Specifications described in detail without using

proprietary or manufacturer’s name

Purpose of Giving Specifications
- commonly used for products for which
 unit quantity of work’s cost no standards exist;
 one of the most important documents - projects where using proprietary names
 outlines the kind and quantity of various are restricted;
materials needed - situations where the architect/engineer
 describes the work’s technique and want to exercise tight control over the
craftsmanship specified work
 acts as a manual for both the owner and Advantages
the contractor’s supervising staff
 contractor is paid for completing a task in a. specify exactly what the design intends
accordance with the specifications b. applicable to all conditions, methods, or
situations of a project
 to specify the tools and plants to be used
c. applicable to all sizes and types of projects
for a task and to make it possible to
d. permit free competition because they do
purchase in advance
not restrict the use of specific products or
 to ensure that the materials used for a
manufacturers
project are strong and reliable
Disadvantages
a. they require the specifier to take special
Types of Specifications
care in describing the design intent in
1. General Specifications order to achieve the desired results
2. Detailed Specifications b. tend to take up more space because they
3. Descriptive Specifications require more verbiage than other methods
4. Reference Standard Specifications c. more time consuming than other methods
5. Performance Specifications to create and write
6. Prescriptive Specifications d. being used less often as more complete
7. Proprietary Specifications reference standards are being developed
and implemented
 Reference Standard Specifications
 General Specifications - reference is made to an established
- nature and class of works and names of standard defined by associations very
materials that should be used are knowledgeable about a certain part or
described phase of construction
- only brief description of each and - are used for “commodity” products in
every item the marketplace, where brand names
- useful for estimating the projects are not important
- not part of the contract document
 Detailed Specification
- part of a contract document
- specify the qualities, quantities, and Advantages
proportions of materials
- method of preparations and execution a. is usually widely known and accepted by
for a particular item of works the industry
- detailed specifications of the different b. they do not limit competition
items of the work are prepared c. they dramatically shorten the length of
separately specifications
- they describe what the work should be Disadvantages
and how they shall be executed
- the same order sequence as the work is a. no appropriate standard to reference,
to be carried out is to be maintained because standards are written for the most
 Descriptive Specifications commonly used and generally available
- the exact properties of the materials products
and methods of installation are b. standards generally refer to the minimum
requirements
 c. may become obsolete or out-of-date, - refers to the 16 divisions of
because of advances and changes in construction, as defined by the
technology and the creation of new Construction Specifications Institute
products (CSI)’s MasterFormat
d. require a lot of research and care in use MasterFormat 1995 Edition
e. must be incorporated properly, including
all supplementary information - before November 2004 MasterFormat
 Performance Specifications was composed of 16 primary division
- addresses the operational requirements The use of a standard format for construction
of an installation specifications is important for the following
- focus is on the project outcome, reasons:
indicating how the final installed
project must be able to function a. use of the same procedure lessens the
- architects provide direction to the chance of omission or duplication of items
general contractor about what is b. it facilitates the location of items in the
needed and the general contractor must same place in each section after the user
determine the best path to achieve the becomes familiar with the format
desired outcome c. its outline can serve as a checklist during
- this approach gives the general the design development stage
contractor flexibility in his
construction approach;
- it limits how much authority an
architect maintains once the
construction is underway
 Prescriptive Specification
- contain detailed descriptions of what
specific materials must be used as well
as the installation instructions
- put a greater burden on the architect to 01 – General Requirements
ensure proper installation 02 – Site Construction Division
- usually involves three (3) key
03 – Concrete Division
component:
a. GENERAL PROVISIONS 04 – Masonry Division
- requirements surrounding codes and 05 – Metals Division
standards
b. REQUIRED PRODUCTS 06 – Wood and Plastics Division
- the type of products required based on 07 – Therma and Moisture Protection Division
performance and structural stipulations
c. EXECUTION PROCEDURES 08 – Doors and Windows Division
- how to do the install and measure its 09 – Finishes Division
