. 'S ECIFICATION: & [Contract Max B. FAJARDO Jr.Philippine Copyright 1999 by Max B. Fajardo, Jr, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED FOREWORD Specification is an integral part of a construction plan, It is a precise explicit statement or enumeration of particulars as to size, shape, quality, color and manner of making things right Specification is the act or process of making specific by supplying particular details. The purpose is to decrease generalities or vagueness of something by supplying some characteristics that limit it to a precise coverage or boundaries. In engineering terms, specification is a printed description of a plan for something. It can be detailed, precise or explicit presentation as by enumeration, description or working drawing of constructional work. For instance, construction or renovation of a house, specification serve as guide or description of what to be done, the quantity and quality of materials and methods of construction plus dimension and other information not shown in the working drawing, Types of Specification 1. Simple Specification 2. Detailed Specification 1. Simple Specification is appropriate only to simple form of labor and materials, supplies or machine which had become standard. It needs no Special knowledge in preparation provided thatrequirement of # Good Specification pelea in all details both in plan and 1 abl ea Potton to both ower and specfenie® fre to render needed work only as Po Ninderstood clearly what is desired by the Sa For the reason he can make certain of Rie bid without gambling on uncertain hidden is that he may be obliged to do due to vague specifications. - — r 2 Ieshould be brief because it is not like @ novel » Gly those characteristics or feature that will assure result should be specified. 3. [nsbould be definite, indefinite specifications are incented for dishonest and vicious intent. For ‘example, “it is provided that the Engineer shall interpret any provision not clearly stated": There is an opportunity for him to decide the matter later, For this latitude of description, the engineer may have the chance to vary expense and favor a certain person for dishonest motive. This is Aisedvartageous to the owner and contractor. 4. [should be fair, Fairness in specification means protection of the client and the contractor in every legal ways, Equitable dealing between contending parties should respect for others ‘ccording to one’s idea of social justice. Wt_should_be_determinaig. For example, specification state that "Lumber required shall be suitable character for tax purpose intended of straight grain and free from defects as the Engineer shall - prescribed”. This _is not determinate specification, it permi: the Engineer in disregard of fair play to require materials more superior to that actually needed by the Engineer. Specification should noi be ambiguous. It should not have more than one meaning or interpretation, Unnecessary or unreasonable recuirements are always ambiguous and uncertain as to what is really desired and what actually needed by the Engineer. - Specification should not be unnecessary. severe. Specification for materials of the class desired should be embodied. It should no: be unusual or extravagant because it adds ma‘erially to the expenses. ‘Specification should not _be arbitrary. The Engineer’s duty to control over the work should not be arbitrary. The contractor should not be deprived of using sound discretion when necessary to achieve the desired result, Otherwise, the contractor may claim that he merely acted as ministerial works of the Engineer ‘ot his client not as contractor to escape responsibility.the writer could explain the manner and methods to be fulfilled. Detailed specification on the other hand is mandatory as the design becomes more elaborate and parts of the structures are numerous and complicated. Specification of this type should be complete, The materials and methods of construction of each part should be described in detail With increase complication of the design, much greater uncertainties arise. Specification must indicate these deails clearly as to character of the materials, workmanship and design. Thus, specification must be prepared carefully and clearly to avoid vagueness and confusion that may create misunderstanding. Specification must be written in the language of the locality and should be accurate and exact. When using technical terms common to the trade to which it applies, ust be used as acceptable in common and local they a usage. thing should give way to cleamess. Writer should use of synonymous to avoid redundant sition. The test for clarity is to define it in the ‘contract as understood and accepted by the contracting parties, For instance, if days are used in the contract, it may mean calendar day of 24 hours or working day except Sundays and holidays or working day not more them $ hours a day. PART-1 SPECIFICATIONS (GENERAL REQUIREMENTS)PTER 1 , EXCAVATION, FILLING AND GRADING SCOPE OF WORK The work under this section of the Specifications consists of furnishing all items, materials, equipment, labor. plants. appl ances, methods and all operations that may be necessary. and incidentals to complete exeavation, filling. back-filing and ‘grading in accordance with the Plans, and schedule if any. and Subject to the terms and conditions of the Contract 1-1 