2006 Intoduction to Electrical Construction Specifications - a PDH Online Course for Engineers and Architects

2006 Intoduction to Electrical Construction Specifications

- An Audio Course

Course Outline

Part I is an introduction to the new CSI 2004 Specification format. All Divisions from 1 to 48 are identified and individual specs in Div 26, 27 and 28 (electrical, communication and security) are identified.

A list comparing the available specifications from CSI and BSD in 1995 format is offered, followed by a similar list of available specifications from CSI and BSD in 2004 format. Warnings are offered regarding inferences to be drawn from the lists.

Part II of the course begins with a list of "true facts", followed by an extended explanatory narrative of observations and opinions on the development and use of specifications. Wording which reduces the likelihood of change orders and lawsuits is offered, but use is purely discretionary. This is followed by demonstrations of good and bad specifications.

Following the sample specifications is a list of common problems and work-arounds.

This completes the core content. The appendix material includes a list of internet references which may be of interest.

The course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, based upon the changes, critical requirements and Table of Contents.

Learning Objective

Upon completion of this course the student will be able to:

Distinguish between the 1995 and 2004 specification formats;
Explain who AIA (American Institute of Architects) is and their affiliations;
Explain who CSI (Construction Standards Institute) is and their affiliations;
Explain who ARCOM (Architectural Computer Services) is and their affiliations;
Explain who BSD (Building Systems Design) is and their affiliations;
Review a project spec list and identify missing critical sections;
Start a new spec on a subject not covered by "canned" specs (by template);
Review an electrical specification for internal consistency;
Review an electrical specification for consistency with the project spec set;
Have essential questions for the Project Manager or Architect necessary to start good specifications;
Understand the various arguing positions on use of "or equal", "or approved equal", "no equal" and "contractor assumes any cost of substitutions";
Understand the opinions for use or non-use of schedules embedded in specifications;
Understand the implications of use of a "design basis" paragraph within a spec;
Know the key points necessary for final review before issue of a specification;
Be prepared for the Contractor trying to bypass the Specifications in talking with the Owner;
Know how to use "Track Changes" in Microsoft WORD;
Know how to turn off "auto indent" and fractional conversion in Microsoft WORD;
Know the conventions for projects for construction grade projects, spec grade projects and institutional projects;
Know enough about supports and anchors to avoid problems in the field; and
Understand the advantages and disadvantages of overlap between specifications.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for persons who use electrical construction specifications and wonder what the specific words mean, in context. It will be especially valuable to electrical designers, Project Managers, Architects, Construction Managers, Owner's representatives, and construction contractors.

Benefit to Attendees

Persons who learn from this course will be in a better position to avoid Change Orders and litigation on construction projects. This means fewer delays and the investment of fewer non-billable hours. The work-arounds offered here may not be the best for your situation, but they warn you of problem areas and help you formulate your own strategy and tactics.

Course Content

This audio course consists of the following nine (9) audio sessions (files) in MP3 format. You may click on and listen to each module online using Microsoft Windows Media Player (free download) or RealPlayer (free download). You may also download these files to your computer or save them to an audio CD for personal use. The audio CD can be played in any CD player capable of playing MP3. A copy of the lecture notes is also available below in PDF format.

0. Introduction of the Speaker - 4 MB

1. Session 1 of 11 - 9 MB

2. Session 2 of 11 - 33 MB

3. Session 3 of 11 - 27 MB

4. Session 4 of 11 - 10 MB

5. Session 5 of 11 - 9 MB

6. Session 6 of 11 - 40 MB

7. Session 7 of 11 - 15 MB

8. Session 8 of 11 - 4 MB

9. Session 9 of 11 - 43 MB

10. Session 10 of 11 - 10 MB

11. Session 11 of 11 - 7 MB

The lecture notes are in 2006 Intoduction to Electrical Construction Specifications (PDF File). You may open or download this document for reference and further study.

You may need to download Acrobat Reader to view and print the document.

Course Summary

There are two problems with electrical specifications. A new presentation format for construction specifications was approved in 2004. It is expected to first appear in Bid Documents in 2006 and dominate Bid Documents by the end of 2006. The second problem is that the old (1995) format is not well understood or used properly. This course presents the new format, which is only presentation, and discusses the content of the 1995 format, which is largely common to the 2005 format.

Related Links

These sources are offered for reference and educational value. None of the products is particularly recommended by the author or PDHonline.

AutoCAD 2006, $3,750.00 - http://estore.autodesk.com/
AutoCAD LT 2006, $899.00 - http://estore.autodesk.com/
Free 30-minute webcasts - http://www.adskhost.net/22506/22506_outside.php?src=ACADKicker
Free tutorials on AutoCAD ver 2000 - http://www.fbe.unsw.edu.au/Learning/AutoCAD/
interesting AutoCAD website - http://www.ellenfinkelstein.com/autoCAD.html
what Wikopedia thinks - http://en.wikipedia.com/wiki/AutoCAD
user group - http://www.augi.com/login/welcome.asp
free tutorials on AutoCAD 2000 and 2002 - http://www.upfrontezine.com/tailor/resources.htm
excellent magazine - http://www.cadalyst.com/cadalyst/
free tutorials on AutoCAD 2005 - http://www.we-r-here.com/cad/
review of ver 2006; turn off command line - http://www.aecbytes.com/review/AutoCAD2006.htm
$209 - DVD tutorial on AutoCAD 2006 - http://www.netwind.com/html/autocad-2006-training.html

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.