1. Construction Specifications Foreman’s Development Series
Introductions
Have everyone put their name on a piece of paper and fold it so it sits on the table in front of them.
Introduce yourself and have the students introduce themselves
– Name, Company, Experience, Reason they are here, etc.
Rules
Turn cell phones and pagers off or to vibrate.
Please be sure to sign in (legibly) and put your union card number
Participation
This class is an informal seminar. Feel free to express your views or jump in if you have something to add.
If you have any questions or do not understand something please immediately ask us to go over the point again! The only stupid question is the one that didn’t get asked.
Disclaimer
As we’ll see in this module there are numerous legal issues that can arise concerning how you interpret the Specifications.
Be sure to consult with your Project Manager or Contractor on any and all legal questions that come up.
Instructor – Allow 3 hours minimum for this module in order to go through all of the question and answer in the two Activities.
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2. To become familiar with a set of Construction Specifications;
Objectives
To become familiar with a set of Construction Specifications;
Their Layout and Format.
The Terms and Definitions used and their legal ramifications.
To examine the important sections that you, the Foreman, will need to look at when you start a project.
(Animated)
Objectives of the Class:
To become familiar with a set of Construction Specifications;
The layout or format used in a set of specifications
The Terms and Definitions that you will find used in a set of Specifications and their legal ramifications.
We’re also going to take a look at all of the important sections of an actual Spec. book. Ones that you, the Foreman, will need to look at when you start a project
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3. Specifications
“An explicit set of requirements that must be satisfied by a material, a product or a service”
The scope of “the Work” is given here.
The type and quality of materials required for all of the trades are spelled out.
(Animated) Specifications (Specs)
In order to construct a building the Architect and Engineer will need two basic types of documents to communicate their design intent to the Contractor;
The Drawings and the Specifications.
Both of these Contract Documents are complimentary in nature. The intent here is that they carry equal weight when interpreting the contract requirements.
Each contribute to the overall description of the work.
The Drawings are pictorial and graphic in nature. They convey information regarding the design, locations and dimensions of the project to be completed.
The Specifications are written instructions describing the work that is to be performed and how the Contract will be administered.
In the movie presentation of a story; the video portion would be the drawings and the specifications would be the sound track.
Both are required to understand the story.
Wikipedia Definition:
1) ”An explicit set of requirements that must be satisfied by a material, a product or a services”
Something not meeting these requirements would be referred to as “out of specification”
2) The scope of what is termed “the Work” will be set forth in the Specifications.
This description of “the Work” will to be detailed to suit the nature of the job.
The specs can be simple or complex as the situation demands.
3) The type and quality of materials, equipment, workmanship and the standards required for all of the trades will be spelled out as well as work methods and testing requirements.
. The “General Conditions” of the work will also be spelled out.
Things like Time and Duration of the project, how to deal with conflicts when they arise, and the submittals and record documentation requirements.
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4. CSI
Without MasterFormat, construction would collapse under information overload and you wouldn’t be able to find anything!
Read to the Class:
The Construction Specification Institute (CSI) is a national organization dedicated to creating standards and formats to improve construction documents and project delivery. It maintains and advances the standardization of construction language as it pertains to building specifications.
They created what they call “MasterFormat” which is an copyrighted indexing system for organizing construction data and in particular; Construction Specifications.
This “MasterFormat” system of construction documents is used throughout the Construction industry.
By standardizing such information, MasterFormat facilitates communication among architects, specifiers, contractors and suppliers. This helps them meet building owners’ requirements, timelines and budgets.
MasterFormat is designed to reduce costly changes or delays in projects due to missing or misplaced information.
Without a standard format there would be no consistency; each job would use a different form of document organization.
With fewer errors, work is more efficient.
Everyone; Owners, Designers, Contractors and Suppliers are all on the same page
Data is organized by construction requirements, products, and activities.
As the slide shows; Without MasterFormat, construction would collapse under information overload and you wouldn’t be able to find anything!
