Contacts:
Joy Davis, CSI, CDT
CSI
800-689-2900 ext. 4795
jdavis@csinet.org
Nick Franjic, CAE
CSC
416-777-2198
nfranjic@csc-dcc.ca
Updates include a new division for water and wastewater equipment
Revisions to existing pollution control equipment and concrete divisions
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (April 27, 2010) – The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC) today announced updates to MasterFormat®, their flagship product used to organize construction documents for commercial, industrial and institutional building projects in the United States and Canada.
It is the first update under MasterFormat’s new annual revision cycle, and it incorporates changes suggested by MasterFormat users. It is also the first time that CSI and CSC have defined a new division under the 50-division format adopted in MasterFormat 2004.
“These updates, combined with the new annual revision cycle, will ensure that MasterFormat remains current and provides the tools that all users need to do their jobs well,” said CSI Executive Director and CEO Walter Marlowe, P.E., CSI, CAE. “The addition of the Water and Wastewater Division especially will help industry leaders keep up with new environmental standards by incorporating topics relating to sustainability and energy efficiency.”
The primary changes include:
- A new division, Division 46 – Water and Wastewater Equipment, which significantly expands the document’s coverage of environmental engineering specifications
- Revisions to Division 44 – Pollution and Waste Control Equipment, so that it complements the addition of the new Division 46
- New specifications related to polished concrete (Division 03)
The new Division 46 was developed in conjunction with a coalition of engineers, comprising representatives from 13 large consulting engineering firms, each with a significant practice in environmental engineering, and representatives from the Water and Wastewater Equipment Manufacturers Association.
MasterFormat is a vital tool for the industry, assisting every discipline involved in design, construction and operations.
CSI and CSC designed the 50-division format of MasterFormat 2004 so that it can accommodate additional divisions and changes as the industry evolves. The 50-division format is now used in a majority of commercial projects in North America.
“It’s important for legacy version users of MasterFormat to switch to the latest edition because it better meets the industry’s needs and reflects the current standard of care in preparing construction documents,” Marlowe said. “Also, master specifications and modeling software systems are phasing out the old 16-division format in favor of the 50-division format to aid data interoperability and the adoption of BIM tools.”
“The new revision process helps CSI and CSC respond quickly to industry needs because it offers a greater level of predictability when it comes to resolving proposed changes,” said CSC President Brian Colgan, RSW.
The MasterFormat revision process is conducted by the MasterFormat Maintenance Task Team (MFMTT), a committee of volunteers appointed by CSI, CSC and MasterFormat Sponsors (ARCAT, ARCOM, Building Systems Design, Inc., the Construction Sciences Research Foundation, Inc., McGraw-Hill Construction, and Reed Construction Data).
The next MFMTT’s annual revision review workshop will take place late this summer and results from that meeting will be announced in spring 2011.
MasterFormat is the resource that aids project delivery by facilitating communication among architects, engineers, specifiers, contractors, suppliers and other consultants, which helps them meet building owners’ requirements, timelines and budgets. By fostering fuller and more detailed construction specifications, MasterFormat is designed to reduce costly changes and delays in projects due to incomplete, misplaced or missing information. For more information, please visit www.masterformat.com.
About CSI
CSI is a national association dedicated to creating standards and formats to improve construction documents and project delivery. The organization is unique in the industry in that its members are a cross-section of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors and building materials suppliers. The organization has 146 chapters and more than 14,000 members. Monthly Chapter meetings allow members the opportunity to communicate openly with their counterparts and exchange information for successful project management. CSI is renowned in the industry for its rigorous certification programs for professionals seeking to improve their knowledge of accurate and concise construction documents. CSI provides continuing education, professional conferences and product shows. For more information, visit www.csinet.org, or call (800) 689-2900.
About CSC
CSC is a national multi-disciplinary, non-profit association with chapters across Canada. In the construction industry’s fast-paced environment, the need for and value of CSC is greater than ever bringing together individuals from all segments of the Candian construction industry. CSC is committed to ongoing development and delivery of quality education programs, publications and services for the betterment of the construction community. For more information, visit www.csc-dcc.ca, or call (416) 777-2198.