ing the work from that specified, under the plea that, if carried out in accord with the contract, the work cannot be warranted. Such changes are always in favor of poorer work. It is generally better for the architect to know just what materials will do the work, to see that such are installed, and to leave the warranty clause out. Specification for Particular Brands. Specifying a particular make or brand of material is likely to carry the impression that the writer's knowledge is limited or that he is unduly influenced in favor of the article specified. If a particular appliance is required, it is well to except it from the contract, and say that the owner "will furnish, delivered on the site, which the contractor is to set in place and connect," etc. Employment of Consulting Experts. In important work, specifications on electric wiring, heating, plumbing, ventilation, etc., are frequently prepared by consulting engineers employed by the owner to arrange these points under the direction of the architect. In this case the engineers prepare the specifications, which can be included in the architect's other specifications, and any questions that may come up during the progress of the work should be referred to the consulting engineer by the architect before a change is made. The employment of consulting experts is common in the erection of high buildings, where engineers are frequently engaged to lay out the steel construction. But when the services of specialists in any line are required, it should in all cases be understood that the general scheme for the work is not to be altered, and that the engineer is to adapt his portion of the work to the general plan, and not to insist on modifying the general plan to suit any particular methods or appliances he may desire to use. Specification as to Payment and Time of Completion. In a building operation, four questions always arise: (1) What is to be done? (3) When is it to be completed? (4) What is to be the manner of payment? The first two questions are answered by the plans and specifications. Although the last two are finally stated in the contract, it is necessary that some reference should be made to them in the specification, for the information of the bidders. The period for completion may be stated in terms of months and days after the signing of the contract. Payments on the contract may be made by one of four methods: (1) Stated sum (2) Cost plus a percentage (3) Cost plus a percentage with guaranteed limit (4) Cost plus a fixed sum The first is the usual way in contracting work. Full information relative to the method of payment which the owner prefers and intends to incorporate in the contract, should be set forth in the specification, as this is a matter which will have a marked influence on bidders. If "payment by stated sum" is agreed upon, then, unless the payments can be arranged so that the owner supplies money for the material and labor at frequent intervals, it follows that the contractor has to use considerable of his own capital or credit to carry the work along. For this he must be paid; and, therefore, as the owner generally has the funds prior to beginning work, it is advisable to state in the specification such dates and percentage of payments as will permit the contractor to carry on the work with a minimum charge for the use of his own capital or credit. SPECIFICATION WRITER'S METHODS OF WORK Outlining Main Divisions of Work. The completeness and clearness and therefore the usefulness-of a specification, depend on its systematic arrangement. The first thing to do, therefore, is to prepare a skeleton or outline of what is later to be the finished form. This should consist, in the first place, of a list of the different general branches of the work. Then, under each of these general heads should be set a list of sub-heads; but it is not good policy to attempt to cover every point before beginning the writing of the specification proper, as, in writing, items will constantly occur to the writer in connection with what has already been written. After this skeleton has been prepared, the major part of the work is done, as the filling-in and detailing of requirements under each heading is a comparatively simple operation. Use of Card Catalogues. On smaller work, where the Architect is both designer and specification writer, the job will be, or should be, so in mind that no assistance is required in arranging this skeleton; but in larger offices, where generally the first time the writer sees the drawings is when he begins consideration of the specifications, it is very desirable-in fact necessary-for him to have some reminder of the items which are to be considered. These reminders may be in the form of the catalogue cards which are used in some large offices to list specification items. Each card contains notes and memoranda relative to one item, and the cards of the file can be easily grouped and re-grouped-using markers or wire clips-to take care of the particular requirements of each contract. With these in hand, the specification writer, although hitherto unacquainted with the drawings, can work intelligently and effectively. As the use of the cards extends, the information accumulated on them becomes very valuable. Items observed from day to day in technical papers or on buildings in course of construction, and facts gleaned from conversation, should be noted on the cards in careful but abbreviated fashion, under the proper headings, and these will recall the details of the case. when their assistance will be useful. Analysis of Task. The drawings, after they have been delivered to the specification writer, should be most carefully studied, for the whole scheme of design, arrangement, use, construction, and decoration must be well in mind. Having obtained a broad, comprehensive impression of the work, the general method of obtaining the results desired, is next to be studied. Considerable time can be spent in this work to advantage. It is a good plan, after what has seemed a sufficient period of study, to sit down, close the eyes, and call to mind the different parts as a whole and in detail. If the scheme then appears clear, and can be followed out understandingly in the mind, without reference to the drawings, then-and not until then-is the writer fitted to begin the work. With such preparation he can with surprising rapidity lay out his first line of main heads, and with a similar rapidity, his subheads; when these are completed, the main part of the work is done. Too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of a clear comprehension of the entire scheme, as a whole and in detail, before a word is written. If the writer fails in this, his specification will be neither clear nor complete, and will be likely to degenerate into a series of disconnected sentences with little or no affinity for those which precede or follow. Specification Reminder. There is given below a list of headings which cover certain items generally needed, with occasional notes written out to illustrate how other notes can be made when experience furnishes the material. It is especially desirable to call attention in the notes to any particular difficulties in any line of work which may have been previously observed, and the means employed to correct them. |