effectiveness
10 – Specialties Division
 Proprietary Specifications
- demand that only one specific product 11 – Equipment Division
to be used for a given installation 12 – Furnishings Division
- commonly utilized if the portion of the
project requires a certain performance 13 – Special Construction Division
of a product can achieve 14 – Conveying Systems Division
- could ultimately drive-up project costs
15 – Mechanical Division
16 – Electrical
Sixteen (16) Divisions Uniform Construction
Index
16 Divisions  Division 1 – General Requirements
- specifies the number of construction
plans to be provided to contractors
 - utilizes “General Conditions” - addresses plastics used for joists, studs,
documents for standardization columns, beams, and connecting
- incorporates “Supplemental General devices
Conditions” for job-specific details  Division 7 – Thermal and Moisture
- includes special laws and building Protection
code requirements - roofing materials
 Division 2 – Site Construction - waterproofing materials and flashing
- describes site-related work: soil - covers sheet metal trim, insulation, and
testing, core drilling, etc. roof accessories
- includes demolition of existing - addresses sealants for thermal and
structures and debris moisture protection
- covers capping/removal of existing  Division 8 – Doors and Windows
services - various types of doors and frames
- details site clearing procedures - includes metal, wood, and plastic doors
- involves grading, drainage, paving and - entrances, storefronts (façade), and
landscaping windows
- incorporates site improvements like - covers metal, wood, and plastic
fences, lighting, and irrigation systems windows
 Division 3 – Concrete - describes hardware, specialties, and
- covers all concrete work glazing
- major subdivisions:  Division 9 – Finishes
a. concrete framework - lath and plaster
b. expansion and contraction joints - covers gypsum wallboard and terrazzo
c. cast-in-place concrete - acoustical treatment and ceiling
d. specially placed concrete suspension systems
e. recast concrete - describes wood flooring finishes and
 Division 4 – Masonry carpeting
- covers brick, stone, fire brick, glass - covers special flooring and floor
brick, clay backing tile, and ceramic treatment
veneer - includes painting, special coatings, and
- includes CHB (concrete hollow blocks) wall covering
- addresses joint reinforcement, mortar,  Division 10 – Specialties
anchors, tie systems, and masonry - catch-all section for miscellaneous
accessories construction items
 Division 5 – Metals - chalkboards, tackboards, and louvers
- specifies metals used in the buildings - addresses vents, grilles, and screens
- includes steel members for steel - covers pest control and fireplaces
structures - flagpoles, lockers, and storage shelving
- metal roof decking, floor decking, and - describes directional signage and sun
permanent metal forms control devices
- covers metal fabrications like stairs,  Division 11 – Equipment
handrails, railings, and gratings - lists equipment furnished by the
- addresses ornamental metals used in general contractor
fabrications - maintenance, bank, and vault
 Division 6 – Wood and Plastics equipment
- describes wood and plastic materials - describes food service and vending
used in construction equipment
- includes rough carpentry (framing), - addresses athletic, laundry, and library
heavy timber construction, and equipment
prefabricated structural wood - covers medical, waste handling, and
- finished carpentry and architectural loading equipment\
woodwork such as cabinets and built-  Division 12 – Furnishings
in woodwork - covers various aspects of interior
furnishings
- artwork and window treatments
 - describes fabrics, furniture, rugs, and
mats
- addresses furnishing accessories
 Division 13 – Special Construction
- provides description and details for
special areas
- construction of clean rooms, hospital
operating rooms, and incinerators
- addresses instrumentation rooms,
nuclear reactors, and radiation
treatment rooms
- describes sound and vibration rooms,
vaults, and swimming pool spaces
 Division 14 – Conveying Systems
- various types of conveying systems
- includes dumbwaiters, elevators, and
hoists
- covers cranes, lifts, and material
handling systems
- addressing moving stairs (escalator)
and walks (walkalator)
- includes pneumatic tube systems
 Division 15 – Mechanical
- air conditioning, ventilation, and
heating systems
- includes general provisions, materials,
and methods
- describes equipment, air distribution,
piping, and insulation
- addresses controls and instrumentation
 Division 16 – Electrical
- general provisions for electrical work
- basic materials, methods, and power
generation
- addresses power transmission and
distribution
- describes lighting, special systems, and
communications
- includes controls and instrumentation

Division 02
1. Earthworks
Acronyms:
AASHTO – American Association of State
Highway and Transportation Officials
ANSI – American National Standards Institute
ASTM – American Society of Testing Materials
DPWH – Dept. of Public Works and Highways
USCS – Unified Soil Classification System