Construction Specifications

A specification (often abbreviated as spec) can be termed as a type of a technical standard to be referenced by a contract or procurement document. It contains the necessary details concerning the specific requirements to be persuaded by a material, product, or service. The specifications are considered very important for suppliers, purchasers, and users of materials, products, or services in engineering, manufacturing, and business as these specifications cover up a extensive collection of general issues like definitions, bidding requirements, legal responsibilities, claims & payments; with details on specific items with respect to all construction project. CSI (Construction Specifications Institute) is a renowned association that provides the standardization of construction language related with building specifications. CSI offers prearranged instructions for composing specification in their Project Resource Manual. CSI published MasterFormat, an indexing system for categorizing construction data as well as construction specifications. It consists of 50 Divisions, to be applied for integrating facility life cycle and maintenance information into the building knowledge base. Almost the entire CSI approved sections contain performance and safety obligations produced by agencies like the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and several other federal and professional organizations. CSI also publish GreenFormat, an online database that includes sustainable product attributes. Manufacturers associated with the construction industry will be able to register product information based on 5 categories in a widespread online questionnaire. All kinds of product information referenced by MasterFormat divisions and titles will be available to designers, specifiers, and building constructors. Given below the detailed lists of construction specifications :- General Requirements - Division 01 This specification will include particular administrative and procedural requisites that belong to all of the Technical Specification sections. The General Requirements consist of specifics relevant directly to a particular project and written independently for each project. These will develop the expansive administrative and procedural conditions inscripted in the General and Supplementary Conditions documents. These will be applicable to the work of ALL Technical Specification sections. This document also sum ups the scope of work, exercise of the site, owner occupancy of building throughout construction, Phased construction activities, numerous prime contract requisites and eliminations and additions to be connected with the Plans. The General Requirements narrate the Contractor's administrative, procedural and other activities which should be submitted by the Contractor. In General Requirements section the following categories will be available. Administrative 01010 Summary 01020 Allowances 01030 Alternates 01040 Coordination 01060 Regulatory Requirements 01080 Identification Systems 01090 References Procedural 01025 Measurement and Payment 01035 Modification Procedures 01050 Field Engineering 01100 Special Project Procedures 01200 Project Meetings 01300 Submittals such as Construction Schedule, Logs 01400 Quality Control 01600 Material and Equipment 01650 Facility Startup/Commissioning 01700 Contract Closeout 01800 Maintenance Temporary Activities 01500 Temporary Facilities The Contractor's Responsibility is to comprise these items in Overhead. Technical Specifications Divisions 02 - 16 is known as the Technical Specifications. These construction specifications consist of the written description of the specific requirements regarding with a specific product or system. The specification provisions characterize and set up the quality level processes, standards of work and material standards. Each subsection will describe the scope, technical requirements, performance requirements, material suppliers, and quality requirements. The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) has build up the following standard MasterFormat numbering system that includes the following Continue ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Published By Tuhin Maity www.quantity-takeoff.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The world’s most leading Construction Projects awaiting to be completed in near future

Project: Puerto La Cruz Refinery Expansion and Upgrade

Location: Puerto La Cruz, Venezuela

Capacity: 214 Mbpd

Cost: $6 Billion

Status: Engineering

Completion: 2016

Scope: The project was undertaken for enlarging the Puerto La Cruz refinery from 180 Mbpd to 214 Mbpd, and reform the units to generate unleaded gasoline and diesel fuel from heavy crude. Technip Claremount will take the responsibility for designing and engineering of the hydrogen reformers.

Project: Sabine Pass LNG terminal

Location: Sabine Pass, Louisiana

Capacity: 25 MMtpy

Cost: $18 Billion

Status: Under Construction

Completion: 2019

Scope: At present the Project is under Phase 1 which involves the construction of 4 LNG trains (out of 6 total). The trains 5 and 6 will be constructed under Phase II. This phase is still under assessment by the US DOE. The initial LNG exports are anticipated to be launched along with completion of Train 1 in mid-2015. It is projected that in 2019 all 6 LNG trains will be ready for use.

Project: Garabogaz Chemical Plant

Location: Garabogaz, Turkmenistan

Capacity: 800 Mtpy

Cost: $10 Billion

Status: Planning

Completion: Undetermined

Scope: Japanese Toyo Engineering Corporation and the consortium of LG International Corporation - Hyundai Engineering Corp. Ltd will be liable for the construction of a gas-chemical complex producing polyethylene and polypropylene.

Project: Socar Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR) Project

Location: Garabogaz, Turkmenistan

Capacity: 800 Mtpy

Cost: $10 Billion

Status: Engineering

Completion: 2017

Scope: The Azerbaijan's state oil fund will spend $475 MM as a financial aid towards the construction of the STAR oil refinery. The design for STAR Refinery will facilitate the progression of various kinds of crude oil like Urals, Azeri Light Crude Oil and Kirkuk.

Project: Coal-to-Olefin (CTO) Project

Location: Ordos, China

Capacity: 800 Mtpy

Cost: $4 Billion

Status: Study

Completion: 2018

Scope: The project was undertaken to obtain the huge amounts of coal China produces and transform the plentiful resource into precious petrochemicals, primarily polyethylene and polypropylene. Besides, the scope of the project is to minimize the amount of imported oil that is utilized as the raw material for producing such products.

Project: Mina Al Ahmadi Refinery Clean Fuels Project 2020

Location: Mina Al Ahmadi, Kuwait

Capacity: 50 Mbpd

Cost: $5 Billion

Status: Feed

Completion: 2017

Scope: The project was initiated to focus and raise refining capacities, enhance the operating performances and the energy efficiency of the refineries, upgrade KNPC's hydrocarbon products production amid the refineries, generate transportation fuels involving small sulfur content and corresponding to Euro 4 standards, decrease the carbon dioxide discharges, broaden Kuwait petrochemical portfolio involving new and high added value by-products and close/disassemble the obtainable Shuaiba refinery.

Project: Kitimat LNG Terminal Project

Location: Kitimat, British Columbia (Canada)

Capacity: 10 MMtpy

Cost: $15 Billion

Status: Feed

Completion: 2017

Scope: Kitimat LNG awarded the EPC contract to a joint venture comprised of Fluor and JGC in January 2014. Project includes natural gas liquefaction, LNG storage and marine on-loading facilities. Feed natural gas will be provided by Apache's Horn River and Liard fields in British Columbia. Environmental approvals are in place, as is a 20-year export license from Canada's Government. Apache has spoken of a $US7.9 billion start-up cost for Kitimat's first processing train, with a first production target of 2016.

Project: Ingleside Ethylene Project

Location: Ingleside, Texas

Capacity: 550 Mtpy

Cost: $1.5 Billion

Status: Engineering

Completion: 2017

Scope: The plant is situated at Oxychem's site. The two companies each contain a 50% share in the joint venture. Most of the ethylene formed by the cracker would be utilized by Oxychem to generate vinyl chloride monomer, or VCM, one kind of raw material useful for the production of PVC plastic, which it then would supply to Mexichem.

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published by

Tuhin Maity

www.quantity-takeoff.com

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ProContractorProMX version 2.9 released in 2013

This newly launched software provides complete solution towards equipment management to take off and estimating, payroll for reporting and analysis, project management, procurement management, job cost accounting and much more. This application cannot be applied to Apple’s OSX operating system.
Maxwell Systems has also introduced an iPad app for ProContractorMX which facilitates you to communicate with the jobsite, the hardware store, vendors etc. for easy reference efficiently.
ProContractorMX provides a proposal in its own interface. It results in preserving your data under one centralized place to get the most precise, current and updated information for your proposal. The users don't have to export the data into a third party application like Microsoft’s Word or Excel.
ProContractorMX contains an intermutual 3D visual assemblies with which the user will be able to showcase their world in the real world and evaluate their work in making correct bids and proposals. A 3D rendering of your work also minimizes valuable mistakes in the planning phase of a job.