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5. 1995 MasterFormat
Last updated in 1995 the “original” MasterFormat had a 5 digit and 16 Division numbering system
Electrical work was found in Division #16
Pass out: 1995 Master Format / Handout #1
Since the 1960s the original CSI MasterFormat has consisted of a 5 digit /16 Division System
As you can see in the Handout, the different types of work that would be performed on the job by the various trades were broken into 16 separate Divisions.
Our Electrical work was found in Division #16.
Review the Handout with the Class;
- Quickly discuss the type of work found in each of the Divisions.
As we’ll see in a minute, this numbering system has been dramatically expanded but the basic system has been left largely intact.
You will still find many Owners and Designers, however, who continue to use this simpler 1995 Format system.
Because both systems are still in use you will need to be familiar with both.
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6. 2004 “MasterFormat”
In 2004 CSI expanded their MasterFormat to a 6 digit, 50 Division numbering system.
Electrical = Division 26
Pass out: Master Format in 10 Easy Steps / Handout #2
In 2004 CSI expanded their MasterFormat system to a 6 digit, 50 Division numbering system to reflect the growing volume and complexity of commercial construction projects.
It was expanded to accommodate the many new technologies and building practices and to provide more complete coverage for all the different types of construction projects.
They have also left room in this new format for future expansion.
See #6 on the first page of the Handout #2; they added a 5th level of detail and now there are 99 numbers for each level where there were only 9 available before.
There was also a need to incorporate maintenance information over the life-cycle of the Building so that was included as well.
This new format will also help incorporate specifications details into BIM; Building Information Modeling (Teacher Pass Around).
One example is software like e-SPECS® (Teacher Pass Around) which automates project specifications by extracting the product and material specification requirements directly from the project drawings.
For instance, every unique item in an AutoCAD or Revit drawings can be linked via e-SPECS to your favorite master guide specification thus creating the specifications as you draw the drawings.
A wood window CAD detail will have a specification that goes with it.
In 2010 this 50 Division MasterFormat was again updated with additional revisions and additions.
As we go through this new format 2004 you will see that;
Divisions #1 through #14 basically stayed the same.
Division #15 and #16 became Divisions #21-28
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7. MasterFormat 2004 Structure
Procurement and Contracting Requirements Group
Procurement and Contracting Requirements: Division 00
Specifications Group
General Requirements Subgroup: Division 01
Facility Construction Subgroup: Divisions
Facility Services Subgroup: Divisions
Site and Infrastructure Subgroup: Divisions
Process Equipment Subgroup: Divisions
Follow along with the 2nd page of the 2004 Master Format / Handout #2 as we cover the next few slides;
The new format is broken into two Groups:
Procurement and Contracting Requirements Group is Division 00
It includes Introductory information along with Wage Rates, Bid forms and Bid instructions
Site Geotechnical details and Contract requirements are provided
The important “Fine Print” found here. Things like; The General and Supplementary Conditions.
The 2nd group is called Specifications and includes everything else.
It is broken into 5 subgroups;
General Requirements: Division 01
Facility Construction: Divisions 02 – 19
Facility Services: Divisions 20 – 29 (that's the plumbers the tinners and us)
Site and Infrastructure: Divisions 30 – 39
Process Equipment: Divisions 40 – 49
There are a total of 50 Divisions in the new format but not all of them are being used at this time. They are reserved for future expansion.
You’ll see that the new format is much more complicated with room for a lot more detailed information. There are also many new sections within each Division.
Although the overall list of topics seem endless, the specifications for your job will only include those Divisions and sections that are relevant to your particular job.
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8. Facility Construction Subgroup
The 1st Sub Group is called General Requirements
2nd Sub Group – Facility Construction / Divisions 2-14
02 Existing Conditions
03 Concrete
04 Masonry
05 Metals
06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites
07 Thermal and Moisture Protection
08 Openings
09 Finishes
10 Specialties
11 Equipment
12 Furnishings
13 Special Construction
14 Conveying Equipment
15-19 Reserved
The 1st Sub Group is called General Requirements and is covered in Division 01, just like the 1995 format.
Contractual and administrative procedures are spelled out here.
