CONSTRUCTION MANUAL CONTENT TEMPLATE
CONSTRUCTION MANUAL CONTENT TEMPLATE:
Note: This template is to be used as a standard format template guide for Construction Manual content. Please keep in mind that a particular section of work might not use every bullet in the template. Conversely a particular section might have topics that are unique and/or supplementary to the template.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The general description section should relate those components of the work to the particular section of the Construction Manual. The description section of each Construction Manual section should include the process used to construct or install the work described in the section. There should be a general overview of the work including how it is used and built. If applicable this section should also describe why the work is done or what purpose the item or work serves in general. (IE Paint marking helps drivers delineate traffic lanes and improves safety, etc.) The techniques that are applicable to the placement of the pay items should be clearly referenced and outlined. The order of how the work is to be accomplished should also be described.
Definitions and Terms:
Any new, unusual, or uncommon terms/acronyms should be hyper-linked to a definition. This allows those unfamiliar to obtain the information and experienced readers to quickly move on. This section may also describe engineering processes or methods not typically encountered. Define these items clearly and be consistent with the general specifications and any special provisions.
General Overview:
This section should provide a general overview of the work along with relevant background information on how/why it is used to better help the reader understand the process and any technical jargon.
Contractor Prequalification:
Use this sub-section if there are any specific contractor prequalification requirements for performing this work.
Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) / FHWA Regulations:
If applicable cite the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) section or FHWA regulation that applies to the work or process. Citing the governing rule is often helpful to understand why we have to perform a certain procedure or make a report. It is also helpful to know why we can not skip a step that is required for federal funding. (Example: CFR23 635 Buy America) It should be noted that all projects that are recipients of federal dollars shall comply with these federal regulations. Local agency projects with oversight requirements will need to meet federal regulation for federal eligibility.
MATERIALS
This section is used to describe the materials required to perform the work.
Description of Materials Used
This section is used to describe the materials used to perform the work. The items shall be specifically identified in this section including physical attributes and characteristics. Tolerable thresholds should be addressed, and the consequences of material that is out of specification. Rejection, replacement, remediation or cost discounts should be addressed as applicable to the work.
Pictures of Materials
Where possible always try to include relevant pictures of the materials used.
EQUIPMENT
This section should discuss the machinery, tools and techniques that are necessary to accomplish work and or installation of material that are pertinent to the section.
Description of Equipment Used
This portion of the section should discuss any equipment that would be used to accomplish the work. This may include delivery equipment for materials, operated equipment used to transform raw materials into finished work products and any specific tools that would be necessary for completing the work.
Equipment Specifications
If the specifications require specific equipment to be used, this section should detail the equipment variations and how inspectors can check to insure the correct equipment is used.
Pictures of Equipment
Whenever possible this section should also include relevant pictures of the equipment used.
PRECONSTRUCTION
This section should be used to describe any pre-construction activities related to this work. Examples might include required shop drawings, submittals, work plans or plant inspections.
Submittals and Shop Drawings
Note any possible contractor supplied submittals or shop drawings in this section. There may be instances when the contractor will provide construction specific plans for installation during the construction phase of the project. Some examples of such would include pre-constructed bridge beams., cofferdams, sidewalk placement, false work associated with bridge construction, and other items of highway work.
Permits
Note any relevant required permits in this section and who is responsible for obtaining them. Using the same example of the cofferdams, the work will also require permits that must be acquired by the contractor prior to starting work
Qualified Products List (QPL)
The Qualified Production List QPL is not just a list of manufacturers but is also a list of materials. The listing includes certain products that that have been laboratory tested. It also includes items that require field testing. The testing may involve MDOT staff or a third- party testing laboratory. The product on the QPL needs to meet specification requirements and performance criteria. Each QPL will have its own evaluation procedure and its requirements for remaining on the list. The QPL information can be found in MDOT’s Material Quality Assurance Procedures Manual.
Plant Inspections
Any work items or materials that require plant inspections should be noted here. The responsibility of each party involved should be clearly outlined and inspection timelines/schedules might also be relevant.
Contractor Submitted Plans/Procedures
Any items that require the contractor to submit a plan or procedure (IE HMA production plan, Safety Plan, Critical Path schedule, Automated Machine Guidance (AMG) workplan, Traffic Plan, etc) should be discussed in this sub section.
This section should discuss the machinery, tools and techniques that are necessary to accomplish work and or installation of material that are pertinent to the section.
Description of equipment used
Water service material is per Section 923 of the Standard Specifications for Construction. Water services are a smaller diameter water line, usually made of copper, that feeds off the main water main line to a house or businesses.
Gate Wells
Gate wells material is per Section 909 of the Standard Specifications for Construction. Gate wells are typically precast concrete structures that provide access to gate valves. Refer to special details associated with the water main work as maintaining agencies have different requirements for gate wells.
Gate Valves
Gate valves material is per Section 923 of the Standard Specifications for Construction. Gate Valves are installed along water main runs and are intended to provide isolation points to full open or fully close a run of water main. Gates valves are operated by turning the stem to open or close the valve as you would with a household spigot. Refer to special details associated with the water main work as maintaining agencies have different requirements for gate valves.