16 DIVISIONS – refers to the 16 divisions of
construction, as defined by the Construction
Specifications Institute (CSI)'s MasterFormat.
MASTERFORMAT 1995 EDITION
Before November 2004, MasterFormat was
composed of 16 primary divisions: there are
now 50 divisions
Division 01 — General Requirements
Division 02 — Site Construction
Division 03 — Concrete
Division 04 — Masonry
Division 05 — Metals
Division 06 — Wood and Plastics
Division 07 — Thermal and Moisture Protection
Division 08 — Doors and Windows
Division 09 — Finishes
Division 10 — Specialties
Division 11 — Equipment
Division 12 — Furnishings
Division 13 — Special Construction
Division 14 — Conveying Systems
Division 15 — Mechanical
Division 16 — Electrical
DIVISION 1—GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
This division includes general administrative
and technical provisions that may not be listed
elsewhere and
which may apply to more than one division.
General requirements include contractual/ legal
requirements, a summary of work to be done,
an explanation of work to be performed later, a
description of meetings to be held (construction
coordination meetings, scheduling meetings,
and progress meetings, for instance), quality
control, and submittal. “Submittal” refers to
catalog descriptions or “shop drawings” of
equipment, which are submitted by the
contractor for approval by the architect and/or
engineer. Division 1 also includes a description
of temporary facilities, preparation of the job
site for construction, and details how the job is
to be closed out when construction is
completed.
Listed in the General Requirements are such
details as how many sets of construction plans
are to be furnished to the construction
contractor for the project. Professional
organizations for architects and engineers have
drawn up and published a standard section
entitled “General Conditions” for use in the
General Requirements division. These
documents cover major topics similar to those
listed above. Special items that pertain to a
particular job are included in the Supplemental
General Conditions
that are written by the architect or engineer.
Special laws or building code requirements are
listed in the Supplemental General Conditions.
DIVISION 2 – SITE CONSTRUCTION
describes work to be done on the site,
including soil testing, core drilling, standard
penetration tests, and seismic exploration. All
of these tests must be conducted, and the
requirements are expressed in this division.
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The demolition of existing structures,
materials, and debris is included in
Division 2.
The capping and removal of existing
services is usually mentioned in this
division even if the work is also included
under the trade division.
o For example, the capping of an
existing sewer line is mentioned
in Division 2 and then is
described in detail in Division 16
(plumbing). In addition, the site
work division describes the
various steps in the clearing of
the site.
o Clearing of the site includes
structure moving, clearing and
grubbing of shrubs, tree removal,
pruning, and tree relocation. Also
described are grading and
earthwork, grading and drainage,
paving and surfacing, and
landscaping. Site improvements
such as fences, gates, guardrails,
lighting, and irrigation systems
(site watering systems) are also
included in this division.
DIVISION 3—CONCRETE
All concrete work is described in this division.
The major subdivisions included under Division
3 are:
o concrete form work,
o expansion and contraction joints,
o cast-in-place concrete,
o specially placed concrete,
o and recast concrete.
DIVISION 4—MASONRY
Division 4 of the specifications deals with brick,
stone, fire brick, glass brick, clay backing tile,
and ceramic veneer. Related topics such as
joint reinforcement, mortar, anchors and tie
systems, masonry joints, control joints, and
masonry accessories are also included.
DIVISION 5—METALS
The metals used in the building are specified
under Division 5. If the building has a steel
structure, the steel members are specified in
this section. Metal roof decking, metal floor
decking, and permanent metal forms are
described in this section. Metal fabrications
such as stairs, handrails, railings, gratings,
castings, and lintels are included in this
division. In some cases, ornamental metals are
used for these fabrications and are described
in detail in this section.
DIVISION 6—WOOD AND PLASTICS
Materials such as rough carpentry (framing),
heavy timber construction, prefabricated
structural wood, finished carpentry, and
architectural woodwork (cabinets and built-in
woodwork) are described in this division.
Plastics are used in many ways in modern
construction. This section of the specifications
is devoted to such items as joists, studs,
columns, beams, hangers, connecting devices,
and other miscellaneous plastic items not
specifically identified under other headings.
DIVISION 7—THERMAL AND MOISTURE
PROTECTION
Division 7 contains written descriptions of
roofing materials, waterproofing materials,
flashing and sheet metal trim, insulation, roof
accessories, and sealants.
DIVISION 8—DOORS AND WINDOWS
Metal doors and frames, wood and plastic
doors, entrances and storefronts, metal
windows, special windows, wood and plastic
windows, hardware and specialties, and
glazing are the main areas of concern in
Division 8.
DIVISION 9—FINISHES
Lath and plaster, gypsum wallboard, terrazzo,
acoustical treatment, ceiling suspension
systems, wood flooring finishes, carpeting,
special flooring, floor treatment, painting,
special coatings, and wall covering are found in
this division of the specifications.
DIVISION 10—SPECIALTIES
Division 10 of the specifications is a catch-all
section. If items required for the construction
do not fall under the other divisions of the
specifications, they are usually found in
Division 10. Typical items in this division are
chalkboards and tackboards, louvers and
vents, grilles and screens, pest control,
fireplaces, flagpoles, lockers, storage shelving,
directional signage, and sun control devices.
DIVISION 11—EQUIPMENT
Division 11 lists equipment which is normally
furnished and installed by the general
contractor as a part of the construction of the
building. Equipment described in this division
includes maintenance equipment, bank and
vault equipment, food service equipment,
vending equipment, athletic equipment, laundry
equipment, library equipment, medical
equipment, waste handling equipment, and
loading dock equipment.
DIVISION 12—FURNISHINGS
Major headings in this division are artwork,
window treatment, fabrics, furniture, rugs and
m ats, and furnishing accessories.
DIVISION 13—SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
The description and necessary information for
constructing special areas are given in this
division. Special construction areas include
clean rooms, operating r ooms in hospitals,
incinerators, instrumentation rooms, nuclear
reactors, radiation treatment rooms, sound and
vibration rooms, vaults, and swimming pool
spaces.
DIVISION 14—CONVEYING SYSTEMS
Dumbwaiters, elevators, hoists and cranes,
lifts, material handling systems, moving stairs
and walks, and pneumatic tube systems are
typical items described in Division 14.
DIVISION 15—MECHANICAL
Division 15 covers information on air
conditioning, ventilating and heating in a
building. The mechanical division of the
specifications generally has major sections
consisting of general provisions (general
description of the work, procedures, etc.) basic
materials and methods, equipment, air
distribution, piping, insulation,
controls, and instrumentation.
Note: Plumbing specifications are also included
in the standard mechanical specification
division; however, many engineers now write
plumbing specifications as a separate division.
With plumbing as Division 16, electrical
becomes Division 17.
DIVISION 16—ELECTRICAL
The electrical division usually consists of
general provisions, basic materials and
methods, power generation, power
transmission, power service and distribution,
lighting, special systems, communications,
controls, and instrumentation.