SPECIFICATION WRITING

UNIT-2/ SPECIFICATION WRITING

Brief Specification for 1st class, 2nd class , 3rd class building. Detailed specification for earthwork

excavation, plain cement concrete, Reinforced concrete, first class and second class brickwork,

Damp proof course, ceramic tiles/marble flooring and dadoo, woodwork for doors, windows

frames and shutters, cement plastering, painting & weathering course in terrace.

BRIEF SPECIFICATION FOR 1st CLASS, 2nd CLASS, 3rd CLASS BUILDING

1. BRIEF/GENERAL SPECIFICATION OF A FIRST CLASS BUILDING:

(a) Foundation and plinth: Brickwork in foundation and plinth shall be of first class brick in cement or
lime mortar over cement or lime concrete.

(b) Filling: Foundation trenches and plinth shall be filled up with local sand.

(c) Damp proof course: D.P.C shall be 2.5cm thick cement concrete or 2 cm thick cement mortar with
5% pudlo by weight of cement or other standard water-proofing material.

(d) Superstructure: Superstructure shall be of first class brickwork in cement mortar.

(e) Roofing: The roof shall be 10 cm average thick lime terracing over it.

(f) Flooring: Mosaic flooring shall be provided in all floors including staircase.

(g) Finishing: Inside and outside shall be 12mm thick cement plastered. The inside of drawing, dining
and bedooms shall be distempered and remaining portions whie-washed three coats. The outside shall
be two coats decorative waterproof cement coating. Wall surface of lavatory shall be covered with
glazed tiles upto the top level of door.

(h) Doors and Windows: Doors and windows frames shall be of seasoned teak wood and shutters of
3cm thick teak wood panelling. Brass fittings shall be provided. Doors and windows shall be varnished
with French polish.

(i) Miscellaneous: Rain water pipes shall be of Asbestos cement or cast-iron, finished with paint. All
sanitary, water supply and electrical fittings shall be of first class materials.

2. BRIEF/GENERAL SPECIFICATION OF A SECOND CLASS BUILDING:

(a) Foundation and plinth: Brickwork in foundation and plinth shall be of first class brick with lime
mortar over lime concrete.

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(b) Filling: Foundation trenches and plinth shall be filled up with earth.

(c) Damp proof course: D.P.C shall be 2 cm thick cement concrete with 5% pudlo by weight of cement or
other standard water-proofing material.

(d) Superstructure: Superstructure shall be of second class brickwork in mud mortar.

(e) Roofing: The roof shall be flat terraced roof or R.B roof.

(f) Flooring: The flooring shall be 2.5 cm cement concrete over 7.5cm lime concrete.

(g) Finishing: The inside walls shall be plastered with lime or cement mortar, ouside walls shall be
pointed or plastered with lime or cement mortar. Inside shall be white washed three coats and outside
colour - washed two coats over one coat of white-wash.

(h) Doors and Windows: Doors and windows frames shall be of seasoned teak wood and shutters of
4.5cm shisham or deodar wood panelled. They shall be fiited with iron fittings. Doors and windows shall
be painted withtwo coats.

(i) Miscellaneous: Rain water pipes shall be of cast-iron. Electrification, sanitary and water supply fittings
shall be of class B-type.

3. BRIEF/GENERAL SPECIFICATION OF A THIRD CLASS BUILDING:

(a) Foundation and plinth: Foundation and plinth shall be 2nd class brickwork in lime mortar over lime
concrete.

(b) Damp proof course: Damp proof course shall be 2cm thick cement mortar 1:2 mixed with standard
water proofing compound.

(c) Superstructure: Superstructure shall be of second class brickwork in mud mortar. Doors and
windows opening shall be provided with arches of 2nd class brickwork in lime mortar or with wooden
planks.

(d) Roofing: Roofing shall be of mud over tile or bricks or planks over wooden beam or of tile or G.I.
sheet or A.C. sheet sloping roof.

(e) Flooring: Flooring shall be of brick-on-edge floor over well rammed earth.

(f) Finishing: Inside and outside walls shall be plastered with lime mortar and white wash three coats.

(g) Doors and windows: Chaukhat shall be of salwood and shutters of chir mango or other country
wood. Doors and windows shall be painted two coat with ordinary paint over one coat of priming.

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TYPICAL DETAILED SPECIFICATIONS:

1. SPECIFICATIONS FOR EARTHWORK EXCAVATION:

Starting of work – Workmanship – Excavated Material – Protection to existing services – Measurement –

what the rate includes.

Starting of work: The excavation for the foundation trenches shall be carried out in all sorts of soils as
per plan and lining approved at site.

Workmanship: The sides of the foundation trenches shall be truly vertical and bottom shall be uniformly
leveled.

Excavated Material: The excavated material shall be stacked away from the sides of the trenches of the
excavation by at least 2 metres. The excavated material shall be filled in the plinth in layers of 30 cm and
well-watered. The surplus excavated materials shall be spread out uniformly upto a lead of 100 metres.

