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SECTION 2 / Specifics
SPECIFICATIONS
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SPECIFICATIONS
INTRODUCTION
Specifications contain written information that is not shown on the plans but is necessary for the completion
of the job. Specifications contain information on (1) procedures for starting the job, (2) meetings planned to
schedule phases of construction, (3) how payments by the owner are to be made, (4) where equipment is to
be stored until needed, (5) insurance that must be carried by the contractors, and (6) other details. On very
small jobs where specifications consist of some ten or twelve pages, architects may print them on a plan sheet
rather than binding them in a separate book that is included with a set of plans. In most cases, the specifications are written, printed, and bound into a book. Specifications are often referred to as specs in the office
and on the job.
The length of the specifications varies with the size and type of construction. If the job is small and simple,
and if the construction is standard procedure, the specifications can be short. If the job is large and has many
special features and necessary procedures, the description of procedures may be lengthy. Specifications written
for federal government jobs are known for being long and detailed. The government dictates what is to be
included in the specifications, and the specifications become elaborate because each item is described in great
detail.
In this chapter, the major divisions of a set of standard specifications will be listed, along with a brief discussion of each division. There are sixteen major divisions of specifications.
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DIVISION 3CONCRETE
All concrete work is described in this division. The major subdivisions included under Division 3 are concrete
form work, expansion and contraction joints, cast-in-place concrete, specially placed concrete, and recast
concrete.
DIVISION 4MASONRY
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 5METALS
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.
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DIVISION 9FINISHES
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 10SPECIALTIES
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 11EQUIPMENT
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 12FURNISHINGS
Major headings in this division are artwork, window treatment, fabrics, furniture, rugs and mats, and furnishing accessories.
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DIVISION 15MECHANICAL
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 16ELECTRICAL
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.
PLUMBING
Plumbing is included in the Mechanical division. Major sections consist of general provisions (general description of the work, procedures. and so forth), basic materials and methods, equipment, piping systems and services, and insulation. Plumbing also includes fire protection (sprinklers) and special services such as medical
gases, fuel gases, compressed air, and process piping systems.
SUMMARY
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CONSTRUCTION SPECIFICATIONS
INSTITUTES MASTERFORMAT
Division 01General Requirements
Area for performance requirements added to allow for writing performance requirements for elements that
overlap work sections (building envelope, structure, etc.). This allows for a mixture of broad performance
specifications and prescriptive specifications in a project manual.
Division 08Openings
Renamed but with essentially the same scope as MasterFormat 1995 Edition with the addition of some other
openings such as louvers and grilles.
Division 11Equipment
Equipment related to process engineering has been relocated to the Process Equipment Subgroup and equipment related to infrastructure has been relocated to the Site and Infrastructure Subgroup.
Division 12Furnishings
Essentially the same scope as MasterFormat 1995 Edition.
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Division 15Mechanical
Division 15 has been reserved for future expansion and material has been relocated to Division 22Plumbing
and Division 23Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning in the Facility Services Subgroup.
Division 16Electrical
Division 16 has been reserved for future expansion and material has been relocated to Divisions 26Electrical
and 27Communications in the Facility Services Subgroup.
A complete copy of CSIs MasterFormat may be downloaded at www.csinet.org/masterformat.