BSRIA has launched its new Model Format for Building Services Specifications (BG56/2016) – available to purchase from the BSRIA bookshop.
This guide, revised in 2016, is a joint venture with CIBSE and BESA (previously B&ES). It provides a model format for building services specifications that will aid efficiency and understanding for all parties involved in preparing and using specifications.
In the age of BIM it is easy to forget that the specifications are a crucial part of the information used during construction projects. They should clearly describe what systems are to provided and how they are intended to be operated once installed.
The guide provides the general framework covering the arrangement of sections and clauses within which an author can use their content with the least amount of change.
Section 2 of this guide describes 'traditional' specification practices. Section 3 gives key points on preparing more-effective specifications, and section 4 details the model specification format, together with an example in the appendices.
In addition to the classification information included in the first edition of BG56, this second edition now has tables for Uniclass 2015. This is the classification structure prescribed by the UK Government for use on BIM Level 2 and so its inclusion should help understanding of its use in building services applications.
Catherine England, BSRIA marketing officer, said: “Specifications which are inaccurate can lead to confusion and exacerbate difficulties in the commercial and contractual process. This guide aims to ensure specifications are written in such a way as to be readily understandable by the user.”
