Specifications, aka “specs,” comprise a section of a construction contract that describes the materials, labor, and skills needed for a project. Construction specifications serve as a guide to the management team for which materials to choose and which people to hire for the job, so they are important to have in place from the beginning.
Specifications provide clear instructions on a project’s intent, performance, and construction. Specifications serve to reference the quality and standards that should be applied, and they clearly define the materials and sometimes dictate specific manufacturers’ products that should be used. They also identify installation, testing, and handover requirements.
Over and above outlining the quality standards and materials, specifications can support project cost estimations by identifying materials, products, performance, and workmanship. The specifications combined with drawings together form part of the contractual documents, which minimize project risk and give support if any legal issues arise.
The specification for a project is a living document and should be used throughout the construction phase. A detailed specification provides many answers to onsite construction questions, which in turn saves all parties involved money.
The specifications ultimately agreed upon by the owner (architect and engineer) become the legal documents for the project—and the more precise they are, the greater the chance that the project will be executed correctly. Having accurate and tight specifications provides the guidelines for the contractor to provide the very best solution for the building and its owner, ensuring everyone is pleased with the outcome.
Identifying information is easier on specifications because it eliminates the need for reliance on a drawing or model. Within the specifications, classifications can be used to support handover and asset management. When the project is finished, construction specifications become part of each project’s audit trail and can form the basis for future management or policies, incorporating best practices to optimize future endeavors.
Specifications Continually Change
Specifications provide the client assurance that they’re getting what they asked for. They are essential for the construction phase and an important part of the follow-up processes.
There is no argument that specifications are a very valuable aspect of the construction process. The problem? Standards and requirements affecting specifications are continually evolving and changing. As a specifying engineer, building contractor, or building owner, if you have not reviewed and modified your specifications in the last two years, there is likely a chance that your specification information is outdated.
Having the opportunity to make beneficial alterations in a building’s specifications prior to the design approval stage is always advantageous.
Tap Into NIBCO’s Free Specification Review Service
NIBCO offers its free Specification Review Service, a one-on-one individualized resource that offers customers the opportunity to have their specifications reviewed by industry professionals to ensure that they meet the most current industry standards.
“If you aren’t taking advantage of this service, you are missing out on a great opportunity for free professional advice that could impact your building’s performance,” explained Dave Lazear, Director, Commercial Sales, NIBCO. “Our specification review service is a great resource that we encourage our customers to use. If you have not reviewed and modified your specifications in the last two years, chances are your information is outdated.”
Who Can Use NIBCO’s Specification Review Service?
NIBCO’s Specification Review Service is designed for consulting specifying engineers, design-build contractors, and building owners such as hospitals, universities, institutions, and more.
What Specifications Can Be Reviewed by NIBCO’s Specification Review Service?
NIBCO’s industry professionals can review plumbing, fire protection, and any mechanical specifications to ensure that they are not outdated.
What Is the Process for Using NIBCO’s Specification Review Service?
To use the free specification review service, users start the process by completing a form on the NIBCO website. The form requests basic contact information, organization information, type of specification, explanation of the specification, timeframe of the project that the specifications are for, and the format that the specifications are in (i.e., MasterSpec or CSI). Upon completing the form, the user will be contacted by a NIBCO industry professional.
What Is the Timeframe for Having Specifications Reviewed by NIBCO?
Although it varies, the turnaround time for a specification review is typically within two days; however, at times, the review can be done in several hours.
What Are the Types of Specifications?
There are three main types of specifications: performance, prescriptive, and proprietary.
Performance Specifications
A performance specification lays out the operational requirements of a component or installation. This means that it tells a contractor what the final installed product must be able to do, with the focus of this type of construction specification on the outcome and function of the project.
Performance specifications don’t give the contractors information on how to accomplish the task—only on what must be done. It’s up to them to figure out the best way to accomplish this. A performance specification describes what an architect or engineer needs, and the contractor determines the best way to get there. This allows a contractor to be more flexible and creative when deciding how to follow through with a project. It also leads to having less control.
Prescriptive Specifications
Prescriptive specifications list the exact materials the contractor must use and the process of installing them. These specifications are typically formatted in the following ways:
- General: Contains references to national or international design standards, product handling, required submittals, design requirements, and quality control
- Products: Describes in detail the different products required for each task and the performance and structural requirements for each
- Execution: Explains how to prepare the materials and manage the installation, plus gives information on how to test the quality afterward
While performance specifications give more authority to contractors, prescriptive specifications provide the engineers or architects with more control because they can establish a set of rules that should be followed for each project component. This type of specification also provides more certainty regarding the final project and is frequently used for complex parts of the project.
Proprietary Specifications
Proprietary specifications require the use of a single approved product type for an installation. This might happen when:
- There is existing equipment already onsite.
- The owner prefers a certain type of product.
- Only one specific piece of equipment can accomplish a certain task.
Why Should You Have Your Specifications Reviewed?
Standards and codes are continually changing and improving to reflect new technologies and changing circumstances. Specifications need to reflect these changes.
Changes in Industry Standards and Codes
Industry organizations are continually updating their standards and codes. For example, Building Officials and Code Administrators International (BOCA) publishes the National Plumbing Code, which contains standards and regulations for piping systems, fixtures, and equipment design and installation. It’s updated every three years and follows a rigorous set of guidelines, including a review process involving thousands of experts from around the country.
System Design Parameter Changes
Understanding a building’s occupancy and corresponding plumbing fixture requirements are determined by codes requirements, as well as project-specific requirements that may exceed code. Assessing these parameters can reflect changes to a system design.
Current Manufacturers and Product Availability
With supply chain issues and shortages of products from time to time, specifications might have to be adjusted to reflect product availability.
New and Innovative Product Designs
New, innovative designs may not be considered in specifications—but they should. Relying on “what’s always been specified before” is not in the best interest of the building and its owner.
What Does the Review Process Entail?
An experienced and knowledgeable professional thoroughly examines the current specifications. Users get one-on-one, individualized attention and interaction from experts who are up to date on the latest standards.
The design engineering consultant will identify outdated specifications and may provide good, better, best scenarios as to how the specifications should be revised and updated. When recommendations are made to optimize specifications, they can be approved and accepted by the user.
Finally, the consultant will educate users on new industry standards and new and innovative product offerings and provide training on key issues affecting selection considerations.
It’s clear that specifications should be as detailed and accurate as possible and done right the first time. In fact, they are so important to a building project that they override the project drawings in most cases if there is conflicting information. With so much at stake, it makes sense to have specifications reviewed.
To use NIBCO’s free Specification Review Service for this critical area of your business, visit: nibco.com/resources/specification-tools.
