Where to purchase construction specifications

[allby70]

If a person was thinking about starting their own civil engineering consulting firm, where is the best place to purchase a set of construction specifications to use as a base to get started? Example specs would be, water distribution, wells, water storage, sanitary sewer collection systems, pumping stations, well houses, site work, concrete, etc to name few.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

Thanks!!!

 

[bridgebuster]

Look into The Construction Specifications Institute's (CSI) Masterformat, which is widely used for private work. I've seen it used by some public agencies as well.

If you're going to work for public agencies, many have their own specs.

 

[Ron]

Yes, many public agencies have their own specifications and expect you to use them. Do a search for specifications and you will find many, many specs in MS Word format that you can download. Get a CSI guide for writing specifications and develop your own modifications to existing.

MasterSpec is good, but expensive. Every specification you offer for a project involves some level of engineering judgment and should be tailored as much as practicable to the specifics of the project.

My practice is primarily in structural and construction forensics, so I see the problems created by poor specifications and lack of attention in the specifying process. It won't cure all ills of construction, but it certainly reduces your liability to do the specs as clearly, concisely and accurately as possible.

 

[stanier]

One notable error I find in psecifications is that there is a lack of understanding of contra preferentum.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contra_proferentem

Often two varying standards are referred to in a specification and the Superintendent is then amazed that the lesser of the two has been allowed for by the contractor and monies have to be paid to get the more exacting requirement. Many inexperienced engineers call up a plethora of standards thinking they are covering their bases when in fact they are giving the contractor a licence to print money.

Using other peoples specification for your work if you do not understand the content is very courageous.

I understand that current wisdom is to use the verb 'must" instead of "shall" to ensure certainty.

“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
---B.B. King

http://waterhammer.hopout.com.au/

 

[MiketheEngineer]

bnibooks.com

Never used them - their catalog just came across my desk.