Construction Specifications Writing Principles
and Procedures
Fifth Edition
by Harold J. Rosen

The updated edition of the comprehensive rulebook to the specifier's craft!

This Fifth Edition is a major update and expansion of the foremost textbook on construction specifications. It is a comprehensive, practical, and professional guide to understanding the purposes and processes for preparation of construction specifications.

Construction Specifications Writing reflects current practices in writing construction specifications according to the well-established principles and requirements of major professional associations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC), and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI).

Examples of real-world construction specifications and industry-standard construction contract documents are generously provided along with guidelines for correct terminology, product selection, organization of specifications according to recognized CSI formats, and practical techniques for document production.

Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Practices is an insightful textbook for students and professionals in development and continuing education classes, as well as a reliable reference for practicing architects and engineers.

Contents

1. The Role of the Specifications.
   Documents for Construction. Bidding Documents. Contract Documents. Specifications.
2. Relationship between Drawings and Specifications.
   What Goes Where. The Drawings. The Specifications. Coordinating the Design Process. Terminology. Considerations for Users of Drawings and Specifications.
3. Organization of Specifications.
   History of Specification Organization. Organizing Specifications Divisions and Sections. CSI/CSC Masterformat. Using Masterformat.
4. The Project Manual and Specifications Sections.
   The Project Manual Concept.
5. Format for Specifications Sections.
   Need for Formats for Specifications Sections. Sectionformat. Pageformat. Using Sectionformat. CSI Sectionformat.
6. Types of Specifications.
   Methods for Writing Specifications.
7. Specifications Writing Principles.
   Determining Content for the Specifications. Specifying.
8. Bidding Requirements.
   Three Basic Bidding Documents.
9. General Conditions of the Contract.
   Contractual Relationships.
10. Supplementary Conditions of the Contract.
    Supplementary Conditions. Conclusion and Examples.
11. Bonds, Guaranties and Warranties.
    Bonds. Guaranties and Warranties.
12. Division 1. General Requirements.
    Scope of Division 1. Relationship of Division 1 Sections to other Documents. Writing Division 1 Sections.
13. Modifications.
    Modifications to Bidding and Contract Documents. Addenda. Change Orders. Other Modifications.
14. Specifications Language.
    General Precepts. Applications.
15. Specifications Resources.
    Overview. Construction Specification Resources.
16. Products Selection.
    Product Selection Factors. Mandated Requirements. Design Criteria. Using Performance Characteristics. New Products Considerations. Substitutions and Product Options. Using Product Information Resources. Communicating and Recording of Product Selections.
17. Specifications Writing Procedures.
    Getting Started. Product Selections. Project Information. Specifications Format. Specifying Method. SsSpecifications Detail. Order of Sections to be Produced. Editing and Writing Specification Text. Specifications Checklists.
18. Master Guide Specifications.
    Specification Guides and Intact Masters. Public Agency Master Guide Specifications. Commercial Guide Specifications. Office Master Guide Specifications.
19. Computer-Assisted Specifications.
    Introduction. The First Four Decades of Automation. Transforming the Specification Process. Word Processing Software. Computers and Peripheral Equipment. Word Processing Enhancements for Specifications. Knowledge Based, Computer-Assisted Specifications.
20. Preliminary Project Descriptions (PPD).
    Uniformat. Preliminary Project Description (PPD). Computer-Assisted PPD's.
21. Outline and Shortform Specifications.
    Outline vs. Shortform Specifications. Outline Specifications. Shortform Specifications

Appendices
Index

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