B.
Arch 3rd yr II part
SPECIFICATIONS
Prepared by : Ar. Niru Chaudhary
Department of Architecture, ERC, IOE, TU
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Course content
➢ Introduction (6 Hours) Theory:
Full marks – 40
➢ Method OF writing detailed specifications (4 Hours) Pass marls – 16
Internal assessment marks- 10
➢ Detailed Specifications writing for various items of
works (20 Hours) Evaluation Scheme
1. Site Works The questions will cover all the chapters in the
2. Structural Works Syllabus. The evaluation scheme
3. Finishing Works will be as indicated in the table below.
4. Equipments
5. Electrical and Mechanical Works Chapters Hours Marks Distribution*
1. 6 12
Reference: 2. 4 8
1. Text Book of Estimating and Costing By G.S. Berdie 3. 20 20
2. Standard Specifications of Building Project Total 30 40
*There may be minor deviation in marks distribution
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CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION
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Overview of course content
Chapter 1: Introduction
1. Definitions
2. Purpose of Specifications
3. Types of Specifications
4. Importance of Specifications
Chapter 1 objective:
to understand the purpose, type and importance of specifications
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Introduction: Specifications
➢ A specification is a document that outlines the intended level of quality for a project.
➢ It specifies or describes the nature, class of work, workmanship etc and is very
important for execution of work.
➢ The cost of work is depends much on the specifications.
➢ Specification should be clear and there should not be any ambiguity anywhere.
➢ Drawings do not furnish the details of different items of work, the quantity of materials,
proportions of mortar and workmanship which are described in specification.
➢ Thus, the combination of drawings and specifications define completely the structure.
➢ Therefore, drawings and specifications form important parts of contract document.
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Introduction: Specifications
For Example.
➢ Structural drawings indicate the shape and size of various structural components.
However, it is not feasible to include details about the quality of materials and
workmanship for every item of work directly on the drawings.
➢ The quality of materials, workmanship, construction methods, tools, plants, and
machinery to be used are provided in a separate document known as the specifications.
➢ Together, the specifications and detailed drawings fully define the structure, providing
comprehensive physical and technical details.
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Introduction: Specifications
➢ During writing specifications
attempts should be made to
express all the requirements of the
work clearly and in a concise form
avoiding repetition.
➢ As far as possible, the clause of the
specification should be arranged
in the same order in which the
work will be carried out.
Example
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Introduction: Specifications
Examples for Writing Specifications:
[Link] and Concise Form
1. Instead of:
"The cement to be used should be Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) of grade 43,
and it must comply with the IS: 8112-1989 standards."
2. Write:
"Use OPC 43-grade cement as per IS: 8112-1989."
[Link] Repetition
1. Instead of:
"The walls should be made with bricks of uniform size and color. The bricks
should have a minimum strength of 3.5 MPa. The bricks should be free from
cracks and voids."
2. Write:
"Use bricks with uniform size, color, minimum strength of 3.5 MPa, and free
from cracks or voids."
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Introduction: Specifications
Example: Arranging Clauses in Sequence of Work
•For Stone Masonry in rural Nepal:
• Clause 1: Sort stones by size and shape to ensure proper fitting.
• Clause 2: Prepare mortar with a 1:6 cement-sand mix.
• Clause 3: Lay stones in alternate courses with mortar, ensuring level and
alignment.
• Clause 4: Cure the masonry for at least 7 days.
•Avoid:
• Clause 1: Lay stones in alternate courses.
• Clause 2: Sort stones by size.
• Clause 3: Prepare mortar.
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Importance/ purpose of Specifications
➢ The cost of an unit quantity of work is governed by its specifications.
➢ Specification of a work is required to describe the quality and quantity of different
materials required for a construction work and is one of the essential contract
documents.
➢ This also specifies the workmanship and the method of doing the work. Thus
specification of a work serves as a guide to a supervising staff of a contractor as well as
to the owner to execute the work to their satisfaction
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Importance/ purpose of Specifications
➢ The specification are written in a language so that they indicate what the work should
be, and words “shall be” or “should be” are used.
➢ Specification depend upon the nature of work, the purpose for which the work is
required, strength of materials, availability of materials, quality of materials, etc.
➢ The work is carried out according to its specification and the contractor is paid same for
that but any changes in the specification their will be change in the tendered rate.
➢ As the rate of work is based on the specification, a contractor can calculate the rates of
various items of works in tender with his procurement rates of materials and labor. The
tender rate without specification of works is baseless, incomplete and invalid.
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Importance/ purpose of Specifications
➢ Specification is necessary to specify the equipments, tools and plants to be engaged for
a work and thus enables to produce them beforehand.
➢ Specification is necessary to verify and check the strength of materials for a work
involved in a project.
➢ Overall, Specifications awork as guide to execute the work
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Types of Specifications
➢ Two types
a) General specification or Brief specification
b) Detailed specification
a) General specification or Brief specification
➢ The nature and class of works, name of materials to be used are describe
➢ Only brief of each item are given.
➢ Useful for preparing estimates.
➢ This specification do not form a part of contract document.
➢ It is a short description of different part of work specifying materials, proportions, qualities, etc
Eg. 1st class brickwork with mortar
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Types of Specifications
b) Detailed specification
It forms a part of the contract document and gives detailed information about the quality of
materials and workmanship. Eg. 48.5 m3 of 1st class brick with 1:3 mortar
Parts of Detailed specification
i. General Provision
• Includes general rules or conditions that apply to the entire project.
• Covers the terms that govern the contract (like legal and procedural rules)
ii. Technical Provision
• Focuses on ensuring the desired quality of materials and the final construction.
• Specifies the inspections and tests needed during the construction process to maintain quality.
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Types of Specifications
Parts of Detailed specification
iii. Standard Specification
• These are pre-written or standardized descriptions for common types of work (e.g., plastering,
painting, etc.).
• If standard specifications already exist for a particular item, there’s no need to rewrite them in
the contract.
• Instead, just mention the serial number of the relevant standard specification.
Purpose
• Ensures that everyone involved in the project (engineers, contractors, etc.) knows the quality and
method requirements.
• Simplifies contracts for items with pre-existing standards by referencing their serial numbers.
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Specifications
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Thank you!!
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