I expect spec formatting to be consistent for entire Project Manual
PageFormat
Updates Provide For
Parts
Part 1 GENERAL
Part 2 PRODUCTS
Part 3 EXECUTION
Articles
1.01 SUMMARY
1.02 PRICE AND PAYMENT PROCEDURES
1.03 REFERENCES
Paragraphs
Subparagraphs
A. Paragraph
1. Subparagraph
a. Subparagraph
1) Subparagraph
a) Subparagraph
End of Section
Text Left Justification
Full Justification, only with
Margins
Header & Footer
Separation from Text
- Individual PDF files for each section
- Single bookmarked PDF file containing all sections
- Paper copy double-sided printed
- Paper copy single-sided printed
Headers and Footers
Aligned flush at left and right margins
Aligned centered on margins
Project identification
Less Important - Bound edge
More Important - Unbound edge
Less Important - Bound edge
More Important - Unbound edge
I prefer specifications formatted with alternating headers and footers:
Tables
Fit to text level boundaries
Align at left margin
Include at end of Part 3
Graphics
Flush right on page
Align with text describing image
Space following text to clear image
Page Arrangement
Begin sections on right-hand page
Begin sections with page 1
Options - for Emphasis
Part & Article Titles
- Frequent subparagraphs below third level
- Underlining
- Symbols
- Roman numerals
SectionFormat
MasterFormat 2010
01 10 00 Summary
01 20 00 Price and Payment Procedures
01 30 00 Administrative Requirements
01 33 00 Submittals
01 40 00 Quality Requirements
01 50 00 Temporary Facilities and Controls
01 65 00 Product Delivery Requirements
01 66 00 Product Storage and Handling Requirements
01 71 00 Examination and Preparation
01 78 33 Bonds
01 78 36 Warranties
Part 1 Update
I plan to use separate article titles to specify the following submittal types
Parts 2 & 3 Update
Division 01 Titles
Related to Part 2
- Routinely issuing and strictly enforcing instructions
- Providing a sample page without instructions
- Providing a publication date, revision number, and issue title
- Assuming everyone will know what to do
Proportional font and Auto hyphenation
to avoid large white spaces
Improves value of hierarchical indentation
- Control with page setup
- Insert blank lines after header and before footer
Left & Right: 0.5 - 0.8 inches
Bound edge gutter: As required
Top & Bottom: 0.4 - 0.8 inches
I prefer working with specifications issued as:
Poll Question 2
Basic Structure
NOT BOTH
OR
Three lines of text - maximum
Mandatory Information
Section Number
Section Title
Page Number
Section Identification
Project Name
Project Location
Optional Information
Total pages in section
Author name
File name
Copyright notice
System Startup (including commissioning)
Maintenance Service
Titles moved to Part 3
New Primary Title
Separated from Submittals
Project Number
Issue Date
Package or Phase
Revision
1997
New Location moved from end of Part 1
Poll Question 1:
- Yes - because it is all I have time to check
- Yes - because it implies the specs are accurate
- Yes - because it is industry accepted good practice
- No - because only the content is important
- No - enforcement is too difficult and too stressfuL
- Allows submittals to be specified by A/E responsibility for the submittal
- Requires careful coordination with Division 01 submittals requirements
New Primary Title
Option to Submittals title
Poll Question 4
- Action Submittals
- Informational Submittals
- Sustainable Design Submittals
- Closeout Submittals
- Maintenance Material Submittals
Titles moved to Part 2
Poll Question 3
- Yes - for paper copy
- Yes - for electronic files
- No - for paper copy
- No - for electronic files
System Description
Performance Requirements
Design Requirements
User Format flexibility
Word processing capabilities
2008
New Primary Title
New Primary Title
List attachments following end of section
New Concept
01 71 00 Examination and Preparation
01 73 00 Execution
01 74 00 Cleaning and Waste Management
01 75 00 Starting and Adjusting
01 76 00 Protecting Installed Construction
01 77 00 Closeout Porcedures
01 78 00 Closeout Submittals
01 79 00 Demonstration and Training
01 93 00 Facility Maintenance
Division 01 Titles
Related to Part 3
New Title Order
01 64 00 Owner-Furnished Products
01 80 00 Performance Requirements
Titles from
Part 1
Things to Avoid
- Write each product as single article
- Write common materials & finishes as separate articles
- Write each product as single article
- Multiple articles for multiple products
Specifier Option
New Concept
New Primary Title
New Primary Title
Section Titles
Portrait
Preferred
Larger font size
Bold font
White space above section number
Omit header on first page, only
Landscape
Permitted
Formatting is controlled by:
Poll Question 5
Formatting Instructions - with Sample