EXCAVATION ‘The Contractor shall make all necessary excavation for foundations to establish grades indicated on drawings without extra compensation including all other exeavations required and necessary for the proper prosecution of the work. Cut slope for permanent excavations shall not he sterper than 1-1/2 horizontal to one vertical, and slopes for per- ‘manent fills shall not be steeper than 2 horizontal to one vertical unless a substantiating data which justify steeper slopes are submitted Deviation from the foregoing limitetions for slopes shall be permitted only upon presentation of a soil investiga- tion report acceptable to the supervising Engincer Trim the excavation to the required depth, lines and grades and other incidental excavations to level up thero 10 ‘SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT footing plus compacting and tamping which are included in the building Contract terials to be excavated shall include: any rock, sey and other matenals of any nature and descriptior Encountered in obtaining the indicated lines and grades. If the required safe bearing power of the soil is not ob- tained at the excavation depth indicated on the drawings, the excavations shall be continued until such safe bearing power is reached. Piecs and walls shall be lengthened accordingly and like ‘wise, the footings shall be revised to suit the new condi- tuons for which the Contractor shall be paid at the unit price bid for concrete work, No fill or other surcharge loads shall be placed adjacent to any building or structure unless such building or structure is capable of withstanding the additional loads caused by the fill or surcharges. Footings or foundations which may be affected by the ex- cavation shall be underpinned adequately, or otherwise, protected against settlement and/or against laisral move> ment. Fills to be used to support the foundations shall be placed in accordance with accepted engineering practices. A soil investigation report and a report of satisfactory placement of fill, both, shall be acceptable to the supervising Archi- tect or Engineer. . ‘Additional payment for excavation will be computed pet unit bid price and/or at established unit price for same as follows: .. For additional excavation to safe-bearing power toil EXCAVATION, FILLING AND GRADING All materials of every nature and description, which in the Owner's opinion will require the use of air oper- ated hammers, wedging, or drilling and blasting Fequired in 5 based upon work required between indi- cated grades and authorized grades. 1-2 UNAUTHORIZED EXCAVATION Where existing surface levels are lower than the sub-grade levels required for work, or where excess or authorized excava- tion takes place beyond the indicated lines and grades, the con- tractor shall fill the indicated line and grade at his expense un- der the following conditions: 1 Where the footings and foundations occur, use concrete fill of the same class as specified for footings and foun- dations. ‘Where slabs occur, use a well compacted sand and gravel fil. 1-3 EXCAVATION OMITTED 1 ‘When the nature of the soil is such that good-bearing or safe-bearing is found to exist at higher grades than the sub-grade levels indicated on the Plan, the supervising Architect or Engineer may decide to stop the excavation work at those higher grades Should the Owner so decide, it will be ordered in writing. This will be subject to reduction in the contract price in favor of the Owner at Unit Price Bid and or at established rice, based upon measurements taken between author- ized higher grades and grades indicated on drawings. The same is true for omitted filling due to change of grade 3- SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT 3. Footing shall not be placed on fill 1-4 PROTECTION, PUMPING, MAINTENANCE, 1. The Contractor shall at all times protect the excavations and trenches from damages of rain water, spring water, backing of drains, and from all other water 2. He shall provide and operate all pumps or other equip- ment necessary to drain and keep excavations, pits, trenches and the entire sub-grade area free of water under any circumstances and contingenc es that may arise. 3. He shall build all necessary cnelnsures, construct and maintain temporary drainage for this purpose. He shall provide all shoring, bracing and sheathing as required for safety, oF necessary to support adjoining walls, walks, soils, streets, buildings, fences, and the like and for prose~ ccution of the work, all these to be removed when work is completed, and or required by the Owner. 1-5 BLASTING 1. Where materials to be excavated are of such nature and density that the most practical and economical methods of removal is by blasting, the surfaces of such materials shall first be exposed 2. The Contractor shall notify the Owner who will conduct the survey and make cross-section of the existing sur- faces. Otherwise, no payment shall be made for removal of materials requiring blasting, if removed before being measured of cross-sectioned. 3. Where blasting is required, only qualified persons skilled in such work shall be employed. Dynamite and detonators 4 EXCAVATION, FILLING AND GRADING shall be handled and stored in accordance with regula- tions of government authorities having jurisdiction on explosives 4. ‘The Contractor shall take all precautions in order to in- sure safety of persons and propety. After blasting, ex- amine all bottoms for foundations. Remove all loose or shaken rock down to soil bearing, and roughly level or shelf bottom as required. 