How to Write Specifications

Specifications are the written requirements for a material, product, or service for a proposed project, like a building, bridge or machine. For architectural projects, the specifications are part of the Contract Documents included with the bidding and construction requirements and the drawings. This guide will cover what how to organize specifications, the types of specification methods and specific type of language used for writing specifications. Purpose of Specifications Q Specifications should describe the type and quality of every product required for the project. Q The specifications should describe the requirements for fabrication, erection, application, installation and finishing. Q Specifications should describe the quality of workmanship necessary for the project. This includes all phases of creation and installation starting with manufacturing, fabrication, and application, through installation, finishing and adjustment. Q Specifications should include any necessary codes and standards applicable to the project. Q The specifications should also include descriptions and procedures for alternate materials, products or services if necessary. Organization of the Project Manual Contract Documents contain the bidding and construction requirements, drawings and specifications. The project manual is the bound written portion of the Contract Documents. The project manual is typically organized according to MasterFormat1. The project manual contains the following elements: Introductory Information Title Page Certifications Page Table of Contents Guide to Use of the Project Manual (used by many specifiers) Bidding Requirements Bid Solicitation: Advertisement/Invitation to Bid Instructions to Bidders Information Available to Bidders Bid Forms and Supplements Contracting Requirements Agreement General Conditions of the Contract Supplementary Conditions of the Contract
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For more information about MasterFormat see Construction Specifications Writing Principles and Procedures by Harold J. Rosen.

Bonds and Certificates Specifications Division 01 General Requirements Divisions 02 through 49 Technical Specifications Appendices Appendices are not included in MasterFormat but they are useful for including copies of information, reference documents, existing conditions photographs or example forms for use in administration. Organization of Specifications It is important for the specifications section of the project manual to be arranged in an orderly and comprehensive format. If the section is organized clearly and follows a defined procedure it is less likely that the specifier will overlook or forget something. It will also help the contractor, estimator, inspector, or other reviews find information more easily. SectionFormat is a nationally approved, industry-accepted standard that provides a defined procedure for organization of the specifications section. It provides guidelines for the arrangement of information within the technical section of specifications. The concise orderly method reduces the chance for omissions or duplication of information and it assists users of the document by consistently locating similar information in the same place in each Section. SectionFormat has three separate parts: Part 1 General: This section describes administrative, procedural and temporary requirements specific to this section of specifications. 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. To go along with SectionFormat is PageFormat. PageFormat is a standardized presentation of text for each page of a specification Section. It provides a concise and orderly arrangement of Articles, Paragraphs and Subparagraphs and it addresses the physical arrangement on the page, such as margins, indents, headers and footers. The following list is the levels of organization for PageFormat:

PageFormat Levels PART 1 GENERAL LEVEL (First Level) 1.01 ARTICLE (Second Level)

A. Paragraph (Third Level) 1. Subparagraph (Fourth Level) a. Subparagraph (Fifth Level) 1) Subparagraph (Sixth Level) Types of Specifications There are four methods of specifying. There is no defined rule for using one method over another or about combining methods, but care should be taken to avoid redundancy or contradictions. The four methods are: Q Descriptive Q Performance Q Reference Standard Q Proprietary Descriptive Specifications Under this method of specifying the exact properties of the materials and methods of installation are described in detail without using proprietary or manufacturer's names. Descriptive specifications are commonly used for products for which no standards exist, on projects where using proprietary names is restricted, and in situations where the Architect/Engineer want to exercise tight control over the specified work. There are five steps for preparing descriptive specifications: 1. Research available products 2. Research the important features required for the product. 3. Determine which features to describe in the specification and which features to show in the drawings. 4. Describe the important features. 5. Specify quality assurance measures (i.e. submittals, certifications, testing or inspection activities) Advantages to using descriptive specifications: Q Descriptive specifications specify exactly what the design intends. Q They are applicable to all conditions, methods or situations of a project. Q They are applicable to all sizes and types of projects. Q They permit free competition because they do not restrict the use of specific products or manufacturers. Disadvantages of descriptive specifications:

Q They require the specifier to take special care in describing the design intent in order to achieve the desired results. Q Descriptive specifications tend to take up more space because they require more verbiage than other methods. Q They may be more time consuming than other methods to create and write. Q They are being used less often as more complete reference standards are being developed and implemented. Performance Specifications Under this method the required end results are specified along with the criteria by which the performance will be judged and the method by which it can be verified. The contractor is free to choose the materials and methods that comply with the performance specification. They are generally used to encourage the use of new and innovative techniques that may lead to more economical construction. They are also used to supplement other specification methods. Advantages to using performance specifications: Q Only the end result or design intent is specified, this gives the Contractor flexibility in selecting and applying products. Q They permit free competition. Q They can be applicable in all types and sizes of projects. Q Performance specifications delegate the technical responsibilities to the construction industry, where the Contractor instead of the Architecture/Engineering firm is responsible for the results. Disadvantages to using performance specifications: Q They can be time consuming to produce and may result in long, detailed specifications. Q They are more difficult to enforce than other methods of specifying. Q They may be too elaborate for simple or minor projects. Q Performance specifications delegate the technical responsibilities to the construction industry, where the Contractor instead of the Architecture/Engineering firm is responsible for the results. (This is both an advantage and disadvantage because it depends who wants certain responsibilities and control.) Reference Standard Specifications Under this method reference is made to an established standard defined by associations very knowledgeable about a certain part or phase of construction. Reference standard specifications are used for "commodity" products in the marketplace, where brand names are not important. Steps for preparing reference standard specifications are:

