CPII Plans, Specifications & Documentation 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary distinction between a 'working drawing' and a 'shop drawing'?
- Working drawings are prepared by the contractor; shop drawings are prepared by the designer
- Working drawings are the engineer's design documents; shop drawings are prepared by the contractor or fabricator showing how they will manufacture or install the work (Correct answer)
- Working drawings are hand-sketched; shop drawings are computer-generated
- There is no practical distinction between the two terms
Correct answer: Working drawings are the engineer's design documents; shop drawings are prepared by the contractor or fabricator showing how they will manufacture or install the work
Working drawings are the engineer's contract documents showing what to build; shop drawings are prepared by contractors or fabricators showing how they will manufacture or install specific items.
Question 2: When an addendum is issued before bid opening, it:
- Allows the contractor to submit a revised bid after award
- Formally modifies the bidding documents and becomes part of the contract if the project is awarded (Correct answer)
- Is only informational and does not change the contract
- Extends the contract completion date automatically
Correct answer: Formally modifies the bidding documents and becomes part of the contract if the project is awarded
An addendum issued during the bidding period formally amends the contract documents and is incorporated into the contract upon award.
Question 3: A 'Notice to Proceed' (NTP) is significant because it:
- Authorizes the contractor to begin work and typically starts the contract time clock (Correct answer)
- Certifies that the contractor has completed all required submittals
- Notifies the owner that the contractor is ready for final inspection
- Approves the contractor's schedule of values for payment
Correct answer: Authorizes the contractor to begin work and typically starts the contract time clock
The NTP is the owner's formal authorization for the contractor to begin work, and it typically marks the start of the contract time period.
Question 4: On storm drain plans, a 'flow arrow' indicates:
- The direction of water flow within the pipe system (Correct answer)
- The direction the contractor should install pipe segments
- Wind direction for erosion control planning
- The direction of traffic during construction
Correct answer: The direction of water flow within the pipe system
Flow arrows on storm drain plans indicate the intended direction of stormwater flow through pipes, channels, and structures.
Question 5: Which documentation is required to demonstrate that compacted fill meets the specified density requirement?
- A materials safety data sheet (SDS) for the fill material
- Compaction test results such as nuclear gauge or sand cone density tests compared to a Proctor reference test (Correct answer)
- A certified statement from the contractor that proper equipment was used
- Visual inspection records noting no visible settlement
Correct answer: Compaction test results such as nuclear gauge or sand cone density tests compared to a Proctor reference test
Density testing results from nuclear gauge or sand cone tests are compared to a laboratory Proctor test to verify that compacted fill meets the specified relative compaction percentage.
Question 6: A 'special inspection' required by the specifications differs from routine inspection in that it:
- Is performed only after construction is complete
- Is performed by a qualified third-party inspector for specific high-risk structural elements per code requirements (Correct answer)
- Replaces the need for contractor quality control
- Is conducted by the contractor's own quality assurance staff
Correct answer: Is performed by a qualified third-party inspector for specific high-risk structural elements per code requirements
Special inspection involves qualified third-party inspectors monitoring specific structural or critical work items as required by building codes or contract specifications.
Question 7: The 'plan and profile' sheet commonly used for roadway and utility projects combines:
- A perspective view and a cross-section view on one sheet
- A top-down horizontal plan view and a side-view vertical profile of the same alignment (Correct answer)
- A structural detail and a materials schedule on one sheet
- A site map and an aerial photograph for comparison
Correct answer: A top-down horizontal plan view and a side-view vertical profile of the same alignment
Plan and profile sheets show the horizontal plan view of the alignment on the top half and the corresponding vertical profile (elevation vs. station) on the bottom half.
CPII Plans, Specifications & Documentation 5
What is the primary distinction between a 'working drawing' and a 'shop drawing'?