b'MASTERSPEC The ArchitecturalBombshell dropped at Convention MASTERSPEC,anautomatedMasterspec."Theconstructionindus bit of the industry must be looked at as masterspecificationsystem,willputtryhasbecomemoresophisticated,thetechnicalexpertsinitsareaand increasingemphasison\'performancewithagreatvarietyofoptions,must create its own standards.Asto specifications,\'JohnH.Schruben,requiringatremendousamountofthe mode of authority . simply to put PSAE,toldcontractors attherecentunderstandingandtechnologyre it in the contract documents, that it is a NationalRoofingContractorsAssoci quiredforthenewsophisticatedrequirement of the general contractor ation Convention, San Diego.materials to function properly,and totosub-contractroofingwork,the "If the specification says,\'The roofcomplywithalltherequirements,insulationwork,thevaporbarrier must not leak\',it means just that,\'\' hewhether they arecoderequirements,work,etc. wouldleadthewaytoa said, "If the roof leaks, it has failed. It\'sperformancerequirementsorwhat single subcontractor responsibility. To thatsimple.Itcomesdowntotheever.It has become very complicatedqualifythatsubcontractor,certain realization that the guywhoactuallyand we reaUy cannot handle itin therequirements would need to be met. He doesthespecifiedfabricationwork,samekindofframeworkweusedinmusthaveatleastfiveyearsroofing must take the responsibility and be thepreviousyears.Thearchitectsimplyexperience,belocatedwithin20 technical expert, and there is no chancecannot be the technical expert for theminutesofthejob,withallsortsof at all of assigning it to anybody else. Awholeconstructionteamoperation."other requirements. roofingsystemsimplymustbecomeSchruben called for the cooperationWe want to hear from you as to how the prime responsibility of the roofingof the roofing industry in assuming thewecan all servethepublic best. contractor."responsibility for creating its own stan Since roofing is fabricated on the job "Masterspec"isarelativelynewdards,to do the necessarytestingtosite, maintained on the site, we feel it term that will be heard very frequentlyobtain the necessary technical data andmust be done by a local kind of guy. one during coming months and refers to anto develop the expertise for the instal of the architects problem is that he is automated master specification systemlation of a sound roof.nolongeralocalkindofguy. For developed by Production Systems ForGeorgeBodwell,moderator,saidexample,abuildinginDenveris ArchitectsandEngineers,Inc."Thereisalotofmeatinthistalk.designed out of an office in Chicago. He (PSAE),Chicago,Ill.,aseparateMuchofthisistoouradvantage.is not likely to understand local condinonprofitcorporationestablishedbyStronger technology is needed by thetions.Architectshavegoneinto the American Institute of Architects inroofing industry.The key word inallnationalpractice,specializingincerApril1969.thisiscontrol.Thewaywegetthistain areas such as hospitals, factories, The primary goal of the Masterspeccontrol so that we can assume these re etc., in additionto local work. systemistoreducethearchitectssponsibilitiesisthemajorproblem."Q. (Roy Leary, Philadelphia)In BUR,liabilityinconstruction by organizingQuestions from the floor during the repetitiveroutinesjnto"analmostdiscussion period following the presen the No.one problem is getting water offerror-freeandfail-safesystem"andtationindicatedhowdeeplythethe roof. Cost seems to always be thethroughtheuseofstandardizedcontractorsweredisturbedbythebig factor with architects in designing alanguagewhichestablishesclearimplicationsofMASTERSPEC\'sim roof and drainage is inadequate. 50% ofdefinitions of the area of responsibility.pact onthe roofing industry.the problems inroofing are caused byEach subscriber is furnished with awater laying on a roof, which could bereference catalog that contains a largeQ. (PaulMorris,KansasCity)(1)Is corrected by better design to get watervolumeofmasterspecificationsMasterspecequippedtostandandoff the deck.sections, containing comprehensivereview to make decisions on past per A. (Schruben)As an architect, I agreetext fro,which the specifier choosesformance where problems ontheroof completely with what you are saying.the materials,systems,processes andhavenot occurred. (2)Howdoyou Yetrecently,Isawliteraturesomeprocedures he wishes to specify for thepropose to give roofing contractors the where on "How to Construct a Pondedproject.authority tocarry out the responsibi Roof\'. WithcontradictoryfactslikelityyouaregivingusasroofingIntheory,theseprogramsarecontractors? this, what is an architect to do. Roofersintended to unify the technology of the. tell us what slope you require. It isindustry,enablethearchitecttoA. (Schruben)Weareequippedpri up to you to figure out what is requirdproduce better specifications at lowermarilytorespondtothetechnical to produce a good roof. That will settlecosts, and by specifying "performance"expertise of the roofing industry. We it. Masterspec nowtakes the positionincarefullywordedclauses,minimizeare not prepared to do the testing or to that no roof that is dead level is a goodunwanted liabilityto architects.putoutthestandards.Weare roof.Schrubendetailedproblemsexper equipped to accept your standards and Q. (TobyNadel,Architect)Thefeelienced by architects and Specificationincorporate them in these Masterspec ingisthatarchitectsaregivingupwriters that lead to the development ofrecords. I feel very strongly that every their full responsibility to the roofinl!(See next page) MARCH 1973. ABC'