Beruflich Dokumente
Kultur Dokumente
Stone Age
During this time, primitive people live thru the principle of hunter-
gatherers, they moved from a place to another in search for food.
The earliest documented materials used for a “house” was
excavated in Europe which dated around 12,000 BCE used wooden
poles that are assumed to be frames for animal skins used as walls
for a tent.
Egyptian Civilization-
Roman Civilization
During around the 5th century, the Iron Age started wherein new
building technology was applied in construction, this is thru using
log construction, packed clay walls, mud brick and wattle and
daub- which is the method of constructing walls in which vertical
wooden stakes, or wattles, are woven with horizontal twigs and
branches, and then daubed with clay or mud.
Renaissance Period
This was the time when steel and electricity were first used for
advancement. Steel were mass produced to build railroads and
soon building frames which lead to construction of early
skyscrapers. Concrete was then also reformulated adding powdered
brick and pebbles (which soon evolved into the aggregates we use
today) to the original mixture of lime, sand and water. After that,
the use of reinforced concrete was evident all over the houses in
Paris which started when a French gardener named Joseph Monier
uses the concrete mixture for his pots with cage iron wires as
reinforcement. More technologies emerged during this time such
as lighting, heating and cooling systems, more use of glass, and use
of other metals as building material.
Modern Era
1.
-there are two types of closed specifications, the single product and 1. The material and labor included under this
the multi product. Closed specifications are usually brand name section.
specifications. The multi product is the same as a single product 2. Material required to be furnished under this
except that more than one product is used. “no other brand will be section to be installed by others. (Indicate who will
accepted” furnish the work)
3. Material furnished by others (Indicate who) to
5. Open Specifications be installed under a particular section.
4. Work shown on the drawings not included
open because all manufacturers whose product meet under this section.
performance or description specified may bid. All 5. Work shown on the drawings not included
performance and descriptive specifications are open. Brand under the contract.
name specifications are open if the phrase “or equal”
6. Reference Specification
Conflicts between specifications and drawings
the item desired is referred to by a number corresponding The General Provision of the contract states that “Anything
to a number published in a specification. mentioned in the specifications, and not shown in the drawings, or
shown on the drawings and not mentioned in the specifications,
7. Combination Specification shall be of like effect as if shown or mentioned in both. In case
difference between drawings and specifications or in the
specifications, the matter shall be promptly submitted to the
-it is possible to have combinations of performance, description contracting officer, who shall promptly decide in writing.
and reference specification.
Form, Sentence, Grammar
Materials Specification Writing
Specification Writing Generalized If, in the wording of specifications, complete sentences are used,
many repetitions of the word “Architect”,” Contractor”, “Owner”,
Specifications, as one of the Contract Documents, deserves as “shall be” and “will be” are necessary. The accepted rule is to use
much care and attention as working drawings. They should be “shall” and “will” with proper discrimination, as an example:
clear, concise, and accurate in their wording. Specifications should “Certain things shall be done by the contractors, other things will
not duplicate the information given on the drawings, (information be done by the owner.” The use of the words “to be” or “are be”
that can be most clearly shown by drawings) but should deal with lack definiteness and clarity. Use “shall be” or “must be” to secure
all other needed information with a few well-chosen words as the mandatory form essential to specifications.
necessary for complete understanding.
The words “or equal” should never be used, since doing so
postpones the time of decision and encourages the expression of 1.
differing opinions of comparative qualities. The resulting 1. Styles to Avoid
uncertainty causes bidders to protect themselves by bidding high
Since the specifications are one part of the contract documents, that Say: “Remove equipment during the alteration thereof and
the contract is between the owner and a prime contractor and that reinstall after completion.”
the prime contractor is the only party responsible for completing
the work the accord with the specifications, therefore, it is never Do not say: “The existing culverts shall be replaced as indicated
proper to refer to a sub-contractor in the specifications, example: on the drawings.”
Incorrect: “The Tile Contractor shall examine surfaces for Say: “Remove existing culverts and reinstall in the new location.”
defects.”
This style is incorrect because it violates the intent of the contract,
undermines the proper chain of command, and invites disputes 4. “Provide” is defined in the general provisions as
over authority and responsibility for compliance with the “Furnish and install”, When materials and/or equipment are
specifications. only to be furnished by the contractor, the term “furnish”
should be used, and when material and /or equipment are only
to be installed by the contractor may be required to use the
term “provide”. If the word “install” is used alone, the bidder
Acceptable: “The Contractor shall install all accessories”.
or contractor has a right to assume, on the basis of the
Better: “All accessories shall be installed”. definition cited, that the government (if public) or the owner
(if private) will “furnish” the material will be questioned.
Best: “Install all accessories.” Therefore, define what is to be provided by the contractor to
complete such an installation.
Another Structure to avoid is the verb phrase “is to be”, for
example:
5. Internal Numbering
Avoid: “Adhesive is to be spread with a notched trowel”
The basic scheme of alternating numbers and letters is
Better: “Spread adhesive with a notched trowel.” recommended in lieu of an all number scheme (2.2.1.2.11…). the
contrast between number and letter contributes to visual acuity and
Better: “Use a notched Trowel.”
comprehension. The contrast further contributes to the mental
establishments and retention of levels of emphasis or rank of the
2. Correct Grammar paragraph.
The tense of the subject and that of the verb must always agree
plural verbs and should not be used with singular subjects nor vice
The recommended method of numbering the internal elements of
versa.
the section paragraph is:
1.1 Paragraph Title
Correct: One of the elongated Central Fasteners is to be placed
(a) Subparagraph
around the eye of the panel and bolted.
(1)Subparagraph
Incorrect: One of the elongated fasteners are to be places around
the eye of the panel and bolted. (a))Subparagraph
Better: Bolt one of the elongated fasteners to the eye of the panel. Numbering systems within the section alternate numbers and
letters and various paragraphs and subparagraph should be
indented accordingly.
The rules of a good grammar require parallel construction. The use
of identical style in both parts of a compound subject or predicate, 1.4 Material Specification Writing
or the use of identical style in a string of prepositional phrases
modifying the same noun.
The 3 Part Section Format
Incorrect: Heating, ventilation, and Air-Conditioning
Each of the 16 divisions of the Uniform Construction Index
Correct: Heating, ventilation, and Air Conditioning is further divided into sections in the specifications, 3 Part Section
Format.
Incorrect: Tests shall be performed to determine strength and to
established quality. The specifier must discipline himself to ask three
fundamental questions about the product:
Correct: Tests shall be performed to determine strength and to
establish quality. 1.
1.
Better: Perform tests to determine strength and to establish 1. What is the product?
quality. 2. How it is incorporated into the work
3. What interrelationships have existed,
3. Avoid words having varied or indefinite meanings. do exist, or will exist for thr product with the
remainder of the product or with any portion of the
Do not say: “The equipment shall be removed and replaced as project.
indicated.”
The 3 basic parts of the section format are:
1.
1. Architectural and engineering design
2. Plans, elevations, details and all essential
dimensions
3. Designation of each portion by the title or
symbol, to allow reference to it
4. The extent of the various material by symbols
and otherwise
5. Notes giving the basic design data, assumed
loads, allowable stresses, design references and
requirements
6. Limit of work
1.
1. Materials and workmanship
2. Inspection and tests
3. Supplementary contractual requirements