2nd Sub Group – Facility Construction / Divisions 2-14
We went over what these Divisions covered in the 1995 format. Although these Divisions have essentially remained the same since then, there have been some changes;
A number of the sections found in the original format were removed from these Divisions and have been relocated into the Site and Infrastructure Subgroup. Some of these sections were given Division numbers of their own.
Things like site work, excavating and trenching, Concrete work and paving were all relocated.
Division #13 used to contain sections on Fire sprinklers, Fire Alarm and Security systems along with Instrumentation and Control systems.
All of these have been relocated as well.
Space has been left in this Subgroup for future Divisions: #15 – 19.
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9. Facility Services Subgroup:
20 Reserved
21 Fire Suppression
22 Plumbing
23 Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning
24 Reserved
25 Integrated Automation
26 Electrical
27 Communications
28 Electronic Safety and Security
29 Reserved
The 3rd Sup Group – Facility Services
20 - Reserved for future use
21 - Fire Suppression
This includes Fire Protection piping, Fire sprinklers, Fire Pumps and Halon or Clean-Agent fire systems
What was Division #15 / Mechanical has now turned into;
22 - Plumbing
23 – HVAC / Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning
24 - Reserved for future use
25 - Integrated Automation
BAS / Building Automation systems or Energy Management systems are found here.
Including things like analog and digital control equipment, instrumentation and HVAC controls
What was Division #16 / Electrical has now turned into;
26 - Electrical
Quite a few new aspects of our electrical work were added in the form of new sections.
27 - Communications
This includes both copper and fiber Telephone and Data work along with their own grounding, raceways and underground ducts for the communication system
28 - Electronic Safety and Security
Both Fire Alarm and Intrusion Alarm are now found in this Division.
29 - Reserved for future use
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10. Site and Infrastructure Subgroup
30 Reserved
31 Earthwork
32 Exterior Improvements
33 Utilities
34 Transportation
35 Waterway and
Marine
36-39 Reserved
4th Sub Group – Site and Infrastructure
30 - Reserved for future use
31 – Earthwork
Site work but basically below grade; things like excavation and backfill are found here.
Tunnels, Shoring and special foundations like driven piles or bored concrete piers that the building might require.
32 - Exterior Improvements
Site Work but basically above grade; Paving and retaining walls
Irrigation and landscaping would also be found here.
33 – Utilities
Water, water wells, wastewater, steam, Fuel are covered in this big Division
Medium and high voltage Electrical utilities, Substations and transmission lines are here as well.
34 -Transportation
Monorails, Railways, Bridges and Transportation equipment
35 - Waterway and Marine
Waterway structures and protection along with dams and floating piers.
Reserved for future use
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11. Process Equipment Subgroup
45 Industry Specific Manufacturing Equipment
46 Water and Wastewater Equipment
47 Reserved
48 Electrical Power Generation
49 Reserved
40 Process Integration
41 Material Processing and Handling Equipment
42 Process Heating, Cooling and Drying Equipment
43 Process Gas and Liquid Handling, Purification and Storage Equipment
44 Pollution and Waste Control Equipment
Last but not least we have the 5th Sub Group – Process Equipment
Divisions #40 – 49 cover the details of a myriad of Industrial situations such as;
Water and Wastewater treatment plants,
Food Processing and manufacturing plants of all types
Equipment for all types of applications
These very specialized Divisions would be included as needed for a particular project
40 - Process Integration;
piping, instrumentation and controls for various processes like a water treatment plant or cereal manufacturing.
41 - Material Processing and Handling Equipment
42 - Process Heating, Cooling and Drying Equipment
Chillers and cooling towers would be found here.
43 - Process Gas and Liquid Handling, Purification and Storage Equipment
44 - Pollution and Waste Control Equipment
45 - Industry Specific Manufacturing Equipment
46 - Water and Wastewater Equipment
47 - Reserved for future use
48 - Electrical Power Generation
This division has sections on fossil fuel, hydroelectric, nuclear, wind and solar generation
49 - Reserved for future use
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12. Sections Each Division is broken into Sections
2004 Section numbers are 6 digits long.
Such as;
Each Section is always divided into three distinct areas:
General, Products and Execution
Let ‘s look more closely at the organization of each spec section:
Each Division of the Specifications is broken into separate sections of work or subject matter.