Protection to existing services: All the existing services such as water pipes, sewers, electric cables, etc
which are met with in foundation trenches shall be carefully supported and protected by the contractor
as per instructions of the Engineer.

Measurement: The excavation shall be measured as per exact length and width of the lowest step of
footings according to drawing or the engineer’s instructions. The depth of the trenches shall be
measured vertically from the average ground level taken at site before starting the work.

Rate: The rates of excavation include all timbering and other supports which are necessary for securing
the sides of the trenches and the contractor shall be responsible for their safety. No extra amount shall
be paid to the contractor for the excavation of the working space. The materials or valuables found
during excavation shall be the property of the owner.

2. SPECIFICATIONS FOR PLAIN CEMENT CONCRETE (P.C.C):

Materials Specifications

Aggregate shall be of invert materials and should be clean, dense, hard, sound, durable, non-absorbent
and capable of developing good bond with mortar.

Coarse aggregate shall be of hard broken stone of granite or similar stone, free from dust, dirt and other
foreign matters. The stone ballast shall be of 20mm size and smaller. All the coarse material should be
retained in a 5mm square mesh and should be well graded such that the voids do not exceed 42%.

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Fine aggregate shall be of coarse sand consisting of hard, sharp and angular grains and shall pass
through a screen of 5mm square mesh. Sand shall be of standard specifications, clean and free from
dust, dirt and organic matter. Sea sand shall not be used.

Cement shall be fresh Portland cement of standard ISI specifications and shall have the required tensile
and compressive stresses and fineness.

Water shall be clean and free from alkaline and acid matters and suitable for drinking purposes.

Proportion Specifications

1:2:4 (cement : sand : stone ballast) by volume when specified. Minimum compressive strength of
concrete of 1:2:4 proportion shall be 140 kg/cm2 in 7 days.

Hand mixing: Mixing shall be done on masonry platform or sheet iron tray.

Machine mixing : Stone ballast, sand and cement shall be put into cement concrete mixer to have the
required proportions.

Slump: Regular slump test should be carried out to control the addition of water and to maintain the
required consistency. A slump of 7.5cm to 10cm may be allowed for building work.

Formwork: Formwork centering and shuttering shall be provided as required as per the standard
specification before laying concrete to confine to support or to keep the concrete in position. The inner
surface of shuttering shall be oiled to prevent concrete sticking to it.

Laying Technique: Concrete shall be laid gently (not thrown) in layers not exceeding 15cm and
compacted by pinning with rods and tamping with wooden tampers or with mechanical vibrating
machine until a dense concrete is obtained.

Curing Method: After about two hours of laying of concrete, when the concrete has begun to harden, it
shall be kept damp by covering with wet gunny bags or wet sand for 24 hours.

3. SPECIFICATIONS FOR REINFORCED CEMENT CONCRETE (R.C.C):

Proportion – cement - fine aggregate – coarse aggregate – water – reinforcement – centering – mixing –
laying and curing – finishing of exposed surfaces.

Proportion: The proportion of cement concrete shall be (1:2:4) one part of cement, two parts of sand
and four parts of aggregates by volume.

Cement: The cement to be used in this work shall comply with the standard requirements.

Fine Aggregate: The sand to be used shall be clean and coarse shall be free from any organic or
vegetable matter. The sand shall be washed if there is any trace of earth in it.

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Coarse Aggregate: The coarse aggregate shall consist of 67% of black trap metal (known as kapachi)
varying in size from 20mm to 40mm and 33% of black trap metal (known as grit) varying in size from
20mm to 6mm. The coarse aggregate shall be clean free from impurities such as earth, coal dust and
organic materials.

Water: The water to be used in concrete work shall be clean and fresh.

Reinforcement: Reinforcement bars shall comply with the standard requirements specified by the
engineer and care should be taken while packing concrete around them.

Centering: The centering for the concrete work shall be sufficiently strong and rigid and in good
condition so as to get a smooth finish. The material for formwork shall be timber or steel plates or
plywood planks or any other material as approved by the Engineer.The props shall be of timber bullies
and the spacing of it shall be not less than 120cm centre to centre. The bullies shall be supproted at the
base by 40mm thick wooden plate of area not less than 0.10 sq.m. Necessary wedges to be provided
before and during the casting of concrete. The arrangement of formwork shall be in such that it can be
removed in parts without damaging the adjoining forms. The surface of the formwork shall be oiled
before placing of concrete.

Mixing: The mixing of concrete shall be done in a mechanical mixer or by hand operations depending on
the quantity of the concrete. The mixing drum shall be turned for 1.5 minutes after all the ingredients
are added and the drum shall be completely emptied every time. The concrete from the drum shall be
placed in a water-tight platform.

Laying and Curing: Before starting laying of concrete in position, the centering shall be well-watered.
The concrete shall be laid in forms and tapped in such a way that no honeycomb surface appears on
removal of the forms. All edges and corners of the concrte surface shall remain unbroken, sharp and
straight in line. The cement concrete shall be kept well-watered for atleast 20 days.

