Construction drawings are supplemented by written project specifications. Project specifications give detailed information regarding materials and methods of work for a particular construction project. They cover various factors relating to the project, such as general conditions, scope of work, quality of materials, standards of workmanship, and protection of finished work.

The drawings, together with the project specifications, define the project in detail and show exactly how it is to be constructed. Usually, any set of drawings for an important project is accompanied by a set of project specifications. The drawings and project specifications are inseparable. The drawings indicate what the project specifications do not cover; the project specifications indicate what the drawings do not portray, or they further clarify details that are not covered amply by the drawings and notes on the drawings. When you are preparing project specification, it is important that the specifications and drawings be closely coordinated so that discrepancies and ambiguities are minimized. Whenever there is conflicting information between the drawings and project specs, the specifications take precedence over the drawings.

1. General Requirements. Includes information that is of a general nature to the project, such as inspection requirements and environmental protection.

2. Site Work. Includes work performed on the site, such as grading, excavation, compaction, drainage, site utilities, and paving.

3. Concrete. Precast and cast-in-place concrete, formwork, and concrete reinforcing.

4. Masonry. Concrete masonry units, brick, stone, and mortar.

5. Metals. Includes such items as structural steel, open-web steel joists, metal stud and joist systems, ornamental metal work, grills, and louvers. (Sheet-metal work is usually included in Division 7.)

6. Wood and Plastics. Wood and wood framing, rough and finish carpentry, foamed plastics, fiber-glass reinforced plastics, and laminated plastics.

7. Thermal and Moisture Protection. Includes such items as waterproofing, dampproofing, insulation, roofing materials, sheet metal and flashing, caulking, and sealants.

8. Doors and Windows. Doors, windows, finish hardware, glass and glazing, storefront systems, and similar items.

9. Finishes. Includes such items as floor and wall coverings, painting, lathe, plaster, and tile.

10. Specialties. Prefabricated products and devices, such as chalkboards, moveable partitions, fire-fighting devices, flagpoles, signs, and toilet accessories.

11. Equipment. Includes such items as medical equipment, laboratory equipment, food service equipment, kitchen and bath cabinetwork and counter tops.

12. Furnishings. Prefabricated cabinets, blinds, drapery, carpeting, furniture, and seating.

13. Special Construction. Such items as prefabricated structures, integrated ceiling systems, and swimming pools.

14. Conveying Systems. Dumbwaiters, elevators, moving stairs, material-handling systems, and other similar conveying systems.

15. Mechanical Systems. Plumbing, heating, air conditioning, fire-protection systems, and refrigeration systems.

16. Electrical Systems. Electrical service and distribution systems, electrical power equipment, electric heating and cooling systems, lighting, and other electrical items.

Each of the above divisions is further divided into sections. You can find a discussion of the required sections of Division 1 in Policy and Procedures for Project Drawing and Specification Preparation, MIL-HDBK-1006/1. The Division 1 sections, sometimes referred to as "boilerplate", are generally common to all projects that are accomplished under a construction contract.

Divisions 2 through 16 contain the technical sections that pertain to the specific project for which the spec writer has prepared the specification. These technical sections follow the CSI-recommended three-part section format. The first part, General, includes requirements of a general nature. Part 2, Products, addresses the products or quality of materials and equipment to be included in the work. The third part, Execution, provides detailed requirements for performance of the work.

Usually, the engineer or spec writer prepares each section of a specification based on the appropriate guide specification listed in the most recent edition of Engineering and Design Criteria for Navy Facilities, MIL-BUL-34. This military bulletin (issued quarterly by the Naval Construction Battalion Center, Port Hueneme, California) lists current NAVFACENGCOM guide specifications, standard specifications and drawings, definitive drawings, NAVFAC design manuals, and military handbooks that are used as design criteria.

As discussed earlier, when writing the specifications for a project, you must modify the guide specification you are using to fit the project. Portions of guide specifications that concern work that is not included in the project will be deleted. When portions of the required work are not included in a guide specification, then you must prepare a suitable section to cover the work, using language and form similar to the guide specification. Do not combine work covered by various guide specifications into one section unless the work is minor in nature. Do NOT reference the guide specification in the project specifications. You must use the guide spec only as a manuscript that can be edited and incorporated into the project specs. The preceding discussion provides only a brief overview of construction specifications. For additional guidance regarding specification preparation, you should refer to MIL-HDBK-1006/1.