Sustainable Building Technical Manual - Etn-presco.net

CHAPTER 17S p e c i f i c a t i o n s★ S I G N I F I CA N C E .The purpose of the construction documents—the drawings and specifications—is to conveythe building design concept to the contractor. The more accurately the concept isconveyed, the more likely it is the concept will be realized.AuthorDru MeadowsIn order to facilitate communication of the building design concept, industry membershave standardized the format of construction documents. The drawings describe the location,size, and quantity of materials. The specifications are the written documents thataccompany the drawings and describe the quality of construction. For example, if thedrawings indicate a plaster wall, the specifications will describe the plaster mix, lath andpaper backing, and finishing techniques.In the early 1960s, the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) produced a standardorganizational format for specifications, which is now used by manufacturers, architects,engineers, interior designers, contractors, and building officials across the United States.Under the CSI format, information is organized in a standard outline form. Types of workare broadly grouped within 16 CSI Divisions, which are divided into Sections. The Sectionsare identified by five-digit numbers. The first two digits are for the Division (01–16) andthe last three indicate more and more precise units of work (i.e., broadscope, mediumscope,and narrowscope). Each Section contains three Parts: General, Products, a n dExecution. There is also a standardized system of Articles and Paragraphs within each Part.The 16 Divisions are as follows:Division 1 — General RequirementsDivision 2 — Site Work (soon to be renamed Site Construction) 1Division 3 — ConcreteDivision 4 — MasonryDivision 5 — MetalsDivision 6 — Wood and PlasticsDivision 7 — Thermal and Moisture Protection