Interpreting Specifications 249
16 to 50, of which 13 divisions were left blank to provide room for future revisions as construction prod-
ucts and technology evolve (Figure 10.3). The consensus at CSI is that adding divisions is better than
trying to fit everything into the previous format of 16 divisions.
This move to modify and enhance the MasterFormat is driven in part by changes in the construction
marketplace. Construction technology has advanced rapidly since 1995. For example, there have been
major developments in the scope and complexity of computer and communications systems for build-
ings and security systems.
The Construction Specification Institute describes “MasterFormat” as a master list of numbers and
titles for organizing information about construction requirements, products, and activities into a standard
sequence. Construction projects use many different delivery methods, products, and installation tech-
niques. Successful completion of projects requires effective communication among the people involved
on a project. Information retrieval is nearly impossible without a standard filing system familiar to each
user. MasterFormat facilitates standard filing and retrieval schemes throughout the construction indus-
try. MasterFormat is a uniform system for organizing information in project manuals, for organizing cost
data, for filing product information and other technical data, for identifying drawing objects, and for pre-
senting construction market data.
The MasterFormat standard is the most widely used standard for organizing specifications and
other written information for commercial and institutional building projects in the U.S. and Canada. It
provides a master list of divisions, and section numbers and titles within each division, to follow in or-
ganizing information about a facility’s construction requirements and associated activities. Standardiz-
ing the presentation of such information improves communication among all parties involved in con-
struction projects. Each division is further defined in MasterFormat™ by level two and three numbers
and titles and suggested level four titles. Level two numbers and titles identify clusters of products and
activities with an identifying characteristic in common. An explanation of the titles used in MasterFor-
mat is provided, giving a general description of the coverage for each title. A keyword index of require-
ments, products, and activities is also provided to help users find appropriate numbers and titles for
construction subjects.
The current MasterFormat consists essentially of dividing the specifications into 50 divisions. Mas-
terFormat 2004 Edition divisions are:
Specification Section Format.
Each specification section covers a particular trade or subtrade (e.g., drywall, carpet, ceiling tiles). Fur-
thermore, each section is divided into three basic parts, each of which contains the specifications about
a particular aspect of each trade or subtrade.
Part 1: General.
This part of the specification outlines the general requirements for the section and describes the scope of
work of the project as well as providing the bidder or contractor with the administrative requirements for the
section. In general, it sets the quality control, requirements for delivery and job conditions, notes the related
trades with which this section needs to be coordinated, and specifies the submittals required for review
prior to ordering, fabricating, or installing material for that section. It consists generally of the following:
- Description and scope: This article should include the scope of the work and the interrelation-
ships between work in this section and the other sections. In addition, it should include defini-
tions and options.