Specificatpartions,contracts,and construction drawings are an integral part of what is referred to as the contract documents.These documents form a guide for the various workers and suppliers to follow in constructing the project.The construction drawings show the location,size particulars of a structure to be built.The specifications set the standards of the workmanship and materials in writing.The drawings and specifications complement one another and are used together.For example,the drawings show the color and location of paint to be applied to a wall surface,but do not tell how it is to be applied (sprayed,rolled,or brushed) and the resulting quality of workmanship required.In this case,the subsurface must first be prepared to recieve the paint,adjacent areas need to be protected from the painting.The minimum skills of the painter must be specified,and the cleanup needed must be called out.These particulars are all detailed in written specifications for the painting,and similar instructions are prepared for all the other work to be carried out on the project.
Specifications
Specifications are written documents that clearly describe the required materials,requirements for the execution of the work,and workmenship expected.Generally for small,simple projects the written specifications may be placed directly in the drawings,either typed on transparent adhesive filmproject or in the text from in CAD on a separate drawings sheet.However,for most projects,the specifications are included in a "job book"or " project manual" and issued with the contract agreements and construction drawings as the complete set of contract documents.
The job books can be a bound or loose -leaf manual and contains the technical specifications.A project manual may include the specifications as well as other documentation for the total project,such as contract(s),bidding requirements (if needed),and general and supplementary conditions of the contract.
Specifications Types
Specificatirions should complement the construction drawings,not duplicate them.Their main purpose is to describe the types and quality of materials and finishes;quality and method of constructions;and warranties and their requirements.Specifications are referred to as "closed" or "open"for bidding purpose."closed"means no product can be used on the project other than what is specified.Open specifications allow for the substitution of products specified,or for the contractor to suggest a number of products for the items that is specified or being bid on.There are four main types of specifions; proprietary,descriptive,reference,and performance.
Proprietary
Proprietary specifications,which are closed,call out a specific manufacture's products by name,model or part number,and color or finish.If applicable.Propritary specifications are the most restrictive,as they give the interior designer complete control over what is to be installed in a project.Sometimes the specifications include an "or equal" clause (sometimes referred to a base-bid specification),which means the substitution of other products will be allowed if the contractor thinks they are equal to the one specified.Proprietary specifications tend to be easier to write,as the designer needs to provide only the basic descriptive information,such as the manufacturer,product number,and finish/fabrics,as shown in Table.
If more detail is needed,the manufacturer will supply the information to the designer so that it can be incorporated into the specifications.
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