Every Specification Section Follows the Same Three-Part Structure
If MasterFormat organizes specifications at the project level (which division covers which work), SectionFormat organizes specifications at the individual section level (what is in each section and in what order). CSI SectionFormat defines a three-part structure that every specification section follows, regardless of the material or work type. This consistent structure makes specifications easier to write, easier to read, and easier to verify against each other. The ARE PDD tests this format because writing and reading specifications is a core construction documents skill.
Part 1: General
Part 1 sets the administrative and procedural context for the section. It tells the contractor how this work is governed and what they must do before, during, and around the work described in Parts 2 and 3. Common Part 1 articles include:
- Summary: Brief description of the work covered and related work in other sections.
- References: Industry standards, codes, and testing standards applicable to this work (ASTM, ANSI, NFPA, ACI, etc.).
- Submittals: What shop drawings, product data, and samples the contractor must submit and receive approval for before proceeding with the work.
- Quality Assurance: Installer qualifications, manufacturer experience requirements, and testing requirements.
- Project Conditions: Environmental limitations (temperature, humidity) during installation.
- Warranty: Duration and coverage of the required warranty for this work.
- Maintenance: Requirements for spare parts, maintenance materials (attic stock), and operation and maintenance documentation.
Part 2: Products
Part 2 describes what materials, products, and equipment are required for this section of work. It specifies exactly what the contractor must furnish. Common Part 2 content:
- Manufacturers: Acceptable manufacturers (proprietary, basis-of-design with approved equals, or generic).
- Materials: Physical properties, chemical composition, grades, types, and sizes of materials.
- Fabrication: How components are to be manufactured or pre-assembled.
- Source Quality Control: Factory testing requirements and certificates of compliance.
- Mixes: For field-mixed materials (concrete, mortar, grout) - mix design requirements.
Part 3: Execution
Part 3 describes how the work is to be performed - the installation requirements, quality standards, and field testing that govern how the contractor does the work. Common Part 3 content:
- Examination: Conditions the contractor must verify before beginning work (substrate conditions, tolerances).
- Preparation: Surface preparation, priming, and preliminary work required before installation.
- Installation: Step-by-step installation methods, fastening requirements, tolerances, and field conditions.
- Field Quality Control: Field testing (moisture testing before flooring, air and water testing of window assemblies), inspection requirements, and acceptance criteria.
- Cleaning: Requirements for cleaning installed work after installation.
- Protection: Requirements for protecting installed work from damage by subsequent trades.
Key Exam Points
- Part 1 General: administrative requirements, submittals, quality assurance, warranty.
- Part 2 Products: materials, products, and equipment to be furnished.
- Part 3 Execution: installation methods, examination, preparation, field testing, protection.
- All specification sections follow this three-part format regardless of work type.
- Submittals are listed in Part 1; product requirements are in Part 2; how they are installed is in Part 3.
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