Finishing of Exposed surfaces: All exposed surfaces of the concrete shall be finished with 12mm thick
cement plaster of sagol finish and three coats of white or colour wash shall be applied on these exposed
surfaces of concrete.

4. SPECIFICATIONS FOR BRICKWORK FIRST (I) CLASS IN c:m (1:6):

Properties of bricks - soaking in water - mortar - workmanship - measurement - scaffolding- Use.

Properties: The brick shall be table-moulded, well-burnt in approved kiln, copper-coloured, free from
cracks and with sharp and square edges. The bricks shall be uniform in shape and shall be of standard
size and shall give clear ringing sound when struck with each other. The bricks shall not absorb water
more than 1/5th of their weight after one hour of soaking in water. Bricks shall have crushing strength of
10.5 N/mm2.

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Soking in water: The bricks shall be well-soked in water for atleast 12 hours before their use, preferably
in a water tank provided at site of work.

Mortar: The proportion of mortar shall be one portion of cement and six parts of sand by volume. The
cement shall be of standard quality. The sand shall be clean and coarse. The cement mortar shall be
prepared in required quantity shall be consumed within half an hour after mixing. The mortar mixing
shall be done on a water-tight platform.

Workmanship: The broken bricks shall not be used except as closers. All corners shall be truly in plumb
and sides shall be in line and level. The mortar joints in bonding shall not exceed 10mm in thickness.
Selected best shaped bricks shall be used for face work. Bricks shall be laid with frogs uppermost except
in the topcourse where frogs shall be placed downward . The brickwork shall not be carried out more
than 1m height at a time. All joints shall be raked and faces of wall shall be cleaned at the end of each
day's work. The work shall be well-watred for atleast 15 days. All brickwork shall be carried out in such a
way that no portion is raised unduly above another.

Measurement: The length and height shall be measured as on at site. The thickness of walls shall be
paid for as 1 brick or 1 1/2, 2 bricks or so on.

Scaffolding: To facilitate the construction necessary and suitable scaffolding shall be provided. The rate
for brickwork includes the necessary scaffolding also.

Use: They are used for the exterior wall brick works, short columns and arches.

5. SPECIFICATIONS FOR BRICKWORK SECOND (II) CLASS IN c:m (1:6):

Properties of bricks which are to be ground-moulded and burnt in kiln- soaking in water - mortar -
workmanship, mortar joints not to exceed 12mm in thickness - measurement - scaffolding- Use.

***(Similar to I class brickwork, specifications vary a little)

Specifications:

(1) Slightly uneven faces and edges with tolerance in dimensions +-8%

(2) Uniform colored but may be slightly over burnt.

(3) High crushing strength, not less than 7 N/mm2

(4) Hand moulded

(5) Efflorescence- Little

(6) Water absorption less than 20%.

USE: They are used for internal walls and compound walls.

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6. SPECIFICATIONS FOR BRICKWORK THIRD (III) CLASS IN c:m (1:6):

Properties of bricks which are to be ground-moulded and burnt in clamps - soaking in water - mortar -
workmanship, mortar joints not to exceed 12mm in thickness - measurement - scaffolding- Use.

Specifications:

(1) May be distorted with blunt edges.

(2) Over burnt or under burnt and non uniform color.

(3) High crushing strength, not less than 3.5N/mm2

(4) Hand moulded

(5) Efflorescence- Large

(6) Water absorption less than 25%.

USES: They are used for flooring, paving, small brick foundations and brick bat lime concrete(B.B.L.C.).

7. SPECIFICATIONS FOR DAMP PROOF COURSE (D.P.C):

Proportion - Coarse aggregate - Fine Aggregate - Cement - water-proofing compound - mixing -

preparation of base - laying - curing.

Proportion: The proportion of damp proof course of cement concrete shall be (1:2:4) i.e., one part of
cement, two parts of sand and four parts of coarse aggregates or (1:11/2:3). The thickness of d.p.c shall
be 25mm to 40mm.

Coarse aggregate: The coarse aggregate shall be clean, hard, dense and free from impurities such as
earth, coal, dust and other organic materials. The size shall vary from 12mm to 6mm.

Fine aggregate: The fine aggregate i.e., sand to be used shall be clean and coarse of average 5mm size
and shall be free from any organic or vegetable matter.

Cement: The cement to be used shall be fresh and shall comply with the standard requirements.

Water-proofing compound: The water-proofing compound to be used shall be of standard

specifications. The water to be used shall be clean and fresh.

Mixing: The mixing of all the materials in their required volume shall be carried out on a clean and solid
platform. Dry coarse aggregates shall be stacked evenly on the platform. Sand and cement in their
required proprtion shall be mixed dry till of uniform colour and then this mixture shall be spread over
the stacke coarse aggregate. The materials shall be turned over once without adding water and shall be
turned over for atleast three times after adding required quantity of water gradually and slowly to give a

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uniform concrete. Water-proofing compound in proportion as specified shall then be added and mixed
with concrete to make it water-poof.

Preparation of base: The base where d.p.c is to be laid shall be constructed with bricks on edge or with
frogs of the bricks down. The top of the plinth bed over which d.p.c is to be placed shall be thoroughly
cleaned with a steel brush, washed and wetted before laying d.p.c.

