Masonry Magazine June 1979 Page. 15
BIA Technical Notes
on Brick Construction
Brick Institute of America 1750 Old Meadow Road, Mclean, Virginia 22102
11
REVISED
INTRODUCTION
GUIDE SPECIFICATIONS FOR BRICK MASONRY
I OF V
Numerous methods are being explored to reduce constantly rising building costs. One means in which many segments of the construction industry believe holds promise of lowering these costs is the use of specific, definitive and concise specifications. They must convey to the contractor the exact requirements of the project and be organized to facilitate take-off and estimating. Many general contractors have testified that the use of such specifications results in lower contract bids.
During recent years, organizations, such as the American Institute of Architects (AIA), Producers' Council (PC), Associated General Contractors of America (AGC), and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI), have made the improvement of construction specifications one of their major activities.
In accordance with the work of these agencies, the guide specifications in this series of Technical Notes are written to follow the CSI format insofar as possible.
Use of Standards. It is recommended that, where suitable standards exist, such as those developed by the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), American Concrete Institute (ACI) and other similar nationally recognized organizations, they be used and included in the project specifications by reference.
Use of Detailed Descriptive Requirements. While detailed descriptive requirements are generally necessary as a means of specifying installation or workmanship, it is recommended that they be used only as a last resort in specifying materials.
Use of Performance Specifications. Performance specifications are not, in general, considered suitable for specifying architectural building products. It is recommended that, if performance specifications are used to specify building materials, they should state results desired or properties desired, but not both.
Use of Trade Names, It is recommended that, if building products are specified by trade names, the "special conditions" contain a clause providing that substitutes will be considered on a quality and price basis, and that the phrase "or equal", frequently included in such specifications, be eliminated.
The following paragraph is suggested for substitutions:
Variation From Materials Specified: It is intended that materials or products specified by name of manufacturer, brand, trade name or by catalog reference shall be the basis of the bid and furnished under the contract, unless changed by mutual agreement. Where two or more materials are named, the choice of these shall be optional with the contractor. Should the contractor wish to use any materials or products other than those specified, he shall so state, naming the proposed substitutions and stating what difference, if any, will be made in the contract price for such substitution should it be accepted.
Use of Allowances. It is recommended that allowances be used only with discretion. In all cases of allowances, there should be sufficient description to indicate to the contractor the extent of labor required to install the items for which allowances are listed. Also, all allowances should be listed under special conditions or under a separate section with cross references to the individual trade sections involved.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR
STRUCTURAL CLAY PRODUCTS
Standard specifications for the various types and grades of brick and tile have been developed by technical committees of the American Society for Testing and Materials. Membership of these committees is balanced among consumers, manufacturers and a general interest group made up of engineers, scientists, educators, testing experts and representatives of research organizations. Because of this balance of committee membership, ASTM specifications are widely accepted and it is recommended that the appropriate ASTM specifications be included by reference in all specifications for