How to Deal with ‘Open Spec’ or ‘Similar Approved’

Many contractors aren’t tapping into the opportunity of ‘Open Spec’.

Every decision shapes the success of a project, even something as simple as choosing comparable products can make a significant improvement on installation time and profitability without a compromise on quality.

In construction, products must adhere to strict regulations; architects, engineers and other regulatory bodies take on the responsibility of specifying the materials to be used in a project suggesting items they know adhere to regulations but are not necessarily the best choice for your individual project. When you see ‘open spec’ or ‘similar approved’ contractors have an option to consider alternative products that may offer cost savings, or improved availability through local suppliers that can get products to site quicker. However many contractors shy away from alternative products because they don’t want the hassle of the approval process from the architects or engineers, to ensure they continue to accept responsibility.

When is best to explore ‘Open Spec’

Open spec proves particularly valuable in underground drainage projects, where a lot of the time other manufacturers can be used, as long as the products comply with regulations. Most importantly Contractors can save lots of time, hassle and costs by ensuring specified products are compatible and ideal for the job and take the time to put forward better alternatives to specifiers with a clear rationale rather than leave it and struggle with installations on site.? Because although architects and engineers understand their roles very well, problems often sometimes arise when on site.

Case Study: Duct Access Chambers

For example, we recently encountered an incident where a D400-rated chamber was specified and installed by a previous contractor. This was specified without fully grasping the implications of the product’s ability to accommodate a significant amount of larger ducts and duct entries. While technically correct, this chamber is more compatible with standard duct entry configurations, and there are other compliant products more suited to the job. In this scenario the groundworker cut the duct chamber on site in order to complete the installation but at the same time compromised the integrity of the box. Months or years down the line, if this product were to fail, it would lead to disputes over responsibility between contractor and client.

The Importance of Proactive Solutions

The entire situation could have been avoided if the contractor had consulted with a specialist supplier like Plastech?, that provide advice on alternative products to address the real life problems many groundworkers run into on site. Plastech?'s experts have a comprehensive understanding of potential issues, such as product compatibility with other components that may be overlooked and help contractors to identify potential issues and recommend compliant alternatives with a clear rationale that Specifiers can understand and therefore approve.

Our role at Plastech? extends beyond supplying as we aim to understand your project completely. With years of industry experience, our specialists provide not just products but reliable advice, staying current with regulations to ensure every recommendation is spot on. Additionally, our extensive stock across three depots in the UK guarantees fast deliveries, saving you time and contributing to the overall success of your project.