Laying: D.p.c shall be laid to the full width of the plinth or superstructure as mentioned in the drawing or
tender. It shall be laid to the specific thickness over the plinth wall flush with the floor surface and shall
not be carried across the doorways or such other openings. It shall be properly consolidated by tamping
and levelled horizontally as well as vertically. Laying of d.p.c shall be completed on the same day. The
joints shall be given at the openings. The concrete surface shall be roughened and chequered when air
dry to impart proper bondage with bickwork above.

Curing: The work shall be kept well-watered for atleast 7 days after laying, if there is no commencement
of further brickwork. In no case, brickwork shall be commenced unless the fresh work has been flooded
with water for atleast 48 hours.

8. SPECIFICATIONS FOR TILING (VITRIFIED/CERAMIC):

Tiles: The tile material for Glazed/Non-glazed Vitrified Porcelain(Granite Viglacera-Vietnam, Portebello-
Brazil or equivalent make) /Glazed/Non-glazed Ceramic tiles (Somany, Kajaria or equivalentmake), shall
confirm to IS:777 (respective IS standards) or Equivalent approved by the Engineer. The tiles shall be of
approved colour, size and shape or as shown in the drawings and shall be laid to the pattern approved
by the Engineer. The tiles shall be of uniform colour, true to size and shape and free from cracks, twists,
uneven edges, crazing and other defects.The size and thickness of the tiles shall be as specified. The
contractor shall submit samples of tile for selection and approval by the Engineer In-charge and all tiles
delivered to the site shall conform to the approved samples with regard to size, quality, texture and
colour.

Mixing: Mixing shall be done as per specification for mortar mixing of brick masonry work

Preparation of Surface and installation: Wall surfaces shall be brushed cleaned and wetted. Prior to
installing any tile, the Contractor shall inspect surface and conditions in areas to receive tile work and
shall notify the Engineer of any serious defects or conditions that will interfere with or prevent a
satisfactory tile installation and shall coordinate with other traders of work.

Approximately 12 mm thick level and plumb, scratch coat of cement mortar 1:4 or as specified by site
engineer shall be applied. The scratch coat shall be moist cured for at least 24 hours before application
of floating coat.

Before applying floating coat the scratch coat shall be thoroughly wetted. The floating coat, plastic mix
of neat cement of approximately 3 mm thickness shall be applied even with screeds to true plane.

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Floating coat shall be applied over areas no larger than can be covered with tile while the mortar is still
plastic (half set).

Glazed tile shall be soaked, completely immersed in clean water at least 30 minutes and drained.
Individual tile that exhibits drying along edges shall be allowed to remain on the backs of tile at the time
of setting.

Tiles shall be installed by applying a skin coat of a plastic mix of neat cement to backs of tile and firmly
pressing tile into the floating coat to true plane and position. White cement shall be used for the skin
coat where white joints are required.

During the process of setting tiles, continuous horizontal and vertical cuts every 40cm to 60 cm shall be
made through the floating coat while plastic, using the point of a trowel turned edge wise, Care shall be
taken to prevent cutting into the scratch coat.

Where full size tile cannot be laid, it shall be cut (sawn) to required size and edges rubbed smooth to
ensure a true and straight joint.

All tile work finishing shall be adequately protected from damage during the progress of construction
and any damage shall be repaired to the satisfaction of the Engineer at the Contractor's expense.

Joints in Tile Work: Joints in tile work shall be accurately aligned with horizontal joints level and vertical
joints plumb. Joints shall be maintained uniformly wide by aligning spacer lugs on tile edges if tiles are so
manufactured or by use of wetted strings.

Tile Layout: Tiles shall be laid out in such a way that no tile less than half size occurs. Where tile must be
cut at edges or penetrated the cut edges shall be carefully filed and neatly ground. Chipped, cracked or
broken tile shall not be used and all defective work shall be replaced and repaired to the satisfaction of
the Engineer at the Contractor's expense.

Grouting the Tile Joints: After tiles have been set firm and strings removed, the tiles shall be dampened
and joints grouted full with a plastic mix of neat cement by trowel, brush or finger application. Unless
otherwise directed, grout shall be white cement. During grouting all excess grout shall be cleaned off the
tile surface with damp cloth sponges.

The finished floor surface shall be true to required levels. All tile work finishing shall be adequately
protected from damage during the progress of construction till completion and any damage shall be
repaired to the satisfaction of the Engineer at the Contractor's expense.

Upon completion prior to final inspection and acceptance, the Contractor shall clean all tile work. Acids
or agents liable to damage the work shall be avoided. If tile surface show mass scratches, crack or other
imperfections, which cannot be removed by cleaning; the Contractor shall remove the defective
material and replace with new material at no additional expense. Sample of workmanship and tile grout
proposed (silicone) shall be approved prior to execution of work.

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Measurement : The measurement shall be in square meters of the work done including the setting
mortar. The rate shall be for the material and labour, all complete.

