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Colin
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| | Posted on Sunday, February 09, 2003 - 12:17 pm: |    |
SHORT-FORM SPECIFICATIONS - 3
Copyright 1999 by Herman R. Hoyer, PE, FCSI, CCS
Last month we covered Basic Tenet No. 1, Prudent Use of the General Conditions to Shorten Division 1 Sections. This month we’ll cover Basic Tenet No. 2, as follows:
THE USE OF DIVISION 1 SECTIONS TO PREVENT REPETITION
To reduce the size of the various sections under Divisions 2 through 16, I try to make maximum use of Division 1 by consolidating those items in the Specifications which are repetitious, such as repeated phrases, storage and handling, and quality assurance requirements, in appropriate Division 1 Sections.
To begin with, I created a new Section 01423, entitled “Definitions and Interpretations.” Note that there is no such Section Title in the Masterformat. There is a Section entitled “Definitions.” I just carried that section title a little further to include the word “Interpretations.” And, of course, this is very important, because this Section includes several short cuts and features for reducing the size of Sections, which need explanation and interpretation.
Section 01423 begins with “Definitions,” an extension of the definitions given in AIA A201 General Conditions. For example:
· Indicated: As shown, noted, or scheduled on the Drawings.
· Provide: Furnish and install.
For the sake of reducing the length of these Specifications, certain phrases are written without objects. Under the heading of “Interpretations,” such phrases shall be interpreted as follows:
· As indicated: Whenever “as indicated” is specified in these Specifications, it shall be understood to read “as indicated on the Drawings.”
· As required: Whenever “as required” is specified in these Specifications, it shall be understood to read “as required for a complete and finished installation” or “as required for a complete and finished, operable installation.”
· As specified: Whenever “as specified” is specified in these Specifications, it shall be understood to read “as specified herein” or “as specified in these Specifications.”
The following language short cuts shall apply to submittal requirements and substitutions of specified products:
· Submittals: It shall be understood that the various submittals required by the individual Sections are to be submitted to the Architect (or Engineer) for review and approval as specified in the General Conditions. (This precludes having to include the words “to the Architect for approval” in the body of the Specifications from Division 2 through Division 16. These words are now understood to be there when submittals are involved.)
· Substitutions: Unless “no substitute” is specified, these Specifications shall be interpreted to include the words “or approved equal” after every product specified by manufacturer’s brand name or model number. (This precludes the need to include the words “or approved equal” in the body of the Specifications when products are specified. A small savings, but it adds up.)
Specification language is also covered in my Section 01423, but I’ll discuss this subject when we get to Tenets Nos. 4 and 5.
Because of newsletter space constraints, we will continue with Tenet No. 2 next month. This is an important tenet and needs a thorough analysis.
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