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Writing
a Specification
Writing
a good spec is the single most important thing you
can do to get what you desire from your pavement project.
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- Writing
a spec does several things for you.
- Allows
you to dictate the type and quality of the product
used on your job.
- Allows
you to compare "apples to apples" between
paving companies.
- Lets
the contractor know that you know what your talking
about.
- There
are several parts to a spec sheet which are important to
include.
- Indicate
a deadline for receipt of bid - this ensures
you are able to receive your bids within an acceptable
amount of time.
- Indicate
other resources necessary - this includes such
things as references, certificate of insurance, etc.
- Define
the area of work - this ensures that each contractor
is biding the same area and that there is no confusion
about what is included.
- Total
Area - each contractor should measure the job
independently, but it is a good idea to do your own
measurements so that everyone is in the same ballpark.
- Include
a timing schedule - it is important for everyone
to know what you expect in terms of a start and a
completion date.
- Weekday
or weekend - this can make a big difference in
the price of a job (weekend work is generally more
expensive).
- Number
of days to do job - factors such as the number
of entrances to your parking lot and how full your
parking lot gets will dictate this.
Note: These last two items are very important. If you award your job
to a contractor who has bid it as a one day job but in reality will
take two days because you have to keep half of it open at all times,
then the contractor will lose money. Many contractors are not willing
to take that hit, so they may cut corners on sealcoat mix design, overlay
thickness or digout thickness to compensate for their lost profit.
The bottom line is that if you indicate the number of days the job
will take, you will get a better job.
The
following are some general guidelines you can include
in you spec sheet for various types of work.
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- Paving:
- You
should specify the use of a self propelled paver.
- State
the compacted asphalt thickness required (watch
out for contractors who say they will lay the asphalt
at 1.5" and roll - you are not getting 1.5" of
compacted asphalt).
-
Use a 4 - 6 ton roller for breakdown compaction.
- Sealcoating:
- You
may want to specify to squeegee the first coat if the
pavement has never been sealed before.
This is a good idea but it is more expensive.
- Spray
application for second coat or both coats if previously
sealed (once a lot has been sealed a squeegee coat
actually leaves less sealer on the pavement).
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Sealcoating
is one area that it is very important to specify
the material you want to use. There are many sealers
available and they are not all created equally.
Click
here to download a free copy of a CSI formatted
Specification for Jennite®.
- Repairs:
- State
type of repair to be done - there are several types
for various applications.
- Skin
Patch (not recommended - won't last and may inhibit
drainage)
- Full
depth asphalt - for areas that are cracked up
and falling apart.
- Full
depth asphalt with crushed stone undercut - for
areas that do not have a sufficient rock base
installed.
- Asphalt
over concrete - for areas that are severely rutted
and a soft sub-base.
- State
the depth of the dig-out - you may not be able to determine
this, but if you can, you may save some money.
- If
you cannot determine the depth, you should state that
all asphalt should be removed down to a solid stone
base.
- Make
sure to indicate the thickness of the materials used
for replacement (e.g. 6" 3500 psi concrete, 2" binder
course asphalt, 1.5" surface course asphalt).
- Striping:
- You
should indicate whether the existing layout or a new
layout will be used as well as the colors needed.
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