What are the performance specifications?
A performance specification defines the functional requirements for the item, the environment in which it must operate, and interface and interchangeability characteristics.
What are the 3 types of construction specifications?
Generally, there are three different types of construction specifications found in contracts: prescriptive specifications, performance specifications, and proprietary specifications....However, these types of specs can be split into three subcategories.General Provisions. ... Required Products. ... Execution Procedures.
What are the 4 types of specifications?
Deciding among the four types of specifications—descriptive, performance, reference standard, and proprietary—and choosing how the specification is going to be written is only the first of many design decisions engineers make when starting to edit what will become a project specification, especially when specifying ...
What is the difference between a design specification and a performance specification?
Under the Spearin doctrine, a design specification sets forth the detail, manner, and materials to be used, as opposed to a performance specification which describes the desired end result, but gives the contractor discretion to decide how best to complete the work.
What is construction specification?
Construction specifications, or specs, detail the work and workmanship required for each construction project. A specs definition is “written documentation describing the scope of work, any materials that are to be used, the methods of installation, and the quality of workmanship under contract.”
What are 5 specifications?
5 Types of Construction Specifications ExplainedPerformance specifications.Prescriptive specifications.Proprietary specifications.General specifications.Detailed specifications.
What are the types of specifications in construction?
There are two types of specifications.General Specifications.Detailed Specifications.
What are the 8 requirements of specifications?
8 Types of SpecificationsRequirement Specifications. Documentation of a business need. ... Design Specifications. Descriptions of how requirements will be realized. ... Material Specifications. ... Standard Specifications. ... Interface Specifications. ... Test Specifications. ... Performance Specifications. ... Quality Specifications.
What are examples of specifications?
The definition of a specification is a precise requirement, or a detailed description of workmanship, materials or processes. A mandate that only domestic plywood be used in the construction of your home is an example of a specification.
Why do we use performance specification?
Understanding what performance specifications are can help you establish the way a project should function and determine whether it meets your client's needs. You can also use effective performance specifications to measure the functionality of a project after it's complete.
How does a performance specification help us as designers?
While a “design” specification is an explicit, detailed specification that tells a contractor exactly how to perform its work and allows no deviation, a “performance” specification sets forth an objective or standard to be achieved, but allows a contractor to exercise his or her ingenuity in achieving it.
What is Spearin doctrine in construction?
The basis for the Spearin Doctrine is that when contractors are bound to build according to the plans and specifications provided by the owner, the contractor should not be responsible for damages that, through no fault of his own, occur when said plans and specifications are defective.
What are the kinds of specifications that might fit a little bit better with design-build projects?
The kinds of specifications that might fit a little bit better with design-build projects are what we would call performance specifications. These specifications aren’t recipes. They don’t tell the contractor how to do the work. What they tell the contractor is what we want.
What is a prescriptive specification?
Prescriptive specifications are recipes: do this, then do this, then do this, etc. If you do all those things, you know we will accept whatever the results are. That can be a successful way to specify work on a design-bid-build project. It has been used for centuries. But it doesn’t fit very well within the design-build process, where you are not entirely certain exactly what you’ll be getting.
What is performance specification?
What is a performance specification? A performance specification is a document that specifies the operational requirements of a component or installation.
Can a contractor be instructed as to how to accomplish the task of meeting the performance specification requirements?
The contractor is not instructed as to how to accomplish the task of meeting the performance specification requirements – only as to how the component must function after installation.
What is construction specification?
Construction specifications are details within a construction service contract that outline all the important aspects necessary for project fulfillment. Throughout the course of project completion, contractors and construction crews may use specifications as a reference for any questions that arise and to ensure the correct fulfillment of each project requirement. Specifications often include information about:
Why do contractors use specifications?
Contractors often use specifications to supplement architectural drawings and blueprints to describe and document information they may not be able to visually provide.
Who uses specifications?
Construction companies and their clients use specifications to create mutual objectives and establish consistent expectations for a project. Often, architects and designers create specifications to be reviewed by construction crews and clients before finalization. For large-scale and complex projects, companies may hire professional specification writers to complete the task. Common types of construction projects that may require specifications include:
Why are specifications important?
Specifications may also provide details that help clients more accurately understand the results of a project.
What is execution procedure?
Execution procedures: Execution procedures describe the optimal and desired methods of installation and the means for measuring the quality and effectiveness of completed work.
What are general provisions?
General provisions: These provisions often reference building codes and standards, both state and national, with which contractors must comply.
Performance Specifications
A performance specification is a document that specifies the operational requirements of a component or installation. Simply put, a performance specification tells the contractor what the final installed product must be capable of doing.
