Technical Specifications are divided into three parts: scope or project and work limits, intended products to be used, and the
methods, techniques and quality of workmanship. Addenda, Alternates, Allowances, Unit Prices, and the Summary of all qualitative requirements of the contract are also included.

HVAC equipment can develop hazardous pressures or temperatures when the water level in a steam boiler drops below a predetermined level. Relief valves protect the system against excessive line pressure.

Power wiring of water heaters, draft inducers and special flues, and penetrations through roofing systems, and flashing of roof vents, may be required work done by other trades.

The general rule for estimating quantities of mortar for setting stone is: 4-5 CF of mortar for 100 CF of stone. Quantities ofnmortar for stone vary with the varying sizes of stone and joint.

The circumference of a circle is pi (3.14) x the circle's diameter.

The entire formwork system must be stable, watertight, and resistant to pressure of wet concrete. Operations to help
ensure that this is included are designing, fabrication, erection, alignment, and bracing.

All radii of the same circle are equal in length. By definition, a radius is one-half of the diameter. The diameter is a chord
through the center of the circle. Contractors are often required to calculate more complex, irregular shapes such as polygons,
hexagons, octagons, etc. It is best to divide the area into more common shapes and add or subtract the pieces to arrive at the total.

Mill lengths of reinforcing bar, stocked by suppliers, come in 20, 40 and 60-foot lengths. Non-standard lengths are by special order and specially fabricated.

The bar number indicates the diameter in eighths of an inch, and range between No. 3 and No. 18. (No. 5 bar has a diameter of 5/8 in.) Metric sizes are available as well.

Cabinetry and casework, as well as hardware, are taken-off by each. Plastic laminate countertops are taken-off by the LF, done by measuring the countertop at the abutting wall. Alternatively, countertop surface, laminate sheets for field fabrications, are taken-off by SF.

knots, loose and plugged holes, splits and other defects. "A" has no defects; "B" is a solid face with tight knots and repairs allowed; "C" is a plugged veneer with splits limited to 1/8" wide and holes from 1/4" to 1/2" in size; D is the lowest grade with open spaces and no repair allowed.

Estimating carpeting is divided into three categories: carpet installed with separate pad, pre-backed carpet glued directly to the substrate and carpet tiles. Padding materials are taken-off at SF and converted to SY. Carpet strip fasteners are taken-off byLF.

Water stain is the most penetrating of all stains, especially when used on base wood. Water-soluble powder is made from aniline dyes. Best results are obtained when the powder is added to very warm water and dissolved completely. Spirit stains are also aniline dyes, but are mixed with alcohol and are difficult to use since they dry quickly and possibly unevenly. Pigment oil stains are powders and are soluble in naphtha or turpentine. Pigments are made from various oxides and silicates mixtures.

A story pole is a straight piece of wood with the desired height marked on that is used to mark the trimmer stud at each window with the required height. In most cases, designers desire that the window heads be lined up with the door head jamb, which is usually 6'-8" (2.03 m) above the floor.

Framing plans are modified structural drawings. For residential construction, plan, elevation, section, and detail drawings show most wood framing and finish carpentry work.

Plastic pipe support is very important but receives little attention with adverse results. Support spacing depends upon pipe size, operating temp, wall thickness and mechanical properties of the specific pipe material. Specific support spacings are available from the pipe manufacturers.

Buildings which require mechanical plans and specifications have an area of 15,000 sq, ft. or more, which includes the
basement. Buildings with environmental heating or absorption cooling systems with a BTU input capacity greater than 350,000 also require mechanical plans and specifications.

Stock material should be cut 1/8"-1/2-" longer than needed. An extra piece or a few extra feet of each piece should also be cut.
In case one of the required pieces is destroyed (cut short), the spare will be available.

Concrete pumps are economical and expedient and can handle economically, structural mixes, standard mixes, low slump mixes, mixes with 2"-min. size aggregate and light weight concrete.

Fixtures are vented to keep water in the trap under atmospheric pressure. Each vent pipe is connected to a vent stack running through the roof, which vents gases generated by wastes.

Simple residential building plans require a plot or site plan indicating the proposed building vicinity, lot and building
dimensions, existing and proposed buildings, etc. Other plans included in the building plans are the floor plan, exterior elevations, cut-away plan, construction details, materials lists and specifications, and specialty items.

Specifically, architects' foundation plans and details give the site contractor the limits of the excavation for the foundation, as well as show interior details such as footings or depressed areas in the slab, which require excavation, backfill, or compaction.

Primary flexural reinforcement should not be spaced any farther apart than 3 times the wall or slab thickness, or 18 in., except in
concrete joists construction.

Concrete should be placed and vibrated within the forms, and the next layer placed before the initial set takes place.

Residential building code requirements limit balustrades openings to less than 4 inches to prevent a child’s head from getting caught in-between.

If water weighs 62.4 Ibs/CF or 8.6 Ibs./gal., then 2 x 8.6 Ibs/gal = 124.8 Ibs/CF

Themost common forced air heating and airconditioning package systems used for residential buildings also include % to 2 ton heat pumps, electric furnaces with top mounted evaporators and remote air cooled electrically-operated condensing units (2-10 tons). Chilled water systems are commonly used in multi-story residential buildings. Take-offs for equipment are by each item. Components such as flues for the furnace, thermostat wiring controls, filters, etc. may be listed separately, but taken-off either as individual items or collectively priced by lump sum.

The type, and occupancy, of the building is a primary consideration in determining what is the most effective and efficient energy source to operate an HVAC system.

The species and grade of wood and type of application must be considered during estimation of wood siding. The final quantity of siding materials must include deductions for all openings greater than 4 SF, such as doors and windows. The species and grade of wood and type of application must be considered
during estimation of wood siding. The final quantity of siding materials must include deductions for all openings greater than 4 SF, such as doors and windows. The species and grade of wood
and type of application must be considered during estimation of wood siding. The final quantity of siding materials must include deductions for all openings greater than 4 SF, such as doors and windows.

Coating specifications may include wet film thickness or dry film thickness, or the MWF, which states the applied rate of xx mils per coat minimum wet film thickness. A mil is a unit of measure equal to 0.025 mm, or 0.01 in.