Construction Specifications Writing: Principles and Procedures

Updated edition of the comprehensive rulebook to the specifier's craft

With this latest update, Construction Specifications Writing, Sixth Edition continues to claim distinction as the foremost text on construction specifications. This mainstay in the field offers comprehensive, practical, and professional guidance to understanding the purposes and processes for preparation of construction specifications.

This new edition uses real-world document examples that reflect current writing practices shaped by the well-established principles and requirements of major professional associations, including the American Institute of Architects (AIA), the Engineers Joint Contract Documents Committee (EJCDC), and the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). Also included are guidelines for correct terminology, product selection, organization of specifications according to recognized CSI formats, and practical techniques for document production. Fully revised throughout, this Sixth Edition includes:

• Updates to MasterFormat 2004, as well as SectionFormat/PageFormat 2007 and Uniformat

• End-of-chapter questions and specification-writing exercises

• Samples of the newly updated construction documents from the AIA

• New chapter on sustainable design and specifications for LEED projects

• Updated information on the role of specifications in Building Information Modeling (BIM)

Harold J. Rosen, PD, Hon. CSI, CCS, is retired after an illustrious career as a construction specifications writer, which includes serving as a chief of specification for the New York office of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and as an independent specifications writer. He was awarded the highest honor by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) by being named an Honorary Member in recognition for his many decades of pioneering work on formats and practices for construction specifications writing.

Robert S. Weygant, CSI, CDT, SCIP, is owner of Sumex Design, a BIM consulting and development firm located in New Hampshire. He is focused on development of BIM components for manufactured products and systems while promoting the use of new interoperability standards, the integral link between BIM and construction documentation. He has been the national chair of the BIM Practice Group for CSI and a member of the Institute Technical Committee.

Mark Kalin, FAIA, FCSI, CCS, SCIP, LEED AP, is President of Kalin Associates, an independent specification consulting firm in the Boston area. He has been the national chair of the Sustainable Facilities Practice Group of the CSI and president of Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice (SCIP). For the AIA, Mark has served as chair of the MasterSpec Review Committee, and the Specifications Professional Interest Area. For CSI, he has been president of the Boston Chapter and now serves on the national CSI Technical Committee. He has also taught a course on specifications writing at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design.

John R. Regener Jr., SAIA, CCS, CCCA, CSI, SCIP, is an architect and independent specifications writer in Irvine, California, with thirty-five years of experience in producing and applying construction contract documents for commercial, industrial, institutional, and residential projects. Active in CSI education programs and leadership, he is a national leader in SCIP.