reading & interpreting a specs

Reading & Interpreting a Specs

- Learn how to read (interpret) a spec.Learn how to read (interpret) a spec.

- Bid the most competitive productBid the most competitive product- Generate more business…Generate more business…

Oh No!!! Oh No!!! Moderco Is Not In The SpecsModerco Is Not In The Specs

- Most specs are based Most specs are based on Modernfold or on Modernfold or Hufcor products.Hufcor products.

- Most specs don’t Most specs don’t include Moderco as an include Moderco as an approved supplier.approved supplier.

- There are as many There are as many specs as there are specs as there are architects and architects and designers.designers.

What has been driving the What has been driving the Market for the last 15 yearsMarket for the last 15 years

- The lowest bidder The lowest bidder wins most of the time.wins most of the time.

- It isn’t so much what It isn’t so much what you supply but who you supply but who you know.you know.

- A majority of the A majority of the specs are between specs are between 10 10 to 25to 25 years old. years old.

Which product should you Which product should you bid?bid?

• The lowest priced!!!!The lowest priced!!!!• As long as it matches

the layout and the intent of the specs.

• In order, your should consider the following:

• Can I bid 700-S?• Can I bid 700?

How important is it to meet How important is it to meet the specs?the specs?

IMPORTANT BUT…IMPORTANT BUT…- Each project is differentEach project is different

(wall layout; STC; seal (wall layout; STC; seal mechanisms; etc…)mechanisms; etc…)

- Each Architect is Each Architect is differentdifferent (many Architects (many Architects don’t even know what they don’t even know what they specify, they simply copy a very specify, they simply copy a very old spec that they are comfortable old spec that they are comfortable with)with)

- Each GC is differentEach GC is different (this (this is YOUR game, you need to get to is YOUR game, you need to get to know them)know them)

……Most times $$$ is more Most times $$$ is more important then meeting important then meeting 100% of the spec.100% of the spec.

What are we looking for?What are we looking for?

- Usually Usually Operable Operable PartitionsPartitions will be in will be in division 10 under section division 10 under section 10650 or 10 22 2610650 or 10 22 26..

- Read the spec carefully.Read the spec carefully.- Note, highlight, circle Note, highlight, circle

&/or underline all info &/or underline all info that will affect your price.that will affect your price.

- Filling out the Moderco Filling out the Moderco RFQ form would help you RFQ form would help you summarize the spec.summarize the spec.

Typical construction of a Typical construction of a Specification Specification

1)1) GeneralGeneral

2)2) ProductsProducts

3)3) ExecutionExecution

MasterSpec (published by the AIA) MasterSpec (published by the AIA) sections are broken down in 3 parts:sections are broken down in 3 parts:

Part I - GeneralPart I - General

1.1 Related Documents1.1 Related Documents1.2 Summary1.2 Summary1.3 Related Work1.3 Related Work1.4 Action Submittals1.4 Action Submittals1.5 Maintenance Material Submittals1.5 Maintenance Material Submittals1.6 Quality Assurance1.6 Quality Assurance1.7 Delivery, Storage, and Handling1.7 Delivery, Storage, and Handling1.8 Project Conditions1.8 Project Conditions1.9 Warranty1.9 Warranty

Part I – GeneralPart I – GeneralBEWARE!!!!!BEWARE!!!!!

Quality AssuranceQuality AssuranceWhere you find all Where you find all ASTM standardsASTM standards, important , important

ones to look for are:ones to look for are:I.I. ASTM E-90ASTM E-90 indicates the required STC.II.II. ASTM E-336 ASTM E-336 indicates a site sound test is required

and indicates the required NIC or FSTC.III. ASTM E-557 details around the Operable Partition.

IV.IV. ASTM E-84ASTM E-84 will indicate Fire Hazard Classification required. (note that all moderco standard finishes are Class A).

Part I – GeneralPart I – GeneralADVANTAGES!!!ADVANTAGES!!!

WarrantyWarrantyWhere you find the expected warranty period for Where you find the expected warranty period for

both the products and the installation.both the products and the installation.

I. Note that Moderco will match any written warranty requirements at no extra cost, advantage for you.

Part II - ProductsPart II - Products

- This is usually the Part of the spec that will vary the most from one project / architect to the other.

- There is no universal way to organize this part of the spec.

- This being said, all specs need to cover the same basis; this is the meat of the section.

Part II - ProductsPart II - Products

2.1 Products and Manufacturers2.1 Products and Manufacturers2.2 Materials2.2 Materials

2.2.1 Panel Type2.2.1 Panel Type2.2.2 Panel Construction2.2.2 Panel Construction2.2.3 Sound Seals2.2.3 Sound Seals2.2.4 Panel Finish2.2.4 Panel Finish2.2.5 Acoustical Performance2.2.5 Acoustical Performance2.2.6 Suspension System2.2.6 Suspension System2.2.7 Accessories / Options2.2.7 Accessories / Options

Part II - ProductsPart II - ProductsBEWARE!!!!!BEWARE!!!!!

Panel typePanel typeWhere they indicate the panel configuration Where they indicate the panel configuration

(single, paired, electrically operated, etc.).(single, paired, electrically operated, etc.).I. Often the configuration descibed in the spec doesn’t

match the drawings. Send an RFI for clarification, this may get you to talk to the architect.

