https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/w/index.php?feed=atom&target=Mounir_Kronful&title=Special%3AContributions%2FMounir_Kronful 2026-05-14T08:48:36Z From Designing Buildings MediaWiki 1.17.4 https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/User:Mounir_Kronful 2015-04-15T04:30:53Z

<p>Mounir Kronful: </p> <hr /> <div>I am a specification writer professional. I have more than 15 years of experience in specifications and technical properties of building materials.<br /> <br /> I have worked with several consultant firms in the middle east region.</div>

Mounir Kronful https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Specifications,_Why%3F 2015-04-14T08:52:33Z

<p>Mounir Kronful: Created page with &quot; A lot of times, we face problems during execution of a project. A lot of times architects and engineers neglect specifications or consider it as “copy and paste” document. I...&quot;</p> <hr /> <div><br /> A lot of times, we face problems during execution of a project. A lot of times architects and engineers neglect specifications or consider it as “copy and paste” document. It is essential that the importance of specification documents is fully understood to successfully execute the project.<br /> <br /> Specification document is a description of the material properties and installation of the project. Project specifications cannot be a “copy and paste” document. Every project requires its customized specification document and cannot be a copy from other projects. Since each project has its own style and design, therefore materials change and so does its properties and specifications.<br /> <br /> But what happens if we copy the specifications from another project? What is the harm?<br /> <br /> Let us look closely into this issue. Architects and interior architects often have their own style and concept behind a certain design. They develop this design to deliver to the client the final result that was approved. They expect the project to be executed based on their intended approved concept design and accordingly the theme they had in mind.<br /> <br /> When we copy a specification document developed for another project, we are actually copying a specification customized for a specific design intent that will be different from this project’s design intent. Let’s take stone cladding as a simple example in this case. Stone cladding can be from a variety of selection: marble, granite, limestone, slate, sandstone etc… In a certain project, the stone cladding might be granite, in another it might be marble. If we “copy and paste” specifications from one project to another, we might end up specifying granite instead of the marble that was intended.<br /> <br /> The effect is not only design intent, there are more consequences. Variation Order is another consequence. Due to the inconsistencies that will arise from the discrepancies between design intent and the specifications, the contractor will try either to downgrade or will ask for more money to cover the “unexpected changes”. Even if we try to mitigate these scenarios, still VOs are a huge risk.<br /> <br /> Inadequate performance is another consequence. Copying from project to project is very risky and will lead to downgrading the performance of the specifications. As we said earlier in the article, when the specification is written it is customized for a particular circumstance of the project. The material performance and specifications are customized for that circumstance. If we copy to another project, which will have other set of criteria, the performances will not be accurate any more. Let’s look at curtain wall thermal performance criteria as an example. If we have a project in a hot humid climate, its thermal performance specification will be different than that of a moderate dry climate or a cold humid climate. Copying the specifications in this case, will lead to performance problems in HVAC, thermal comfort, and probably condensation.<br /> <br /> Customizing specifications based on the project and design criteria is very crucial for a successful development. Specifications should not be taken lightly and enough concern should be given to the technical performance of materials. Specifications should be done by a well versed professional in full coordination with the designer.<br /> <br /> --[[User:Mounir Kronful|Mounir Kronful]] 09:52, 14 April 2015 (BST)<br /> <br /> [[Category:International]]<br /> [[Category:Projects_and_case_studies]]<br /> [[Category:Roles_/_services]]</div>

Mounir Kronful