a little help please

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Author Message Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1593 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 12:53 pm:    I'm putting together a short training session for engineers about writing specifications. I Know what I want to cover (basic relationships between documents, understanding specifications - language, clarity, the 4 "C"s, why it's important), but are there specific areas of concern that y'all would be willing to suggest? And does someone have a couple of examples of Civil Engineering specifications they'd be willing to send me (lynnjav@gmail.com) so I can see what's typical there? I've seen enough MEP sections to know the pitfalls, but I rarely see Civil sections. Thanks in advance for your input. Liz O'Sullivan Senior Member Username: liz_osullivan Post Number: 95 Registered: 10-2011 Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 01:00 pm:    Division 01 stuff, including why they need to read it so they don't put conflicting info into their sections. George A. Everding, AIA, CSI, CCS, CCCA Senior Member Username: geverding Post Number: 647 Registered: 11-2004 Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 01:37 pm:    Lynn- Steve Gantner and I did a presentation on behalf of St. Louis CSI chapter for an ASHRAE meeting a few years ago. Their interest was mainly what you mentioned in "I know what I want to cover", as well as Divsion 01. They weren't necessarily interested in specific engineering stuff. I'll send you a copy of our powerpoint if you are interested (and if I can dig it up at home tonight). From my own experience working with engineers, if you can do one thing - get them to STOP directing subcontractors in the voice of the engineer and to START addressing the contractor in the voice of the owner - you will have done a great service. Happy New Year. George A. Everding AIA CSI CCS CCCA Ingersoll Rand Security Technologies St. Louis, MO Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1594 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 01:48 pm:    Liz - excellent point! George - I'd love it, thanks! I do plan to address language, including the voice of the specifications as well as words and phrases to avoid (some of my pet peeves). Anne Whitacre, FCSI CCS Senior Member Username: awhitacre Post Number: 1289 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 02:52 pm:    I would agree that Division 01 is pretty important. A lot of the engineering specs I've seen in the past don't realize that much of what they are covering in their sections is already taken care of, and all they need to do is refer to it. There are also a few places of conflict: firestopping; sealants; painting.. and I'm sure that someone else here will think of the others. Helaine K. Robinson CSI CCS CCCA SCIP Senior Member Username: hollyrob Post Number: 392 Registered: 07-2003 Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 03:03 pm:    Excavation, Concrete, Roof Curbs, Firestopping,Sealant, Access Doors, & Painting. Do you mean Civil including Structural or excluding Structural? SEs are very fond of sheet specs. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1596 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Wednesday, January 02, 2013 - 03:06 pm:    Civil excluding structural. This is mostly for "horizontal" projects. Mark Gilligan SE, Senior Member Username: mark_gilligan Post Number: 528 Registered: 10-2007 Posted on Friday, January 04, 2013 - 04:00 pm:    Discuss what goes in the specifications and what is placed on the drawings. Emphasize the need to coordinate and not to repeat. Point out the need to be aware of what is discussed in General Conditions and Division 1. Make the point that the technical specifications should not attempt to restate or modify those provisions. Discuss what goes in the different Parts. I find a lot of information in Part 1 that belongs in Part 2 or 3. The System Description Article in Part 1 is often abused and I suggest that it is seldom needed. The engineers should not blindly accept the content in master specifications dealing with engineering issues. Much of this information is out of date or reflects an architectural bias. Lynn Javoroski FCSI CCS LEEDŽ AP SCIP Affiliate Senior Member Username: lynn_javoroski Post Number: 1598 Registered: 07-2002 Posted on Friday, January 04, 2013 - 04:18 pm:    Thanks to all of you who have responded. Once again I am grateful for this CSI family! I will be working on this presentation for the next couple of weeks at least, and you've all helped me clarify my thoughts. While I knew what needed to be stated, last week I sat in front of my computer and stared at a half-completed slide! I actually did get 2 slides done - the title/opening slide and my contact information slide. And then I just got stuck! The amoung of information that needs to be conveyed was overwhelming and I couldn't find a starting point. How do you sum up part of a CDT class with most of a CCS class in an hour? But I think I can proceed now. You guys are great. J. Peter Jordan Senior Member Username: jpjordan Post Number: 527 Registered: 05-2004 Posted on Friday, January 04, 2013 - 04:44 pm:    On my LinkedIn site, I have posted a presentation "What Specifiers Wish Architects Knew." I put it together about 10 years ago based on comments I received from a number of colleagues. It isn't directly applicable to your situation, but there may be some points you would find useful.