9. SPECIFICATIONS FOR MARBLE FLOORING AND DADOO:

Marble stone: Marble shall be of good quality having smooth, hard surface, regular in shape, size and of
uniform thickness, of good appearance, and of sharp and square edges. It shall be free from cracks and
other defects. Marble stone of uniform size with more than 45cm and the minimum length of 1200mm
to fit in the counter and floor, may be from Godavari Marble factory (polished of minimum size
600mmx600mm) or Rajasthani (Indian) Marble equivalent conforming to IS 1130 – latest Revision or BS
specification or as approved by the engineer.

No small marble will be allowed except in the thin wall or skirting or the edges or unless specified by
engineer. The marble must be backed with the nylon grip net. The marble shall be of minimum thickness
of 20mm. The colour shall be as per the instruction of engineer or drawings. Sample of marble stone to
be used shall be submitted to the Project manager and his approval should be taken before the bulk
purchase. All the marble stone supplied shall conform to the approved sample in all respect.

Proportion: Base Course: 1 part cement; 2 parts sand and mixing shall be done as per specification for
mortar mixing of brick masonry work.

Dressing: Each marble stone slab shall be machine cut to required size and shape as specified in the
drawing and as instructed by engineer. All angles and edges of the marble slabs shall be true and square
and free from chippings and the surface shall be true and plane. The thickness of the stone shall be as
specified in the drawing. No tolerance shall be allowed for thickness.

For flooring, the marble slabs shall be machine cut with good finish at edges and corners. The contractor
shall ensure that no chisel marks are visible on the surface of the stone before fixing. Marbles with chisel
marks or broken edges shall be rejected.

Laying: The base shall be made rough and watered and given a cement wash and then the mortar shall
be laid in 20 mm thick layers as per instruction of Engineer. After laying mortar, it should be levelled
with wooden floats. Proper slope for draining wash water shall be provided as per instruction of the
Engineer. And over this, marble stone should be laid; the joints should not be more than 3 mm. The
joints should be painted with white cement slurry.

Curing: After about two hours of laying, the surface shall be covered with wet bags and kept wet and
left undisturbed for two days.

Finish: Finally, when the surface is absolutely dry, oxalic acid powder shall be rubbed well on the surface
with grinding machine with water, and this operation shall be repeated until the surface becomes
perfectly smooth and glossy. The surface shall be rubbed with wax to give a glazing surface. White
cement or colour cement shall be used in joint to have the required colour as per specified or as per

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instruction of Engineer. Care shall be taken that the floor is not left slippery and that ordinary wax is not
used under any circumstances.

If required by the Engineer, the grinding and polishing shall be done by grinding machine in 3
operations, first grinding with machine fitted with coarse Carborundum stone, second grinding with
medium grade Carborundum stone and final grinding with fine grade Carborundum stone.

Measurement: Measurement shall be in square meter of exact length and breadth (length and height in
dado) of the floor. Rate shall include materials, mixing, laying, curing, finishing, grinding, polishing and
labour etc., all complete.

10. SPECIFICATIONS FOR WOOD WORK – DOORS, WINDOWS, FRAMES AND SHUTTERS:

All wood work shall be planed neatly and truly finished to the exact dimensions. All joints shall be neat
and tight, truly and accurately fitted. Wall plates, purlins and rafter shall be painted 2 coats.

All beams shall be bedded on (1:2:4) RCC beds of 10cm x 7.5cm x 4.5cm dimension with a minimum of
15cm bearing or as specified in the drawing. All portion of timber in contact with masonry shall have
6mm gap sides. All beams shall rest on bearing.

Measurement of wood work shall be in volumes for the finished work, including fixing, sawing, planning,
joining, nails, screws etc. Wooden blocks/joints wherever specified may be measured in number.

DOOR AND WINDOWS

A. Wooden frames: The contractor is to clear out and destroy or remove all cut and shavings and other
wood waste from all parts of the building and the site generally, as the work progress and at the
conclusion of the work.

Carpentry: All carpentry shall be executed with workmanship of the best quality.Scantling and boarding
shall be accurately sawn and shall be of uniform width and thickness throughout. All carpenter’s work
shall be left with sawn surface except where particularly specified to be wrought.

All carpenter’s work shall be accurately set out in strict accordance with the drawings and shall be
framed together and securely fixed in best possible manner with properly made joints. All necessary
brads, sheet metal screws, etc. shall be provided as directed and approved.

Joinery: All joints shall be accurately set out on boards to full size for the information and guidance of
the artisans before commencing the respective works, with all joints, iron work and other works
connected therewith fully delineated. Such setting out must be submitted to the Engineer In-charge and
approved before such respective works are commenced.

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All jointer’s work shall be cut out and framed together as soon after the commencement of the building
as is practicable, but is not to be wedged up or glued until the building is ready for fixing same. Any
portions that warp, wind or develop shakes or other defects within six months after completion of the
works shall be removed and new fixed in their place on contractor’s own expense.

