MasterFormat
Encyclopedia
MasterFormat is a standard for organizing specifications and other written information for commercial and institutional building
projects in the U.S. and Canada
. 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 .
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..
) 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. These services utilize MasterFormat from UFGS (United Facilities Guide Specification) sections found on the Whole Building Design Guide website.
PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS GROUP:
SPECIFICATIONS GROUP
General Requirements Subgroup
Facility Construction Subgroup
Facility Services Subgroup:
Site and Infrastructure Subgroup:
Process Equipment Subgroup:
Before November 2004, MasterFormat was composed of 16 primary divisions:
Building
In architecture, construction, engineering, real estate development and technology the word building may refer to one of the following:...
projects in the U.S. and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. Sometimes referred to as the "Dewey Decimal System" of building construction, MasterFormat is a product of the Construction Specifications Institute
Construction Specifications Institute
The Construction Specifications Institute is an organization that maintains and advances the standardization of construction language as pertains to building specifications...
(CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada. In November 2004 MasterFormat expanded from 16 Divisions
16 Divisions
16 Divisions refers to the 16 divisions of construction, as defined by the Construction Specifications Institute 's MasterFormat. In 2004, MasterFormat was updated and expanded to 50 Divisions. The standard is the most widely used standard for organizing specifications and other written information...
to 50 Divisions
50 Divisions
50 Divisions refers to the 50 divisions of construction information, as defined by the Construction Specifications Institute 's MasterFormat. Before 2004, MasterFormat consisted of 16 Divisions. The standard is the most widely used standard for organizing specifications and other written...
, 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
Construction
In the fields of architecture and civil engineering, construction is a process that consists of the building or assembling of infrastructure. Far from being a single activity, large scale construction is a feat of human multitasking...
requirements and associated activities .
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..
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. 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 (NASANASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
) and designed for use by engineers, architects, interior designers, specification writers, project managers and construction managers. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC
NAVFAC
The Naval Facilities Engineering Command is the United States Navy's engineering command, committed to the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps combat readiness. NAVFAC is headquartered at the Washington Navy Yard and under the command of the Chief of Civil Engineers, currently RADM...
) 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. 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 EDITIONBefore 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