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CONTENTS
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4.1. Introduction
4.2. Purpose of Specification
BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY
BAHIRDAR INSTITUTE OF TECHENOLOGY 4.3.Types of Specification
FACULITY OF CIVIL AND WATER RESOURCE ENGINEERING
4.4. Specification Writing
Contract Administration, Specification and Quantity Survey
(Ceng3162)  Reference for Specification Writing
CHAPTER 4: SPECIFICATION  Specification Language
 Guidelines
Nehassie 2014 E.C

4.1. Introduction Introduction Cont…

3 4  Drawings show what is to be done in graphics form,

 The information that is needed for construction is usually

conveyed by two basic communication lines.They are

 Drawings (pictorial) and

 Specifications (written).

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Introduction Cont… Introduction Cont…

5 6  Specification: is a written instruction describing how the
particular trade of work to be executed.

 Specifications generally describe the following:

 Type and quality of materials, equipment, labor or
workmanship.

 Methods of fabrication, installation and erection

 Standards and codes

 In general the Drawing shows the size, shape and location of  Substitutions
components.
 Project record and site facility,

Introduction Cont… 4.2.Purpose of Specification

7 8
 Guide the bidder at the time of tendering to arrive at a
 Specifications are written based on the reasonable cost for the work.

 prepared design, drawings,  Provide guidance for the execution of the work.

 general and scientific trends of workmanship,

 quality expected, equipment involved, and
 materials to be used for the particular tradeoff work.
 Therefore drawings and specifications in combination
define the project in sufficient detail to enable the carrying
out of the works.
 Guide contractor for the purchase of materials.
 Serve as part of contract document to limit and
describe the rights and obligations of each contracting
parties.
 Guide the contractor for purchase and/or hiring of
equipment.

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Purpose of Specification Cont…

4.3.Types of Specifications
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 Serve the owner to know what she/he is intended to receive.
 In general, specifications can be broadly classified into four
categories:
 Indicates method of testing and acceptance of final
products. 1. Manufacturer’s specification: specification of their product for
guidance of their users, which may include property description
 Guide parameters for rejection of non conforming works. and installation guide lines.

Note: in the events of conflicts between specification and
drawings, the specification governs.
 Clearly written specification will enable proper quality control
and avoid disputes in administering construction projects.
2. Guide specification: specification prepared by an individual or
group of individuals based on manufacturer’s specifications,
established trends of workmanship, service and laboratory tests
and research findings to be used as guide lines for preparation of
contract specification.

Types of Specification Cont.. Types of Specification Cont..

11 12 In the general part of the specification the following items are
3. Standard specification: intended to be used as reference included:
standard in the construction of a project. The guide  Administrative and Procedural Requirements
specification which has been standardized by recognized
authority.  Scope definition

4. Contract (Project) Specification: The specification prepared  Project Description, site facilities
for a particular project to accompany the drawings and other
contract documents.  Submittals and quality assurance
 The specifications described above can be prepared following  Delivery, storage and handling
the format which has general and specific parts (General
Specification and Specific Specification)  Project records, Insurances requirements.

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Types of Specification Cont..
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 In the specific part of the specification; the following are
included:
 Detailed description of the quality of items to be used.
 Preparatory actions and methods of incorporating the
items.
 Technical Specification for Construction of Buildings”, 2014 By
MUDHC is the standard specification which has been used as
one of the contract document in our country .
Types of Specification Cont..
15 B. Performance Specifications
 Specifications which define products based on desired end results
not the means of achieving the desired result.
 Most appropriate when new or unusual products or systems are
required or when innovation is necessary.
 Testing methods and evaluation procedures for defining the
required performance must be clearly specified.
Example: Stud shear connectors shall conform to the requirements
of Article 4.26 of the American Welding Society.
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In the way of writing, Specification can be classified as follows;
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A. Proprietary Specifications
 This specifications call for desired materials, producers, systems,
and equipment by their trade names and model numbers.
Example 1: Floor tiles shall be “Marble", color “Fresco Cream
N90,” as manufactured by Kokeb marble factory, of Bahir Dar,
or equal.
Example 2: Waterproof Glue: Polyvinyl acetate emulsion with 55%
solids. “Wilhold” manufactured by Acorn Adhesives; “Weld
wood” manufactured by U.S. Plywood; or equal.
Types of Specification Cont..
16 C. Descriptive Specifications
 Specifications which provides a written detail of a products
properties
 The specifier shall take total responsibility for the function and
performance of the product.
Example1: “Supply and fix 40mm. thick flush wood door with hard
wood frames and both sides covered with best quality 4mm thick
ply wood. Price includes approved quality lock, hinges, three coats
of varnish paint, door stopper and all necessary accessories to
comply ES’’.
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Types of Specification Cont..

4.4. Specification Writing
17 18 Basically specifications are not to be created; they are prepared
Example2: “Sand: Clean, washed, sharp, durable natural
particles, free from soluble salts or organic impurities. Sand based on existing standards, codes, guidelines, and laws.
for grouting shall be screened to pass a 30 mesh sieve with
not more than 5% passing a 100 mesh screen”.  When planning to write specifications one should start first of
all with:
D. Reference Specifications
 An overall analysis of the work to be done, and
 The requirements necessary to achieve the required level
 Specifications which refer to levels of quality established by
of quality ,
recognized testing authority standards set by quality control
authority.They are used in conjunction with other types.  Conditions under which it must be done,
 Materials required, and
Example: Portland Cement: Conform to ASTM C150, Type II, low
alkali. Maximum total alkali shall not exceed 0.6 percent.  Details of the construction

Specification Writing Cont.. Specification Writing Cont..

19 20
When specifications are to be written, the following shall be B. Specification writing requires professional ability to read
taken to considerations drawings.