5. Avoid shattering or removing rocks beyond authorized lines and grades. Otherwise, such removal shall be con- sidered as unauthorized excavation as provided for by the Provisions of Section 1-2 “Unauthorized Excavation”, shall apply. 1-6 INSPECTION No pouring of concrete shall be don: by the Contractor un- less the bearing surfaces has been inspected and approved by’ the Owner, and the authority to proceed has been received by the Contractor 1-7 DRAINAGE SYSTEM AT SITE ‘The Contractor shall provide, construct and maintain for the duration of the work, drainage system of the site approved and ‘or as directed by the supervising Architect or Engineer 1-8 UTILITIES 1. The Contractor shall protect and maintain all conduits, drains, sewer pipes and other ut lity services that are to remain on the property or in the building, or in the site, ‘where required for the proper execution of the work seC 14 1 2 3 1-5 BLASTING } 1 { | 2 § { SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT Footing shall not be placed on fil. PROTECTION, PUMPING, MAINTENANCE 1 at all times protect the excavations 1 Contractor shal Te cone ‘er, spring water, ‘and trenches from damages of rain wat packing of drains, and from all other water He shall provide and operate all pumps or other equip- ment necessary to drain and Keep excavations, pits, Tronches and the entire sub-grade area free of water under ‘any circumstances and contingencies that may arise. He shall build all necessary enclosures, construct and ‘maintain temporary drainage for this purpose. He shall provide all shonng, bracing and sheathing as required for Safety, ox necessary to support adjoining walls, walks, soils, streets, buildings, fences, and the like and for prose- cution of the work, all these to be removed when work is completed, and or required by the Owner. Where matenals to be excavated are of sucls nature and density that the most practical and economical methods of removal is by blasting, the surfaces of such materials shall first be exposed. ‘The Contractor shall notify the Owner who will conduct the survey and make cross-section of the existing sur- faces. Otherwise, no payment shall be made for removal of materials requiring blasting if removed before being measured or cross-sectioned Where blasting is required, only qualified persons skilled in such work shall be employed. Dynamite and detonators EXCAVATION, FILLING AND GRADING shall be handled and stored in accordance with regula- tons of government authorities having jurisdiction on explosives, The Contractor shall take all precautions in order to ine sure safety of persons and property. After blasting. ex- amine all bottoms for foundations. Remove all loose or shaken rock down to soil bearing, and roughly level or shelf bottom as required Avoid shattering or removing rocks beyond authorized lines and grades Otherwise, such removal shall be con sidered as unauthorized excavation as provided for by the provisions of Section 1-2 “Unauthorized Excavation”, shall apply 1-6 INSPECTION ‘ No pouring of concrete shall be done by the Contractor un- less the bearing surfaces has been inspected and approved by the Owner, and the authority to proceed has been received by the Contractor . 1-7 DRAINAGE SYSTEM AT SITE ‘The Contractor shail provide, construct and maintain for the duration of the work, drainage system of the site approved and or as directed by the supervising Architect or Engineer. 1-8 UTILITIES ‘The Contractor shall protect and maintain all conduits, drains, sewer pipes and other utility services that arc to remain on the property or in the building, or in the site, ‘where required for the proper execution of the work sSPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT she Contractor shall nou all corporabons, companies, ree oes or other authones concemed with the above Robin. drums, water and sewer pipes, running to the Sern of the ste. and protect, relocate, remove, cap oF FP all pipes. sewer, and other utlity services, shah interfere with the excavabon in accordance wath Recuchon and requirements of the above noufied partes. 1-9 FILLING AND GRADING 1 [Alt excavavons shall be back-flled immediately as work permis after concrete walls and piers have attained full Sesiga strength and of as the Owner's Engineer directs After the forms have been removed from the footings, alls, and piers, the materials takem from excavations (ee from waste and objectionable matter) shall be used. for back-filling around them This filling materals shall be made in layers not to ex- ceed 15 centimeters and thoroughly tamped before the ext fill ss placed. Excess excavated materials shall be placed and spread on the immediate premises as directed by the supervising Engineer, provided, however, that the Consractor shall not be requited to remove such materials more than 50 meters from the building line. Open tile drains around the building if any, shall be cov- ered wrth crushed rock or gravel for a depth of 30 em. and the same shall be graded from coarse to fine. Open tile drains under floor slab (where s0 indicated on drawings) shall be covered with broken stones or gravel up to the bottom of the slab, In spaces where slabs rest on ground, or on carth-fill as specified in paragraph 2, shall be labeled and accurately | EXCAVATION, FILLING AND GRADING ‘graded with 10 cm. thick of gravel and sand, and tamped ‘thoroughly before concrete pouring is dou. 7. All exterior grades shall be formed in accordance with the drawings and specifications, taking mto account the re- quirements for landscaping work, if any, and giving due allowances for the top soil depth 8. The Contractor shall grade the arca included withir clearing lines as defined in “Clearidg” under the Genera’ Conditions, and all such grading work shall be included in the building Contract without extra or additional cost Banks of graded areas shall have a slope of 3.8 cm. hori zontal to one vertical distance. 