All work shall be properly mortises, tenons, house, shouldered, dovetailed, notched, wedged, pinned,
braided, etc., as directed and to the satisfaction of the consultants and all properly glued up with the
best quality approved glue.

Joints in joinery must be as specified or detailed, and so designed and secured as to resist or
compensate for any stresses to which they may be subjected. All nails, springs, etc. are to be punched
and puttied. Loose joints are to be made where provision must be made for shrinkage, glued joints
where shrinkage need not be considered and where sealed joints are required. Glue for load-bearing
joints or where conditions may be damp must be damp must be of the resin type. For non-load-bearing
joints or conditions may be guaranteed casein or organic glues may be used. All exposed surfaces of
joinery work shall be wrought and all arise “eased-off” by plaining and sand papering to an approved
finish suitable to the specified treatment.

Dimensions: Joinery shall hold up to the specified sizes and as measure.

Fixing Joinery: All beads, fillets and small members shall be fixed with round or oval brads on nails well
punched in and stopped. All large members shall be fixed with brass screws, the heads let in and palette
to match the grain.

Unless otherwise specified, plugs of external work shall be of hardwood; plugs for internal work may be
of softwood. Holes for plugging must be made with a proper drilling tool and the holes completely filled
with the plugging material.

Unless otherwise specified all skirting, window, grounds and backings for same, fillets etc., shall be
plugged at intervals not exceeding 600mm.

Bedding Joinery: All door and window frames, sills, wooden bars etc., which are fixed to brickwork,
concrete by means of grounds, lugs, etc., shall be bedded solid in mortar as previously described and
pointed with a recessed joint 6mm deep to the approval of the Engineer In-charge.

Plywood, Block boards, Chipboards and MDF board, shall be bonded with synthetic resin of “interior”
type and sheet metal screws unless otherwise stated for the doors. Where stated to be “exterior” type,
they shall be weatherproof.

All exposed edges of block board and chipboard shall be lipped with hardwood as described
below.Samples of all such materials and their source of manufacture must be approved by the Engineer
In-charge before used in the works.

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Inspection and Testing : The Engineer In-charge shall be given facilities for inspection of all works in
progress whether in workshop or on site. All timber as it arrives on the site and not approved by them
must be removed forthwith, failing which the Employer, with the advise of the Engineer In-charge, may
arrange for the removal of the rejects and impose of them as they may consider advisable at the
contractor’s expenses.

The contractor is to allow for testing or prototypes of special construction units and the Engineer In-
charge shall be at liberty to select any samples they may require for the purpose of testing i.e. for
moisture content, or identification of species, strength, etc.

Where timbers need to be extended into a wall, they shall be thoroughly “Brush Treated” with a wood
preservative approved by the Engineer In-charge, and as much clear air space maintained around the
timber where it adjoins the wall as possible.

Measurement: Measurement of works will be made in m³ of works as specified.

Payment: Payment for work will be made on the basis of contract unit price indicated in the BOQ. The
payment will be full and final compensation for all material, labour, and equipment to complete the
works as specified.

B. Panelled shutters: The window shutters may be fully panelled, fully glazed, partly glazed and partly
panelled, battened or Venetian as specified. Styles and panels shall be neatly planed and truly finished
to exact dimensions. Styles and rails shall be framed properly and accurately with mortise and tenon
joints and fixed with bamboo pins as per drawing. Glue shall be applied at al joints before clamping and
fixing with bamboo pins. Panels shall be of one piece without any joints and shall be housed with
12.5mm insertion into rails and styles.

Panels shall be of thickness as specified in the drawing. All rails above 100mm in width shall have double
tenon. No tenon shall exceed 6mm the thickness of the member. In case of swing door, swing door hung
in lace shall not be rebated together. It shall be fitted with vision panels.

Measurement: Measurement of works will be made in m2 of works as specified.

Payment: Payment for work will be made on the basis of contract unit price indicated in the BOQ. The
payment will be full and final compensation for all material, labour, and equipment to complete the
works as specified.

C.Glazed, Ply,Teak, GI sheet and Wiremesh shutters

Shutter or frame shall be as described in Panelled doors.

Putty: Putty for glazing in wood frames shall be composed of pure linseed oil and whiting powder free
from grittiness.

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Wooden beads: All wooden beads shall be from hard wood fitted against the glass. Wooden beads shall
be bedded against the rebate and secured by 12.5mm glass nails fixed at 75mm apart. The rebate depth
shall be 12.5mm Wooden beads shall not project beyond the rebate. All glass panes shall have edge-
clearance, when fitted of 1.5mm all round. Beads shall be painted with approved paint before fixing
glass pane.

Hinges/ handles/bolts/screwes: The window shutters shall have minimum of two-piece 100mm steel
hinges with steel screws, one aluminium handle and two pieces of 150mm tower bolts of super brand or
equivalent with steel screws.

The timber louvers shall be 12 mm. thick of the size and fixing as shown in the Drawing. Vertical slats if
required shall be provided as per instruction of the Engineer.

Construction Procedure: The window shutters may be fully panelled, fully glazed, partly glazed and
partly panelled, battened or Venetian as specified. Styles and panels shall be neatly planed and truly
finished to exact dimensions.

