DEFINITIONS

Specifications are set of requirements for an

itemized or generalized construction work,
materials, methods, or systems.
Normally, a specification is the specific set of
requirements agreed to by the sponsor/user
and the manufacturer/producer of a system.
Specifications may also contain the systems
requirements as well as the testing
requirements and the mapping between them.

TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS
Open Specifications shows the general
requirements without consideration of a specific
type or brand for materials. Open specs may be
subject to reasonable changes and
equivalencies.
Closed Specifications establishes the exact
and specific quantity, types, color, texture, and
other properties. Such can not be changed or
subjected to equivalencies without prior concent
from the specs writter or the architect.

TYPES OF SPECIFICATIONS
Brand Name Specifications specifies the
manufacturers and producers or the brands of
materials and products be used for each
specific work.
Combination Specifications Combines two
or more techniques.

DIVISIONS OF SPECIFICATIONS
(OLD MODEL)
From 1995 to November 2004, the Specifications Master Format was
comprised of 16 primary divisions, as follows:

Division 01 General Requirements

Division 02 Site Construction
Division 03 Concrete
Division 04 Masonry
Division 05 Metals
Division 06 Wood and Plastics
Division 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection
Division 08 Doors and Windows
Division 09 Finishes
Division 10 Specialties

DIVISIONS OF SPECIFICATIONS
(OLD MODEL)
Division 11 Equipment
Division 12 Furnishings
Division 13 Special Construction
Division 14 Conveying Systems
Division 15 Mechanical
Division 16 Electrical

DIVISIONS OF SPECIFICATIONS
(NEW MODEL)

PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS GROUP:

Division 00 Procurement and Contracting Requirements
SPECIFICATIONS GROUP
General Requirements Subgroup
Division 01 General Requirements

DIVISIONS OF SPECIFICATIONS
(NEW MODEL)

Facility Construction Subgroup

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 FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 16 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 17 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 18 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 19 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

DIVISIONS OF SPECIFICATIONS
(NEW MODEL)
Facility Services Subgroup:
Division 20 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 21 Fire Suppression
Division 22 Plumbing
Division 23 Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning
Division 24 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 25 Integrated Automation
Division 26 Electrical
Division 27 Communications
Division 28 Electronic Safety and Security
Division 29 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

DIVISIONS OF SPECIFICATIONS
(NEW MODEL)
Site and Infrastructure Subgroup:
Division 30 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 31 Earthwork
Division 32 Exterior Improvements
Division 33 Utilities
Division 34 Transportation
Division 35 Waterway and Marine
Division 36 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 37 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 38 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 39 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

DIVISIONS OF SPECIFICATIONS
(NEW MODEL)
Process Equipment Subgroup:
Division 40 Process Integration
Division 41 Material Processing and Handling Equipment
Division 42 Process Heating, Cooling, and Drying Equipment
Division 43 Process Gas and Liquid Handling, Purification and Storage Equipment
Division 44 Pollution Control Equipment
Division 45 Industry-Specific Manufacturing Equipment
Division 46 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 47 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 48 Electrical Power Generation
Division 49 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
Division 50 RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

Construction Specifications Institute

an organization that maintains and advances the standardization of construction
language as pertains to building specifications. CSI provides structured
guidelines for specification writing in their Project Resource Manual, formerly
called the Manual of Practice (MOP).

Building Information Modeling

The Building Information Model (BIM) is a new tool used by the architecture,
engineering and construction (AEC) industry. It utilizes digital representation of
the building process to facilitate exchange and interoperability of information in
digital format.

Master Format
The most widely used standard for organising specifications and other written
information for commercial and institutional building projects. It provides a
master list of divisions, and section numbers and titles within each division, to be
followed in organizing information about a facilitys construction requirements and
associated activities. Master Format expanded from 16 Divisions to 50
Divisions, reflecting innovations in the construction industry.