Specification Systems

Transcription

1 Specification Systems Rick Levin, FCSI, CCS, LEED AP BD+C; Associate, Lead Specifier Kahler Slater, Inc. Wendel Chamberlin, AIA, CCS; W/C Consulting Inc. Mike Kundinger, CSI, CCS, LEED AP BD+C; Specifications Writer Flad Architects Curt Norton, CSI, CCS; Specifier Curtis Norton Consulting

2 Agenda Specification writing options Word Processor Based Database Linking to BIM Trends in specifications

3 Word Processor Based

4 MasterSpec Master guide specs word processing system Pre-written spec Sections for all Project types Contains editor s notes, supporting documents & automation software Updated regularly by volunteer peer Review Committees

5 Masterspec History 1969: Created by AIA/ARCOM; endorsed by professional organizations (e.g., ACEC, ASID, ASLA, IIDA, & NSPE) 2011: AIA/ARCOM acquired SpecText from CSRF; ARCOM markets, sells & distributes CSRF products & services

6 Available Libraries Architectural / Structural / Civil Mechanical Plumbing & Fire Protection Electrical Communications Interiors Landscape Specialty: Historic Preservation & Small Project

7 Documents & Format Bidding & Contract requirements and General Requirements; coordinated with AIA and EJCDC Documents Full Sections, Short Form Sections & Outline specs Conforms to CSI s MasterFormat (or ISO s OmniClass), Uniformat, PageFormat, & SectionFormat

8 Supporting Documents Evaluations: The Green Sheets, a discussion of products and technologies, material attributes, installation requirements, etc. Drawings / Specs coordination notes Upgrades to e-specs Linx, software for CAD/BIM integration & Altarix

9 Automation Software e-specs Linx Automated Editor Project editor that creates & manipulates Project info Not a word processor

10 e-specs Linx Creating a Project: Select MasterSpec Sections Interactive Editing: Answer questions to define the scope of the Section Delete portions of each Section Deleted text can be shown or hidden

11 e-specs Linx Creating a Project, cont d: Manual Editing: Allows 1) review of Interactive Editing; 2) additional fine edits; 3) overriding actions of the Editor Check paragraph hierarchy Sections are exported to the word processor Make remaining edits, insert additional requirements; Masterworks or in-house macros work

12 Masterworks Performs production tasks on single or multiple Sections Select / edit / delete paragraphs and options Tasks accomplished with one mouse click : Spell check Custom headers/footers Generate tables of content Select English or metric units Generate reports (e.g., Submittals, extra stock, warranties, etc.)

13 SpecAgent Provides product & mfr information A SpecAgent browser assists with: Researching mfrs listed in MasterSpec Product comparisons Selecting Mfrs: Mfrs are imported into section text, held for consideration, or rejected

14 SpecAgent Lists references in each section (e.g., standards, books, articles, etc.) Provides Internet hyperlink between section text & SpecAgent; integrated with MasterSpec Mfrs may opt to be listed in MasterSpec for managing product info; identifies spec Sections that include the mfr's products Enhanced Listings facilitates evaluating manufacturers

15 LEED Specs Tool Coordinates Masterspec Libraries & LEED 2009 Rating Systems Includes: Summary of LEED requirements & identifies relevant spec Sections Division 01 Sections needed to achieve LEED certification Related technical specs text & editor s notes

16 Altarix New product; creates & automatically updates office masters Applies MasterSpec updates to User s office master Updates User s master specs library without changing existing Project specs Preserves a firm s corporate history

17 Altarix Includes on-screen editor to revise specs text, add comments & project notes, etc. Allows copying Sections from other Altarix Projects & importing text into a specs template Allows access to SpecAgent for current product and mfr info, standards, references, product comparison tables, etc.

18 SpecText A system of pre-written, master specs Sections for preparing Project specs & office masters Suited to environmental & utility engineering Projects * Written & updated by professional specifiers

19 SpecText History 1967: CSI forms the Construction Sciences Research Foundation (CSRF) 1971: CSRF publishes Creating a Common Language; SpecText is created as a subset of COMSPEC, a computerassisted specs program 1978: SpecText is developed and marketed

20 SpecText History 1996: National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) becomes developer & marketer of SpecText s electronic version 2011: AIA/ARCOM acquires SpecText from CSRF; ARCOM markets, sells, and distributes CSRF products & services

21 Available Libraries * Environmental Engineering Site/Civil Structural Mechanical/Electrical Architectural

22 Documents & Format Bidding & Contract requirements and General Requirements; coordinated with AIA and EJCDC Documents Conforms to CSI s MasterFormat (or ISO s OmniClass), Uniformat, PageFormat, and SectionFormat Incorporates sustainable design language Uses an edit-and-delete & fill-in-the-blank process

23 Documents & Format Full Sections (SpecText): For moderate- to large-scale, or complex Projects, publically or privately bid Short Form Specs (SpecText II): Abridged Parts 1 & 3 and detailed Part 2; for light commercial, multi-family residential, and lowrise bldgs Outline Specs: For documenting design decisions during SDs & DDs; for cost estimating

24 Supporting Documents Masterworks (or EditSpec) & SpecAgent No specs automation software? (i.e., no e-specs Linx?) SpecWave AEC software for BIM integration Drawings / Specs coordination notes

25 Miscellaneous Subscription includes: Training on-site & via webinars Technical support for content, implementation & use. SpecText can be installed on a local- or wide-area network server. Employees at each licensed site can use SpecText simultaneously

26 Pros Masterspec: Comprehensive Pros & Cons Rides AIA coattails, including legal Educated decisions made from presented material Good technical & computer support SpecText Complements Masterspec Rides CSI & AIA coattails

27 Cons MasterSpec Pros & Cons Comprehensive - wordy, lengthy Pricey SpecText Fill-in-the-blank process No e-specs Linx-type software -??

