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Specifications & Construction Admin

Division 26 · 3-part spec · RFIs · submittals · change orders · CA

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)

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