SHORT-FORM SPECIFICATIONS - 8
Copyright 2000 by Herman R. Hoyer, PE, FCSI, CCS
For this installment of the column, we will cover Tenet No. 4 as follows:
THE USE OF “STREAMLINING” TO SHORTEN SENTENCE STRUCTURE
Definition: “Streamlining” is the specification practice of employing the
colon ( : ) as a symbol representing one of the following verbal phrases or
expressions:
Shall be
Shall have
Shall conform with
Shall comply with
Shall meet the requirements of
Examples where the colon ( : ) represents “shall be”:
A. Mortar: Type S mortar conforming with the California Building Code,
Chapter 24, and ASTM C270.
B. Steel Materials to Receive Spray-Applied Fireproofing: Power-tool cleaned
in accordance with SSPC-SP 3 to remove mill scale, rust, grease, oil, paint,
and any other loose or foreign material.
C. Paint: Corrosion-inhibitive protective primer conforming with SSPC-PA-1
or SSPC-Paint System 7.01.
Example where the colon ( : ) represents “shall have”:
A. Masonry Units: Integral color as selected by the Architect from
manufacturer’s standards.
Examples where the colon ( : ) represents “shall conform with” or “shall meet
the requirements of.” Both phrases have essentially the same meaning; just
semantics. “Shall conform with” is usually the preferred language. This is
the most common form of streamlining.
A. Asphalt: Caltrans Standard Specifications, Section 92, all-purpose,
aged-residue, steam-refined, AR-4000 Grade.
B. Reinforcing Bars (Rebar): ASTM A615, Grade 60, or ASTM A706. Where bars
are to be welded, provide bars conforming with ASTM A706.
C. Portland Cement: ASTM C150, Type II, low alkali.
D. Gypsum Wallboard: ASTM C36, furnished with tapered longitudinal edges and
in lengths which will result in a minimum footage of joints.
Where compliance with regulatory requirements is indicated, assume “shall
comply with” as follows:
A. Fire-Retardant Treatment: AWPA C20 for flame-spread rating of less than
25 when tested in accordance with ASTM E84.
A colon is also used to set off a paragraph title or heading from the text
that follows. This is the case when a grammatically complete sentence
follows a title word and a colon. In this case a colon is used to direct
attention to the text that follows. This is not streamlining Following are
examples where the colon does not represent “Streamlining”:
A. Shop Drawings: Submit single-line diagram showing location of joints to
be filled and sealed.
B. Installation: Apply gypsum wallboard in accordance with applicable
requirements of ASTM C840.