Writing Clear Specifications Flashcards
7 cards from real CSI practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Writing Clear Specifications flashcards as text
Which of the following is NOT an appropriate use of a Division 01 – General Requirements section?
Answer: Specifying the material properties of structural steel
Material properties belong in the technical sections (Divisions 02–49); Division 01 addresses administrative and procedural requirements.
What does 'editing' a master specification section primarily involve?
Answer: Deleting inapplicable options and tailoring content to specific project conditions
Editing master specifications means selecting applicable options, removing irrelevant content, and customizing for the specific project.
A specification that requires materials to achieve 'a minimum compressive strength of 4,000 psi at 28 days' is an example of:
Answer: A performance requirement
Stating a measurable outcome (compressive strength at a defined age) is a performance requirement, regardless of the mix design used.
Which punctuation guidance is most consistent with CSI specification writing style?
Answer: Use short, declarative sentences with minimal punctuation complexity
Short, clear, declarative sentences reduce ambiguity and are the preferred CSI style for specification writing.
Which article (a, an, the) issue most commonly affects specification clarity?
Answer: Omitting articles, making it unclear whether a specific or general item is intended
Omitting articles in terse specification writing can create ambiguity about whether requirements are general or item-specific.
In a specifications review, 'front-end documents' refers to:
Answer: Division 00 Procurement and Contracting Requirements and Division 01 General Requirements
Front-end documents include Division 00 (bidding, contract forms) and Division 01 (general requirements), setting the administrative framework.
When specifying quality assurance requirements, which item belongs in a specification section rather than on the drawings?
Answer: Installer qualification requirements and testing frequency
Qualifications, testing protocols, and frequency requirements are procedural text that belongs in specification sections, not on drawings.