CSI MasterFormat Divisions: 50 Divisions in 2 Groups and 5 Subgroups (2018 Edition)

MasterFormat 2018 numbers 50 divisions, 00 through 49, and 15 of them are reserved for future expansion. CSI describes it as by far the most widely used system for organizing construction project manuals in North America (MasterFormat 2018 Applications Guide, Industry Acceptance). Get the division wrong and submittals route to the wrong subcontractor, cost data fails to map, and drawing notes disconnect from the specifications. This guide covers the 2018 edition; CSI’s own text says the next edition was scheduled for 2020, so confirm the current edition at masterformat.com.

Key numbers at a glance

What is CSI MasterFormat 2018?

MasterFormat is the master list of numbers and titles for organizing construction information, published by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). Its main application is titling and arranging the parts of project manuals, and it is also used for cost databases, drawing notations and product data. MasterFormat is a work results system: numbers identify the permanent or temporary results achieved in construction, not who performs the work. Division 03 is concrete whether a concrete subcontractor or the general contractor does the work.

Since 2012 the edition cycle has been biennial. Anyone can submit change proposals at masterformat.com; the deadline each year is April 30.

How are the 50 divisions organized?

The Applications Guide splits MasterFormat into two groups. The Procurement and Contracting Requirements Group is Division 00. The Specifications Group holds five subgroups:

Division 00 covers procurement and contracting requirements. Division 01 covers general requirements that apply to the whole project.

Facility Construction: assigned divisions 02–14

Facility Services: assigned divisions 21–28

Site and Infrastructure: assigned divisions 31–35

Process Equipment: assigned divisions 40–48

How does MasterFormat number a specification section?

Since the 2004 edition, numbers have six digits arranged in three pairs. The first pair is the division (level 1), the second pair is level 2 and the third pair is level 3. In 07 50 00, Membrane Roofing, 07 is the division, 50 is level 2 and 00 means level 3 is unassigned. A level 4 number adds a decimal point and two digits, as in 08 11 13.16, Custom Hollow Metal Doors and Frames. Users can add their own level 5 designation after a second decimal point, for example to indicate a client or product grade.

Before 2004 the numbers had five digits (07500 for Membrane Roofing) and a single digit per level, which left only nine subdivisions at each level. CSI added the sixth digit to make room.

Use the same six-digit number on drawing notes, the table of contents, submittal logs and the schedule of values so each item traces to one specification section.

Why do Divisions 15 and 16 no longer exist?

The 1995 edition had 16 divisions. The 2004 edition expanded the Specifications Group to 49 divisions, and today Divisions 15 and 16 are listed as Reserved for Future Expansion (MasterFormat 2018 Master List). By their titles, the work of the 1995 Division 15 (Mechanical) now falls under 21 (Fire Suppression), 22 (Plumbing) and 23 (HVAC), and the work of Division 16 (Electrical) under 25 (Integrated Automation), 26 (Electrical), 27 (Communications) and 28 (Electronic Safety and Security). A project manual that still cites Division 15 or 16 sends submittals to a division that no longer exists; audit inherited templates before use.

CSI states a reason for the larger structure: the old five-digit scheme ran out of room, so topics such as lightning protection, fire suppression, detection and alarm, and solar and wind equipment ended up in Division 13 simply because it had space (Applications Guide, Expansion of Numbering System).

How does MasterFormat relate to UniFormat and OmniClass?

CSI’s Applications Guide describes UniFormat as the companion to MasterFormat. UniFormat classifies the physical elements of a facility and is most commonly used at early project stages, before particular work results are chosen, to organize preliminary project descriptions and cost data. MasterFormat organizes work results for specifications, detailed cost data and drawing notations. The guide says it is appropriate to change from UniFormat to MasterFormat once work results have been selected. Do not mix them in one budget, because element totals and work-result bid tabs do not reconcile without a conversion.

OmniClass Table 22 (Work Results) is based on MasterFormat, and OmniClass Table 21 (Elements) is based on UniFormat. The guide recommends OmniClass Table 23 (Products) for classifying products.

Where do mistakes on inherited templates occur?

1. Citing Division 15 or 16 on a current manual. Update references to Divisions 21, 22 and 23 (from 15) and 25 through 28 (from 16).

2. Dropping HVAC controls. MasterFormat 2018 has section 23 09 00, Instrumentation and Control for HVAC, in Division 23. Division 25 (Integrated Automation) covers integrated building automation. Decide where each controls section lives and say so in the project manual’s coordination notes.

3. Mixing UniFormat element numbers with MasterFormat section numbers. Keep schematic budgets in UniFormat and convert deliberately when specifications begin.

4. Using a reserved division number for a custom purpose. Reserved divisions are held for future CSI expansion, so a custom number there can collide with a later edition. MasterFormat allows users to assign new numbers for new titles, so add custom sections inside an existing division.

Sources

• CSI/CSC, MasterFormat 2018 Edition, Master List of Numbers and Titles (divisions, reserved divisions, Applications Guide on groups, numbering, revision process, UniFormat and OmniClass).
• Archtoolbox, MasterFormat 1995 specification divisions (old Divisions 15 and 16).