MasterFormat

The Construction Specifications Institute’s MasterFormat™ has been the industry standard for over 40 years. The MasterFormat 2004 Edition, expands the well-known "16 Divisions" of MasterFormat 1995 to 50 Divisions of construction information.  For more information on MasterFormat '04 go to www.masterformat.com.


The Difference Between MASTERSPEC and MasterFormat

The subtitle of MasterFormat is "Master List of Numbers and Titles for the Construction Industry." MasterFormat is a publication of the Construction Specifications Institute and Construction Specifications Canada. It has thousands of numbers and titles for use by architects and engineers, but it has no specifications content and is NOT a specification service. It contains only a list a numbers and titles, without specification content that is intended for construction professionals to assign to specification sections they write.

MASTERSPEC is a library of master specifications (actual specifcations content). ARCOM uses MasterFormat to assign numbers and titles to the MASTERSPEC specification sections it writes.

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MASTERSPEC Available in two Versions of MasterFormat

ARCOM began providing MASTERSPEC in two versions: MasterFormat 1995 and the new  MasterFormat 2004 since the spring of 2005.

"MASTERSPEC Licensed Users are looking for the easiest way possible to convert to MasterFormat 2004. In response, and for a limited time, ARCOM will provide two complete sets of MASTERSPEC - one using MasterFormat 1995 and one using MasterFormat 2004. Users will be able to decide which classification system they will use in preparing Project Manuals, depending on office practice and the Project's requirements."

Christopher Bushnell, AIA, FCSI, CSI
President
ARCOM


ARCOM also updated its MASTERWORKS software to recognize which MasterFormat classification system is being used in MASTERSPEC, thereby ensuring that its specification editing tools, table of contents, and reports will operate appropriately.

ARCOM's implementation plan to adopt MasterFormat 2004 in MASTERSPEC, along with ARCOM's SPECWARE® software, will make it easier for MASTERSPEC Licensed Users to handle the significant changes MasterFormat 2004 will bring to their professional practices.

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MASTERSPEC Implementation Plan for MF04

  • MASTERSPEC Full Length, Short Form, Outline, and Small Project
  • All Sections are available in both versions
  • MF95 version will be provided for a limited time
  • Almost all Section numbers will be 6 digits
    • A few Section numbers will be 8 digits because of the level of detail in MF04
  • 90% of exisiting MASTERSPEC Sections have a one-to-one relationship between MF04 and MF95, for example:
    • Cast-In-Place Concrete is the same Section in both classification systems
  • Some Sections were split into multiple Sections, for example:
    • Section 15110 "Valves" became:
      • Section 220503 "General-Duty Valves for Plumbing Piping"
      • Section 230523 "General-Duty Valves for HVAC Piping"
  • Some Sections were combined into one Section, for example:
    • Section 08111 "Standard Steel Doors and Frames" and Section 08114 "Custom Steel Doors and Frames" became:
      • Section 081113 "Hollow Metal Doors and Frame
  • Some Sections were expanded into multiple Sections to recognize the expanded content of MF04, for example:
    • Section 16715 "Voice and Data Communication Cabling" became:
      • Section 271100 "Communications Equipment Room Fittings"
      • Section 271300 "Communications Backbone Cabling"
      • Section 271500 "Communications Horizontal Cabling"
      • Section 280513 "Conductors and Cables for Electronic Safety and Security

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MasterFormat 04 Divisions and Titles
(Note: Not all these Divisions are used in MASTERSPEC)

PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS GROUP
Div 00 Procurement and Contracting Requirements
SPECIFICATIONS GROUP
General Requirements Subgroup
Div 01 General Requirements
Facility Construction Subgroup
Div 02 Existing Conditions
Div 03 Concrete
Div 04 Masonry
Div 05 Metals
Div 06 Wood, Plastics, and Composites
Div 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection
Div 08 Openings
Div 09 Finishes
Div 10 Specialties
Div 11 Equipment
Div 12 Furnishings
Div 13 Special Construction
Div 14 Conveying Equipment
Div 15 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 16 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 17 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 18 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 19 Reserved for Future Expansion
Facility Services Subgroup
Div 20 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 21 Fire Suppression
Div 22 Plumbing
Div 23 Heating Ventilating & Air Conditioning
Div 24 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 25 Integrated Automation
Div 26 Electrical
Div 27 Communications
Div 28 Electronic Safety and Security
Div 29 Reserved for Future Expansion
Site and Infrastructure Subgroup
Div 30 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 31 Earthwork
Div 32 Exterior Improvements
Div 33 Utilities
Div 34 Transportation
Div 35 Waterway and Marine
Div 36 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 37 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 38 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 39 Reserved for Future Expansion
Process Equipment Subgroup
Div 40 Process Integration
Div 41 Material Processing and Handling Equipment
Div 42 Process Heating, Cooling, and Drying Equipment
Div 43 Process Gas and Liquid Handling, Purification and Storage Equipment
Div 44 Pollution Control Equipment
Div 45 Industry-Specific Manufacturing Equipment
Div 46 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 47 Reserved for Future Expansion
Div 48 Electrical Power Generation
Div 49 Reserved for Future Expansion

 

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