION SPECIFICATION
Combination specification may be a combination of
performance, descriptive and reference specification but never a
combination of open and closed specification. In this specification
type a product may be required with specific physical
characteristics and also may be required to conform to a
particular standard.
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UNIFORM SYSTEM OR
MASTER FORMAT
▪ A uniform classification system for
construction specifications that is
divided into several sections, each of
which is sequentially numbered and
named.
▪ It provides a master list of divisions,
and section number and titles within
each division, to follow in organizing
information about a facility’s
construction requirements and
associated activities.
TEACH A COURSE 12
MASTER FORMAT
▪ A product of the construction specifications institute (CSI) and
Construction Specifications Canada; also known as Uniform
System
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MASTER FORMAT
The following are the sixteen divisions listed in the Master Format 1995 Edition.
•Division 01 — General Requirement
•Division 02 — Existing Conditions
•Division 03 — Concrete
•Division 04 — Masonry
•Division 05 — Metals
•Division 06 — Wood and Plastics
•Division 07 — Thermal and Moisture Protection
•Division 08 — Doors and Windows
•Division 09 — Finishes
•Division 10 — Specialties
•Division 11 — Equipment
•Division 12 — Furnishings
•Division 13 — Special Construction
•Division 14 — Conveying Systems
•Division 15 — Mechanical/Plumbing
•Division 16 — Electrical
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CSI THREE-PART
SECTION FORMAT
Part 1 – General
Part 2 – Products
Part 3 – Execution
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CSI THREE-PART SECTION FORMAT
▪ Part 1 – General: This section describes administrative,
procedural and temporary requirements specific to this section
of specification
▪ Part 2 – Products: This section describes, in detail, the
materials, products, equipment, systems or assemblies to be
used in the project.
▪ Part 3 – Execution: This section describes, in detail, any
preparatory actions and how the products shall be
incorporated into the project.
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SPECIFICATIONS WRITING TECHNIQUES
The following questions are helpful to consider when deciding
which method of specifying in most appropriate.
What does the Owner require?
What method best describes the design intent?
What method is most appropriate for the project size and
complexity?
What method will result in the best quality of work?
What method will result in the best price for the work?
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SPECIFICATION LANGUAGE
▪ Specification language should be precise. Vague and ambiguous text can
be open to multiple interpretations.
▪ The following section covers how to be precise and clear when writing
specifications and it includes a few things to avoid and how to be concise
and save space. Four important sections for specification writing
1. Be clear
2. Be correct
3. Be complete
4. Be concise
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FOUR IMPORTANT SECTIONS FOR SPECIFICATION
WRITING
1. Be clear
a. Use proper grammar
b. Chose precise words to convey the message.
2. Be correct
a. Present information accurately.
b. Precisely using proper terminology
3. Be complete
a. Do not out important or necessary information.
b. Brevity at the expense of completeness should be avoided.
4. Be concise
Eliminate unnecessary words but at the expense of clarity, correctness, completeness or grammar.
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SENTENCE STRUCTURE
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SENTENCE STRUCTURE
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STREAMLINED WRITING
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WORDS TO AVOID
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EXAMPLE 1: DESCRIPTIVE SPECIFICATION
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EXAMPLE 2: PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION
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EXAMPLE 2: PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION
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EXAMPLE 2: PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION
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EXAMPLE 3: REFERENCE STANDARD SPECIFICATION
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EXAMPLE 3: REFERENCE STANDARD SPECIFICATION
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EXAMPLE 4: PROPRIETARY SPECIFICATION
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THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
