Specifier Course
The CSC Specifier course is a comprehensive overview of the construction specification profession in Canada. At the completion of the course, students will have a solid grasp of a specifier’s role, legal issues including contracts, bidding and disputes, writing style used in the profession and how to close out a project. A wide range of professional scenarios are explained, often using real-life examples.
Skills acquired in this course include:
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Understanding legal contracts
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Understanding the function of the project manual and associated drawings.
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Developing the basis for good specifications.
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Improved writing skills
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Understanding the process of researching and selecting products.
The CSC Specifier course continues from where the PCD course ends and is a more in-depth education on the special techniques and skills required to write the procurement and contractual requirements of: Division 00; the administrative, procedural and temporary requirements of Division 01; and the technical specifications of Divisions 02 – 49.
Completion of this course is mandatory in the process of becoming a Certified Specification Practitioner (CSP). It also reduces the number of hours required to become a Registered Specification Writer (RSW).
TABLE OF CONTENTS:
Lesson 1 Introduction
1 Introduction
2 Key Concepts
3 Learning Resources
Lesson 2 General Review
1 Introduction
2 Professional Practice
3 Specifications
4 Contracts
5 Project Delivery Methods
6 Contractor’s Jurisdiction
Lesson 3 Types of Construction Contracts and Project Delivery Methods
1 Introduction
2 Contracts
3 Project Delivery Methods
4 Delivery Management Types
5 Specifier’s Scope of Work
Lesson 4 Procurement and Contracting Requirements
1 Introduction
2 Fairness
3 Bidders
4 Bidding and Procurement Documents
5 Bidding and Contract Law
6 Bidding Instructions
7 Contracts
8 Alternatives and Substitutions
9 Bid Evaluation
10 Contract Award
11 Post-Bid Negotiations or Rebidding
Lesson 5 Lien Legislation, Bonds, Insurance and Dispute Mechanisms
1 Introduction
2 Lien Legislation
3 Bonding
4 Construction Insurance
5 Bonus, Penalty and Liquidated Damages
6 Disputes during the Project
Lesson 6 Specification Writing Basics: Grammar, Spelling and Conventions
1 Introduction
2 Vocabulary
3 Spelling
4 Grammar
5 Style
Lesson 7 Specification Writing – Getting Started
1 Introduction
2 Consistent Terminology
3 Drawings and Specifications
4 Interpreting Drawings
5 Schedules
6 Document Precedence
7 Specifications
8 Developing a Checklist
9 Preliminary Project Description and Outline Specifications
10 Client Requirements
11 Specifier’s Contribution
12 Coordingating with Division 01
Lesson 8 Writing From a Master Specification
1 Introduction
2 Master Specifications
3 Advantages of Master Specifications
4 Commercially Prepared Masters
5 How to use a Master Specification
6 Creating an Office Master
7 Updating your Master
8 Practice Writing
Lesson 9 Writing Original Specification Sections
1 Introduction
2 Original Specification Sections
3 Practice Writing
Lesson 10 Product Selection, Research and Assessment
1 Introduction
2 Procuring Project Information
3 Product Assessment and Interpreting Data
4 Selection of a Product by its Properities
5 Research New Products
6 Product Information and Format
7 Manufacturer’s Product Literature
8 Product Assessment and Comparison
Lesson 11 Codes and Standards
1 Introduction
2 Laws
3 Codes, Regulations, Legislation and Acts
4 Standards
5 The Authority Having Jurisdiction
Lesson 12 Division 01 – Administrative and Procedural Requirements
1 Introduction
2 General Information
3 Administration and Procedural Sections
4 Contract Changes
5 Submittals
6 Meetings
7 Coordination and Responsibility of the Contractor
8 Safety of the Project Site
Lesson 13 Division 01 – Temporary Facilities and Controls
1 Introduction
2 Temporary Facilities and Controls Sections
Lesson 14 Division 01 – Performance Requirements and Life Cycle Activities
1 Introduction
2 Product Requirements
3 Execution and Closeout
4 Performance Reuqirements
5 Life Cycle Activities
6 Start-Up, Demonstration and Testing
7 Owner Training and Demonstration
8 Operating and Maintenance Manual
9 Commissioning
10 Conclusion
Lesson 15 Relationships and Coordination – Divisions 00, 01 and Technical Sections
1 Introduction
2 Relationship Between Divisions 00 and 01
3 Relationship and coordination of the Contract and the Front End
4 Contract Coordination
5 Coordination with Single and Mutilple Contracts
6 Other Issues
Lesson 16 Specifying Quality and Performance Requirements
1 Introduction
2 Assessing Quality
3 Coordination with Division 01
4 Submittals
5 Performance Requirements
6 Mock-Ups
7 Warranties and Guarantees
Lesson 17 Specifying For Special Requirements
1 Introduction
2 Public Sector
3 Sustainable Design
4 Specifying Emerging Trends or New Products
5 Summary
Students should have:
- Experience reading construction drawings;
- Experience reading construction specifications;
- Experiences researching construction materials;
- Experience researching construction reference standards.
- Or, Construction related Certification from a Technical College or University.
To find out more about course offerings email info@csc-dcc.ca or click on the website of the Chapter nearest you.