Recent Developments in Environmental Engineering Specifications

By Arthur J. Miller PE, FFES, FCSI

The Construction Sciences Research Foundation is producing an expanded version of SPECTEXT® Master Guide Specifications that is dedicated to engineers involved in environmental, sanitary and water supply projects. Recognizing that there exists a vacuum in these engineering aids, CSRF has moved to fill this void.

There are many public works technical specifications that have been prepared and/or adopted by the larger government/municipal units. These are in various conditions; some are old and outdated. Frequently, they vary primarily due to the size of that entity. These specifications are then referenced and are expanded by consultants who are providing water/sanitary facilities in their respective jurisdiction.

CSRF recognized this disparity several years ago, while under the leadership of Raymond Best, P.E., CLS, then President/CEO of Buchart-Horn, Inc. The Foundation embarked on an ambitious program and this past year published a new Environmental Engineering library within their Master Specification program. This library initially contained more than 120 specification Sections, and is being expanded with each update. These Sections encompass all types of water and sanitary construction specifications, from precast utility boxes to rehabilitation of sewers, to elevated water storage tanks. These specifications provide both consultants and public works departments with clear and definitive materials and methods, and technical specifications for their construction of projects. The first of several specification packages to be offered in this new group are: specifications addressing water, wastewater and other sanitary projects as well as sewer rehabilitation companies, municipalities, public works departments, public works department, public agencies, school boards and land development companies.

The new water, wastewater and sanitary specifications will appeal to larger engineering firms as references and a resource for improving and updating their own specifications. Smaller engineering firms specializing in sanitary wastewater projects will find this specification valuable in the preparation of project specifications or to establish and maintain an office master specification system. Public works departments, public agencies and municipalities will be able to establish their own specifications and develop a set of criteria as they work to inspect and rehabilitate their facilities.

CSRF recognizes that the current Master is only a beginning. It will need continued expansion and updating. CSRF has been providing comprehensive master specifications to the building industry since 1967 and thus is uniquely equipped to provide an equal service to the engineering community.

CSRF is a non-profit foundation, formed in 1967 as the CSI Research Foundation and renamed in 1970, specifically to address the basic communication needs of the industry and has served well in this capacity. It is currently governed by a 10-member Board of Directors, who serve on a volunteer basis. All are recognized professionals in their various fields. Five of these are professional engineers.

For more information on CSRF and SPECTEXT® go to our web sites: www.csrf.org and www.spextext.com.

About the Author: Arthur J. Miller, PE, FFES, FCSI, Immediate Past President of CSRF and Senior Vice President of AVART, Inc., a Miami, FL based consulting engineering firm. Mr. Miller can be reached at artava@bellsouth.net

The CSRF newsletter is published for SPECTEXT® subscribers and others involved in design and construction. To obtain your copy of Creating a Common Language®, please contact the CSRF Support Center by telephone at 1-877- SPECTXT or 410-838-7561 or you may e-mail us at supportcenter@csrf.org

©  Copyright 2007, The Construction Sciences Research Foundation, Inc.  Updated January 12, 2007.