Definition of Specification, Necessity of specification, Types of specification, Legal aspects of specification

1. CONTRACTS, ACCOUNTS and TENDERS
“Unit 2: Specification”
Presented by
Vinod R. Nejkar
Assistant Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
Sharad Institute of Technology College of Engineering, Yadrav, Ichalkaranji
(An Autonomous Institute)
1

2. SPECIFICATION
• A contract document which specifies the quality of
material to be used and the method/procedure of
workmanship to be adopted for the construction work,
called as specification.

3. NECESSITY OF SPECIFICATION
Specification is necessary since-
1. From the drawing itself, it is not possible to obtain the data about
quality of material and method of workmanship of an item.
2. The drawing only shows the dimensions, relative positions and
orientation of the structure to be built. Hence specification is needed
to indicate quality of material and method of workmanship of an
item.
3. Since specifications are the instructions expressed in words and
these instruction cannot be mentioned on drawing.

4. IMPORTANCE OF SPECIFICATION
Specification is important because-
1. Specification shows the method of doing work and act as an guiding
material to an supervising staff.
2. From specification, on can able to calculate cost of an unit quantity of
work.
3. If the work is not carried according to specification mentioned in contract,
the contractor will not get payment or rate will be reduced.
4. Any tender documents without specification is considered as incomplete
and invalid.
5. The change in specification changes, rate mentioned in the contract.

5. IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE OBSERVED IN
DRAFTING/FRAMING SECIFICATION
Following are the points need to be consider in preparing specification-
1. The main intention or objective of specification is to present clear
picture about facts to be adopted in construction work.
2. Specification depends upon the site conditions hence it is to be
observed the nature of work and purpose for which the work is
carried out.
3. Well known and familiar abbreviations in building industry are to be
used without giving information.
For e.g.- C.M.= Cement Mortar
BBM= Burnt Brick Masonry

6. IMPORTANT POINTS TO BE OBSERVED IN
DRAFTING/FRAMING SECIFICATION continued…
4. Proper and suitable words with required meaning should only be used.
Unfamiliar words should not be used in specification.
5. Specification should be prepared by observing rules of grammar.
6. The information regarding quality of material and method of
workmanship of to be adopted should be complete and clear.
7. Avoid cross references.
8. The sentences of the specification should be simple and short, so as
avoid risk of legal difficulties and allegations.
9. Practical limitations should keep in mind while preparing
specification.

7. TYPES OF SPECIFICATION
Following are the various types of specification:
1. Brief specification
2. Detailed Specification
3. Standard Specification
4. Manufacturer’s Specification

8. TYPES OF SPECIFICATION-
1. BRIEF SPECIFICATION
• The general specification used for estimating the cost of
project are the brief specification.
• In this specification, general information for the quantities of
material, nature and class of work is short but not lengthy.
• Information is general but known and understandable
• Brief specification should not be part of contract document.

9. TYPES OF SPECIFICATION-
2. DETAILED SPECIFICATION
• The specification in which detailed information of the various
quantities of materials, procedure of workmanship to be
adopted, nature and class of work is mentioned.
• Hence detailed specification is and important part of an
contract documents.
• In short, without detailed specification tender document and
contract is incomplete and invalid.

10. TYPES OF SPECIFICATION-
2. DETAILED SPECIFICATION continued…
• In detailed specification following information is specified:
- Quantities of material and their proportions
- Qualities of material
- Method of doing work or processor of work
- Test required on the construction material or on finished items
- Type of equipments and machinery used.
- Special tools and plants used.
- Method of operations of special tools and plants.

11. TYPES OF SPECIFICATION-
3. STANDARD SPECIFICATION
• The specification in which detailed information of the various
works are calculated by an engineering department and these
specifications are printed and used as a standard specification.
• Standard specification plays a vital role in specification as it works
as a guiding material to prepare tender documents.
• Standard specifications are used carefully and suitable
modifications are done periodically including advance techniques.
• Standard specification are mostly refereed because it saves the time
and there is no possibilities of doing mistakes.

12. TYPES OF SPECIFICATION-
4. MANUFACTURER’S SPECIFICATION
• The specification in which the properties of products/materials
such as strength, thickness, depth, elasticity, chemical
composition etc are mentioned.
• Specifications of the products of the manufacturer like steel,
mild steel, tor steel, paints, valves etc. are included under the
head of manufacturer’s specification.

13. LEGALASPECTS OF SPECIFICATION
• Specifications of various items become the important documents as
per as legal aspect like contracts and agreements are concerned.
• Without specification any tender documents and agreements are
incomplete and invalid.
• Specifications have more legal strength and hence most of the
contracts state that in case of any discrepancy between drawings and
specifications, the specification act as a legal proof.
• In case of disputes between the owner and the contractor,
specifications acts as a useful legal documents to solve the problem
in between two party.

14. REFERENCES
• Datta B. N. (2012) “Estimating and Costing”, UBS Publishers Distributors,
New Delhi.
• Patil B. S. (2015) “Civil Engineering Contracts and Estimates”,
Universities Press, Hyderabad.
• Rangwala S. C. (2011) “Valuation of real Properties”, Charotar Publication,
Anand.
• Chakraborti M; “Estimating costing specification and valuation” Kolkata.

15. Thank You