I am having a knockdown dragout argument with another consultant regarding what constitutes a specification. They have submitted a form which is labeled “specification” and notes the product, the manufacturer, and the location of the product in the job; they insist this is their specifications and that we are wrong to expect anything else from them - its frustrating, perhaps someone with a clear head on this board can provide a definition of a three part specification that I can ram up their…no, I meant send them to review…its been a long day.
Sounds like that age-old confusion between ‘selection’ and ‘specification’.
The last architectural firm I worked for, we had in the consultant agreements that specifications were to be prepared according to the architect’s format.
And, as the specifier, I required SectionFormat and PageFormat, of course. I never had a problem getting consultants to comply with the 3-part structure–it was with the rest of the formatting requirements I usually had problems.
The consultant could use some historical perspective. Here’s what I would offer:
About the same time that Michaelangelo was painting the Sistene Chapel, Tibeten monks in Asia were developing wall frescos using drafting tools and a paint-by-number system that specified the locations of colors, for the apprentices to fill in.
Before the industrial age, buildings were simple enough such that the architect or master builder could just put notes directly on drawings.
Today’s 21st century high-performance building facilities are much too complex, and the design and construction industry is too fluid and litigious to settle for just notes on drawings.
Ron, my agreements always require consultants to follow standard CSI s part format, doesn’t mean they do and in this case I have a consultant who is a prima donna.
Then, it’s a breach of contract and you can withhold a reasonable amount from payment on their fee until the proper documents are submitted.
One other thought I’d like to add: if the consultant is in a profession that is regulated by a state licensing board, they may be violating their state’s rules of conduct regarding the standard of care.
For example, in Arizona, the rules state, “A registrant shall apply the technical knowledge and skill that would be applied by other qualified registrants who practice the same profession in the same area and at the same time.” IMHO, if all other consultants are preparing specifications in the “CSI Format,” then your problem consultant is not applying the same standard of care.
If you use any variation of the MasterSpec 01100/011000 “Summary of Work” Section, it will provide a brief definition of what a specification consists of and how it is organized.
Ron, the consultant in question is not under my control nor under control of the architect, but rather has been retained directly by the Owner…they think they are above the rest of us pions.
Steven - where I don’t see it in Masterspec?
specifications: A detailed, exact statement of particulars, especially a statement prescribing materials, dimensions, and quality of work for something to be built, installed, or manufactured.
That said, the term “specification” is used in many different ways by different professions. For example, Interior Designers have a completely different use of the term specification.
If the consultant is retained by the Owner, send the owner a quick email explaining that this is what you received from the consultant and let them know that they will have to push the consultant to provide it in 3-part format (if the Owner wants it that way). Otherwise, it’s not really your problem.
From the PRM: Definitions of Specifications:
A specification is a precise statement describing the characteristics of the work.
Specifications define the requirements for products, materials, and workmanship upon which the contract is based and requirements for administration and performance of the project. They are generally written for each subject as sections and organized by divisions under MasterFormat or by categories under UniFormat.
Specifications define the qualitative requirements for products, materials, workmanship, and administrative requirements
upon which the project is based.
In contrast to the generic notes and symbols on the drawings, the specifications provide detailed requirements for the physical properties, chemical constituents, performance requirements, and standards of workmanship associated with the manufacture and installation of materials, equipment, and components.
Specific written requirements for the work that are usually organized according to MasterFormat into divisions and sections.
Specifications, in general, can include various types of data; however, the specifications included as a part of the contract documents are the written description of the work to be performed by the contractor and are prepared by the A/E.
wow, thanks one and all, now I have some language to use to make my case.
One more from AIA A201, 1.1.6:
The specifications are that portion of the Contract Documents consisting of the written requirements for materials, equipment, systems, standards and workmanship for the Work, and performance of related services.
Since the Owner is in the middle on this issue I would focus not on the contractual issues but rather how this unconventional document would cause confusion during the CA phase and would put the Owner at risk. Unless you are dealing with a very sophisticated Owner he is not going to understand the intricacies of specifications.
Assuming that you want to maintain the relationship with the Owner I would make every attempt to appear reasonable without being walked over. Towards this end I would suggest that you offer to assist the consultant to create a proper specification section. During this process you will have opportunities to point out why the additional information is needed.
Since the Architect has more invested in the client relationship he/she should fund this additional effort. Think of this as a way to cement relationships.
While this consultant may be arrogant it is likely that he/she doesn’t know how to write a proper specification and is thus afraid of the process.
Remember you can be right but loose the war. The more reasonable you appear the poorer he will look.
Have you considered sending them a short form master of that section? That provides a CSI framework; the consultant can insert their product information; and the process will seem less scary to everyone concerned. Think of it as an intro to specifications.
Jerome,
I am going to make a wild guess that the consultant is a building enclosure/waterproofing consultant that provided a waterproofing product matrix in spreadsheet format?
I have been on the serving and receiving end of this methodology. As a building enclosure consultant employee this matix was standard offering unless our client (the owner) wanted a 3-Part CSI formated spec. As the AofR specifier, I transfered the information from the spreadsheet into the technical specs which were in turn reviewed by the consultant.
Wayne
Expanding on Robin’s and Mark’s responses, I’d specifically identify (to Owner) the language that is lacking and how it could affect the quality of the “end-product”…and do so in terms that the Owner can understand…eventually letting the Owner make the final decision…and then “move-on.”
On several projects, a signage and graphics designer has been engaged by the architect. This designer produces gorgeous books describing in great detail with combined images and text the signage and graphics for the project. In no way does this document resemble traditional drawings and specifications.
The signage and graphics designer is not going to redo his work to conform to what he sees is an inferior and alien format to what he has so carefully crafted.
So, I used the magic of the Appendix. Although not recognized in Masterformat, Appendices are a place to put many things that don’t otherwise fit in the drawings and specifications. I simply prepared a cover document for Appendix A - Signage and Graphics and put the signage and graphics documents after it.
Funny, I was going to guess Civil Engineer or Food Service Consultant.