Trademark & Copyright

Masterformat is a registered trademark of the Construction Specialties Institute (CSI). Visit the CSI website for more information. MasterFormat is covered by copyright.

CSI Masterformat

The CSI MasterFormat is developed and published by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). It is widely used in the United States to organize specifications across all construction industries. 

Benefits

• Established and well known so learning curve is decreased
• Helps avoid any potential gaps or overlaps in specifications
• Many manufacturers provide specs for products in MasterFormat
  • To see an example of a manufacturer spec, click here for Overhead Doors

Standard Spec Layout

The format has each specification divided into Divisions, Sections, and Parts. Each division is given a 6 digit number and then sections and parts are within each division.

## ## ## – SECTION LABEL

• ## ## ## – Divisions (see chart below)
  • ## ## ## – Sections – Describes the basic unit of work. The Section is the actual ‘spec’ and is divided up into 3 main parts.
    • Part 1 – General – The coverage or scope of a section, administrative, procedural requirements unique to the section
      • Example: Summary, References, Definitions, Submittals, Quality Assurance, Delivery, storage, handling, Project and Site conditions, Sequencing and Scheduling, Warranty, Maintenance
    • Part 2 – Materials – Materials, Products, and equipment
      • In detail, the quality of items required for incorporation into the project.
      • Example: Manufacturers, Materials, Manufactured Units, Equipment, Components, Accessories, Mixes, Fabrication, Sources of Quality Control
    • Part 3 – Execution – Details the manner which products, materials, and equipment will be installed. (also testing)
      • Example: Examination, Preparation, Erection Installation, Field Quality Control, Adjusting, Cleaning, Demonstration, Protection, Schedules
  • ## ## ## – The last 2 numbers are identifiers that allow the sections to be consistent across similar types of construction, while still being unique sections. The identifiers are not in sequential order in order to allow insertion and movement in the sections.

Example Specification Sections

• 05 – METALS
  • 05 31 00 – METAL DECKING
    • 05 31 13 – STEEL FLOOR DECKING
    • 05 31 23 – STEEL ROOF DECKING
    • 05 31 33 – STEEL FORM DECKING 

AIA Note

The AIA specifically states that dividing the work among the specifications shall not control the work among SubContractors, or establish to the extent of work performed by any trade.

General Contractors are generally more familiar with labor markets and unions and can make better judgements and have full authority to divide the work as they see fit for each part of the project (means and methods).

CSI Updates

CSI routinely comes out with updates introducing new divisions as construction changes. For example, in some recent updates, recycling divisions were updated based on the expanded interest in this.

MasterFormat 1995 edition used 5 numbers, with the most up to date format utilizing a 6 digit division numbering. At this time the main division numberings were expanded and certain divisions such as #15 – Mechanical were split up and moved into the 20s.

Spec Division Chart and Examples

GENERAL PROCUREMENT SUBGROUP
00	PROCUREMENT & CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS SUBGROUP
01	GENERAL REQUIREMENTS	Administrative & Procedural Duties of the Contractor/Architect/Owner I.e.Procedure to submit Shop Drawings “Rules of the Game”
FACILITY CONSTRUCTION SUBGROUP
02	EXISTING CONDITIONS
03	CONCRETE	Precast concrete
04	MASONRY	Glass block will be in this division
05	METALS	Metal decking, Cold formed metal framing
06	WOODS, COMPOSITES, PLASTICS
07	THERMAL & MOISTURE CONTROL	Insulations
08	OPENINGS	Windows, Louvers, Garage Doors (or other large openings)
09	FINISHES	Light Gauge Metals (for interior partitions)
10	SPECIALTIES	Smaller Specialty Items
11	EQUIPMENT	Large Specialty Equipment (Library Checkout Machine)
12	FURNISHINGS	Bicycle Racks
13	SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
14	CONVEYING EQUIPMENT	Escalators and Elevators
FACILITY SERVICES SUBGROUP
21	FIRE SUPPRESSION
22	PLUMBING
23	HEATING, VENTILATING, AND AIR CONDITIONING
25	INTEGRATED AUTOMATION
26	ELECTRICAL
27	COMMUNICATIONS
28	ELECTRONIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
SITE AND INFRASTRUCTURE SUBGROUP
31	EARTHWORK
32	EXTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS
33	UTILITIES
34	TRANSPORTATION
35	WATERWAY AND MARINE CONSTRUCTION
PROCESS EQUIPMENT SUBGROUP
40	PROCESS INTEGRATION
41	MATERIAL PROCESSING AND HANDLING EQUIPMENT
42	PROCESS HEATING, COOLING, AND DRYING EQUIPMENT
43	PROCESS GAS AND LIQUID HANDLING, PURIFICATION AND STORAGE EQUIPMENT
44	POLLUTION CONTROL EQUIPMENT
45	INDUSTRY SPECIFIC MANUFACTURING EQUIPMENT
46	WATER AND WASTEWATER EQUIPMENT
48	ELECTRICAL POWER GENERATION