Prescriptive Specifications
Prescriptive specifications convey the requirements of a project through a detailed explanation of the materials that the contractor must use, and the means of installing those materials. This type of specification will typically be formatted in a manner similar to the following sections:
Proprietary Specifications
Proprietary specifications are those that require the use of a single approved product type for any particular installation. Proprietary specifications are often used in cases where there is existing equipment or installations already on site.
Construction Specification Standards
Construction specifications used in the United States typically conform to the guidelines of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), who have created a specifications index entitled MasterFormat.
What is performance specification?
Performance specifications are a type of specification that describe the result that is required from particular items (rather than a specific brand or type of item) and leave it to the contractor or supplier to satisfy that requirement. In this situation, the nature of the performance required may be defined by the desired outcome, or by reference to standards. For more information see: Performance specification .
What is non performance in contract?
Non-performance is the failure to do something required by a contract. For more information see: Non-performance .
What is performance bond?
A performance bond is commonly used in the construction industry as a means of insuring a client against the risk of a contractor failing to fulfil contractual obligations to the client. Performance bonds can also be required from other parties to a construction contract. For more information, see Performance bond .
What is RIBA project performance?
The RIBA Plan of Work 2013 defines Project Performance as: ‘The performance of the project, determined using Feedback, including the performance of the project team and the performance of the building against the desired Project Outcomes .’.
Why is the UK construction industry so bad?
The UK construction industry is regularly criticised for being wasteful, adversarial, fragmented, dominated by single disciplines, reluctant to innovate and poor at disseminating knowledge (See Construction industry reports for more information ).
Why is it important to have KPIs in tender documents?
If clients intend to measure the performance of suppliers, it is important that KPIs are identified in tender documentation and that the regular provision of the information required to assess them is a requirement of the contract. KPIs may be of particular importance where the contract stipulates that the contractor will be rewarded or penalised based on their performance relative to certain indicators.
What is a building specification?
Building Specifications (also called “specs”) are used by subcontractors and teams as a guide to choosing the right materials for the specialized project. Their overall purpose is to define the requirements for project execution regarding installation, materials, products, procedures, and quality aspects.
What are the three types of construction specifications?
In every construction project, there are three types of construction specifications that help layout the workflow: Performance, Prescriptive, and Proprietary. 1.
What are prescriptive specs?
Typically, prescriptive specs have three key components. General – consists of design requirements, national quality standards, product handling, & quality control.
Why are specifications similar to data?
Specifications can be categorized similar to data because as project complexity increases, access to data is critical to making the right decisions. Additionally, if the contract states the specs precisely, there will be a considerable reduction in risk.
What is proprietary specification?
Proprietary Specifications. In general, proprietary specifications require the use of a single type of product for any particular installation. When there is only one specific equipment piece for an accomplishment of a specific task, one uses a proprietary spec.
Why do architects and designers create building specifications?
Architects and designers create building specifications BEFORE construction starts in the design phase as part of contract documents and drawings. Typically, architects delegate them to other team members, but sometimes, engineers handle them because of their technical knowledge. If it is a large-scale project, companies will call in processional specification writers to ensure that all details are marked.
Why are there formal processes dedicated to building specifications?
There is a formal process dedicated to building specifications because they are such a keystone in construction.
Prescriptive Specifications
Performance Specifications
- The kinds of specifications that might fit a little bit better with design-build projects are what we would call performance specifications. These specifications aren’t recipes. They don’t tell the contractor how to do the work. What they tell the contractor is what we want. For example, a prescriptive specification would tell the contractor exactl...
The Challenge of Writing Performance Specifications
- In order to draft an appropriate performance specification, you have to know exactly what it is that you want at the other end. I went through an exercise not too long ago where I had to develop a performance specification that would have ended up with the contractor constructing a sidewalk that was acceptable to the agency. It sounds simple, right? Well, let me tell you that it is not an e…
What Is A Specification in Construction?
- Construction specifications are details within a construction service contract that outline all the important aspects necessary for project fulfillment. Throughout the course of project completion, contractors and construction crews may use specifications as a reference for any questions that arise and to ensure the correct fulfillment of each proj...
Who Uses Specifications?
- Construction companies and their clients use specifications to create mutual objectives and establish consistent expectations for a project. Often, architects and designers create specifications to be reviewed by construction crews and clients before finalization. For large-scale and complex projects, companies may hire professional specification writers to complete the ta…
Importance of Specifications
- Specifications are an important part of successful construction project completion for several reasons, including:
Types of Construction Specifications
- There are three main types of construction specifications to consider including in a service contract: