John Kenney, CPRC, CEO, Cotney Consulting Group
In last month’s article, “Decoding Construction Drawings: The Essential Guide for Roofing Contractors,” we highlighted the principal role of blueprints for roofing contractors. However, the journey from concept to construction isn’t just about the visual roadmap. Enter project specifications. These documents delve into the granular nuances of a construction project, shedding light on material quality, method intricacies and workmanship standards. Think of drawings as the skeleton and specifications as the lifeblood that gives it substance and purpose. While drawings illustrate, specifications clarify, ensuring no gaps or ambiguities exist. It’s pivotal to note that if they ever clash, the project specifications lead the way with one exception: If the drawing notes are more stringent than the specification, they will override the specification.
Before we dive deeper into specifications, let’s review the major sections of the project manual, of which your project specifications are a part. A typical project manual comprises:
- Project Overview: This segment encapsulates the principal participants from project stakeholders to designers like architects and engineers. Their identities and contact points ensure an unbroken chain of responsibility.
- Bidding Directives: Oriented for contracts attained through bids, this part presents essential bidding directives, encompassing invitations, criteria for qualification, guidance for bidders and related forms.
- Contractual Instruments: These foundational elements define the bond between involved parties, featuring primary agreements, bonds and insurance attestations.
- Contractual Terms: Standardized terms, akin to the AIA Form 201 or similar, predominantly prevail here. The supplementary provisions offer detail, capturing specifics not addressed in the generic terms, including alterations both pre- and post-contract finalization.
- Technical Specifications: This segment is the repository of construction excellence, extensively detailing materials, apparatus and systems. Beyond mere utilization, it spells out anticipated performance, stipulated quality and the resultant outcomes from prescribed construction approaches.
In the remaining part of our discussion, we’ll focus on the details of technical specifications.
Understanding Specifications in Construction
In the complex construction world, clear and comprehensive specifications form the backbone of every successful project. Let’s delve deeper into the categorization and structure of these pivotal guides.
Broad Categorization:
Closed vs. Open Specifications
- Closed Specifications
- Definition: Also known as prescriptive or restrictive, these specifications limit the choice of specific brands or models and substitutions aren’t typically allowed.
- Advantages: They offer predictability, with specifiers resorting to familiar proprietary products that align with the project’s criteria.
- Drawbacks: They may not be the most cost-effective, especially if only one product is named. While typical in private construction, many public projects are legally mandated to use open specifications.
- Open Specifications
- Definition: They offer more versatility and provide desired outcomes while leaving the method or material choices flexible.
- Varieties: These can be proprietary with an “or equal” clause, descriptive (delineating detailed requirements without specific brand names) or based on reference standards (using recognized industry standards like ASTM).
- Advantages: They can foster innovation and competition and may lead to more economical solutions.
Diving Deeper: Four Core Types of Specifications
- Proprietary Specifications
- Closed: Mentions a specific manufacturer’s product.
- Open: Lists multiple manufacturers or invites alternative suggestions, potentially increasing competition and possibly lowering prices. An example would be when a specific type of brick is required for repairs, necessitating a precise match.
- Descriptive Specifications
- Definition: These provide a comprehensive product breakdown and the requisite craftsmanship without citing trade names.
- Usage: Given their specificity, government agencies often mandate them to foster maximum competition among manufacturers.
- Reference-Standard Specifications
- Definition: Specifies materials or processes by referencing established industry standards or test methods.
- Advantages: Reduces redundancy in mentioning requirements. For instance, for polyisocyanurate insulation, simply stating that it should meet ASTM C1289 requirements suffices.
- Performance Specifications
- Definition: Sets the expected outcomes without directing the methods to achieve them. They’re open-ended and focus on the end result.
- Considerations: These are challenging to draft as they require comprehensive knowledge and clarity, often entailing methods for testing compliance.
Combination Approach
Often, these methods are combined to achieve clarity. For instance, a roofing membrane’s specification might combine proprietary (to name the product), descriptive (to specify size and design) and reference standards (to indicate the ASTM standard required).
Organizational Standards in Specifications
The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada developed a standardized format called MasterFormat. This framework, accepted across the U.S. and Canada, ensures uniformity. It’s distinct from localized building codes, which vary regionally.
Specification Sections
Each specification is methodically segmented into sections focused on specific trades (like drywall or carpet). These sections are further divided into:
- Section 1, General: Defines the section’s scope, quality assurances, submittal procedures, delivery or storage guidelines, site conditions, sequencing and warranty details.
- Section 2, Products: Explains the materials or products, their fabrication, relevant standards and related concerns.
- Section 3, Execution: Describes quality standards, installation conditions, protection protocols and post-installation processes.
In summary, project specifications are an indispensable tool for every roofing contractor. They provide the intricate details that blueprints alone can’t convey, from material choices to installation techniques. A mastery of these documents is not only about understanding the written content but also about bridging the communication gap between designers, stakeholders and contractors. The synergy of blueprints and specifications ensures a seamless transition from idea to implementation, safeguarding the interests of all parties and guaranteeing the desired quality of work. For a roofing contractor, being adept in deciphering specifications equates to being professional in delivering excellence, making it an essential skill to cultivate and refine for the benefit of every project undertaken.
FRM
John Kenney, CPRC has over 50 years of experience in the roofing industry. He started his career by working as a roofing apprentice at a family business in the Northeast and worked his way up to operating multiple Top 100 Roofing Contractors. As CEO, John is intimately familiar with all aspects of roofing production, estimating and operations. During his tenure in the industry, John ran business units associated with delivering excellent workmanship and unparalleled customer service while ensuring his company’s strong net profits before joining Cotney Consulting Group. If you would like any further information on this or another subject, you can contact John at jkenney@cotneyconsulting.com.
