MasterFormat

MasterFormat is a standard for organizing specifications and other written information for commercial and institutional building projects in the U.S. and Canada. Sometimes referred to as the "Dewey Decimal System" of building construction, MasterFormat is a product of the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada. In November 2004 MasterFormat expanded from 16 Divisions to 50 Divisions, reflecting innovations in the construction industry. It provides a master list of divisions, and section numbers and titles within each division, to follow in organizing information about a facility’s construction requirements and associated activities.

CSI standard formatting is used throughout the construction industry to format construction specifications in building contracts. The purpose of this format is to assist the user in locating specific types of information. Information contained in CSI’s MasterFormat is organized in a standardized outline form within 16 (pre-2004) or 50 (post 2004) divisions. Each division contains a number of sections. Each section is divided into three parts—"general," "products," and "execution." Each part is organized by a standardized system of articles and paragraphs.

Read more about MasterFormat:  Advantages, Current MasterFormat Divisions, Pre-2004 MasterFormat Divisions