PURPOSE
The technical specifications are developed by the designers, architects and engineers during the Design Phase along with the plans. These specifications describe materials and product information including quality, performance, fabrication, and installation. The materials and products described in the specifications are specific to the project and are graphically represented on the plans. In combination, the Technical Specifications, General Conditions, General Requirements, and Bid Proposal make up the Project Specifications. Refer to Chapter 10 for a more complete discussion of Project Specifications and Bid Proposal.
REFERENCES
N/A
RESPONSIBILITIES
Project Manager (PM): The PM is responsible, normally through the efforts of the Project Engineer, for the completion of the design documents within the schedule and to the satisfaction of the client. The PM is also responsible for insuring that quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) procedures are followed and that the project remains within the approved budget and is consistent with the concept presented in the Pre-Design Report.
Project Engineer (PE): The PE will be responsible for the preparation, coordination, updating, and revision of the design and construction documents. The PE is required to follow the procedures outlined in this Chapter to protect public health, safety, welfare, and to ensure successful completion of the project. These procedures facilitate the production of accurate, consistent, complete, and understandable final plans and specifications to be used to initiate and complete the construction of a project. The PE is responsible for coordinating the design documents with all of the design disciplines that have contributed to the project.
PROCEDURE
Technical specifications can be written in the “Building Format” or “Engineering Format” depending on the project requirements. These formats are described in detail in Chapter 10. The PM and/or PE will determine the specification format. The precedence of construction documents is described in the General Conditions Section 00205. It’s important to note that the technical specifications have precedence over the project plans.
The key to successful development of the technical specifications is to start with the Master Specification for each project. Design team members should specifically avoid copying an old or previous specification from a prior similar project. Starting from scratch (the Master Specification) will require additional time, but will eliminate the potential of copying old mistakes or the inclusion of outdated requirements.
Another specification development technique that is recommended is the deletion of all irrelevant or non-applicable specification sections. It’s important to also delete the reference to these sections from the table of contents. By doing this, the Master Specification is molded into the project technical specification, simplified, and reduced in size and complexity. Note that the General Conditions and many of the General Requirement sections cannot be changed in any way. Refer to Chapter 10 for more detailed information.
Design team members should begin assembling the technical specifications in parallel with the start of the Design Phase. Specifications should be substantially complete at the 50% design milestone and should be ready for final constructability review at the 90% milestone. Final specifications will also be stamped and signed by the PM or PE.
The technical specifications generally provide for 2 or equal product manufacturers. Any product listing, whether specifically stated or not, is construed to mean “or equal” as stated in the standard General Requirements. The Design Team must take great care in developing “Part 2 – Products” of each section in order to specify the desired products, their quality, and performance.
In instances where required by the Building Program or Specialized Construction, when “sole source” is the only means or method desired, the specification shall clearly state this along with a complete description of function and/or performance. Sole source specifications sections shall also include “no or equals” somewhere within the section. All sole source approvals must be made by the Board of Public Works (California Public Contract Code Section 3400).
RELATED PROCEDURES
LINKS / ATTACHMENTS
Links
Attachments
N/A
Comments