Outline specification
Specifications are written documents that describe the materials and workmanship required for a development. They do not include cost, quantity or drawn information but need to be read alongside other contract documentation such as quantities, schedules and drawings.
Written information about materials and workmanship should not appear on drawings or in bills of quantities as this can result in contradictory specifications and can cause considerable confusion, instead they should refer to the appropriate clauses in the specification.
Specifications should be developed iteratively alongside the design, and not left until the preparation of production information.
The first stage in the development of a specification is the preparation of an outline specification. An outline specification is a brief description of the main components to be used in construction. They should be described in sufficient detail to allow the cost consultant to prepare some approximate quantities.
Components might include:
- Substructure.
- Superstructure.
- Cladding (including external windows and doors).
- Roofing.
- Internal walls and partitions.
- Internal doors.
- Ceilings.
- Flooring.
- Finishes.
- Building services (including lighting, heating, ventilation and air conditioning, water supply and drainage and other special installations).
- Fixtures and fittings (such as sanitary fittings).
- Landscape.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Bills of quantities.
- Contract documentation.
- Final specifications.
- Insulation specification.
- Output-based specification.
- Performance specification.
- Prescriptive specification.
- Procurement route.
- Production information.
- Project brief.
- Schedule of accommodation.
- Specification.
- Specification basics.
- Tender.
- Tender documentation.
Featured articles and news
UK Construction Week, London is here !
Debuting major international pavilions and much more.
Getting the most out of heat pumps and heating
How heat pumps work and how they work best.
Plumbing and heating for successful retrofit and renovation
Low temperature underfloor systems and heat pumps.
Cost-of-living crisis and home improvement plans
Starting on the right footing and top tips for projects.
Delays on construction projects
Types, mitigation and the acceleration of works.
From Chaucer to Fawlty Towers.
Electrotechnical excellence, now open for entries.
Net zero electricity grids BSRIA guide NZG 5/2024
Outlining the changes needed to transition to net zero.
CIOB Global Student Challenge 2024
Universitas Indonesia wins for second year running.
New project and cultural district described in detail.
The nature of EPCs, crticism and inaccuracies.
History, issues and redesign.
From waste recycling to energy performance the hierchy.
ECA 2024 Apprentice of the Year Award
Entries open for submission until May 31.
UK gov apprenticeship funding from April 2024
Brief summary the policy paper updated in March.
Comments
We have a set of 250 free Outline and Shortform specifications at arcat.com - http://www.arcat.com/users.pl?action=ProjectsAdmin&mf=04