Interpreting Specifications 251
- Quality assurances: This article should include requirements for qualification of consultants,
contractors, and subcontractors. Also included here are the standards and test requirements,
and any full-size “mock-up” models of items for testing. - Submittals: Instructions for submittal of product samples and other relevant information, includ-
ing warranties, certificates, product data, and installation instructions. - Product handling, delivery, and storage: This includes instructions for aspects like packing, lo-
cation for delivery, temperature control, and protection for the product after delivery. - Project and site conditions: This stipulates the requirements and conditions that must be in place
prior to installation, such as temperature control and the use of necessary utilities. For example,
all wall tiling should be completed prior to cabinet installation. - Alternatives: Whether alternatives are acceptable is detailed in the General Requirements.
- Sequencing and scheduling: This is used where timing is critical and where tasks and/or sched-
uling need to follow a specific sequence. - Warranties: This section typically includes warranties that exceed one year. Terms and condi-
tions of the warranty should be spelled out, and the owner should be provided with copies.
Part 2: Products.
This section defines and details the materials and products being specified, including fabrication or
manufacturing of the product, the standards to which the materials or products must conform to so as
to fulfill the specifications (Figure 10.4), and similar concerns. The itemized subsections would there-
fore include:
- Manufacturers: This section is used when writing a proprietary specification and lists approved
manufacturers. The section should be coordinated with the product options and substitutions
section.
Figure 10.3 The newly revised MasterFormat System (source: Construction Specifications Institute, Inc.).