The Update: MasterFormat Expansion Progress
Whatever happens, it won't be called Division 17

Progress continues on the expansion of the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) MasterFormat, known until recently as "Division 17." (More on the name change later.)

The Expansion Task Team charged with sorting through all of the requests met last month and is now preparing a recommendation to CSI, who will make the final decision early next year.

At that early November meeting, the Task Team agreed to recommend electronic systems be spread across two independent divisions rather than continue as a subset to electrical work, according to NSCA Executive Director Chuck Wilson, a member of the Task Team.

Wilson notes the team unanimously approved the creation of a new section titled "Communications" that will accommodate such systems as audio, intercom, nurse call, telecommunications, LAN/WAN, data networks, audio-visual, conferencing, etc.

In addition, approval was also granted to a recommendation to reorganize the current CSI Division 13 that addresses special construction by creating a new section titled "Life Safety and Facility Protection". This will allow specification writers to place such products as fire alarm, security, access control and other building automation and control
systems into a section dedicated to the protection of the building and it's occupants.

"It's news to no one that technology has advanced at break-neck speed. And also there is room for better specifications formats for civil engineering projects. These are the two big reasons MasterFormat must evolve. By doing so, MasterFormat will continue to be a tool that facilitates communication among everyone involved in construction projects, which helps projects come in on time and within budget. We've concluded that adding divisions is better than trying to fit it all in the existing 16 divisions," says Task Team Chairman Dennis Hall, FCSI, CCS, CCCA.

Speaking at the meeting, Task Team Member Tom Rauscher, who represented Building Industry Consulting Services International (BICSI), a not-for-profit telecommunications association., said a separate MasterFormat division for computer and communications systems would raise their visibility. That would cause those systems' specifications to be addressed during design instead of construction.

He adds that addressing such systems during construction can raise a building's cable infrastructure costs and also result in inconvenient or difficult configurations. "What we're saying here is let's get ourselves proactively planned in there," Rauscher says. "We're starting at a disadvantage from day one because we don't have the documentation."

Rauscher also acknowledged a separate division would provide more opportunities for those other than electrical contractors to install such low-voltage systems. "We're trying to gain visibility and presence because we have a competency," he comments.

Wilson adds, "It was clear that all of the Task Team members appreciate and understand the impact that technology and communications systems have in the construction environment. They also recognized the potential for future growth and importance these mission critical systems have in today's modern buildings. Therefore, creating an updated version of the most recognized construction classification system that allows flexibility and expansion in these areas made perfect sense.

At this time, it's likely the numbering sequence will have many changes. While no numbers have been decided, one thing to note is that neither of these sections will be the number 17.

It's important to re-emphasize that these recommendations are that of the Task Team only, and thus are not the final decision. The CSI Executive Committee and Board will announce the final decision at the Emergent Building Technologies Conference in February.

At Expo 2002 in Denver, the NSCA will be offering a just-announced class regarding the MasterFormat Expansion and what it means, specifically, to systems professionals. The session, to be held April 26, 8 am - 9:45 am, will be led by Hall and Michael Chambers (CSI, FCSI, AIA).

For more information and to register, go to www.nsca.org.

Comments regarding the issue can be sent to CSI at masterformat@csinet.org and to Wilson at cwilson@nsca.org.