Master Format

A Quick Review of the MasterFormat, SectionFormat, & Master Specifications
Prepared by: Edward Coye, CSI CDT/CCPR, RCDD/NTS/OSP
Introduction
This document is offered to provide a better understanding and overview of the changes that have occurred with the specifications being written by the architects, engineers and other consultants. Particular attention should be given to the section on Master Specifications because this is the key to creating specifications that will endure. Most architects and engineers in the United States use the Construction Specification Institutes (CSI) MasterFormat numbering system to organize construction information into project manuals. These manuals are also referred to as bid books or the project specifications.
MasterFormat 1995
Until 2004, there were 16 divisions included in a specification based on the 1995 Edition of MasterFormat. The 16 divisions were as follows: DIVISION 1 DIVISION 2 DIVISION 3 DIVISION 4 DIVISION 5 DIVISION 6 DIVISION 7 DIVISION 8 DIVISION 9 DIVISION 10 DIVISION 11 DIVISION 12 DIVISION 13 DIVISION 14 DIVISION 15 DIVISION 16 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS SITE CONSTRUCTION CONCRETE MASONRY METALS WOOD AND PLASTICS THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION DOORS AND WINDOWS FINISHES SPECIALTIES EQUIPMENT FURNISHINGS SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION CONVEYING SYSTEMS MECHANICAL ELECTRICAL
Communications cabling was either included as part of Division 16 (Electrical) or added as an extra division, Division 17. However, many other subjects were added as a Division 17 as well, so things got confusing after Division 16.
MasterFormat 2004
The proposal and unofficial adoption of Division 17 as Communications started the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) evaluating the structure of all of the 16 Divisions. In 2004, CSI completely revised the 16 Divisions and created a format with 50 Divisions. (See appendix A for complete listing of the 2004 MasterFormat Divisions).
Implementing the new 2004 MasterFormat is totally voluntary for the architects and engineers. Various end users and government groups have adopted the new format and some are now requiring that bid or work on these projects use the new MasterFormat. Converting to the new MasterFormat is not an easy task for the consultants, as they have projects that are currently being bid or built under the old MasterFormat and will have new projects under design utilizing the new MasterFormat. It really doesnt matter which number system or MasterFormat is used as long as the information that is needed to assist in the bidding process in included and can be found. Under the old MasterFormat, communication work was specified under Division 16 Electrical or the unofficial Division 17 Communications. Under the new 2004 MasterFormat the low voltage requirements have been broken out among Divisions 25 28, which now contain the low voltage requirements for data. These four Divisions are as follows. DIVISION 25 DIVISION 26 DIVISION 27 DIVISION 28 INTEGRATED AUTOMATION ELECTRICAL COMMUNICATIONS ELECTRONIC SAFETY AND SECURITY
Division 25, Integrated Automation, expanded upon and relocated the integrated automation subjects from Division 13 in the MasterFormat 1995 Edition. Division 26, Electrical, covers the electrical and lighting subjects relocated from Division 16 in the MasterFormat 1995 Edition. Division 27, Communications, expanded the communications subjects relocated from Division 16 in the MasterFormat 1995 Edition. Division 28, Electronic Safety and Security, expanded upon the electronic safety and security subjects relocated from Division 13 in the MasterFormat 1995 Edition.
Division 27 - COMMUNICATIONS
The sections in Division 27, Communications, are listed below.
27 15 00 Communications Horizontal Cabling 27 15 00.16 27 15 00.19 27 15 00.23 27 15 00.39 27 15 00.43 27 15 00.46 27 15 00.49 27 15 00.53 27 15 13 27 15 23 27 15 33 27 15 43 27 16 00 27 16 13 27 16 16 27 16 19 Voice Communications Horizontal Cabling Data Communications Horizontal Cabling Audio-Video Communications Horizontal Cabling Patient Monitoring and Telemetry Communications Horizontal Cabling Nurse Call and Intercom Communications Horizontal Cabling Paging Communications Horizontal Cabling Intermediate Frequency/Radio Frequency Communications Horizontal Cabling Antennas Communications Horizontal Cabling Communications Copper Horizontal Cabling Communications Optical Fiber Horizontal Cabling Communications Coaxial Horizontal Cabling Communications Faceplates and Connectors Communications Connecting Cords, Devices and Adapters Communications Custom Cable Assemblies Communications Media Converters, Adapters, and Transceivers Communications Patch Cords, Station Cords, and Cross Connect Wire
SectionFormat
No matter which version of MasterFormat is used, the information contained within the Divisions is written in a style called SectionFormat. SectionFormat consists of three parts: PART 1 PART 2 PART 3 GENERAL PRODUCTS EXECUTION
The content of each section is defined as follows. Part 1, General, describes administrative, procedural, and temporary requirements unique to the section. Part 2, Products, describes materials, products, equipment, fabrications, mixes, systems and assemblies that are required for incorporation into the project (materials and products are included with the quality level required). Part 3, Execution, describes installations or applications, including preparatory actions and post-installation cleaning and protection. The specification sections that are provided should be written in SectionFormat so that it will match the other sections that have been written. Changing the number at the top of a section to match the 1995 or 2004 MasterFormat is very simple task.
Master Specifications
In theory, when a consultant starts a new project, they will start with a new copy of their Master Specification and modify it to meet the requirements of the current project. In practice, a consultant may start with a specification that they have modified for a project and modify it again for the next project.
Conclusion
The MasterFormat is merely an index to organize information for projects in a consistent manner. Because of the advantages of this consistency and because of its increased scope, the MasterFormat 2004 Edition is becoming a widely-used format.
References:
MasterFormat 2004 Edition Numbers & Titles, published by the Construction Specifications Institute MasterFormat 1995 Edition Numbers & Titles, published by the Construction Specifications Institute Construction Specifications Institute Manual of Practice
Appendix A: MasterFormat 2004 Divisions

Division 0 Division 01 General Requirements 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 Division 16 Reserved Division 17 Reserved Division 18 Reserved Division 19 Reserved Division 20 Reserved Division 21 Fire Suppression Division 22 Plumbing Division 23 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning Division 24 Reserved Division 25 Integrated Automation Division 26 Electrical Division 27 Communications Division 28 Electronic Safety and Division 29 Reserved Division 30 Reserved Division 31 Earthwork Division 32 Exterior Improvements Division 33 Utilities Division 34 Transportation Division 35 Waterway and Marine Construction Division 36 Reserved Division 37 Reserved Division 38 Reserved Division 39 Reserved Division 40 Process Integration Division 41 Material Processing and Handling Equipment Division 42 Process Heating, Cooling, and Drying Equipment Division 43 Process Gas & Liquid Handling, Purification, & Storage Equipment Division 44 Pollution Control Equipment Division 45 Industry-Specific Manufacturing Equipment Division 46 Reserved Division 47 Reserved Division 48 Electrical Power Generation Division 49 Reserved

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A Quick Review of the MasterFormat, SectionFormat, & Master Specifications

Prepared by: Edward Coye, CSI CDT/CCPR, RCDD/NTS/OSP

Appendix A: MasterFormat 2004 Divisions

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