The most popular standard for arranging specifications and other written material for

commercial and institutional building projects in the United States and Canada is the 16 Divisions
of Construction, as established by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat.
A facility's construction requirements and related activities can be organized using a master list of
divisions, section numbers, and titles within each division, which is provided by MasterFormat,
which was expanded to 50 divisions in 2004. Standardizing the presentation of this information
facilitates communication between all parties involved in construction projects.

MASTERFORMAT 1995 EDITION

Before November 2004, Master Format was composed of 16 primary divisions: there are now 50
divisions

16 DIVISIONS is referred to the 16 divisions of construction, as defined by the Construction

Specifications Institute (CSI)'s Master Format.

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
Division 11 — Equipment
Division 12 — Furnishings
Division 13 — Special Construction
Division 14 — Conveying Systems
Division 15 — Mechanical
Division 16 — Electrical

DIVISION 1—GENERAL REQUIREMENTS

This division includes general administrative and technical provisions that may not be
listed elsewhere and which may apply to more than one division. General requirements include
contractual/ legal requirements, a summary of work to be done, an explanation of work to be
performed later, a description of meetings to be held (construction coordination meetings,
scheduling meetings, and progress meetings, for instance), quality control, and submittal.
“Submittal” refers to catalog descriptions or “shop drawings” of equipment, which are submitted
by the contractor for approval by the architect and/or engineer. Division 1 also includes a
 description of temporary facilities, preparation of the job site for construction, and details how the
job is to be closed out when construction is completed.
Listed in the General Requirements are such details as how many sets of construction
plans are to be furnished to the construction contractor for the project. Professional organizations
for architects and engineers have drawn up and published a standard section entitled “General
Conditions” for use in the General Requirements division. These documents cover major topics
similar to those listed above. Special items that pertain to a particular job are included in the
Supplemental General Conditions
that are written by the architect or engineer. Special laws or building code requirements are listed
in the Supplemental General Conditions.

DIVISION 2 – SITE CONSTRUCTION

Describes work to be done on the site, including soil testing, core drilling, standard
penetration tests, and seismic exploration. All of these tests must be conducted, and the
requirements are expressed in this division.

 The demolition of existing structures, materials, and debris is included in Division 2.

 The capping and removal of existing services is usually mentioned in this division even if the
work is also included under the trade division.
o For example, the capping of an existing sewer line is mentioned in Division 2 and then is
described in detail in Division 16 (plumbing). In addition, the site work division describes the
various steps in the clearing of the site.
o Clearing of the site includes structure moving, clearing and grubbing of shrubs, tree removal,
pruning, and tree relocation. Also described are grading and earthwork, grading and drainage,
paving and surfacing, and landscaping. Site improvements such as fences, gates, guardrails,
lighting, and irrigation systems (site watering systems) are also included in this division.

DIVISION 3—CONCRETE

All concrete work is described in this division. The major subdivisions included under Division 3
are:
o concrete form work,
o expansion and contraction joints,
o cast-in-place concrete,
o specially placed concrete,
o and recast concrete.
DIVISION 4—MASONRY

Division 4 of the specifications deals with brick, stone, fire brick, glass brick, clay
backing tile, and ceramic veneer. Related topics such as joint reinforcement, mortar, anchors
and tie systems, masonry joints, control joints, and masonry accessories are also included.

DIVISION 5—METALS

The metals used in the building are specified under Division 5. If the building has a steel
structure, the steel members are specified in this section. Metal roof decking, metal floor decking,
and permanent metal forms are described in this section. Metal fabrications such as stairs,
handrails, railings, gratings, castings, and lintels are included in this division. In some cases,
ornamental metals are used for these fabrications and are described in detail in this section.

DIVISION 6—WOOD AND PLASTICS

Materials such as rough carpentry (framing), heavy timber construction, prefabricated

structural wood, finished carpentry, and architectural woodwork (cabinets and built-in woodwork)
are described in this division.
Plastics are used in many ways in modern construction. This section of the specifications is
devoted to such items as joists, studs, columns, beams, hangers, connecting devices, and other
miscellaneous plastic items not specifically identified under other headings.

DIVISION 7—THERMAL AND MOISTURE PROTECTION

Division 7 contains written descriptions of roofing materials, waterproofing materials,

flashing and sheet metal trim, insulation, roof accessories, and sealants.

DIVISION 8—DOORS AND WINDOWS

Metal doors and frames, wood and plastic doors, entrances and storefronts, metal windows,
special windows, wood and plastic windows, hardware and specialties, and glazing are the main
areas of concern in Division 8.

DIVISION 9—FINISHES

Lath and plaster, gypsum wallboard, terrazzo, acoustical treatment, ceiling suspension
systems, wood flooring finishes, carpeting, special flooring, floor treatment, painting, special
coatings, and wall covering are found in this division of the specifications.

DIVISION 10—SPECIALTIES
 Division 10 of the specifications is a catch-all section. If items required for the construction
do not fall under the other divisions of the specifications, they are usually found in Division 10.
Typical items in this division are chalkboards and tackboards, louvers and vents, grilles and
screens, pest control, fireplaces, flagpoles, lockers, storage shelving, directional signage, and sun
control devices.

DIVISION 11—EQUIPMENT

Division 11 lists equipment which is normally furnished and installed by the general
contractor as a part of the construction of the building. Equipment described in this division
includes maintenance equipment, bank and vault equipment, food service equipment, vending
equipment, athletic equipment, laundry equipment, library equipment, medical equipment, waste
handling equipment, and loading dock equipment.

DIVISION 12—FURNISHINGS

Major headings in this division are artwork, window treatment, fabrics, furniture, rugs and
m ats, and furnishing accessories.

DIVISION 13—SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION

The description and necessary information for constructing special areas are given in this
division. Special construction areas include clean rooms, operating rooms in hospitals,
incinerators, instrumentation rooms, nuclear reactors, radiation treatment rooms, sound and
vibration rooms, vaults, and swimming pool spaces.

DIVISION 14—CONVEYING SYSTEMS

Dumbwaiters, elevators, hoists and cranes, lifts, material handling systems, moving stairs
and walks, and pneumatic tube systems are typical items described in Division 14.

DIVISION 15—MECHANICAL

Division 15 covers information on air conditioning, ventilating and heating in a building.

The mechanical division of the specifications generally has major sections consisting of general
provisions (general description of the work, procedures, etc.) basic materials and methods,
equipment, air distribution, piping, insulation,
controls, and instrumentation.

Note: Plumbing specifications are also included in the standard mechanical specification division;
however, many engineers now write plumbing specifications as a separate division. With
plumbing as Division 16, electrical becomes Division 17.
DIVISION 16—ELECTRICAL

The electrical division usually consists of general provisions, basic materials and methods,
power generation, power transmission, power service and distribution, lighting, special systems,
communications, controls, and instrumentation.