Specification Book — Design Architect Knowledge Base

Structure

~80–100 pages, CSI MasterFormat 3-part format. 18 relevant divisions (of 50 total) for residential.

CSI 3-Part Section Format

Every spec section follows:

GENERAL — scope, references, submittals, quality assurance

PRODUCTS — materials, manufacturers, performance requirements

EXECUTION — preparation, installation, field quality control

18 Residential Divisions

Division	Title	Pages	Type	ML Systems Notes
01	General Requirements	6–8	Template	Project admin, DfD procedures, submittals
02	Existing Conditions	4–6	Custom	Demolition, hazmat (lead/asbestos per year built)
03	Concrete	6–8	Template	Foundation, grade beams, slab — f'c 4000 PSI
04	Masonry	2–3	Parametric	Veneer, recovered brick applications
05	Metals	8–10	Template	ML Steel spec — HSLA/AHSS, bolted DfD connections
06	Wood/Plastics/Composites	6–8	Parametric	Framing, trusses, finish carpentry
07	Thermal & Moisture	8–10	Parametric	Insulation, WRB, air barrier, roofing, flashing
08	Openings	4–6	Parametric	Windows (U-factor, SHGC), doors, hardware
09	Finishes	6–8	Custom	GWB, paint, tile, flooring, recovered materials
10	Specialties	1–2	Parametric	Bath accessories, signage, fire extinguishers
12	Furnishings	2–3	Custom	Cabinetry, countertops, window treatments
22	Plumbing	4–6	Parametric	Fixtures, piping, water heater, wet wall stack
23	HVAC	4–6	Parametric	Mini-split, ducting, controls, IECC compliance
26	Electrical	4–6	Parametric	Service, panels, wiring, devices, EV-ready
27	Communications	2–3	Parametric	Low voltage, structured wiring, smart home
31	Earthwork	2–3	Parametric	Excavation, backfill, compaction
32	Exterior Improvements	2–3	Custom	Paving, landscaping, fencing
33	Utilities	2–3	Parametric	Site utilities, stormwater

Customization Breakdown

Type	Pages	%	Description
Template	~25	31%	ML Steel, foundation, QC, closeout — identical every project
Parametric	~45	56%	Adapt from curriculum answers (insulation, windows, HVAC)
Custom	~10	13%	Project-specific (demo scope, finishes, recovered materials)

Key Template Specifications (Identical Every Project)

Division 05 — ML Steel Structure

• Material: HSLA/AHSS 60–80 ksi yield, recycled automotive sourcing
• Connections: Bolted end-plate moment (A325/A490), NO field welding
• Surface prep: SSPC-SP6 commercial blast, shop primer + topcoat
• Erection: Crane-set, 3–5 day residential erection sequence
• DfD marking: Each member stamped with ML Material ID
• Special inspections: IBC Ch 17, third-party bolt torque verification

Division 03 — Concrete (Foundation)

• f'c: 4,000 PSI at 28 days (grade beams, footings)
• Slab: 4" reinforced, 6×6 W2.0×W2.0 WWF, vapor barrier below
• Grade beams: 12"×24" typical, #4 rebar @ 12" o.c.
• Stub plates: A36 steel, embedded 6" min, 4× A325 anchor bolts
• Radon: Sub-slab depressurization rough-in (RI requirement)
• Frost depth: 40" minimum (42"–48" recommended)

Division 01 — DfD Procedures

• Connection reversibility documentation for every structural joint
• Material ID tracking (ML provenance system)
• Deconstruction sequence plan included in project close-out
• Recovery value estimate for each major assembly

Spec Sections Triggered by Curriculum Answers

Step 2: Year Built Triggers

Year Built	Spec Sections Triggered
Pre-1940	02 82 00 Asbestos abatement, 02 83 00 Lead abatement, old-growth recovery protocol
1940–1977	02 83 00 Lead paint abatement (RI lead law §23-24.6)
1978–2000	Standard demolition (02 41 00)
Post-2000	Standard demolition, minimal hazmat

Step 5: Envelope Selections

Selection	Spec Sections
Heat pump (mini-split)	23 81 00 Ductless split systems
Ducted forced air	23 31 00 Ductwork, 23 37 00 Diffusers
Radiant floor	23 21 00 Hydronic piping
Fiber cement siding	07 46 00 Fiber cement siding
Metal panel	07 42 00 Metal wall panels
Cedar shingle	07 46 23 Wood siding

Pain Points / Snag View

What Snags Are

Construction "snags" = defects, incomplete work, or non-compliant items found during inspection. The DA tracks snags against specific spec sections so nothing falls through cracks.

Common Residential Snags by Division

Division	Common Snags	Prevention
03 Concrete	Footing depth below frost line, rebar coverage, anchor bolt placement	Pre-pour inspection checklist
05 Steel	Bolt torque not verified, connection misalignment, missing fireproofing	IBC Ch 17 special inspection
06 Wood	Truss bracing missing, joist hanger nailing incomplete, wrong lumber grade	Simpson connector schedule
07 Envelope	Air barrier gaps at penetrations, missing flashing at windows, insulation voids	Blower door test + IR scan
08 Windows	U-factor doesn't match spec, missing egress windows in bedrooms	Window schedule cross-check
09 Finishes	GWB not Type X at required locations, paint not covering steel primer	Fire-rated assembly checklist
22 Plumbing	Wet wall pipes too close to edge of stud, missing cleanouts	Rough-in inspection
23 HVAC	Duct leakage > 4 CFM25/100sf, refrigerant line routing through fire-rated assembly	Duct leakage test
26 Electrical	Missing GFCI in wet locations, AFCI not in bedrooms, panel schedule mismatch	Circuit-by-circuit verification

ML Systems DfD-Specific Snags

Snag	Impact	Detection
Field weld on bolted connection	Destroys reversibility — CRITICAL	Visual inspection + NDT
Missing ML Material ID stamp	Breaks provenance chain	Erection checklist
Stub plate misaligned with Cycle 2 column grid	Future expansion blocked	Survey + template alignment
Hurricane tie not bolted (nailed instead)	Can't remove truss cleanly	Connection type audit
Precast plank grouted to beam (instead of dry-set)	Plank not crane-removable	Bearing detail inspection
Partition nailed to bottom chord (not clipped)	Truss uplift damage + not removable	Framing inspection

Snag Severity Levels

Level	Action	Example
Critical	Stop work, remediate	Field weld on DfD connection
Major	Fix before covering	Missing flashing, wrong insulation R-value
Minor	Fix before CO	Paint touch-up, missing caulk bead
Observation	Document, owner decides	Cosmetic imperfection, color variance