NCIDQ QUESTIONS WITH 100% CORRECT
ANSWERS UPDATED THIS YEAR
# Term Definition
1 Specifications - Prescriptive
Also know as closed, tells what product a G.C.
must use by brand name.
2 Specifications - Performance
also known as open, tells G.C. what final product should
be like but gives the G.C. freedom on how to achieve
that final result.
3
What type of specs do public projects Performance Specs because it allows for competitive
go for and why? bidding
4 Proprietary Specs
Most restrictive, call out specific manufacturer's
product, gives designers full control but disallows
competitive bidding and could cause difficulty for the
G.C.
5 Base-bid specs or equal
Calls out a proprietary material but allows for
substitution of equal product
6
G.C. may substitute a less expensive product, thinking
Why is a base-bid/equal spec risky?
it's equal when it actually isn't.
7 What are two variations of a base-
Listing several approved options and G.C. can choose
bid/equal to minimize risk.
any option listed Using "approved equal" language,
states that GC can use one product or an approved
equal but final approval is subject to designer's
approval
8 What are the pros and cons of an
pros - the burden is on the GC, gives G.C.
approved equal spec?
freedom Cons- responsibility is on the designer to
review and approve which can be difficult during hectic
bidding period. Specs should clearly state how much
lead time the GC must give the ID and how alternates
will be evaluated
, 9 In public work at least 3 different manufacturers must
Why is a base-bid spec variation of be listed
listing several manufacturers' products
satisfying for public work projects?
10 What is a Descriptive Spec?
Open (performance spec) gives detailed written
requirements for material or product and workmanship
required for fabrication and install, does not mention
trade names
# Term Definition
11
What is the drawback of descriptive Difficult to write b/c of all the requirements to
spec? construction and installation must be included.
12 What is a reference standard spec? Variation of a descriptive spec that describes a
material, product, or process based on requirements
set by an accepted authority or test method. Example:
Product can be required to meet testing standards of
ASTM, UL, ANSI or trade associations like AWI
(American woodwork institute) or GA (gypsum
association)
13 What are the pros and cons of a
reference standard spec? Pros- easy to write because they are already set by an
industry standard, errors are likely reduced, liability
reduced Cons - Designer must know what's in the
standard and which part of standard to refer to if
standard is more than what's required for the job
14 Pure performance spec
A statement that sets criteria and results required of the
item being specified The means of achieving results are
not specified this is left up to the contractor of vendor
this is often used for const. components when the
specifier wants to encourage new ways to achieve a
result
15 Measurements, tests, or other evaluation.
How can results in a pure performance
spec be verified?
,16 What is a con of a pure performance
difficult to write bc specifier must know all criteria,
spec?
methods of testing, and write an
unambiguous document. These are rarely used for
interiors
17 Master specifications
prewritten specs that cover nearly all types of
products, methods of install, and other variables that
relate to a specific product or construction activity
include comments and notes to the specifier providing
guidance in editing section. not printed out with final
spec but is meant to be edited per project
18 Guide Specs
not as complete as master specs but assist in
organization and writing of spec
# Term Definition
19 What is the masterformat system?
a system developed by CSI(Construction Specifications
Institute and CSC (Canada) that standardizes numbering
and format of technical specs
20 What is the facility construction
subgroup? Masterformat of specs includes main divisions such as
02 - Existing Conditions and Division 05 Metals, goes up
to Division 19 saved for future expansion
21 Facility Services Subgroup
Sections of masterformat specs that include 21 fire
suppression , electrical, plumbing, communications etc.
also has sections open for future expansion
22 Division 00 in masterspecs includes:
bidding and contracting info, bonds and certificates,
conditions of contract instructions to bidders, addenda,
supplementary conditions etc
, 23 Division 01
General Requirements - info applicable to entire project,
summary of work, how pricing and payment will be
handled, construction progress documentation,
alternates. value analysis, unit prices, submittal
procedures for shop dwgs, owner-furnished items,
cleaning and protection of work
24 What is included in Division 10:
Specialties items that are not standard like wallboard and flooring.
typically small scale, usually more than one
25 What is included in Division 13: Special
much larger elements than specialties and equipment
Construction?
sections. items almost like buildings within building
such as animal kennels, generally not used in interior
specs
26 How are particular sections in specs
organized? Part 1: General - gives general req. for each section,
handling of materials, etc. Part 2: specs of materials
and products themselves including accepted
manufacturer, standard methods and tests to conform
to, fabrication method, etc. Part 3: tells how products
and materials are to be installed, quality control,
cleaning, and protection of work etc.
# Term Definition
27 In Division 1, what items may you find
regarding sustainability in the -Safety data sheets, sources for product certification or
specifications? sustainability that a GC can use, list of hazardous
materials, requirements for const. activities to minimize
pollution, dust, chemical emissions, summary of
environmental goals etc
28 If LEED certification is being sought,
what is required to be in Division 1? Summary of environmental goals addressing 3 areas:
resource efficient materials and systems, energy
conservation, and indoor air quality. One can refer to
individual LEED credits for list of requirements.
Maintain several reports to prove certification of green
materials, recycled content, emission testing reports,
cleaning product info etc.