9. Extra grading (cut or fil) beyond the __meters and or ddue to change of grade shall be paid at the unit price bid for the same. 1-10 TOP SOIL STRIPPING AND SPREADING For use when topsoil is salvaged for landscaping work 1. Topsoil stnpping operations shall start from the areas af- fected by the construction to limits indicated by the ‘Owner and or as specified 2. Topsoil shall be stripped to varying depths as approved by the Architect, but not beyond topscil strata, 3. Topsoil shall be stripped by approved methods and stored where it will not interfere with the work 4. This topsoil shall be evenly spreaded to the true contours, and raked to even, smooth surfaces seady for seeding of planting.SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT 1-11 TEMPORARY EASEMENT “The Contractor shall obtain the consent of adjoining property ‘owners regarding the need for temporary easements or any ther manner of physical encroachment at his own expense, MENT 1-12 PAV The Contractor shall restore, without extra cost to the Gov- ‘emment, any street pavements, concrete sidewalks and curb, ‘and similar public structures that may be opened, removed or demolished in the performance of work nder this Section in the manner prescribed by’ authorities having jurisdiction. 1-13 PROTECTION OF TREES ‘The Contractor shall protect trees indicated to remain in place by boxing them, by using guys and the like, and or as in- dicated by the supervising Architect or Engincer. 1-16 PROTECTION OF ADJOINING PROPERTY ‘The Contractor shall protect the excavation to be made be- ow existing grade ine s0 that the soil of adjoining property will not cave-in or settle and shall defray the cost of underpinning or extending the foundation of buildings on adjoining properties. 1, Before starting the excavation, the Contractor shall notify in writing the owners of the adjoining buildings not less than 10 days before such excavation is to be made and that the adjoining building will be protected by him, iven ac 2. The owners of the adjoining properties shall be cess to the excavation for the purpose of verifying if their properties are sufficiently protected by the contractor ‘making the excavation \ 3 EXCAVATION, FILLING AND GRADING {In case there is a party wall along a lotline of the prem- =. ‘Where an excavation is being made, the contractor at is expense preserve such party wall in as safe a condi- tion as it was before the excavation was commenced and shall, when necessary, underpin and support the same by adequate methods. Guards or fences shall be provided along open sides of ‘excavation except that, in the discretion of the Engincer, such guards or fence may be omitted from any side oF sides other than those adjacent to streets or public pas- sageways7 CHAPTER 2 TERMITE CONTROL SCOPE OF WORK ‘This tein shall consist of furnishing all materials and labor, snd applying termite eontrol chemicals. including the use of Squipment and tools im performing such operations in accor dane with this Specifications 2-1 MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS Termite control chemicals or toxicants shall be able 10 im- sedate exterminate termites or create bariers to discourage fentry of subterranean termites into the building areas. The toxi- Gants may be classified into the following types and according rouse. Type-l Liquid Termite Concentrate ‘This type of toxicant shall be specified for drenching soil be- neath foundations of the proposed buildings. The concentrate shall be diluted with water in the proportion of 1 liter of con- centate maternal to°65 liters of water or as specified by the manufacturer Type 11 Liquid Termicide Ready Mixed Solution This type of toxicants which comes in ready mixed solution shall be used as wood preservative by drenching wood surfaces to the point of run-off Type! Powder Termicide, 10 ‘TERMITE CONTROL This type of toxicant shall be applied to visible or suspected subterranean termite mounds and tunnels where termites arc exterminated through Trophallaxes or exchange method or nourishment between termites while greeting each other upon mecting 2-2 CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS: Before any termite control work is started. thorough exami- tation of the site shall be undertaken by the contractor so that the appropriate method for soil poisoning can be applied. The Contractor shall coordinate with other related trades through the Engineer to avoid delay that may arise curing the different phases of application of the termite control chemicals. A. Soil Poisoning Treatment There are two methods adopted in soil peisoning enumerated as follows: 1, Cordoning. This method is adopted when there is no visible evidence of termite infestation. Trenches in con- centric circles, squares or rectangles are dug 15 to 22 centimeters wide and at least one meter apart and ap- plied with Type] working solution at the rate of & liters per linear meter. 