Construction Takeoff and Estimating Software

If you are in the construction industry then you should consider using construction estimating and takeoff software to help you come up with a more accurate estimate for the cost of a project. When you are working in construction, building, and making estimates as to the cost of any building project then you will really benefit from software with on screen takeoff, and digital takeoff capabilities.

Construction estimating software can help you gain a competitive advantage by facilitating your preparation of detailed, profitable bids while managing job costs and subcontractor bids. Construction Takeoff Software for estimating has not been around forever and there are still a lot of construction companies doing estimates, and takeoffs the old fashioned way, by hand or with maybe an excel spread sheet. 

Features of the Estimating software include:

- Excel integration

- Excellent customer support & training

- Takeoff prints with a color coded legend

- Easy to set-up parts & assemblies for materials and labor

- Easy plan navigation for zooming and panning, including sort cut keys

- Powerful reports

- Fully customizable

A quality construction estimating program can prepare and monitor outgoing bids as well as many other tasks that constitute the daily business functions of a busy contractor.

Download for Construction Takeoff and Estimating Software:

http://www.planswift.com/takeoff-estimating-software/request-trial.html?sr=1&button=text_link

For more information about the Plan Swift, please visit http://www.planswift.ie/

Posted by Manoj Kumar Singh

Web Developer
Global Associates
A pioneer company in construction estimating
Join our estimating forum

Newly launched To-Scale Plan Center - An exclusive construction takeoff software

The software is ideal for viewing plans and executing highly detailed on screen takeoffs . No other program facilitates you to work with all of your plans open at once. Easily zoom or pan from one plan to the next saving you time and helping you maintain perspective. Blueprint takeoffs are faster and easier than ever before. Now one can bid more work in less time.

Advantages :

• Faster construction estimating than ever before by taking off from multiple blueprint files on screen at the same time.
• Eliminate your printing bill for estimating, for many contractors these savings will easily pay for the system.
• Share your plans with suppliers, subs, vendors, GCs or anyone else that needs to see them.
• Save time by not waiting on blueprint pages to load or to zoom in or out.

Posted by Rajib Dey
Business Development
rajib@jobs2india.com
Construction Estimating Service

The Challenge of Construction Project Estimating

When we work on projects that deal with new processes or new technologies, we often find ourselves moving through territory where no one has gone before. Still, our customers, our partners, and our managers want us to provide reliable estimation that we can commit to. This is the basic challenge that project teams in innovative companies must deal with today.

The main challenge an estimator facing is the changing circumstances. The innovative and new techniques applied by the modern day engineers come frequently. Sometimes the innovative procedures change the total system of construction. This change varies greatly on the time estimation of the project.

New products are introduced regularly in the market. To get unique look of the construction the building owners sometime opt for new products. Some products have more potentiality than the usual previous products. May be the durability, quality and functions vary from the old product. Naturally the contractors want to avail the product to get the best possible result. This type of new products makes a huge difference in the production cost of the construction. The estimated cost in the building budget may not be the same after execution. So the estimator has to be very careful to overview such matter.

Apart from that there must be some uncertain circumstances during the construction period which can affect the estimating procedure. Various types of social issues like inflation, mass crisis of the materials, natural disaster make a deep impact of the estimating process. The cost and time estimating hamper much for all these types of challenges.

It is a sign of good estimator who can foresee the inevitable factors during the construction period and make a estimating according to this. Estimating lesser or more than the actual cost is a failure the estimator. That’s why the challenges of estimating are vital important to a successful estimator.

Maxwell Systems™ introduces ProContractorMX™ version 2.5

Maxwell System Inc, a pioneer software company in takeoff and estimating, job cost accounting, and project management, just launched Maxwell Systems™ ProContractorMX™ version 2.5. The latest version will provide a great benefit to the concrete and masonry construction companies to enhance their productivity and profitability.

The software can manage the complete project lifecycle , procurement, bids and proposals, financials, employees, payroll, equipment. The contractors will be in a position to find out their exact job costs.

