"Steven P. McNicoll" wrote:

I don't know how it came about, or when (though I suspect it dates from
early in the history of that tower). I doubt it's specified in writing
anywhere, but that doesn't stop it from being, in fact, specified.

Of course it does.

From the OED: "specify - 1. speak or treat of a matter etc. in detail; give
details or particulars."

It does not have to be written down to be specified or to be specific.

George Patterson
The desire for safety stands against every great and noble enterprise.