The CSI Master Format .
What Does It Mean For The Construction
Industry?
The
Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
is the organization that publishes the Master Format. This publication is the specifications writing standard
for most of today’s construction and commercial building design projects in
North America. Basically, the Master Format is an indexing system for the
organization of construction data. The information is organized in title
divisions, such as electrical, mechanical, procurement and contracting
requirements, HVAC and thermal protection.
Although
its earlier publication comprised of 16 divisions of construction, it has
expanded to 50 divisions to reflect the current complexity of the construction
industry along with the need to incorporate maintenance information and
facility life cycle information. The divisions in the Master Format are
structured for both future growth and expansion. Those in the construction
industry are even encourage to propose revisions to CSI. You might say that the
Master Format is a continual work in progress and constantly evolving.
Advantages of the CSI Master Format
Standards are needed to improve coordination and facilitate communication
among all workers in the construction project, including architects, suppliers,
engineers, project managers and energy consultants. The CSI Master Format is
the standard maverick which helps everyone stay on budget, develop timelines,
meet deadlines and meet building owner’s requirements. It’s also important for
you to realize that with the automation increase in the construction industry,
the CSI Master Format is vital to achieve meaningful interoperability. It helps
every discipline involved in the design, building and operations of
construction applications, whether it’s a hospital or elementary school.
The Master Format also helps contractors and architects work on additions in
the future and renovations. The data can be easily retrieved. And with the
increased use of building information modeling (BIM), the Master Format is a
good fit. More and more, modeling software systems are using Master Format’s
format for BIM integration.
Where the CSI Master Format is Being Used
Today, the CSI Master Format is used in a wide range of industry
construction, such as hospitals, schools,
industrial and commercial green buildings. Think about it. Hospitals and other
healthcare facilities are complex. The security, back-up power, HVAC, medical
gas and other systems are more complicated that the traditional institutional
building. With so much on the line, it’s critical that the building will
perform properly for both healthcare workers and patients. For healthcare
facilities, the CSI Master Format has a series of sections specifically
dedicated to the HVAC in healthcare facilities. For green building, there are
environmental performance requirements that cover topics, such as indoor air
quality and sustainable design.
Responding to Industry Changes
The CSI Master Format is generally updated every five to seven years. As a
matter of fact, the 2004 Edition looks nothing like its previous 1960s
counterpart. Part of the reason for the 2004 Edition was due to the importance
of building electrical systems and the need for a new division for telecommunication
systems. New divisions included Division 21 Life-Safety Systems and
Division 25 telecommunications systems. The Division 40s was assigned to waste
treatment and power systems. Since then, CSI has updated improvements to the
section for polished concrete under Division 3. The Master Format is designed
to respond to industry changes, improvements and new technologies. If you’re
not using it, it’s time to jump onboard.
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