--- title: "Types of specification: general and detailed" subject: "Construction Management" chapter: 12 key: "semester_8/construction_management:spec-types-general-detailed" source: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/spec-types-general-detailed site: BCT Engineering --- # Types of specification: general and detailed Construction Management · Chapter 12: Specification - Asked in: 2078 Chaitra, 4 marks; 2078 Kartik, 2 marks; 2077 Chaitra, 2 marks; 2070 Magh, 2 marks; 2079 Jestha; 2074 Bhadra; 2065 Baisakh (old course) (asked 7 times) - Video: [Specifications, Its Purpose and Types - Specifications and Rate Analysis](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbd7DAEpx0c) — Ekeeda - Answer checked by Claude Opus 5.5 (high effort) on 2026-10-14 - Page: https://www.bctengineer.com/q/semester_8/construction_management/spec-types-general-detailed - Whole chapter: https://www.bctengineer.com/md/semester_8/construction_management/chapter-12 ## Question Define specification and explain its types. Differentiate between general and detailed specification. ## Short answer A specification states materials, workmanship, and measurement methods. General specification gives a brief outline for preliminary estimates, while detailed specification provides a complete item-wise description with materials, proportions, tests, and measurement, used in contracts and tendering. ## Answer #### Specification A **specification** is a document that states the quality, quantity, workmanship, methods, tests and measurement and payment of each item of construction work so that the contractor can price and execute it, and the engineer can check it. #### Types 1. **General (brief) specification:** a short statement of the nature, class and quality of the work and materials in the form of a general outline for a project. 2. **Detailed specification:** a full description of each item of work: materials, proportions, workmanship, testing, curing, finishing, measurement and rates. It is used in the contract. 3. **Standard specification:** published by an authority (DUDBC, Department of Roads, IS, BS) and used by reference. 4. **Special / particular specification:** extra or modified conditions for a particular project. 5. **Performance specification:** fixes the performance result required (strength, flow) and leaves the method to the contractor. 6. **Proprietary / brand specification:** names a specific product or manufacturer. 7. **Method (prescriptive) specification:** gives the exact materials and methods to be used. #### General vs detailed specification | Point | General specification | Detailed specification | |---|---|---| | Content | Brief outline of the work | Complete description of each item | | Purpose | Give an idea of the standard; used for preliminary estimates, loans and approvals | Used in the contract, tendering and execution | | Details | Little detail on materials and methods | Materials, proportions, workmanship, tests, curing, measurement | | Use | Estimating at the early stage | Detailed estimate, rate analysis, supervision | | Legal strength | Weak | Strong, used for dispute settlement | | Example | "Brickwork in cement mortar 1:6 for superstructure" | Full clauses with brick class, mortar, laying, curing, payment | ## Check yourself The answer's key points as multiple-choice questions, with the correct option and why. 1. A general specification is: A. A performance result only B. A full description of each item C. A brand name D. A brief outline of nature, class and quality of work Answer: D. Brief outline. (Key point: General spec) 2. Detailed specification is used for: A. Only preliminary estimates B. Contract, tendering and execution C. Nothing D. Only early loans Answer: B. It is the contract-level document. (Key point: Use of detailed) 3. A performance specification: A. Names an exact product B. Fixes required result and leaves the method to the contractor C. Gives exact methods D. Is brief only Answer: B. Result-based; method left to contractor. (Key point: Performance spec) 4. Legal strength is ___ for general and ___ for detailed. A. weak, strong B. strong, weak C. strong, strong D. weak, weak Answer: A. Detailed is used in dispute settlement. 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