In the 2004 format each Section number is now 6 digits long
Think of this numbering system as something similar to the "Dewey Decimal System” that is used in the Library.
Consider these Section numbers as 3 pairs:
The first two digits still represent the Division number (#1 -50)
The 2nd pair of digits represent the particular section
And the 3rd pair represents the various subsections found within each section.
So that each topic can be uniformly broken down into greater detail.
= Division 26,
Section 56 = Exterior lighting,
Subsection 19 = Roadway lighting
Every Specification Section is always formatted into the same three distinct parts:
General – Gives basic information like Scope, Reference Standards, Quality Assurance.
Products – This 2nd part lists acceptable manufacturers and types of materials to be used.
Execution - This 3rd part tells us what methods can be used where along with installation, protection and cleaning requirements
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13. Specification Activity #1
Divisions #1 – 25
Using the Specification Book provided, find the answers to the questions your Instructor will give you.
Be sure to note the spec section where the answer was found!
Pass out copies of the FDS Specifications book
(to be used for this activity and then handed back in at the end of class)
Using the teacher’s copy of Specification Activity #1;
1) Ask the Class one question at a time.
Make sure that anyone having trouble teams up with a neighbor so that everyone finds the answers.
2) Wait until almost everyone has the answer before calling on someone to answer the question.
Make sure they give you the spec section with their answer.
Review the answers with the class and make sure everyone finds the spec section in the book!
Allow app. 45 minutes for this Activity.
Keep track of the time so you don’t go over!
You may not have time to get to all of the questions.
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14. Important Definitions & Terminology
Furnish, Install and Provide
Notice to Proceed
General Conditions
(Animated) Pass out: Important Definitions & Terminology / Handout #3
(This Handout is for the Students to have as a reference material. We’ll cover only a few of the terms here)
We’re going to move on and look at some of the important terms, definitions and clauses that might be found in a set of Specifications:
1) Furnish, Install and Provide (see Terminology Handout page 4):
The word "furnish", means to supply and deliver services, materials, or equipment to the Site (or some other specified location) ready for use or installation and in usable or operable condition.
The word "install", shall mean to put into use or place in final position and includes unloading, temporarily storing, moving, assembling and cleaning, etc
The word “provide“ shall mean to both furnish and install said services, materials, or equipment complete and ready for intended use.
So why is this important to an electrician?
Where we are required to install someone else’s equipment we are also responsible for unloading the truck, storing it temporarily if it has arrived too early and then moving it to it’s final location, anchoring it and connecting it electrically.
2) Notice to Proceed - A written notice given by Owner to Contractor, usually after the Contract is signed, fixing the date when the Contractor shall start to perform the Work and the Contract Duration will begin.
3) General Conditions – (When used by contractors) Example: The jobsite overhead or daily costs for the Contractor just to be on the jobsite, such as tools, office trailer, utilities, copier, supervision, etc.
General Conditions – (When used by everyone else) The contract document (often a standard American Institute of Architect’s form) that spells out the relationships between the parties to the contract. This is usually found in Division 00 of the Specifications.
Supplementary Conditions-That part of the Contract Documents which amends, delete from or adds to the General Conditions.
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15. Exculpatory Clauses
Exculpatory clauses are designed to release one party from blame if something goes wrong, even if that party was negligent.
In Construction this represents an attempt by the Owner to avoid the impact of errors or omissions in the Specifications
 May or may not hold up in a Court of Law.
Pass out: Exculpatory Clauses / Handout #4
Exculpatory means “ to be held free of blame”.
These clauses are designed to release one party from blame if something goes wrong, even if that party was negligent. They do not have to be contained in an formal contract so long as the clause was communicated and consented to.
An example would be where you park in a downtown parking garage and the ticket you get says they aren’t responsible for damage or stolen items.
