OTHER SPECIFICATIONS

The following specifications establish require- ments mainly in terms of performance. Referencing these documents in project specifications assures the procurement of economical facility components and services while considerably reducing the number of words required to state such requirements.

Federal and Military Specifications

Federal specifications cover the characteristics of materials and supplies used jointly by the Navy and other government agencies. These specifications do not cover installation or workmanship for a particular project, but specify the technical requirements and tests for materials, products, or services. The engineering technical library should have all the commonly used federal specifications pertinent to Seabee construction.

Military specifications are those specifications that have been developed by the Department of Defense. Like federal specifications, they also cover the characteristics of materials. They are identified by DOD or MIL preceding the first letter and serial number.

Technical Society and Trade Association Specifications

Technical society specifications should be referenced in project specifications when applicable. The organizations publishing these specifications include, but are not limited to, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the Underwriters Laboratories (UL), and the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Trade association specifications contain requirements common to many companies within a given industry.

Manufacturer's Specifications

Manufacturer's specifications contain the precise description for the manner and process for making, constructing, compounding, and using any items the manufacturer produces. They should not be referenced or copied verbatim in project specifications but may be used to aid in preparing project specifications.

PROJECT SPECIFICATIONS

Construction drawings are supplemented by written project specifications. Project specifications give detailed information regarding materials and methods of work for a particular construction project. They cover various factors relating to the project, such as general conditions, scope of work, quality of materials, standards of workmanship, and protection of finished work.

The drawings, together with the project specifications, define the project in detail and show exactly how it is to be constructed. Usually, drawings for an important project are accompanied by a set of project specifications. The drawings and project specifications are inseparable. Drawings indicate what the project specifications do not cover. Project specifications indicate what the drawings do not portray, or they further clarify details that are not covered amply by the drawings and notes on the drawings. When you are preparing project specifications, it is important that the specifications and drawings be closely coordinated so that discrepancies and ambiguities are minimized. Whenever there is conflicting information between the drawings and project specs, the specifications take precedence over the drawings.

ORGANIZATION OF SPECIFICATIONS

For consistency, the Construction Standards Institute (CSI) has organized the format of specifications into 16 basic divisions. These divisions, used throughout the military and civilian construction industry, are listed in order as follows:

1. General Requirements include information that is of a general nature to the project, such as inspection requirements and environ- ment al protection.

2. Site Work includes work performed on the site, such as grading, excavation, com- paction, drainage, site utilities, and paving.

3. Concrete includes precast and cast-in-place concrete, formwork, and concrete reinforcing.