Specifications & Construction Admin
Once design is done, the engineer transitions to advisor. Division 26 specifications govern HOW work is installed. Construction Administration runs from RFI #1 to substantial completion. Get the process right and the project ships clean.
Specifications — Division 26
Drawings show WHAT to install. Specifications show HOW. CSI MasterFormat Division 26 is the standard organization for electrical specs.
The Three-Part Format
Every Division 26 spec section follows this structure:
| Part | Title | What goes here |
|---|---|---|
| Part 1 | General | References, definitions, submittals, quality assurance, warranty, delivery + storage |
| Part 2 | Products | Approved manufacturers, materials, equipment specifications, technical performance requirements |
| Part 3 | Execution | Installation, testing, commissioning, training, demonstration, cleaning, protection |
Atlas DC1 Division 26 Sections (typical)
A 250-page Division 26 spec for Atlas DC1 might include:
| Section | Subject | Approx pages |
|---|---|---|
| 26 05 00 | Common Work Results for Electrical (general; applies to all sections) | 15-20 |
| 26 05 19 | Low-Voltage Conductors + Cables | 10-15 |
| 26 05 26 | Grounding + Bonding | 8-12 |
| 26 05 33 | Raceways + Boxes | 10-15 |
| 26 05 39 | Lighting Control Devices | 5-8 |
| 26 05 53 | Identification (labels, signs) | 3-5 |
| 26 09 23 | Lighting Control Devices | 8-12 |
| 26 12 13 | Medium-Voltage Switchgear | 20-30 |
| 26 22 13 | Medium-Voltage Transformers (pad-mount) | 10-15 |
| 26 24 13 | Switchboards (LV) | 10-15 |
| 26 24 16 | Panelboards | 5-8 |
| 26 24 19 | Motor Control Centers | 10-15 |
| 26 27 26 | Wiring Devices (receptacles, switches) | 5-8 |
| 26 32 13 | Engine Generators | 15-20 |
| 26 33 53 | Static UPS | 15-20 |
| 26 36 00 | Transfer Switches | 8-12 |
| 26 41 13 | Lightning Protection (NFPA 780) | 5-8 |
| 26 43 13 | Surge Protective Devices | 5-8 |
| 26 51 00 | Interior Lighting | 15-20 |
| 26 56 00 | Exterior Lighting | 10-15 |
| 27 (Comm) | Communications + telecom (Div 27, distinct from electrical) | 30-50 |
| 28 (Safety/Security) | Fire alarm, security, access control (Div 28) | 30-50 |
Construction Administration (CA) — The Engineer's Role During Construction
Once construction starts, the design engineer transitions from designer to advisor. CA activities:
| Activity | Description | Typical frequency |
|---|---|---|
| RFI responses | Contractor asks formal questions; engineer responds within 2-7 days. Documented. | 20-100/month |
| Submittal review | Contractor submits product cut sheets + shop drawings; engineer reviews + stamps (Approved / Approved as Noted / Rejected / Revise + Resubmit) | 50-500 over project |
| Site visits | Periodic walkthroughs to verify installation quality + answer field questions | 1-4/month, more during energization |
| Change orders | Owner-requested or contractor-discovered changes requiring scope adjustment | 10-50/project |
| Pay application review | Engineer reviews contractor monthly progress payment requests; approves % completion | Monthly |
| Punch list management | Engineer walks site near substantial completion; documents deficiencies | Substantial completion + warranty walk |
| Witness testing | Engineer attends Cx Levels 4-5 to verify performance | Project end |
| As-built review | Verify contractor's record drawings reflect actual installation | Project end |
RFI Management — A Skill in Itself
A poorly-managed RFI process tanks projects. Best practices:
| Practice | Why |
|---|---|
| Respond within 5 business days | Slower = construction delay. Owner pays for delays. |
| Clear yes/no on the question, plus reasoning | Avoids back-and-forth |
| Reference NEC article + spec section + drawing | Defensible; helps contractor understand |
| Distinguish design intent vs additional cost | If response triggers cost, document as change order trigger |
| CC all relevant parties (architect, structural, owner) | Prevents downstream coordination issues |
