MasterFormat

MasterFormat is a standard for organizing specifications and other written information for commercial and institutional building projects in the U.S. and Canada ^[1]. Sometimes referred to as the "Dewey Decimal System" of building construction, MasterFormat is a product of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada. In November 2004 MasterFormat expanded from 16 Divisions to 50 Divisions, reflecting innovations in the construction industry. It provides a master list of divisions, and section numbers and titles within each division, to follow in organizing information about a facility’s construction requirements and associated activities ^[2].

CSI standard formatting is used throughout the construction industry to format construction specifications in building contracts. The purpose of this format is to assist the user in locating specific types of information. Information contained in CSI’s MasterFormat is organized in a standardized outline form within 16 (pre-2004) or 50 (post 2004) divisions. Each division contains a number of sections. Each section is divided into three parts—"general," "products," and "execution." Each part is organized by a standardized system of articles and paragraphs.^[3].

Advantages

Standardizing the presentation of such information improves communication among all parties involved in construction projects. That helps the project team deliver structures to owners according to their requirements, timelines, and budgets. An indication of the widespread acceptance of MasterFormat is that the ASTM standard for sustainability assessment of building products relies on MasterFormat to organize the data^[4]. The CSI Masterformat is an integral component of the SpecsIntact system. SpecsIntact (Specifications Kept Intact), is an automated specifications processing system for preparing certain government facility construction projects using standard master specifications, called Master Text or Masters, supplied by each of three government agencies. SpecsIntact was developed by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and designed for use by engineers, architects, interior designers, specification writers, project managers and construction managers. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) and the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has also adopted SpecsIntact as their standard specifications system, greatly facilitating the effort to standardize construction specifications throughout these agencies.^[5] These services utilize MasterFormat from UFGS (United Facilities Guide Specification) sections found on the Whole Building Design Guide website.

Current MasterFormat divisions

The current MasterFormat Divisions are:

PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS GROUP:

• Division 00 — Procurement and Contracting Requirements

SPECIFICATIONS GROUP

General Requirements Subgroup

• Division 01 — General Requirements

Facility Construction Subgroup

• Division 02 — Existing Conditions
• Division 03 — Concrete
• Division 04 — Masonry
• Division 05 — Metals
• Division 06 — Wood, Plastics, and Composites
• Division 07 — Thermal and Moisture Protection
• Division 08 — Openings
• Division 09 — Finishes
• Division 10 — Specialties
• Division 11 — Equipment
• Division 12 — Furnishings
• Division 13 — Special Construction
• Division 14 — Conveying Equipment
• Division 15 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 16 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 17 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 18 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 19 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

Facility Services Subgroup:

• Division 20 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 21 — Fire Suppression
• Division 22 — Plumbing
• Division 23 — Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning
• Division 24 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 25 — Integrated Automation
• Division 26 — Electrical
• Division 27 — Communications
• Division 28 — Electronic Safety and Security
• Division 29 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

Site and Infrastructure Subgroup:

• Division 30 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 31 — Earthwork
• Division 32 — Exterior Improvements
• Division 33 — Utilities
• Division 34 — Transportation
• Division 35 — Waterway and Marine
• Division 36 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 37 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 38 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 39 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

Process Equipment Subgroup:

• Division 40 — Process Integration
• Division 41 — Material Processing and Handling Equipment
• Division 42 — Process Heating, Cooling, and Drying Equipment
• Division 43 — Process Gas and Liquid Handling, Purification and Storage Equipment
• Division 44 — Pollution Control Equipment
• Division 45 — Industry-Specific Manufacturing Equipment
• Division 46 — Water and Wastewater Equipment
• Division 47 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 48 — Electrical Power Generation
• Division 49 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

Pre-2004 MasterFormat divisions

MASTERFORMAT 1995 EDITION

Before November 2004, MasterFormat was composed of 16 primary divisions:

• Division 01 — General Requirements
• Division 02 — Site Construction
• Division 03 — Concrete
• Division 04 — Masonry
• Division 05 — Metals
• Division 06 — Wood and Plastics
• Division 07 — Thermal and Moisture Protection
• Division 08 — Doors and Windows
• Division 09 — Finishes
• Division 10 — Specialties
• Division 11 — Equipment
• Division 12 — Furnishings
• Division 13 — Special Construction
• Division 14 — Conveying Systems
• Division 15 — Mechanical
• Division 16 — Electrical

References

1. ^ Mowrer, F. "Development of the fire Data Management System" Department of Fire Protection and Engineering, NIST-GCR-94-693, August 1993. [1]
2. ^ Charette, R. and Marshall, A."Uniformat II Elemental classification for Building Specifications, Cost Estimating, and Cost Analysis," NIST BFRL Office of applied Economics, NISTIR6389, October 1999. [2]
3. ^ Ross Spiegel and Dru Meadows, Green Building Materials: A Guide to Product Selection and Specification, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, 1999.
4. ^ ASTM Standard E2129-05, 2005, "Standard Practice for Data Collection for Sustainability Assessment of Building Products", ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2005, DOI: 10.1520/E2129-05, [www.astm.org]. [3]
5. ^ Morales, M. "SpecsIntact" National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), Kennedy Space Center, FL 32899, website last accessed May 4, 2009. [4]

External links

• MasterFormat.com
• CSI's Latest information on MasterFormat