Motion Picture News (Nov-Dec 1925)

2704 Motion Picture News I Architect's prospective rendering of the studio to be erected at Studio Park, St. Petersburg, Florida. Specifications Should Be Inspected scribe a good specification. It would seem better not to attempt to cover too much ground but to confine this paper to pointing out some of the more common faults which occur and to assist the investor or owner to size up in general the specification in order to appraise its value in clarity, simplicity and fairness. The owner's agent, acting in the capacity of engineer or achitect, is in honor bound to write the specification so that both owner and contractor are treated with equal fairness. If, through carelessness, he makes a contractor feel that with him it is a ease of "heads you win, tails 1 lose," the cost is undoubtedly increased for the reason that the contractor who figures work in competition has to make allowances for careless wording of specifications and has to add a sufficient amount to cover the most extreme interpretation of the plans and specifications. Some specifications are so much inclined this way that one might readily feel that it was done with intention so as to allow a wide range of interpretation unless the bidders are aware of this and make due allowance. However, trouble is sure to follow. In any case the owner is the one who has to pay either in the original contract price or in delays due to controversies between the builder and the architect or engineer. Frequently, one may find that an engineer or achitect, not having given the proper attention to the standard forms of specification writing and being desirous of getting into his specifications certain paragraphs he has been accustomed to using, proceeds to duplicate some of the subjects in the body of the specifications, which are already covered in the General Conditions. This is not only a useless duplication of effort but it presents an opportunity for conflicting interpretations. The General Conditions, as usually issued and as are issued by the American Institute of Architects, are complete in themselves and nothing should be added except paragraphs required to bring out special points not covered in the standard form. If, for any reason, certain parts of the standard form are unsatisfactory or do not apply to any particular job, these parts that , are not applicable may be crossed out and notes should be included calling attention to these cancellations and the paragraphs that have been inserted in their place. Let us consider some of the reasons why specifications are usually not as well done as the working drawings and details. One of the chief reasons is the fact that specifications are written during the rush of completing the working drawings. There is usually pressure exerted upon the office force to clear up the job and get it out as scheduled to bidders. It may be that the owner is not able to make up his mind about details, certain plans or the exterior or interior design, consequently the work has dragged. Perhaps those preparing the plans have had new work coming in on which it has been desirable to place the same draughtsmen who are engaged in "'cleaning up'' a set of working plans. As a result, the word is passed along that the job has dragged and consequently is costing more than it should and, in oi'der to balance up, the men must finish up quickly even if night work is required. In the midst of this scramble to complete, the specification writer endeavors to produce a businesslike document, tying together the various trades which are involved in the production of the completed building. Perhaps it should be said that it is a wonder the specifications are as good as they are under those circumstances and, in view of the aforesaid, it might be well to here point out to the owner that he is the one to finally carry the burden if delays are caused by his inability to reach decisions. Another reason for unsatisfactory specifications and final results is due to the employment on specification work of men who are ranked as designers and are not familiar with the practical side of construction. Thp artistic designer is supposed to be tempermentally unfit for the task of specification writing. The writer is of the opinion that the designer must of necessity have considerable to do with specification work for the reason that the designer visualizes the finished effect he has worked to achieve. Therefore, to delegate the description of the finished work or kind of construction to be used to one who is not familiar with the results to be obtained is certainly a mistake. Specifications are required for two reasons : first, to describe the materials to be used in the construction of the building and how they are to be finished, and second, to enable a builder to determine the cost. If the specifications are written so as to make easier the task of the estimator, the cost of will be lower, which means that the overhead expense of the builder will be reduced. Since the owner eventually pavs for this overhead, it is to the owner's interests that the architect or engineer prepare his specifications from the estimator's viewpoint. This may appear to be self-evident. However, it is no exaggeration to state that only a small percentage of specification writers concern themselves with this point of view. Another common weakness among writers of specifications is the tendency to "pass the buck'' or introduce so-called jokers in the specifications. One of the clauses frequently used in this connection may be mentioned as follows : "The contractor must supply everything required to complete a first-class job whether or not specified." Another clause which often is a source of trouble is to describe a certain piece of workmanship and finish for a certain section of the building and to add the words "unless otherwise specified." This is the direct result of the aforementioned intellectual laziness plus an unwillingness on the part of the architect or engineer to assume responsibility. In as much as the responsibility for success or failure must be charged to him, it should be assumed by him from the beginning and consequently the bidders should be furnished a complete and accurate schedule of all work to be done. Another term frequently used in specification work is "or equal." In certain instances this may be obligatory. It cannot be claimed that the use of these words is due to laziness on the part of the writer or his desire to "pass the buck." It is usually the outcome of an effort to preserve competition even when the preference for a certain material is indicated. A builder, let us assume, decides to take a chance while preparing estimates by ignoring the article directly specified and substituting another which he intends to claim as being within the "or equal" required. The specifications (Continued Ofi page 2710)