Page 78 - Civil Engineering Project Management, Fourth Edition

Preparing contract documents
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‘method’ specification is therefore the usual practice adopted, based on long-
standing practices that have proved satisfactory over many years of experience.
The specification ought to be relevant to the work required. To include pro-
visions that are irrelevant shows signs of a careless approach. When complex
matters have to be specified it is best to avoid long and complicated sentences;
short sentences are better. Occasional lists of requirements can aid clarity. The
specification is a reference book which should be easy to consult. Inevitably
large parts of it will cover such obvious requirements that they will not be
read – for example, ‘All formwork must be true to line and level’. Any unusual
or special requirement should therefore not be tacked onto such standard
material, or it will get missed. It should be put as a separate paragraph, even
if it comprises only a couple of lines, so that it stands alone.
When writing specifications much use is made of past experience. Many
engineers and consultancy firms will have model clauses available for speci-
fying materials in common use. Both ‘short version’ and ‘comprehensive’
model specification clauses may need to be drawn up for a given material, so
that the appropriate model clause can be used, according to the amount and
importance of that material in a job. Considerable use will be made of national
standards, standard sizes or qualities of manufactured goods. But it should be
noted that, although British or other national standards are often quoted, this
may not be sufficient definition because many such standards cover various
grades and qualities, and precise references may be needed. Permitted alter-
native national standards may need to be quoted also.
Use can be made of a trade-named product to specify a material required
but, wherever possible, it is better to avoid restricting the contractor to just
one product by adding after the named product the words ‘or similar
approved’. The problems caused by nominating one supplier are dealt with in
Sections 14.2 and 15.8, and it must be borne in mind that the practice could be
contrary to EU competition rules.
Many sections of the civil engineering industry have their own approved
technical specifications which are meant to act as standards for their particular
type of work. The UK Department of Transport (Highways Agency) has pub-
lished extensive clauses covering all manner of roadwork in their Highways
Specification. The water companies in the UK have published a Civil Engineer-
ing Specification for the Water Industry. These documents can give an important
lead to the specifier, but should not be slavishly copied, but checked, amended
and extended so as to relate concisely to the needs of each particular job.
It is wise to enquire of the employer whether he wishes any particular speci-
fications or standard requirements to be adopted. This is important when
work is undertaken for governments or public utilities overseas. They often
have their own printed specification, departures from which may not be per-
missible since they might not be noticed or understood by local tenderers. The
sanction of the employer might be needed before any addition or amendment
is made to such traditional specifications and, if allowed, may need to be put
in a special section and carefully worded in simple English.