A. Specification writing require: C. Specification writing require wide knowledge of the

construction materials, various levels of workmanship, different
 Visualization (Having clear picture of the system)
construction equipment method of construction to be
 Research (to know the legal impact correctly) employed.

 Clear thinking (understanding things directly without D. Specifications use simple and clear language such that it can
misleading) readily be understood.

 Organizing (organizing what we know to write the E. Specifications shall be brief and short as much as possible
specification) (avoid long sentences with out punctuation).

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Specification Writing Cont..
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F. Specifications shall include all items affecting the cost of
the work.
G. Specifications shall be fair and do not attempt to throw
all the risks and responsibilities on one of the parties signing
the contract.
H. Specifications shall avoid repetition of information shown
on drawings to avoid mistakes and duplication within the
specification drawings.
I. Specification shall not include inapplicable text and do not
specify the impossible or anything not intended to be
enforced.
4.4.2. Specification Language and guide lines
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 The specification writer should present his instructions
regarding the particular work under consideration in such a
manner that:-
1.The drawings are more clearly interpreted, not duplicated.
2. Rights, Obligations, and remedial measures shall
designated without ambiguity or prejudice
3. Minimize the use of symbols.
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4.4.1. References for Specification Writing
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a. Codes and ordinances of governments, cities, or municipalities. E.g. EBCS
b. Standards prepared by distinct societies and government agents.
E.g. ACI standards, ASTM standards, BS.
c. Standard or model specifications prepared by manufacturers,
professional societies, and government bodies.
d. Master Specification and previous specifications.
f. Information or experience acquired by personal observation and
contract with trained or experienced people in the construction industry.
Specification Writing Cont..
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4. Capitalizing the first letters is mandatory for the following
expressions:
a. Parties to the contract; e.g. Employer/ Client, Contractor
b. Space within the building; e.g. Bed Room,Toilet, Living Room
be
c. Contract documents; e.g. Bill of Quantity, Working Drawing,
Specification.
5. Do not use foot notes, do not underline within a sentence
for emphasis.
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Specification Writing Cont..  In general Specification Writing shall

25 1. Be clear
6. Words shall be used as follows
 Use proper grammar.
a) shall in place of must; use “shall” for the duties of the  Choose precise words to convey the message
contractor or the consultant to represent the word “must”
2. Be correct:
b) “will” is used for the duties of the employer to represent the  Present information's accurately.
word “must”
3. Be Complete:
c) Avoid the use of words which have indefinite meanings or
limitless and ambiguous meanings.  Do not out important or necessary information.

4. Be Concise:
For example, any, either, same, similar, etc.
 Eliminate unnecessary words

Exercise
27
Read the following specification taken from actual project
documents and comment on their completeness and suggest the
ways of improving the specifications. .
1. “… Reinforced concrete C-25 (cement 360Kg/m3) filled in to
form and vibrated around reinforced bars, mix ratio should
be 1:2:3……”
2. “… 15mm thick cement plaster (1:3) with water proofing
compound…”
3. “… 75mm thick lean concrete in C-10 with minimum
cement content of 180Kg/m3 of concrete under footing….”
Solution
28 1.The problems in the specification are
• The type of cement is not specified,
• The maximum water-cement ratio not stated,
• The quantity of cement specified is not explicitly stated
whether it is minimum or maximum,
• Not specified whether the compressive strength is cube or
cylinder,
• The mix ratio is not explicitly stated whether it is by weight
or by volume,
• The ratio 1:2:3 not explicitly stated which ratio belongs to what

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Cont…
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The specification may be rewritten as:
 “…reinforced concrete C25 (on 150mm cube) with a
minimum cement content of 360Kg/m3 (type OPC 42.5N)
with a mix ratio of 1:2:3 (C:FA:CA) by volume and with a
maximum water cement ratio of 0.5 and filled into forms and
properly vibrated around reinforcing bars…”
Cont.…
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The specification may be rewritten as:
“…15mm thick plastering with cement-sand ratio of 1:3 by
weight. The class of cement shall be OPC 42.5N and the amount of
water proofing compound shall be 1kg for every 50kg cement and
thoroughly dry mixed before water is added…”
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Cont…
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2.The problems in the specifications are:
• Type of cement is not specified,
• The ratio is not specified whether it is by volume or
weight,
• The ratio needs explicitly stated cement-sand ratio of 1:3,
• The amount of water proofing compound is not
specified,
• The application of water proofing compound not stated.
Cont…
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3.The problems in the specifications are
• Type of cement to be used not specified,
• Not specified whether the compressive strength is cube
or cylinder,
• For lean concrete, specification based on performance or
prescription is enough since their purpose is blinding and
leveling.
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Cont… Cont…
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The specification may be rewritten as: Deference between Specification and condition of
contracts?

“… 75mm thick lean concrete C10(150mm cube) made of  The terms and conditions (legal document).
cement class of 42.5N for leveling and blinding of footing
foundation works …” Or  The specification (technical document).

“… 75mm thick lean concrete with minimum cement content
of 180kg/m3 (cement class of 42.5N) for leveling and blinding of
footing foundation works …”
These documents work hand-in-hand and are all legally binding. The
specification states what the contractor builds, whilst the terms and
conditions address what happens if the work does not go to
plan (for example, defects, delays, variations). Here are some good and
very simple examples of how these documents operate in practice:

Cont…
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Reading assignment
1. Variation payments to a contractor – if the specification changes
at the request of the employer, the terms and conditions will usually
require the employer to pay the Contractor for this. Read the standard technical specification and FIDIC condition of
contract and then compare and contrast?
2. The specification will usually state the tests that the employer
wishes to carry out and when. Failure to comply with this
requirement will usually mean that the Contractor is entitled to
additional payment via the terms and conditions.

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THANK YOU

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