A specification writer wants to write a specification for the procurement of ext

Question

A specification writer wants to write a specification for the procurement of exterior doors (entrance and exit doors) in a project.

a.) Identify four specification methods that can used to specify this product.

b.) Identify three (attributes-properties-qualities) for each of the identified specification methods.

c.) Using the three (attributes-properties-qualities) that you identified in (b), write a set of specification paragraphs to illustrate the use of each of the four specification methods that you identified to specify this product.

d.) Write a set specification paragraphs (as appropriate) to illustrate the combination of the specification methods that you identified in (a) and the attributes-propertiesqualities that you identified in (b).

e.) Discuss the expected difficulties that you may encounter as a result of using combination specification to specify this product.

Explanation / Answer

1. four specification methods that can be used are:-

descriptive standards

performance standards

proprietary standards

reference standards

2. The descriptive, performance and proprietary standards can be used to specify the essential qualities of materials for a project while Reference standard specifications are published by standards organizations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) or organizations that represent manufacturers of specific building elements for example Steel Door Institute (SDI), and are typically referenced without any
customization.

3. The Descriptive specifications include a detailed written description of the required properties of a product. These are :-

a) lengthy and tedious
b) Their preparation involves researching products and critical features and determining which features to specify for example describing critical features, and providing information about various tests, etc.

Performance specifications identifies the performance characteristics of a product.
it has 2 parts :-

A) to prepare a statement of required results and

B) identify method for verifying compliance of the product

Proprietary specifications basically identify desired products by manufacturer’s name, model number, or unique characteristics.

2 types:-

a) open

b) closed

Open provides for requested alternates which are mainly proposed by the contractor while Closed proprietary
specifications do not allow any kind of substitutions.

now comes the last specification which is Reference standard specifications.

these are published standard specifications that can be incorporated into project specifications by reference. According to The Project Resource Manual—CSI Manual of Practice, reference
standards are those documents which are established by a consensus that provides rules,
guidelines, or characteristics for activities, and their results. They are published by standards organizations, governments, and institutions etc.

the difficukties that possibly come on using them in combinations are as follows :-

The Project Resource Manual—CSI Manual of Practice notes that more than one specifying method is used in most project specifications, although all four methods may be used in a single specification section. PRM cautions, though, that “the A/E should be careful about combining methods in the specification of a single product.

for example avoid combining the use of descriptive, proprietary, and performance requirements for a single requirement, as this multiplies the opportunities for conflicts.

and also avoid use of both descriptive and performance specifications for a single requirement;
the resulting specifications are redundant and open to conflicts.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse A
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.