In Construction this represents an attempt by the Owner to avoid the impact of errors or omissions in the specifications by providing an umbrella of very broad and intangible requirements.
These clauses can work in the Owner’s favor but make the project more expensive if the bidders want their estimate to cover the additional risk involved.
May or may not hold up in a Court of Law. Some case law has shown that these clauses do not relieve the Architects, etc. of their responsibility to design the building. The Contractor’s responsibility is to build the building; he is not a licensed Designer.
Review some of the Clauses on the Handout:
“Should a conflict occur between drawings and a specification, the contractor is deemed to have estimated the more expensive way of doing the work and shall so provide.” – If there is a conflict it is their mistake not yours – but you have to pay for it?
Example; In your spec. book, look at the General Conditions, , pg. 8 of 73; “The Contractor shall (1)…
“Field verify, owner assumes no responsibility for variations” An actual example;
 High School site plan note said: “Replace existing fixture with new. Verify exact location in Field. Provide new fixture if no existing fixture and connect to existing exterior lighting circuit”.
- The engineer didn’t want to go see what was actually there so he just stuck a note on the print and made the Contractor liable for whatever was or wasn’t there already.
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16. Specification Language that has no Enforceable meaning??
Unenforceable Terms
Specification Language that has no Enforceable meaning??
Terms that can mean different things to different people and therefore have no legal meaning at all
(Animated)
Pass out: Unenforceable Terms / Handout #5
Some Specifications will use vague language to describe what they want. That way they can enforce what they want to, as they see fit.
The legal problem here is that these terms can mean different things to different people and therefore has no real meaning at all:
1) Here are some of the terms from the Handout:
#1 - To the satisfaction of the engineer – how do you quantify that on bid day?
#3 - In accordance with the best modern standard practice – exactly what practice are they referring to? How would we know?
#7 – To be furnished if requested by the engineer – This is an unbiddable term. Is it furnished or not?
#15 - Securely mounted – is that a wood screw or is it welded? Does it need to hold 5 lbs or 1,000 lbs.?
#16 - Installed in a neat and workmanlike manner – This term is found in the National Electrical Code Book. I may think it looks great and but the Engineer doesn’t. Why should he be right and me wrong? It is a very relative thing that can’t be uniformly enforced. (your electrical inspector, however, is always right!)
#17 - Skillfully fitted – what does skillfully mean?
#22 - In accordance with applicable published specifications – I’m not the Designer or Engineer. How would I know what published specs are applicable in my situation?
#31 - Smooth surfaces – what exactly is a smooth surface? How smooth is smooth? Are you a rough carpenter or a machinist?
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17. Order or Precedence
Anything mentioned in the Specifications and not shown on the Drawings, -or- shown on the Drawings and not mentioned in the Specs shall be considered as if they are mentioned in both.
In the case of a difference between the Drawings and Specifications; the Specifications shall govern.
Read:
In 1989 Hensel Phelps bid an Airport job in Oklahoma City. Their Sub realized that the plans called for 36” of fill under the slabs but the specifications called for 18” of fill. The Sub’s bid covered only 18” of fill and they so informed Hensel Phelps at bid time. During Construction the Government insisted on 36” of fill and rejected the GC’s claim for the additional work. In typical specification language the Government said that it was the Contractor’s duty to bring the discrepancy to their attention before doing the work and that they should have included the “most stringent or expensive” option in their bid.
Remember that earlier we said that the specs and drawings are supposed to compliment each other and that the intent was that both contract documents have equal weight?
So what happens when there is a discrepancy and they disagree?
To cover this problem most Specifications have an Order of Precedence Clause in them. Read the typical Clause:
Anything mentioned in the specifications and not shown on be considered as if they are mentioned in both.
In the case of a difference between the drawings the drawings, or shown on the drawings and not mentioned in the specs shall and specifications the Specifications shall govern.
In case of a discrepancy the matter shall be promptly brought to the Owner’s attention for determination. Any adjustment by the Contractor prior to a determination shall be at their own risk.
