What are the different types of specifications and which types are better to use?
The different types of specifications are Methods & Materials, Design, Performance, Functional, Purchase, Restrictive & Proprietary and Material & Product. The better used specifications will be as follow: 1. Design Specification for the detailed information of how and what materials & methods will be required for the completion of a project. 2. Performance Specification for the primary focus and experience of how a project will be completed while maintaining a low construction cost.
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Why is it best to communicate with the Architect about errors in specifications and drawings?
Since the A/E is considered to be the designer professional of record, they are fully responsible for their created plans and specifications. Some would say that they are the authors of the master design and they are 100% liable for the safety and welfare of the public. Documentation by the contractor then becomes most critical in these situations. Documents such as RFI’s, ASI’s and clarifications to the architect become extremely critical in these instances. Communication with the architect to resolve these matters will minimize the risk or further conflict. Proper documentation and communication with the architect will avoid legal issues in the end.
A R
Can you assume details on drawings govern over information in specifications?
Typical this should be addressed in the general conditions to avoid any confusion or conflict. There are some states that “in case of difference between drawings and specifications, the specifications shall govern.”
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If a specification could be a safety risk and the Architect insists you follow the specification, what should you do?
Safety is the most important aspect of a project. If there is unsafe work due to a certain specification, then work should be stopped until a resolution can be made. It is not worth getting someone hurt. Meetings should be planned amongst all parties involved and come up with a solution.
A L
What are the different types of specifications and which types are better to use?
The main type of construction specification is perspective, performance and property specification.
· Perspective provides the type of material and installation to ensure the quality and standards of the project.
· Performance describe operational requirements.
· Property specification describe if only one specific product can be used for installation.
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Why is it best to communicate with the Architect about errors in specifications and drawings?
Architects are the ones in charge of the design, errors can lead to accidents and wich most can be fatal, can be very costly to fix, can create a dispute, also can make the contractor liable for those errors, if he doesn't communicate the specification were wrong.
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Can you assume details on drawings govern over information in specifications?
An order of preference can make clear which governs between drawings and written information. I found the following in a discussion on this topic of drawings vs information on a website for architects and thought it was funny. This particular architect (talking about a previous post in italics) doesn't have a real high opinion of contractors: "Or has every contractor you ever dealt with called your office when they were confused? Amusing. My general impression of contractors is that they just do whatever they want. Not much confusion there. And certainly no calling the architect's office. Architect's cost me money, yo!
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If a specification could be a safety risk and the Architect insists you follow the specification, what should you do?
The process should include sending a Request for Information to the Architect, then expressing in a meeting with the owner why it is you think the design might be a safety hazard for the occupants, if the Architect so not see it you could get outside consultation from another firm just to make sure the calculations are right and no incidents could happen either in the making or for the occupants of the project.
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What are the different types of specifications and which types are better to use?
There are different types of specifications depending on the type of project, must of all contain the following type:
· Methods and material, Design , Performance, Functional, Purchase, Restrictive and Proprietary, Material and Product
Personally, I always read and analyze (More in specific than the others) the Methods and materials are very important to know what type, size and brand is specified, to proceed the procuring of them. The method specs are as important as the material´s, the incorrect way of performing construction practices can provoke bad quality in the building, the inspectors or supervisors can deny the performed works because of not following the specifications.
moore05
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