| Use a tracking system (Bluebeam Studio, Procore, Submittal Exchange) | 50+ RFIs/month requires tracking; can't manage in email |
Submittal Review — What Engineers Look For
| Item | Engineer checks |
|---|---|
| Switchgear submittal | Bus rating, AIC, breaker types + ratings, dimensions vs allotted space, single-line accuracy, GFP per spec, ANSI/IEEE compliance |
| UPS submittal | kVA rating, battery + runtime, SCCR, harmonics performance, communications interface, warranty |
| Generator submittal | kW rating, fuel type + tank, sound attenuation, emissions tier (Tier 4 final), enclosure rating, controls + paralleling capability |
| Lighting fixture submittal | Wattage, lumens, color temp, CRI, dimming compatibility, warranty, certifications (DLC, UL) |
| Conductors | Type (THWN-2, XHHW-2, etc.), insulation rating, manufacturer listing, voltage rating |
| Cable tray | NEMA load class, finish, size, fittings, support spans |
| Coordination study | Provided by contractor's switchgear vendor — engineer verifies plot meets selectivity requirements |
| Arc flash study | IEEE 1584-2018 method, working distances, electrode configurations, label data |
Change Orders
Construction inevitably encounters surprises. Three types:
| Type | Initiated by | Engineer's role |
|---|---|---|
| Owner change | Owner adds scope (e.g., "extend service to future addition") | Design + spec the change; review contractor's cost |
| Field-discovered change | Contractor discovers something unforeseen (e.g., conduit needs to route around buried foundation) | Confirm change is necessary; verify cost |
| Design clarification (no cost) | Engineer issues additional drawings/details to clarify intent without scope change | Issue ASI (Architect's Supplemental Instruction) or engineer's directive — typically no contractor compensation |
Substantial Completion + Final Acceptance
| Milestone | What it means | What follows |
|---|---|---|
| Substantial Completion | Facility is fit for its intended use (per architect/engineer certification). Owner can occupy. | Warranty period starts. Punch list issued. Final retainage held until punch complete. |
| Final Completion | All punch list items resolved. All closeout deliverables submitted. | Retainage released. Final pay app approved. |
| Warranty Walkthrough | At ~ 11 months, engineer + owner walk facility | Contractor corrects any warranty issues before warranty expires (12 months) |
What you can do after this section
- Write a CSI Division 26 specification with executable language (test methods, acceptance criteria, submittals required).
- Manage RFIs, submittals, and change orders through the construction administration phase.
- Distinguish substantial completion from final completion and what each enables (occupancy vs warranty start).
If You See THIS, Think THAT
| If you see… | Think / use… |
|---|---|
| "Division 26" | Electrical specifications. CSI MasterFormat. |
| "Three-part spec format" | Part 1 General · Part 2 Products · Part 3 Execution |
| "RFI" (Request for Information) | Contractor's formal question. 5-day response target. |
| "Submittal" | Contractor's product proposal. Engineer stamps approval. |
| "Approved as Noted" | Submittal approved with engineer's notes; contractor must comply with notes |
| "Revise + Resubmit" | Submittal not acceptable; contractor must address comments + resubmit |
| "ASI" (Architect's Supplemental Instruction) | Clarification with no scope change — typically no cost impact |
| "PR" (Proposal Request) | Owner asks contractor to price a potential change |
| "Change order" | Approved scope change with contractor cost impact |
| "Substantial Completion" | Project fit for use. Warranty starts. Punch issued. |
| "Punch list" | List of construction defects to be corrected |
| "Retainage" | Portion of contractor payment withheld pending final completion (typically 5-10%) |
| "Specs vs Drawings discrepancy" | Specs typically govern (per Division 1). Always RFI when found. |
| "Procore" / "Submittal Exchange" / "Bluebeam Studio" | RFI + submittal tracking platforms |
Also see