MASTERFORMAT-CSI

MasterFormat CSI public procurement / BIM standard detailed.

Definition

MasterFormat is the North American construction specifications classification standard developed by CSI (Construction Specifications Institute, USA) + CSC (Construction Specifications Canada) since 1963, organised in 50 divisions (Division 01 General Requirements, Division 02 Existing Conditions, ... Division 49 Electrical Power Generation, Division 50 Future Expansion) hierarchical numbering system (Division-XX-XX-XX.XX), foundational for US/Canada construction project specifications + bid documents + cost estimating + ConstructionSpec North American industry standard. Multi-stakeholder standardisation + governance process publication open standards documentation + implementation guides + reference implementations + community contributions + maintenance iterative versions updates + interoperability conformance testing + alignment regulations EU + national level + adoption tracking measurement adoption + impact assessment outcomes.

Origin

MasterFormat developed since 1963 by CSI + CSC ; current MasterFormat 2018 latest major edition + annual updates ; widely used North America construction industry.

Example in context

US architect prepares hospital project bid documents: organises 500-page specification document per MasterFormat divisions (Division 03 Concrete + Division 04 Masonry + Division 05 Metals + Division 07 Thermal/Moisture + ... Division 26 Electrical + Division 23 HVAC + multiple) ; contractors bid based on MasterFormat divisions cost line items ; cost estimators reference RSMeans cost database organized MasterFormat for unit prices per division/section.

Related terms

• OmniClass detail — complementary CSI standard.