Styles and rails shall be framed properly and accurately with mortise and tenon joints and fixed with
bamboo pins as per drawing. Glue shall be applied at all joints before clamping and fixing with bamboo
pins. Panels shall be of one piece without any joints and shall be housed with 12.5mm insertion into rails
and styles.

Panels shall be of thickness as specified in the drawing. All rails above 100mm in width shall have double
tenon. No tenon shall exceed 6mm the thickness of the member. In case of swing door, swing door hung
in lace shall not be rebated together. It shall be fitted with vision panels.

Rebates of metal frames receiving glass shall be prepared and treated with primer for putty prior to
glazing and putty shall be primed ten days after glazing (See Painting).

Glass louvers shall have ground edges and be fixed in accordance with the instruction of the louver
frame manufacturer.

Mirrors shall be 4mm silvered plate glass or Swan brand with polished edges, and shall be drilled for and
fixed with four chromium plated screws with detachable dome heads.

On completion remove all broken, scratched or cracked panes and replace with new to the satisfaction
of the Engineer In-charge. Clean inside and out with approved cleaner. On no account shall scraping with
glass clean windows.

D. Solid core shutters

Wooden solid core of lightwood with 4mm Teak plywood in both sides glued and lipped with mould
salwood of sample approved by project engineer. The tolerances for the overall size are +-3mm +-1mm
in thickness. Where described as “External Quality” flushes doors are to be finished with weatherproof

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plywood as before described and the Engineer Incharge must approve sample doors before the doors
are completed.

The door shutters are polished with clear chapra polish and painted with two coats of touch wood
polish.The doors shall be sticked with moulding of approved design in the shape as shown in the
drawing.

The Door shutters shall have minimum of three pieces of 150mm brass hinges with brass screws, one
IPSA Mortise lock of heavy duty or equivalent, two pieces of 150mm brass tower bolts of good quality
with brass screws, 75 mm doorstopper.

Construction Procedure: The window shutters may be fully panelled, fully glazed, partly glazedand
partly panelled, battened or Venetian as specified. Styles and panels shall be neatly planed and truly
finished to exact dimensions.

Styles and rails shall be framed properly and accurately with mortise and tenon joints and fixed with
bamboo pins as per drawing. Glue shall be applied at all joints before clamping and fixing with bamboo
pins. Panels shall be of one piece without any joints and shall be housed with 12.5mm insertion into rails
and styles.

Panels shall be of thickness as specified in the drawing. All rails above 100mm in width shall have double
tenon. No tenon shall exceed 6mm the thickness of the member. In case of swing door, swing door hung
in lace shall not be rebated together. It shall be fitted with vision panels.

Measurement: Measurement of works will be made in m2 of works as specified.

Payment: Payment for work will be made on the basis of contract unit price indicated in the BOQ. The
payment will be full and final compensation for all material, labour, and equipment to complete the
works as specified.

NB:These specifications may be adopted for other type of shutters viz plywood, teak, GI sheet flush
doors etc as well. For such items replace glass with relevant material as specified.

11. SPECIFICATIONS FOR CEMENT PLASTERING:

Preliminary - procedure for first coat - procedure for second coat - measurement

The work of sand faced cement plater shall be carried out after masonry joints are raked out to a depth
of 20mm and the walls are well-watrered.

The first coat for sand faced cement plaster shall be of cement mortar of proportion 1:4 i.e., one part of
cement to four parts of clean, coarse and angular river sand by volume. The mortar of one cement bag
shall be prepared at a time and it shall be prepared on a water-tight platform or in a steel trough. The
mortar shall be consumed in 30 minutes after adding water. The first coat of plaster shall be uniformly
applied in the best workmanship manner after watering the surface of walls in advance and putting dots
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and preparing screeds for maintaining uniform thickness of plastered surface. The thickness of first coat
shall be nowhere less than 12mm. The fist coat shall be well-watered atleast for 7 days. The first coat
shall be provided with zigzag lines such that the first coat adheres well with the second coat.

The second coat of sand faced cement plater shall be carried out in c:m of proportion 1:1 and shall be of
thickness 8mm. The second coat shall be applied on the first coat atkeast after 7 days of completion of
first coat. The second coat shall give uniform grey colour to the whole structure. The sand to be used in
the mortar for the second coat shall be perfectly screened so that sand of uniform size shall appear on
the surface. The sponge shall be used in the second coat and it shall be applied when the second coat is
wet and it shall be so worked that the density of sand grains appearing on the surface shall be equal and
uniform. After completion of the second coat, the surface shall be kept well-watered atleast for 15 days.

The payment shall be made for superficial area covered. The measurements and deductions are made
accordingly.

11. SPECIFICATIONS FOR WHITE WASHING IN THREE COATS:

Walls tobe cleaned - lime and gum - workmanship - cleaning - measurement.

The walls to be whitewashed shall be cleaned before the work is started.