The Federal Court of Appeals ruled that, while the Contractor should have notified the Owner that there was a discrepancy, the Order of Precedence Clause in the Bid documents clearly stated how to deal with this problem; That the Specs govern over the Drawings and the Contractor was right to rely on that clause for his Bid. Hensel Phelps received their money and this remains a landmark case on this issue.
Things Order of Precedence won’t resolve;
“Ambiguities”- Specifications with two or more reasonable interpretations. These can be considered to be a legally defective document.
“Conflicts” – where the plans show the same plumbing pipe as both 36” and 24” in diameter.
Remember! These are sticky issues that are best left up to the Lawyers to handle but be aware that there are always two sides to these arguments! – The Designer is not always right.
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18. The Hierarchy of Information
In Order of Precedence:
Bid Addendums
Specifications
Detailed Spec supersedes a General Spec.
Drawings
On the Drawings:
Structural Drawings supersede the Architectural Drawings
Large Scale drawings supersede smaller scaled plans or sections
Written directions or notes on the drawings take precedence over the graphic illustrations.
Written dimensions rule over dimensions scaled off the prints
Usually found in Division #1 and similar to the Order of Precedence Clause there can also be a Hierarchy of Information:
The following takes Precedence in descending order:
Bid Addendums >>>> (takes precedence over Specifications)
Specifications
A Detailed Specification supersedes a General Specification
Drawings
In the field when it comes to the various Drawings the Order of Precedence would be;
Structural Drawings supersede the Architectural Drawings
If the Steel column and the sheetrock wall don’t line up it is much easier to move the stud wall than the steel column.
Large Scaled detail drawings always supersede smaller scaled drawings, i.e. ;
1 1/2” scale drawings supersede ¼” scale drawings because the Large scale drawings will have much more detail and be more accurate
Written directions, instructions or notes on the drawings will take precedence of the graphic illustrations on the same sheet.
Written dimensions take precedence over dimensions that are scaled off the prints
Scaling drawings is haphazard at best – there is no guarantee that you’ll be right
Example: Have the students look at , sec A and F in their Spec. book.
- some exculpatory and Order of Precedence clauses here.
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19. NEIS NEIS – NECA’s “National Electrical Installation Standards”
What exactly is “Good Workmanship”?
(Animated)
In your spec book look at Basic Electrical Materials and Methods / , sec 3.1 A;
What does “comply with NECA 1” mean?
Pass out: NEIS Standards / Handout #6
Ask the Class – How many of you have heard of NEIS?
1) National Electrical Installation Standards?
2) We just discussed the very subjective term “Good workmanship” as it is used in a set of specifications.
In the early 1990s NECA set out to define what exactly that term should mean when it came to electrical work:
In an Industry wide effort, with input from many points of view, NECA came up with what they consider to be a series of “Best Practices” that should be used in a good electrical installation.
NECA has published these practices as a set of standards in a booklet format that lay out exactly how different types of electrical work should be installed.
Their first publication, NECA 1, is entitled the “Standard Practice of good workmanship in electrical construction.
These standards have since been adopted by Contractors, Architects and Engineers around the world.
Nowadays many electrical specifications, instead of telling you how often Rigid conduit should be strapped, will simply refer to the NECA 1 standard and leave it at that.
In the execution section of Div Cable tray the specifier might simply reference NECA-105.
It is then up to the contractor to get the booklet and figure out how a cable tray installation should be designed, installed, supported, etc.
NECA has since gone on to publish numerous booklets on a very wide variety of electrical installations.
These are available for purchase by members ($20) and non-members ($40) on line from the NECA website.
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20. Review your Specifications???
Are you costing your Contractor money if you read the specs?
Beware of “Canned Specifications” or “Cut and Paste”.
(Animated) Should you read your Specifications???
1) Have you ever been told that if you are reading the Specs you are costing your Contractor money?
If you don’t read them you could cost him even more?
Ask the Class: What do you think? Any stories to tell?
If you are going to cheat the Specs, don’t you think you should at least know that you are doing it?
Are the Specs going to be enforced? Does anyone really care either way?
What if your Boss want you to do something different than specs require?
