SPECIFICATION WRITING
MODULE CODE-QS 2441
Moderated by:
Ch. QS. Kumari Wijekoon
Senior Lecturer
Department of Quantity Surveying,
Faculty of Engineering,SLIIT
LECTURE 02-25.06.2021
Contents of the Module
Specification: quality of materials, specifying testing, use of BS/EN
Standards / SLS standards.
Purpose & usage of specifications:
◦ Forms of specifications
◦ Trade order and operations specifications
◦ Performance specifications
◦ Performance specification for capital installation / Long term & short term
operations / Maintenance activities.
◦ Writing client’s Brief.
◦ Writing Preamble Notes.
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Learning outcomes
At the end of the module student will be able to:
LO1: Use appropriate forms of specification depending on the
project needs.
LO2: Be able to write performance specification for work items /
elements in construction projects.
LO3: Prepare specification for Building / Civil Engineering project
work activities.
LO4: Understand the purpose of specifications at the time of Bidding
and implementation stage of the project.
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Application of Specifications in RIBA Plan of Work 2020
Published by
RIBA, 66
Portland
Place,
London, W1B
1AD
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Application of Specifications in RIBA Plan of Work 2020 (continued)
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Application of Specifications in RIBA Plan of Work 2020 (continued)
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Applications
During design & Pre contract works
During Bid pricing
During Construction & Post construction works
During Post contract Pricing (variations,etc)
During Defects Notification Period
Beyond Defects Notification Period
Various stages in construction
During Entire procurement Strategy/ Systems
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What shall comprise, comply, imply, contain,
include etc. in the Specifications?
◦Quality
◦Time
◦Cost
◦Any other factors
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What is the role of a Quantity Surveyor in
writing and application of Specifications?
Providing descriptive properties & workmanship of
particular resource, activity & works etc.
Correct interpretation in & during procurement strategy/
paths
Correct interpretation to assertion & arrive detailed &
comprehensive financial feature of particular
activity/work/resources etc.
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Why specification vital in construction
◦ Provide clear instruction on the intent, performance and
construction of the project
◦ Reference the quality and standards which should be applied
◦ Materials and manufacturers products can be clearly defined
◦ Requirements for installation, testing and hand over can be
identified
◦ Classification in the specification can be used to support
handover and running/maintaining the project
◦ Communicating design intent and quality assurance.
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Why specification vital in construction
(continued)
◦ The drawing or model does not need to be overloaded with detailed
information, which can sometimes be difficult to identify.
◦ Used to support the costing of a project: not only the materials and
products but also the performance and workmanship
◦ Forms parts of the contractual documents, along with the drawings and
other documents in the contract
◦ Help minimize & mitigate project risks and dispute between stake holders
◦ Support the interpretation of the Client brief and gives the Client assurance
that the project completion and commission etc. to his requirement.
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Applications and uses of specification
writing in the procurement process of
the projects
• Bidding Documents (Tender documents)
• Contract Documents
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Contents of Bidding Document and Contract
Document (based on CIDA/SBD/02)
BIDDING DOCUMENT CONTRACT DOCUMENT
Invitation for Bids Agreement
Section 01: Instructions to Bidders Letter of Acceptance
Section 03: Conditions of Contract MOU if any
Section 05: Standard Forms (Contract) Section 03: Conditions of Contract
Section 02: Bidding Data
Section 04-Contract Data *
Section 04: Contract Data
Section 05: Standard Forms (Contract)
Section 06: Specifications (General Specifications
and particular Specifications) Section 06: Specifications (General Specifications
and particular Specifications)
Section 07: Form of Bid
Section 07: Form of Bid
Section 08: Bills of Quantities
Section 08: Bills of Quantities
Section 09: Schedules
Section 10: Drawings Section 10: Drawings
Section 11: Standard Forms (Bid)
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Priority of Documents
ICTAD/SBD/02 FIDIC 1999 Red Book FIDIC Red Book-Second Edition 2017
(Sub Clause 1.5 of COC) (Sub Clause 1.5 of GC) (Sub Clause 1.5 of GC)
(a) the Contract Agreement (if (a) the Contract Agreement (if (a) the Contract Agreement;
any); any), (b) the Letter of Acceptance;
(b) the Letter of Acceptance; (b) the Letter of Acceptance, (c) the Letter of Tender;
(c ) Memorandum of (c) the Letter of Tender, (d) the Particular Conditions Part A
Understanding (if any); (d) the Particular Conditions, – Contract Data;
(d) the Form of Bid; (e) these General Conditions, (e) the Particular Conditions Part B
(e)the Contract Data; (f) the Specification, – Special Provisions;
(f) these Conditions of Contract; (g) the Drawings, and (f) these General Conditions;
(g) the Specifications; (h) the Schedules and any other (g) the Specification;
(h) the Drawings; and documents forming part of the (h) the Drawings;
(i) the Bills of Quantities, and any Contract. (i) the Schedules;
other schedules or documents (j) the JV Undertaking (if the
forming part of the Contract. Contractor is a JV); and
(k) any other documents forming
part of the Contract
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General Applications
As the;
Standard/General Specifications
Particular/ Special specifications
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Forms of specifications
(Prevailing standard documents locally)
General Specifications
SCA/4/I Specifications for Building Works (Vol. I) – [3rd Edition (Revised) – July
2004]
SCA/4/II Specifications for Building Works (Vol. II) – [2nd Edition (Revised) –
October 2001]
SCA/8 Specifications for Electrical & Mechanical Works - [2nd Edition
(Revised) – August 2000]
SCA/9 Specifications for Fire Detection, Protection & Suppression Systems
SCA/3/2 Specifications for Water Supply Sewerage & Storm Water Drainage -
[2nd Edition (Revised)– April 2002]
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Forms of specifications
(Prevailing standard documents locally)
General Specifications (continued)
CIDA/SP/102 Specifications for Irrigation & Land Drainage – [1st Edition – January
2017]
SCA/3/3 Specifications for Reclamation Works - [2nd Edition (Revised) –
December 1999]
SCA/3/4 Specifications for Ground Water Exploration & Exploitation – [2nd
Edition (Revised) – May 1999]
SCA/5 Standard Specifications for Construction and Maintenance of Roads
and Bridges [2nd Edition – June 2009]
SCA/6 Specifications for Coastal & Harbour Engineering Works – [2nd Edition
(Revised) – June 2008]
SCA/7 Specifications for Landscape Works – Volume I
CIDA/SP/101 Specifications for Board & Cast In-Situ Reinforced Concrete Piles
ICTAD/DEV/17R Specification for Site investigation for Building and Civil Engineering
Works [3rd Edition – May 2013]
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Particular Specifications
The Particular Specifications shall be read in conjunction with the
General Specifications where applicable. In the event the Particular
Specification is in conflict with the General Specification, the Particular
Specification shall prevail.
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References
Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Procedures, 6th
Edition- Mark Kalin, Robert S. Weygant, Harold J. Rosen, John R.
Regener.
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Thank you.
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