The future of MasterFormat: CSI is updating its specifications system, but masonry contractors will still find themselves in familiar territory

Masonry Construction, April, 2004 by Karl Borgstrom

When all is said and done, there will be some minor changes to familiar section titles, some new section numbers to reflect changing masonry construction practices, and entirely new numbers and titles to represent many of the more narrow sections. Overall, however, the new edition will still be easy to navigate for MasterFormat veterans.

Perhaps more importantly, divisions dealing with other subjects that often had more confusing organization because of the five-digit numbering system's space limitations are now much easier to navigate. This change will make training employees, and their subsequent use of MasterFormat, far more intuitive.

Although they may not directly affect contractors who do masonry work, many of MasterFormat's biggest changes will be in areas underserved in previous editions, such as telecommunications, integrated building systems, audio-visual, security, public works, and process engineering. Enhancements in these areas allow for more integrated projects, especially when they include multiple types of construction.

The improvements include:

* New divisions for fire suppression, communications, safety and security, and integrated building systems, grouped with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilating and air conditioning divisions in the Facility Services Subgroup ("20 series" of divisions)

* A new Site and Infrastructure Subgroup ("30 series" of divisions) that has sections for site construction, utility, transportation, waterway and marine construction, as well as additional civil engineering subjects for specifying larger scale civil projects

* A new Process Equipment Subgroup ("40 series" of divisions) that addresses industrial construction and process engineering construction includes electric power generation plants and equipment, wastewater treatment plants, and the construction of process heating, cooking and drying equipment, pollution control equipment, and solid waste equipment.

The latter two subgroups were created to share the benefits MasterFormat has provided commercial building construction with heavy civil, utility, and industrial construction. Widespread adoption of MasterFormat in these sectors will not come quickly, but CSI is confident that by the time today's newborns graduate from engineering school, MasterFormat will be as commonplace in these sectors as it is in commercial building construction today.

Transition from old to new

Even though CSI worked to minimize change for those who operate within the traditional architectural divisions, the group still plans an all-out training and education campaign to prepare MasterFormat users for the differences they will encounter in the new edition.

CSI's focus will be on training the trainers. It plans to provide materials that communicate MasterFormat's proper use through organizations best suited to focus the information to the specific interests of their constituencies. For contractors who do masonry work, CSI envisions training and education provided by the Mason Contractors Association of America, National Concrete Masonry Association, Associated General Contractors of America, Associated Builders and Contractors, large masonry suppliers, and others.