The fresh white lime shall be slaked at site of work and shall be mixed thoroughly with sufficient
quantity of water in a tub and shall then be screened through a clean cloth. The clean gum or rice
dissolved in hot water shall me mixed with lime in required quantities.

The whitewash shall be applied with jute brush and the brush shall be so worked that a surface with
uniform colour is obtained. Three coats shall be applied, each after the previous coat has completely
dried.

The stains of whitewash on the floor or other surface shall be removed.

The payments shall be made on superficial contents and openings shall be deducted once only to
compensate for tops, bottoms and sides of the openings.

12. SPECIFICATIONS FOR PAINTING IN THREE COATS:

Cleaning - paint- coats - workmanship - measurement.

The surface to be painted shall be cleaned and made smooth by rubbung sand-papers of different
grades. In case of steel work, the dust and scales shall be thoroughly removed. All broken edges, cracks,
loose plaster and wavy surface shall be brought up by plaster work and all the holes and undulations
shall be filled up with plaster of paris and rubbed smooth.

The paint to be used shall be of approved tint and make. The pure turpentine shall be used as a thinning
agent.

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A priming coat shall first be applied and then all cracks, holes, etc shall be filled with putty or with a
mixture of glue and plaster of paris. The second coat of paint shall then be applied and after it has dried,
the final coat of paint shall be applied.

The paint shall be applied in the best workmanship manner. The brushes to be used shall be of the best
quality and they shall be worked in such a way that a surface of uniform shade is obtained without any
hair marks, drops of paint, etc. At the end of the day's work, the brushes shall be cleaned by turpentine
and shall be kept dry.

The painting shall be paid in superficial contents. The doors and windows shall be measured flat on two
sides and no extra measurement shall be taken for mouldings, etc. The gaps of grillwork shall be
measured on one side only for painting both sides of the grillwork. The half of the glazed part shall be
deducted from the measurements of flat area. The louvers and venetians shall be treated as one and a
half times of the corresponding flat area.

13. SPECIFICATIONS FOR WEATHERING COURSE IN TERRACE:

When it is intended to carry out the waterproofing of a newly built reinforced concrete roof, it is best to
provide the water proofing layer directly on the structural slab. The insulation and the finishing layer
can then follow. To obtain a sound waterproofing layer:

I. Clean the surface of loose particles, dust, cement laitance, etc. preferably done using a electric
hand blower.

II. Moisten the R.C. slab and on the wetted surface, apply three coats of Polyalk-wp and cement
slurry in the ratio 1:1.25 by weight for the first coat and 1:1.5 by weight for subsequent coats at
24 hours interval between thecoats. The slurry should be uniform in consistency and suitable for
brush application.

III. Cure the first two coats with damp gunny bags after 48 hours of the application of the above
slurry.

IV. Apply the third coat of Polyalk-wp and while this coat is still wet and tacky lay the mortar for
providing brick bat coba. This has to be a wet on wet application.

V. Provide insulation layer (brick bat coba) and finishing layer over the coating as per requirement.

VI. Admix anti-shrinkage compound Sunplex(330gms) per bag of cement for the mortar mixing.

Tiles for laying on the open terrace. Can withstand the effect of rain and sun to protect and weather
proof your home.

 Highly Durable

 Can withstand Rough Weather

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 Protects the Building

 Better Thermal Insulation than Concrete

 Keeps the House Cool & Saves Electricity for Cooling

 Most Economical and Eco-Friendly

Additional Description

Made of dense machine-processed clay, the Weathering Course Tiles protects the concrete roof slab
from the effects of rain and sun all round the year, for years. Not water proofing the terrace can cause
rain water to damage the roof slab and the ceiling, leading to costly repairs later on.The terrace clay tiles
can be painted with exterior sealer followed by light grey or any light colored exterior paint to further
reduce heat absorption from sunlight. Cool your roof to reduce heat indoors by reducing sunlight
absorption. Clay tiles for terrace have the best durability and are available in sizes of 9x9 and 12x12.

QUESTION BANK

PART-A (2 marks)

1. State the specification for 2nd class bick work.

2. Write the specification of ceramic tiles for flooring.

3. Write the specification for 1st class brick work.

4. What is the specification for Damp proof course.

5. Write the specification for earth work.

6. Write the specification for plastering.

7. What sources are considered as guidelines for writing specifications in India?

PART-B (16 marks)

1. Illustrate the general specification with units for the following works:

(i) Earth work excavation

(ii) Painting the outer walls

(iii) Wood works for fully paneled doors.

2. Give a detailed specification for Reinforced cement concrete work.

3. Chart out a detailed specification for Damp proof course and dado work for marble flooring.
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4. Elucidate in detail the specification for earthwork and plain cement concrete.

5. Illustrate the specification for cement plastering for brick walls and weather proofing course in
terrace.

6. Write the detailed specification for

(i) Earthwork evocations for foundation of a wall.

(ii) Manufacturing and fixing of glazed wooden windows.

7. Explain in detail the brief specification for I class and II class building.

8. Write detailed specification for first class brick work in 1:6 cement mortar.

9. Write detailed specification for reinforced cement concrete slab.

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