28 SpecsIntact SpecsIntact is an automated system for processing standard Masters used in DoD facility construction projects worldwide. (NASA)

29 Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS) Consists of more than 820 Guide Specifications in CSI MasterFormat. Available through the Construction Criteria Base (CCB) administered by the National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS).

30 Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS) A joint effort of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), the Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC), the Air Force Civil Engineer Support Agency (HQ AFCESA), the Air Force Center for Engineering and the Environment (HQ AFCEE) and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

31 Unified Facilities Guide Specifications (UFGS) Extensible Markup language (XML). This tagging scheme provides the intelligence that SpecsIntact uses in automatically processing the Sections.

32 SpecsIntact (Specifications-Kept-Intact) SpecsIntact is a Specification Management System that consists of two main components, the SI Explorer and SI Editor.

33 SpecsIntact/UFGS Pros & Cons (+) Required by DoD agency projects (+) production and presentation of quality control submittals during design and construction. (-) Requires maintenance of separate master. (-) Dedicated personnel to make production routine predictable.

34 ARCAT Third party provider of manufacturer product information available from an internet browser, Iphone and Ipad apps and Android apps. (

35 ARCAT 900 specs all in the CSI 3 part format, 300 SpecWizards for automated spec writing. Free to use and no registration required.

36 ARCAT Pros & Cons (+) (-) Buyer/User beware.

37 Database Systems

38 e-specs OVERVIEW e-specs is a family of products that automates the preparation of specifications Database software system vs. manual word processing Extracts the product and material requirements from the Building Information Model (BIM) and/or CAD drawings to develop project specifications

39 e-specs OVERVIEW Instantly updates the project specifications as updates and changes occur in the building model e-specs integrates with CAD and BIM applications including Autodesk s AutoCAD and Revit-based products Supports all libraries of MasterSpec or integration with custom office masters

40 e-specs HISTORY InterSpec, Inc. developed e-specs in 1998 One of the first companies to integrate specifications with Revit Partnered with ARCOM MasterSpec

41 e-specs SYSTEMS e-specs e-specs Linx edit specifications without CAD/BIM integration e-specs Desktop Markup Tool provides access for reviewing, redlining markups, posting and responding to project notes, and accessing the internet for product information

42 e-specs SYSTEMS e-specs for AutoCAD integrates with Autodesk AutoCAD-based applications to automate specs e-specs for ArchiCAD integrates with GRAPHISOFT s ArchiCAD Building Information Modeling applications to automate specs

43 e-specs SYSTEMS e-specs for Revit integrates with Autodesk Revit-based applications to link Revit families to specs automatically includes and filters sections based on the families and parameters in the BIM model e-specs Designer application for managing custom office masters ability to extend the integrated MasterSpec sections automatic checklist tag creation and paragraph and text mappings

44 e-specs SYSTEMS

45 e-specs PROS Ability to automate project specifications based on building model Update automated project specifications when changes occur to building model Improve accuracy of project specifications

46 e-specs PROS Potentially less time needed to develop project specifications Improve coordination with drawings Create multiple custom office master specifications Paragraphs and text are not deleted when editing just hidden

47 e-specs CONS Automated project specifications are only as complete as the building model Project specifications required at early phases of project are not automated Automation dependent on data entry in Revit families and connecting to e-specs Specifications are not 100% automated, manual input still required

48 e-specs INFORMATION Website: Various training programs available

49 Speclink-E Building Systems Design develops and sells innovative software tools for the architecture, engineering, and construction markets of North America. Founded in 1983, the company creates, maintains, and supports advanced specification writing, cost estimating and BIM interoperability products used by thousands of architects, engineers and design professionals nationwide.

50 Products include Speclink-E Linkman-E Costlink-AE (not covered here) Custom systems In addition, BSD developed PerSpective for the CSI-DBIA joint venture.

51 Speclink-E is their second generation database system of specification writing. Speclink+ was the first version. One database of over 600 sections can be expanded or collapsed to provide outline, short form, and full construction specs without the need to start over at each phase of a project. Aligns with AIA or EJCDC documents.

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53 PageFormat or custom Import sections from MS Word Use tags for Reports Create custom tags Create Project notes for Sections or paragraphs Template for creating new Sections

54 7 different catalogs to address needs: Design Criteria Architectural Structural Engineering Civil Engineering Landscape Architecture Mechanical/Electrical Outline & Short Form

55 BSD SpecLink for Building Product Manufacturers Options for product manufacturers Customized options in Speclink to specify products correctly

56 Pros Database system so the master language is never deleted. Abbreviated language Carries information from PPD s to other Outline Specs or CD. Easy to create different office masters. Can edit similar jobs instead of going back to master. Updates don t change user edits Moderate price. Various $ options.

57 Cons Only 600 sections Limited supporting documents (ie green sheets) Like any software, you have to learn to use and use it right Abbreviated language; may not be acceptable for some projects Relies on referenced standards

58 Linkman-E Linkman-E Ties Speclink-E to Revit Dashboard view used for creating links Can find missing products/assemblies in model

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62 Trends in Specifications

63 Trends Tools are changing Project delivery methods are changing Many players and shifting roles

64 Questions

65 Thank You Rick Levin Wendel Chamberlin Mike Kundinger Curt Norton