Wilson Appointed to CSI Master Format Expansion Task Team

NSCA Executive Director Chuck Wilson has been appointed to the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) MasterFormat Expansion Task Team.

The creation of the task team is in response to numerous requests to expand beyond the 16 divisions that currently make up the MasterFormat. Several proposals, from a variety of organizations, have already been submitted to CSI, all requesting changes to the current MasterFormat.

One example is the Division 17 or TACS (Technology and Communication Systems) proposal submitted by telecommunication organizations. (Click here for more PSW coverage of the Division 17.)

The task team, which recently met for the first time in Alexandria, VA, will investigate how to expand the MasterFormat to accommodate the needs expressed by organizations outside the CSI community and offer recommended "next steps" to the CSI Executive Committee. The committee is comprised of representatives from a small architectural firm, a large architect/engineer firm, a contracting firm, and a product manufacturer in addition to a telecommunication consultant, a civil engineer and a facility manager. Members were also selected because of their expertise and general knowledge of construction information systems.

"I'm honored to have been selected to serve on this task team and have the opportunity to represent the NSCA and ESA group," said Wilson. "The work completed by the task team will be instrumental in determining the future of how technology will be specified on construction projects. This is one of the most important things NSCA has ever been a part of."

The first project the task team will accomplish is to establish a procedure for gathering information from the design and construction community. An analysis will be completed in November with a report due to the CSI Executive Committee in December. The new MasterFormat will be presented at the 2003 CSI Convention in Chicago.