II. If in doubt, use your own judgement. The drawings usually should prevail although not in front of a Judge. Keep in mind, paired panels are more economical than single.

Part II - ProductsPart II - ProductsDON’T OVER ANALYSE!!!!!DON’T OVER ANALYSE!!!!!

Panel ConstructionPanel ConstructionUsually only the specified product can meet Usually only the specified product can meet

100% of the description.100% of the description.I. Every manufacturer has it’s own panel

construction, bid the intent.II. Look for the basic; trimmed or trimless.III. This is where some rejections occur, if they

reject your alternate because of panel construction, they simply don’t want you or us.

Part II - ProductsPart II - ProductsINTERPRET CORRECTLYINTERPRET CORRECTLY

Sound SealsSound SealsAstragals, top and bottom seals operation.Astragals, top and bottom seals operation.I. Top seals are either fixed or manually operated;

lowest price is fixed top seals.

II. Automatic bottom seals are base design on all our products, bid auto seals whenever possible.

III. Many specs will leave place to interpretation.

Part II - ProductsPart II - ProductsINTERPRET CORRECTLYINTERPRET CORRECTLY

Bottom Seals descriptionsBottom Seals descriptions Retractable b.s. – bid automatics Mechanically operated b.s. – bid automatics B.s. operated by a built-in mechanism – bid

automatics Manually operated b.s. – bid manuals B.s. manually operated by activating tool

inserted at 42’’ A.F.F. – bid manuals


Panel FinishPanel FinishWhere you can make it or break it.Where you can make it or break it.I. « vinyl covered fabric » is also used to describe

Standard vinyl. Don’t be fooled.

II. When nothing is specified, send a RFI or bid vinyl.

III. Be very carefull with wood veneers. Finished wood, FSC standards, etc.

IV. Read carefully as custom painted panel trim are often hidden in there.

Part II - ProductsPart II - ProductsTAKE ADVANTAGETAKE ADVANTAGE

Acoustical Performance (STC)Acoustical Performance (STC)Always consider if the STC ± 1 factor can help you

lower your bid price; if so use it to your advantage.

Part II - ProductsPart II - ProductsSTEEL OR ALUMINUM?STEEL OR ALUMINUM?

Suspension SystemSuspension System Most Modernfold specs on short walls will call for Most Modernfold specs on short walls will call for

steel tracks and trolleys.steel tracks and trolleys.I. We bid an alternate. Convince, battle, make your

point about aluminum (we will help you doing so, we have reports, letters, facts).

II. Talk about noise of operation.

III. Offer an extended warranty.


Accessories / OptionsAccessories / OptionsWatch for hidden options that represent Watch for hidden options that represent

significant price increase.significant price increase. They might not show on the drawings, but may be required. If in doubt, send a RFI.

I. Pass doors and accessories (door closer, exit sign, etc.)

II. Work surfaces (white boards, tack boards, etc.)

III. Window frames

IV. Pocket doors

Part III - ExecutionPart III - Execution

3.1 Examination3.1 Examination3.2 Installation3.2 Installation3.3 3.3 Field Quality ControlField Quality Control3.4 Adjusting and Cleaning3.4 Adjusting and Cleaning3.5 Demonstration / Training3.5 Demonstration / Training

Part III - ExecutionPart III - ExecutionBEWARE!!!!!BEWARE!!!!!

Field Quality ControlField Quality ControlMake sure the required NIC is achievable (if in

doubt, please check with us). Clearly indicate in your bid if the cost of field testing is included or not.

I. Use ASTM E-557 to your advantage. If not indicated in the spec, refer to it in your bid.

Objections to the Moderco Objections to the Moderco productsproducts

Who’s Moderco?Who’s Moderco? Never heard of them!Never heard of them! Where are they located?Where are they located? How does their product How does their product

compare to the spec?compare to the spec? What products do they What products do they

make?make? What similar size projects What similar size projects

have they done?have they done? ETC !!!!ETC !!!!

When do we run into When do we run into these objections?these objections?

After the project has bid!After the project has bid! When we are trying to gain approval for When we are trying to gain approval for

the use of Moderco products.the use of Moderco products. When the shop drawings have been When the shop drawings have been

rejected.rejected. Very often: When it is too late!Very often: When it is too late!

Solutions…Solutions…

Gain approval for Gain approval for Moderco products PRIOR Moderco products PRIOR to bidding a project.to bidding a project.

Gain approval with Gain approval with Architectural firms before Architectural firms before projects come out for bid.projects come out for bid.

Make sure that Moderco Make sure that Moderco is in the standard is in the standard specification of all of your specification of all of your major Architectural and major Architectural and specifying organizations.specifying organizations.

What You need to knowWhat You need to know

- Get to know your biggest Get to know your biggest competitor (s) and which competitor (s) and which product they might bid.product they might bid.

- Which Moderco product Which Moderco product will give you an edge will give you an edge (price, feature, etc…) on (price, feature, etc…) on the competitor (s).the competitor (s).

- Beside the spec you need Beside the spec you need to know what the client to know what the client really need – Don’t forget really need – Don’t forget “YOU are the Operable “YOU are the Operable Partition expert”.Partition expert”.

Now I see the Light and the Opportunities

Questions?