In some cases, they read through an entire specification only to determine mortar requirements were missing altogether. Back then, contractors wanting to know the type of mortar to use on bricks found themselves thumbing through long masonry sections, hoping mortar had not been bundled in with plaster or other squishy materials.

The subjects in any given specification were broken down in various ways at the whim of each writer. Typewriters were the tools of choice, even though the amount of text created was not much different than today. At the same time, when litigation began to proliferate, specifications evolved into larger, more intricate documents.Īn 800-page specification is not uncommon these days, but working conditions were quite different in the early 1960s. As the industry grew, construction materials and techniques became more complex. Specifications have been around for centuries, beginning as simple notes on drawings. Many projects include specifications for literally hundreds of products and systems. Put succinctly, a specification is a contractual document its purpose is to establish the quality of materials, products, and workmanship required in a project, as well as any administrative requirements. Now, as the association celebrates entering its seventh decade of service, it is a good time to review some basic terminology and the available resources that help those who create the built environment do their jobs more efficiently and effectively. Nevertheless, there is still some confusion over the standard definition of a specification-despite its ubiquity in the design/construction world, there are often misinterpretations and misunderstandings. For 60 years, CSC has worked to improve the quality of construction documentation in this country.

Master format spec sheet layout