Maxwell Systems™ ProContractorMX™ maintain flawless workflow that varies from takeoff and estimating through job cost accounting and project management, and ultimately for critical reporting and analysis.

By applying this latest software the contractors can easily get their plans obtainable in the estimating.

ProContractorMX 2.5 comes up with some new features like ProContractorMX Connect, Document Management, Payroll Electronic Filing, Building Information Modeling (BIM.

ProContractorMX Connect – Generate the latest project information in the office or in the field. Give access to all the vital documents and reports with the help of latest mobile device and easily track the development of the project.

Document Management –Produce, track, systematize, and handle the project related several documents; put up significant, online "paper” trails; and put alerts for critical due dates. Thus the contractors are able to meet up deadlines, and keep on schedule.

Payroll Electronic Filing – The software can be utilized for electronic tax filing. ProContractorMX 2.5 produces tax file information following processing payroll and makes e-files (or magnetic media) that can be used for filing to state and federal agencies.

Building Information Modeling (BIM) –Bring in items from a Building Information Modeling or BIM file and create an estimate alongwith cost items and quantities.

Posted by
Rajib Dey
Business Development
The construction estimating service
rajib@jobs2india.com

Residential Estimating

Residential estimating can help building professional to get quick access to the details of material and labor breakdowns.
With residential estimating service the building professionals can also update cost according to the increase or decrease of the labor & material price. The building professional can easily control it’s budget, waste, jobsite theft, jobsite damage and trade misuse.
Residential estimating includes estimation of concrete, foundation steel, makeup materials, doors and windows, sheetrock, interior trim, flooring, counters etc.
With the help of residential estimating the building professional can convert their plans, blue print, elevations, sections etc. from 2D drawing into 3D model based on the information to generate realistic dimension to the cost of construction of a building in a timely manner through the use of the most commonly used construction estimating programs including Microsoft Excel.

Posted by
Rajib Dey
Business Development
The construction estimating service

PlanSwift - An unique software for accurate construction estimating

PlanSwift is an user friendly construction takeoff software. It makes the estimating as easy as just point and click. PlanSwift can load scanned plans as well as import directly from .TIF, .PDF - Adobe, .DXF, .DWF, .DWG - AutoCAD, .PLN - Dodge Plan files, .JPG, and more. PlanSwift can also download plans directly from many online plan rooms.

According to the software company it is like Swiss knife which has many utilities in one hand. This multi-tasking software has many features:
• Print or Email Plans Effortlessly
• Just Point & Clock To Calculate Areas, Linears & Counts
• New Apple iPhone Integration
• Track Changes with Comparative Plan Overlays
• Identify Takeoffs Easily By Labels And Color
• Planswift Can Also Calculate Curves (Arcs) And Cut-Outs!
• Maintain Accuracy With The Magnification Tool
• Easily Navigate Through Plans Using The Overview Window
• Fully Customizable Hot Keys And Bookmarks
• Load All Major CAD And Image File Types

Top 10 Reasons to Buy PlanSwift:

1. PlanSwift is very easy to learn. Just point and click!
2. Most estimators can estimate 10X as fast using PlanSwift vs. traditional methods (ruler & highlighter).
3. Astounding accuracy. Precisely trace/digitize items on the plan using your mouse or a digitizer.
4. Create an audit trail...if it's colored, its counted!
5. Save $ on gas, printing, and shipping costs. No more driving to pick up plans...just email them.
6. Top rated customer support...we have REAL ESTIMATORS on staff who can speak your lingo!
7. Go Green! Go Paperless! It's cheaper, faster, and more environmentally friendly.
8. Best value for your $. As shown in our testimonials, you get the most features for the best price.
9. Extremely customizable & powerful. The software can be customized to suit your exact needs. You can do your takeoff + estimate in the same software.
10. PlanSwift is becoming the platform. Because of it's integration capabilities and our SDK (Software Developers Kit), Many online planrooms and estimating software partners are creating integrations which will allow you as a customer to have a positive, integrated experience.

Posted by Debarati Nath
for www.quantity-takeoff.com