2. Drenching. When soil show termite infestation, this method shall be applied. The building area shall be thor- oughly drenched with Type I working solution at the rate of 24 liters per square micter. ‘When Powder Termicide is to be applied to eradicate subterranean termites, careful application and precaution shall be given considering that this toxicant is fatal to animal and human lives. uSPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT B, Applications 3. At the time soil poisoning is to be applied, the soil to be treated shall be in friable condition with low moisture content s0.as toallows uniform dist ibution of the toxicant a gents Tovicant shall be applied at least twelve (12) hours prior to placement of conerete which shall be in ‘contact with treated materials, 4. Treatment of the soil on the evterior sides of the foundae tion walls. grade beams and similar structures shall be done prior to final grading and planting or landscaping work to avoid disturbance of the toxicant barners by 5. Areas to be covered by concrete slab shall be treated be- ' such operations fore placement of granular fill used as capillary water barricr ata rate of 12 liters per square meter with Type ~ 1 working solution after it has been compacted and set to required elevation. Additional treatment shall be applied as follows: a. In critical areas such as utility openings for pipes, conduits and ducts, apply additional treatment at the rate of 6 liters per linear meter in a strip 15 to 22 cen- timeters. b, Along the exterior perimeter of the slab and under expansion joint, at the rate of 2.5 liters per linear me- ter ina strip of 15 to 22 centimeters wide in a shallow trench. €. Prior to landscaping of the lawn, saturate the building perimeter of about 3.0 meters wide with soil poison working solution, Earth fill shall be treated thor- ‘oughly with soi! poison working solution as soon as fill is packed and leveled. Every square area shall be drench with the solution. 2 TERMITE CONTROL 4. Only skilled and experienced technicians shall be employed in this kind of work, C. Wood Protection Where the application of wood preservative is necessary, the Contractor shall use Type -Il working solution as recommended by the manufacturer Dircetly spraying of the building skeletal frame work to control general surface infestation includes the following: Rough hollow block walling Floor beams, joists, girders, bridging Door and window frames Ceiling, frames and other parts of the building in order to have a 100% coverage, All wood materials not pressure treated shall be tcated with ‘Type ready mixed solution as herein called for or as directed by the supervising Architect or Engineer 2-3 GUARANTEE ‘The Contractor shall give in Service Guarantee wovernns the Uweatment of termite infestation or the repetition of the above stated termite control services without extra cost to the Owner if any infestation of recurrence ot infestation occurs during the ‘2uarantee period of one year. 2-4 METHODS OF MEASUREMENT Liquid termite control chemicals or toxicants shall be meas ‘ured by actual number of liters used im the cordoning and drenching of lot areas and soil poisoning of granular fill or ac- ‘tual number of liters used in drenching wood surfaces, while the 13SPECIFICATIONS AND CONTRACT powder chemical shall be measured by kilograms applied to suspected subterranean termite mounds and tunnels. The quan- tity to be paid for shall be determined and accepted by the su- x Engince rervising Architect 2-§ BASIS OF PAYMENT The accepted quantities, measured as prescribed. shall be pad for at the Contract Unit Price for Termite Control Work ‘which price and payment shall be full compensation for fure rishing and applying termite control chemicals incliding the use of equipment and tools, labor and ineidentals necessary to complete the work prescribed in this Item. Payment shall be made under the following schedule: Pay tem No, Description Unit of Measurement A Soil poisoning * Liter B Woved preservative Liter C= Powder termicide Kilograms 4 CHAPTER 3 PLAIN AND REINFORCED CONCRETE SCOPE OF WORK This Item shall consist of furnishing, placing and finishing concrete in buildings and related structures, flood control and draimage, and water supply: structures in accordance with this Specifieanons and conforming to the lines, grades. and dimen- sions shown on the Plans. 3-1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 1. Acronyms ‘The following acronyms for applicable standards/ publica- tions are referred to in this Specifications ASTM — American Society for Testing Materials ACI - American Concrete Institue POL- Pre Stressed Concrete Institute AWS - American Welding Society AISC - American Institute of Steel Construction 2, Standard Specifications and Codes ‘The work covered by this Section unless otherwise specified cr detailed, shall be governed by the Building Code require- ments for Reinforced Conerete (ACI 318), Standard Code for ‘Arc and Gas Welding Society. The latest edition of all standards Specifications or Codes will be used Is