ANSWERS UPDATED THIS YEAR
# Term Definition
1 Specifications - Prescriptive
Also know as closed, tells what product a G.C.
must use by brand name.
2 Specifications - Performance
also known as open, tells G.C. what final product should
be like but gives the G.C. freedom on how to achieve
that final result.
3
What type of specs do public projects Performance Specs because it allows for competitive
go for and why? bidding
4 Proprietary Specs
Most restrictive, call out specific manufacturer's
product, gives designers full control but disallows
competitive bidding and could cause difficulty for the
G.C.
5 Base-bid specs or equal
Calls out a proprietary material but allows for
substitution of equal product
6
G.C. may substitute a less expensive product, thinking
Why is a base-bid/equal spec risky?
it's equal when it actually isn't.
7 What are two variations of a base-
Listing several approved options and G.C. can choose
bid/equal to minimize risk.
any option listed Using "approved equal" language,
states that GC can use one product or an approved
equal but final approval is subject to designer's
approval
8 What are the pros and cons of an
pros - the burden is on the GC, gives G.C.
approved equal spec?
freedom Cons- responsibility is on the designer to
review and approve which can be difficult during hectic
bidding period. Specs should clearly state how much
lead time the GC must give the ID and how alternates
will be evaluated
, 9 In public work at least 3 different manufacturers must
Why is a base-bid spec variation of be listed
listing several manufacturers' products
satisfying for public work projects?
10 What is a Descriptive Spec?
Open (performance spec) gives detailed written
requirements for material or product and workmanship
required for fabrication and install, does not mention
trade names
# Term Definition
11
What is the drawback of descriptive Difficult to write b/c of all the requirements to
spec? construction and installation must be included.
12 What is a reference standard spec? Variation of a descriptive spec that describes a
material, product, or process based on requirements
set by an accepted authority or test method. Example:
Product can be required to meet testing standards of
ASTM, UL, ANSI or trade associations like AWI
(American woodwork institute) or GA (gypsum
association)
13 What are the pros and cons of a
reference standard spec? Pros- easy to write because they are already set by an
industry standard, errors are likely reduced, liability
reduced Cons - Designer must know what's in the
standard and which part of standard to refer to if
standard is more than what's required for the job
14 Pure performance spec
A statement that sets criteria and results required of the
item being specified The means of achieving results are
not specified this is left up to the contractor of vendor
this is often used for const. components when the
specifier wants to encourage new ways to achieve a
result
15 Measurements, tests, or other evaluation.
How can results in a pure performance
spec be verified?
,16 What is a con of a pure performance
difficult to write bc specifier must know all criteria,
spec?
methods of testing, and write an
unambiguous document. These are rarely used for
interiors
17 Master specifications
prewritten specs that cover nearly all types of
products, methods of install, and other variables that
relate to a specific product or construction activity
include comments and notes to the specifier providing
guidance in editing section. not printed out with final
spec but is meant to be edited per project
18 Guide Specs
not as complete as master specs but assist in
organization and writing of spec
# Term Definition
19 What is the masterformat system?
a system developed by CSI(Construction Specifications
Institute and CSC (Canada) that standardizes numbering
and format of technical specs
20 What is the facility construction
subgroup? Masterformat of specs includes main divisions such as
02 - Existing Conditions and Division 05 Metals, goes up
to Division 19 saved for future expansion
21 Facility Services Subgroup
Sections of masterformat specs that include 21 fire
suppression , electrical, plumbing, communications etc.
also has sections open for future expansion
22 Division 00 in masterspecs includes:
bidding and contracting info, bonds and certificates,
conditions of contract instructions to bidders, addenda,
supplementary conditions etc
, 23 Division 01
General Requirements - info applicable to entire project,
summary of work, how pricing and payment will be
handled, construction progress documentation,
alternates. value analysis, unit prices, submittal
procedures for shop dwgs, owner-furnished items,
cleaning and protection of work
24 What is included in Division 10:
Specialties items that are not standard like wallboard and flooring.
typically small scale, usually more than one
25 What is included in Division 13: Special
much larger elements than specialties and equipment
Construction?
sections. items almost like buildings within building
such as animal kennels, generally not used in interior
specs
26 How are particular sections in specs
organized? Part 1: General - gives general req. for each section,
handling of materials, etc. Part 2: specs of materials
and products themselves including accepted
manufacturer, standard methods and tests to conform
to, fabrication method, etc. Part 3: tells how products
and materials are to be installed, quality control,
cleaning, and protection of work etc.
# Term Definition
27 In Division 1, what items may you find
regarding sustainability in the -Safety data sheets, sources for product certification or
specifications? sustainability that a GC can use, list of hazardous
materials, requirements for const. activities to minimize
pollution, dust, chemical emissions, summary of
environmental goals etc
28 If LEED certification is being sought,
what is required to be in Division 1? Summary of environmental goals addressing 3 areas:
resource efficient materials and systems, energy
conservation, and indoor air quality. One can refer to
individual LEED credits for list of requirements.
Maintain several reports to prove certification of green
materials, recycled content, emission testing reports,
cleaning product info etc.
