Specification 

A specification is a type of technical standard that gives a detailed description of all dimensions, construction, workmanship and materials of the required work to be done for a construction project. The specification is required during the design phase and defines (in words) what cannot be explained on a 2D drawing or 3D model. It forms part of the contract documentation and is typically prepared by an architect, architectural technologist or a construction project specifier.

The specification is an integral part of the Building Information Model (BIM) and remains a key element of the construction process because it supports the Golden Thread of information. It also provides clear instructions on the intent of a construction project, along with building performance requirements.

In construction projects, the specification document covers a comprehensive set of information, including:

• The establishment of a site.
• The type of contract.
• Requirements for performance, systems and product quality.
• Any applicable building standards and how they are executed.
• Any specific products that the specifier wants to use.
• Requirements for installation, testing and handover.

A specification is a living document that can be updated with information throughout the design phase and should be written in the earliest stages of a project lifecycle as the best practice. Early client requirements and high-level building performance should be captured so it can evolve as the design progresses, into choices about the systems, products and manufacturers needed.

Specification platforms such as NBS Chorus provide easy-to-use template clauses for a wide range of system types which are kept up to date with references, allowing specifiers to issue published versions at key project stages. A good specification will follow the key principles as outlined by NBS – the 7 C’s of specification:

CLEAR – use plain language and short phrases to avoid ambiguity

CONCISE – exclude irrelevant information to keep the specification ‘project specific’

CORRECT – clarify requirements and outcomes, referencing all relevant BS, EN and/or ISO standards as necessary

COMPLETE – use an appropriate depths of information and do not specify differently for contractors or manufacturers

COMPREHENSIVE – define everything once, in the right place, and use cross-references to avoid repetition or conflicts

CONSISTENT – use a standard structure, terminology and style throughout so it is easy to navigate

COORDINATED – ensure drawing references are updated to match model annotations and other contract documentation

Sample templates of construction specifications can be downloaded from NBS Chorus which will use the standard structure. The content of your specification will of course need to be specific to your project, but the available samples demonstrate the level of quality, structure, and outputs necessary to create a consistent database of information.

All MIDDAS products are listed on NBS Source and anyone with an NBS Chorus subscription can easily specify them.  You can access our product data directly from the product buckets listed above.

Product data can also be copied using the convenient ‘Add to Spec’ buttons on our individual product pages. Simply navigate to the product you want to specify, scroll down to the Technical Details section, and click the purple NBS button.

Currently, we do not write our own specifications or tenders. We do, however, support clients with their own project briefs and can help contractors understand the building requirements for their site.