What if he wants you to cheat the specs?
2) Something else to keep in mind:
Some designers will just “Cut and Paste” the relevant details onto their plans and specs without paying too much attention to detail.
Some Engineers use “Canned Specs,” a generic Spec that they feel will cover multiple projects without modification; So some sections may not apply.
You might find a section on an emergency Generator, for instance, even though there is no Generator on the job.
Many times, when you ask about a very specific detail called for in the specs, the Designers won’t even be aware of that requirement – they don’t know what is in their own specs but, of course, you are responsible for them anyway!
There are also specs like the US Army Corp of Engineers – 20,000+ pages long, where information is added but never taken out.
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21. Read your Specs! What Things to look for?
Read and highlight important information.
Share information with Journeymen, etc.
(Animated) Pass out the What Things to look for? / Handout #7
Read;
Every Foreman is used to working with a set of drawings and so they take it for granted that you need to be very familiar with the plans. The Specs seem more like a foreign language so everyone tends to avoid them.
If you are going to be running a job you are also going to have to read the Specifications!
Go through the Handout with the class;
1) This Handout lists many of the sticky details you should pay close attention to as you are reading your Spec. book.
Although the majority of electrical requirements are found in one Section, more than one Section may apply or refer to your electrical scope of work.
Mechanical equipment like VFD’s and disconnect switches might be furnished by Division 23 but installed by Division 26. Duct smoke detectors might be the reverse.
Your bid exclusions and your signed Contract may decide who actually does what.
2) Take the time to read through all of the Specifications and highlight any important information that pertains to or will affect your electrical work.
You may not remember everything your read the first time through but it will be much easier to find again when the important sections are already highlighted.
Go through Division 26 with a fine tooth comb.
You should be looking for very specific information; types of materials allowed where, set screw or compression fittings, minimum size conduit required, references made to a particular manufacturer “or equal”, etc.
3) Be sure to share this information with the Journeymen and Apprentices on the Project!
This project information must flow down to the level where the equipment and materials are actually being installed by the workers.
This can be accomplished thru various methods; handouts at morning job box meetings, Pre-Task Planning, etc.
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22. Specification Activity #2
Div. #
Using the Specification Book provided, find the answers to the questions your Instructor will give you.
Be sure to note the spec section where the answer was found!
Pass out: CSI Div / Handout #8
This is for their information / reference material only Don’t go over the whole handout in class.
It takes 12 pages just to list of ALL the various sections that might be included in Division 26 through 28! And you can create additional sections if you need to!
________________________________________________________________________
Use a copy of the FDS Specifications for this activity.
Using the teacher’s copy of Specification Activity #2,
1) Ask the class one question at a time.
Make sure that anyone having trouble teams up with a neighbor so that everyone finds the answers.
2) Wait until almost everyone has the answer before calling on someone to answer the question.
Make sure they give you the spec section with their answer.
Review the answers with the class and make sure everyone finds the spec section in the book!
Allow app. 45 minutes for this Activity.
Keep track of the time.
You may not have time to get to all of the questions.
Rev.1.6 22

23. Summary Find the time to read and highlight your Specifications!
Construction Specifications can be a very large and complicated set of documents.
The legal terms and definitions found in the Specifications all have an impact.
Find the time to read and highlight your Specifications!
Pass this information along to the workers in the field
(Animated)
Summary
1) A project’s Construction Specifications can be a very large and complicated set of documents.
They are, however, every bit as important as the plans that we are already used to working with.
A huge amount of information about the materials and equipment, the systems, Standards and the workmanship required are all given in the Specs.
To ignore these requirements could put your company at financial risk.
2) The legal terms and definitions found in the Specifications all have an impact on the way we are going to build this project.
If you are going to question some aspect of the specifications you will need to be aware of the legal ramifications as well.
Be sure to ask your Contractor or Project Manager for help with these issues.
3) Find the time to read and highlight your Specifications!
You and your workers in the field need to be familiar with these requirements;
So as not to make some costly mistakes that will end up on the Punch list and have to be redone to bring your job “up to Spec”.
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