1. The standard must be recognized as authoritative by the industry. 2. The standard must be available to all parties involved in the project. 3. The specifier must know the standard. Assure that the standard relates to the current project and does not present duplicate or conflicting information. 4. Establish a date of the standard. 5. Incorporate the standard correctly into the specifications. 6. Enforce the requirements of the standard. Advantages to using reference standard specifications: Q The standard is usually widely known and accepted by the industry. Q They do not limit competition. Q They dramatically shorten the length of specifications. Disadvantages to using reference standard specifications: Q There may be no appropriate standard to reference, because standards are written for the most commonly used and generally available products. Q Standards generally refer to the minimum requirements. Q The standard may become obsolete or out-of-date, because of advances and changes in technology and the creation of new products. Q They require a lot of research and care in use. Q They must be incorporated properly, including all supplementary information. Proprietary Specifications Under this method the actual brand names, model numbers and other proprietary information is specified. They are primarily used for private commercial projects where the Owner knows what products they want. There are two types of proprietary specifications, closed and open. The primary difference between the two types concerns substitutions. Closed Closed specifications generally prohibit substitutions. One or more products are specified, and no substitutions will be considered.

Open Open specifications permit substitutions. One or more products are specified, but other manufacturers will be considered. It is necessary to specify the process and criteria the alternate manufacturers will be judged by. Advantages to using proprietary specifications: Q They allow for close control of product selection. Q The drawings can be more complete and more detailed because they can be prepared based on precise information from the selected manufacturer. Q The specification can be shorter. Q They simplify the bidding by narrowing competition and eliminating product pricing as a major variable. Disadvantages to using proprietary specifications: Q They reduce the competition. Q They may specify products the Contractor is not familiar with or has had little experience with. Q Care should be taken to assure no error is made when specifying model numbers or product designations. Nonrestrictive Specifications Nonrestrictive specifications are used when public authorities restrict the use of proprietary specifications. Either a different method needs to be used that can be met by several manufacturers, or 2 to 3 manufacturers must listed as additional possibilities in a proprietary specification. Selecting a Method of Specifying The following questions are helpful to consider when trying to decide which method of specifying is most appropriate. Q What does the Owner require? Q What method best describes the design intent? Q What method is most appropriate for the project size and complexity? Q What method will result in the best quality of work? Q What method will result in the best price for the work? Specification Language Specification language should be precise. Vague and ambiguous text can be open to multiple interpretations. This 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 Cs for specification writing Q Be Clear: Avoid ambiguity, use proper grammar and chose precise words to convey the message. Q Be Correct: Present information accurately and precisely using proper terminology. Q Be Complete: Do not out important or necessary information. Brevity at the expense of completeness should be avoided. Q Be Concise: Eliminate unnecessary words but at the expense of clarity, correctness, completeness or grammar. Sentence Structure Imperative Mood Imperative mood puts the verb that defines the action as the first word in the sentence. It is the recommended method for specifications covering installation of products and equipment. It is easily understandable and concise. Examples: Spread adhesive with notched trowel. Install equipment plumb and level. Apply two coats of paint to each exposed surface.

Indicative Mood Indicative mood uses the passive voice with the use of the word shall in nearly every sentence. Sometimes this can create unnecessary wordiness and monotony. Examples: Adhesive shall be spread with notched trowel. Equipment shall be installed plumb and level. Two coats of paint shall be applied to each exposed surface.

Streamlined Writing This technique uses a colon (:) to mean shall or shall be. Streamlined specifications are very concise and clear to read. The subject before the colon is helpful when scanning the specifications for keywords. Examples: Adhesive: Spread with notched trowel. Equipment: Install plumb and level. Portland Cement: ASTM C 150, Type 1

Words to Avoid Typically the articles a, an and the are not necessary and can be deleted where clarity is not diminished. Avoid making an article or pronoun out of the following words; such, said, and same. The use of the word all is usually unnecessary. Avoid: Install the equipment plumb and level. Such accessories shall be silver plated. Polish said floor with wax. Polish same floor with wax. Store all millwork under shelter.

References The Construction Specifications Institute. The Project Resource Manual, CSI Manual of Practice. 5th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005.
Pilus, Jeffrey M. "Specifications Mini-Course Part 2." Class lecture notes reviewing The Project Manual. University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Lincoln, 2009.

Rosen, Harold J. Construction Specifications Writing Principles and Procedures. 5th ed. Hoboken, New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2005.