The CSI MasterFormat Gives Every Material and System a Unique Address in the Project Manual
Before the CSI MasterFormat, specifications were organized differently by every office - one firm's foundation concrete might be in Section 2 while another's was in Section 12. When contractors bid on projects from multiple architects, they had to learn each firm's idiosyncratic organizational system. The Construction Specifications Institute developed MasterFormat to standardize specification organization across the industry so that everyone - architects, engineers, contractors, and subcontractors - knows exactly where to look for any given type of information. MasterFormat uses a hierarchical numbering system (Divisions, Sections, Sub-sections) that provides a unique "address" for any construction element. The current edition, MasterFormat 2016, has 50 divisions organized in groups. Understanding MasterFormat structure is directly tested on the ARE PDD exam as a construction documents organization skill.
MasterFormat Division Groups
MasterFormat 2016 is organized into four procurement and contracting requirements documents (not numbered divisions) and 50 divisions in five groups: Procurement and Contracting Requirements (Group 0): Bidding requirements, contract forms, conditions of the contract - these are the legal and procedural documents, not technical specifications. General Requirements (Division 01): Summary of work, project schedule, quality requirements, temporary facilities, closeout procedures - the project-wide administrative requirements. Facility Construction Subgroup (Divisions 02-19): The traditional "technical specifications" covering demolition, concrete, masonry, metals, wood, thermal and moisture protection, openings (doors and windows), finishes, specialties, equipment, furnishings, conveying equipment, and utilities. These are the divisions most architects encounter most frequently. Facility Services Subgroup (Divisions 20-29): HVAC, plumbing, electrical, communications, electronic safety and security - mechanical and electrical specifications. Site and Infrastructure Subgroup (Divisions 30-39): Earthwork, exterior improvements, utilities - civil engineering specifications. Process Equipment Subgroup (Divisions 40-49): Industrial process equipment - manufacturing plant specifications, less common in general architectural practice.
Key Division Numbers
| Division | Scope |
|---|---|
| 03 | Concrete |
| 04 | Masonry |
| 05 | Metals (structural steel, misc. metals) |
| 06 | Wood, Plastics, Composites |
| 07 | Thermal and Moisture Protection (insulation, roofing, waterproofing) |
| 08 | Openings (doors, frames, hardware, windows, glazing) |
| 09 | Finishes (drywall, flooring, ceilings, paints) |
| 10 | Specialties (toilet partitions, signage, fire protection specialties) |
| 14 | Conveying Equipment (elevators, escalators) |
| 26 | Electrical |
| 28 | Electronic Safety and Security (fire alarm) |
Three-Part SectionFormat
Every specification section is organized in three parts per CSI SectionFormat: Part 1 General: Summary, references (standards), definitions, submittals required, quality assurance requirements, delivery and storage, warranty. Part 2 Products: Materials, manufactured units, fabrication requirements, acceptable manufacturers, performance requirements. Part 3 Execution: Examination (substrate), preparation, installation, field quality control, cleaning, protection. This three-part structure is used consistently across all sections and all projects, making it easy for contractors to find specific information regardless of which sections they need.
AREprep's PDD specification content covers MasterFormat division organization, SectionFormat three-part structure, specification types (proprietary, descriptive, performance, reference standard), and how specifications are written, coordinated, and used during bidding and construction - giving ARE PDD candidates the specification knowledge the exam tests in construction document organization and project manual questions.
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