This should not lead the Architect, however, to separate work among different trades where for safety, warranty, or promptness, certain parts of the work should all be under the control of one con tractor, e.g., the roofer.
Each item describes the class of material to be used and the kind of labor to be employed. The of pieces and the dimen sions are left to the plans; though, when the plans are incomplete on account of the small scale, the quantities and sizes must be speci fied fully and completely.
The usual method of arranging a specification is to classify the items under each building trade, and then subdivide the build ing trades as much as possible. Commence with the work to be done on the foundation of the building, and carry the description up through the building to the roof chronologically in the order of construction. In this way there is less danger of omissions. Some times it is advisable to describe a certain part entirely under the trade that would have general charge of it. For example, an iron staircase would be described under "Iron work," and the descrip tion would include a wooden handrail. Metal flashings are often specified to be furnished by the carpenter, mason, or plumber for use in connection with their work, though frequently these are pro vided by the metal worker and set by the carpenter, mason, or plumber.
An expeditious method of writing specifications, which may be employed to advantage in large offices when the writer is not intimately associated in the work of preparing the drawings, is to write each item on a catalogue card. The best sizes for this are either 4 by 6 inches or 5 by 8 inches. The latter is preferable, being the width of ordinary typewritten specifications, and large enough for notes and memoranda regarding each particular item.
Guide cards may be used to separate these items under their different headings, and the items can be easily rearranged or added to at any point. When a new specification is written, all that is necessary to do is to put markers or wire clips on the cards that are to be used, making any changes that may be necessary in pencil on the card and writing or dictating any additional items for insertion. The whole specification can then be typewritten from these cards on which the "signals" have been placed, making as many copies as required. Whenever cards are removed from the case, large "out" markers are put in their places, so that they will be returned to their proper locations.
When the specifications arc ready to be typewritten, they should be carefully checked up with the drawings and with the "Specifica tion Reminder," which will be explained later.
In writing out the specification, it is advisable and usual on public work to number every clause under the different trades in order. These will be found very useful for reference and corre spondence during the work. An index may be placed at the be ginning of the specification.
There are many indirect items which should be fully covered by the specifications—for example, that the Contractor shall take care of certain minor points, such as clearing out rubbish, covering the windows, and heating the building while the plaster is drying, putting up staging, etc. Even when there is a general Contractor for a building—which would relieve both Architect and Owner of any direct responsibility—it saves much discussion between the suli-eontractors if such points a.s these are included in the specifica tion.
Where there are definitely stated requirements in State or Municipal building laws, use the same wording or expressions in the specification. These are the result of long study and practical experience, and often the difference of a single word will confuse or make the meaning much less clear to Contractors. The specifi cations may be abbreviated by referring directly to the building laws, and omitting what is there clearly stated.
Electric wiring, for example, should be clone according to the "Rides and Requirements of the National Board of Fire Under writers for the. Installation of Electric Wiring, as Recommended by the Underwriters' National Electrical Association." While every specification should .require that the work as a whole and in all details shall be carried out to the satisfaction of the Architect, such requirement must carry with it the full under standing that the Architect shall be satisfied when the Contractor has furnished what the clear meaning of the drawings and specifi cations calls for, and under no circumstances shall the Architect demand other than what is required by the drawings and specifica tions, under the excuse that what has been furnished is not satisfac tory to him.