MasterSpec is a master guide building

Building

In architecture, construction, engineering, real estate development and technology the word building may refer to one of the following:...

 and 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...

 specification system for use by architect

Architect

An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...

s, engineer

Engineer

An engineer is a professional practitioner of engineering, concerned with applying scientific knowledge, mathematics and ingenuity to develop solutions for technical problems. Engineers design materials, structures, machines and systems while considering the limitations imposed by practicality,...

s, landscape architect

Landscape architect

A landscape architect is a person involved in the planning, design and sometimes direction of a landscape, garden, or distinct space. The professional practice is known as landscape architecture....

s and other design professionals. MasterSpec is published by Architectural Computer Services (ARCOM) for the American Institute of Architects

American Institute of Architects

The American Institute of Architects is a professional organization for architects in the United States. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., the AIA offers education, government advocacy, community redevelopment, and public outreach to support the architecture profession and improve its public image...

 (AIA). It was developed in 1969 by the AIA to provide architects a means to create technical specifications without the spending a lot of time researching on products and writing the technical specifications from scratch.

Today, MasterSpec consists of over 600 sections packaged in 13 practice-specific libraries, following the MasterFormat

MasterFormat

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...

 2004 organization standard:

• Architectural/Structual/Civil



• Interiors



• Roofing



• Security and Detention



• Structural/Civil/Landscape



• Site Civil



• Structural



• Mechanical/Electrical



• Mechanical



• Electrical



• Fire Protection



• General Requirements



• Comprehensive

Each MasterSpec section consists of 5 components:

• Cover–Overview of section scope and content
  
• Evaluations—Qualitative overview of products and discussion of recent technologies, including:
  
  
  
  • Testing procedures and applicable codes
  
  
  • Application and implementation suggestions
  
  
  • Environmental considerations, green building, or LEED information
  
  
  • References and standards
  
  
  • Links to the manufacturer and standards organizations
  
  
  
  
• Master guide technical specifications in three-part CSI format along with editor's notes (instructions) and cross-references to Evaluations.


• Drawing Coordination Checklist: -- Checklist of items to coordinate this section with the drawings.


• Specification Coordination Checklist—Checklist of items to coordinate this section with other sections.

The MasterSpec technical specifications are available in three distinct formats or type:

• Full Length —For moderate- to large-scale, complex projects and varied bidding and contracting situations


• Short Form—Abridged versions of the most common specifications.


• Outline—Corresponding outline specifications for use during design development and schematic phases

In addition to the MasterSpec specification content and companion research documents, MasterSpec systems also includes the SpecWare® suite of specification automation

Automation

Automation is the use of control systems and information technologies to reduce the need for human work in the production of goods and services. In the scope of industrialization, automation is a step beyond mechanization...

 tools including:

• Masterworks–“spec-processing” plug-in to MS Word
  Microsoft Word
  Microsoft Word is a word processor designed by Microsoft. It was first released in 1983 under the name Multi-Tool Word for Xenix systems. Subsequent versions were later written for several other platforms including IBM PCs running DOS , the Apple Macintosh , the AT&T Unix PC , Atari ST , SCO UNIX,...
  
   that automates repetitive tasks like header and footer editing, table of contents an reports creation


• Linx–Q&A editor and on-screen editor that does gross editing of MasterSpec


• e-SPECS for Revit –integrates MasterSpec with BIM models

MasterSpec systems also includes the SpecAgent product and manufacturer resource.