Construction Documents
The design process for building technology systems is communicated to the instal-
ling contractor and others through specifications and drawings which together
are referred to as the “construction documents.” These documents are critical
to manufacturers, contractors and designers of integrated building systems.
Construction documents for integrated building systems are prepared by a
designer or engineer and are used to coordinate the design with other profes-
sionals, used by the contractor to install the systems, and eventually used or
archived by the owner or the facility manager. The construction documents,
comprised of plans and specifications, delineate the design detail and require-
ments for the installation.
Construction documents are binding legal documents. The contractor is
bound by law to install the systems as per the construction documents. These
documents identify the responsibilities of the contractor, the interrelationships
between the contractors and other parties involved in the construction and the
contractor’s rights. In some cases (i.e., fire alarm systems) the construction
documents are used to obtain government permits for system installation.
It is important to note that construction specifications are not the same as
a manufacturer’s product specifications. As an example, a manufacturer’s
specification for a video surveillance camera differs from the construction
specification for a video surveillance system. The construction specifications
will describe the work and the required results, quality, installation practices,
materials, coordination, and documentation of the work.
The designer’s responsibilities in preparing the specifications are clarity, suc-
cinctness (to the point), and technical soundness. If a specification uses words
such as “any” or “all” or phrases such as “as required” or “as appropriate,” it
is not conveying specific information to the contractor.
Specifications
Construction documents have been standardized for ease of use to reduce errors
and to facilitate coordination between parties. The written specifications contain
divisions for every building discipline (civil, mechanical, electrical, etc.). They use
something akin to a “Dewey decimal system” that is used in libraries with the
specifications having standard titles, a master list of numbers and a standardized
page format. Major divisions of the specifications are further divided into sections.
One of the most popular formats for construction specifications is the Master-
Format, produced and trademarked by the CSI, and primarily used in North
America. European and Asian entities have very similar standardized formats.
146 Smart Building Systems for Architects, Owners, and Builders