National University

College of Architecture

RESEARCH 1: TYPES OF
SPECIFICATIONS
Submitted to:
Ar. Mark G. Delfin

ARC 214

Submitted by:

Montes, Kayla Erice

January 23, 2024

Types of Specifications in Building & Construction Industry

1. Performance Specifications

Performance specifications, sometimes referred to as functional requirements or performance

criteria, outline the outcomes that builders hope to achieve in the end. A performance specification is a

written document that details an installation's or component's operational requirements. They are often

applied in situations where the outcome is subjective, like in artistic or performance applications. To

specify things like acoustical design values and finish specifications in this situation, performance

specifications might be required. Performance specifications can also be used to describe objective

requirements that a building project must meet, such the fire rating level for external cladding materials

or the requirement for weathertight window assemblies.

This kind of specification gives the contractor the freedom to execute the tasks in whatever way

they see fit, as long as they meet the end performance goals, rather than giving them detailed

instructions for every work. The performance specification's key concept is that the contractor should

identify the most efficient route to achieve the goals specified by the architect or engineer. The

performance specification places more emphasis on the final result and gives the contractor more control

over the choice of materials and techniques as well as some of the design work. Prescriptive and detailed

specifications are frequently accompanied with performance requirements that provide examples of the

extent to which the new construction project will improve upon earlier iterations of these kinds of

documents.

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Any specification can make advantage of performance specifying. Current technology allows a

variety of possibilities to be accessed through the selection of performance parameters. It can also be

used to stimulate innovation for technology that the construction industry has not yet established as

standards or developed.

Example:

• The construction of industrial pumping system should have a required pumping rate

of 500 gallons/minute, a required pressure of 20 psi, and a 40 feet difference in height

between the pump and the final destination. The liquid should be pumped at a 140°F

temperature and with a pH of 3.

Advantage/s:

• Promotes creativity, allows for material selection to be more flexible, and can result in

affordable solutions.

Disadvantage/s:

• Requires a thorough grasp of the performance requirements, which could be difficult

to implement and assess while building.

2. Prescriptive Specifications

Prescriptive specifications outline the materials needed for certain installation techniques and

tasks needed to finish various building project components. Prescriptive specifications might include

particular material and system options (e.g., "choose from a, b, or c") that are pre-approved for usage

because they are thought to match the prescribed criteria. They can define the expected components

and applicable reference standards for a material or system. Prescriptive specifications serve as direct

reference tools for quality control for architects carrying out construction contract administration services,

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as well as guidelines for contractors choosing which goods and materials to employ and what

craftsmanship standards to follow.

Prescriptive specifications typically consist of three sections:

• General: Building codes and standards, both state and federal, that contractors must

adhere to are frequently mentioned in these service agreements. Standards, design

specifications, submission requirements, and quality control are all mentioned in this

section.

• Products: This section of a prescriptive specification lists the resources and materials

required to meet the requirements for performance and structure. This contains

thorough explanations of the necessary products' functions.

• Execution: The best and desired installation techniques as well as the ways to gauge

the caliber and efficiency of the finished task are described in execution procedures.

The preparation and installation of materials, together with the necessary testing, are

covered in this part.

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Example:

• Unless otherwise stated by the Engineer, mix concrete in 1:2:4 ratio for Suspended

slabs, footings, beams, footing tie beams, wall footings, and foundations. While, 1:2-

1/2:5 concrete mix ratio for slab-on-grade.

Advantage/s;

• Simple and unambiguous, with minimal opportunity for interpretation, making it easy

to enforce during construction.

Disadvantage/s:

• May prevent innovation and more affordable options from emerging, and may become

antiquated as materials or technology advance.

3. Proprietary Specifications

A specific product must be used according to proprietary specifications. These are frequently

used to blend in with the current products in a building to enable more regular building upkeep. Since

preventing substitutions during the bidding process of a project may result in higher project costs, this

kind of specification is frequently the least used. In order to eliminate any ambiguity, proprietary

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specifications should ideally include the manufacturers' exact catalogue names and descriptions to

identify products by their trade names and salient features.

Proprietary specifications may directly identify specific items. If a product is available from a

single source and a standard is not associated with a manufacturer, it is nevertheless deemed

proprietary. Control over product selection is possible in building projects with proprietary specifications.

This can shorten the design process, cut expenses, and streamline the bidding procedure.

Proprietary specs are usually used by contractors to specify the exact materials and resources

needed for the project. This kind of specification is most frequently used by contractors when finishing

projects on already-existing structures, such home renovations. The propriety specification may include

a description of the current structural materials as well as a list of comparable or matching materials that

are required to finish the project.

Example:

• Reinforcement steels used shall only be PNS 49 230 (size: 10 mm; length: 9 m) and

PNS 49 GRADE 280 (size: 16 mm; length 9 m). If not available, find replacements of

equal specifications.

Advantage/s:

• Depends on generally acknowledged criteria and guarantees a minimum grade of

quality.

Disadvantage/s:

• Reduced competition and mistakes in model or product names are two disadvantages

of private specifications.

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References:
- Types of Construction Specifications. (2020, February 17). Archtoolbox.
https://www.archtoolbox.com/types-of-construction-specifications/
- Hojati, A. (2021, March 29). Project Management Software: 3 Types of Construction Specs | eSUB.
eSUB Construction Software. https://esub.com/blog/3-types-of-construction-specifications/
- Healey, P. S. A. J. (2022, August 10). Construction specifications: Everything you need to know. NBS
Australia. https://www.thenbs.com.au/resources/articles/construction-specifications

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