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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 specifica-
tions 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 dis-
cussion of each division. There are sixteen major divisions of specifications.
DIVISION 1GENERAL 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 enti-
tled 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.
CONTENTS
DIVISION 2SITE WORK
Division 2 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.
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. 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. 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 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 divi-
sion. In some cases, ornamental metals are used for these fabrications and are described in detail in this section.
DIVISION 6WOOD AND PLASTICS
Materials such as rough carpentry (framing), heavy timber construction, prefabricated structural wood, fin-
ished 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 7THERMAL AND MOISTURE
PROTECTION
Division 7 contains written descriptions of roofing materials, waterproofing materials, flashing and sheet metal
trim, insulation, roof accessories, and sealants.
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DIVISION 8DOORS AND WINDOWS
Metal doors and frames, wood and plastic doors, entrances and storefronts, metal windows, special win-
dows, wood and plastic windows, hardware and specialties, and glazing are the main areas of concern in
Division 8.
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 furnish-
ing accessories.
DIVISION 13SPECIAL CONSTRUCTION
The description and necessary information for constructing special areas are given in this division. Special con-
struction areas include clean rooms, operating rooms in hospitals, incinerators, instrumentation rooms,
nuclear reactors, radiation treatment rooms, sound and vibration rooms, vaults, and swimming pool spaces.
DIVISION 14CONVEYING SYSTEMS
Dumbwaiters, elevators, hoists and cranes, lifts, material handling systems, moving stairs and walks, and pneu-
matic tube systems are typical items described in Division 14.
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DIVISION 15MECHANICAL
Division 15 covers information on air conditioning, ventilating and heating in a building. The mechanical divi-
sion 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, con-
trols, 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 descrip-
tion of the work, procedures. and so forth), basic materials and methods, equipment, piping systems and serv-
ices, and insulation. Plumbing also includes fire protection (sprinklers) and special services such as medical
gases, fuel gases, compressed air, and process piping systems.
RESPONSIBILITY AND LIABILITY
The responsibility for the design and all calculations for the construction project lies with the registered archi-
tect and registered engineer. After satisfactorily fulfilling the registration requirements, architects and engi-
neers are granted professional seals to be placed on all plans they are responsible for. Seals are also required on
the title page of the specifications.
With registration, the architect and the engineer assume, by law, responsibility for all work done by employ-
ees working under their guidance. In most cases these professionals carry liability insurance to protect them
against possible financial ruin if a design failure should occur.
In the specifications, the architect and the engineer create a legal document with specific instructions to
workers and construction technicians as to how the construction is to be performed. Specifications must be
carefully written and followed to protect against poor workmanship, which could cause problems during and
after construction.
SUMMARY
Specifications contain information that is not shown on the plans.
Except on very small jobs, specifications are usually printed and bound into book form.
There are usually 16 divisions of information in a set of specifications (except when plumbing is separated
from the mechanical division).
Administrative, legal, and technical provisions are covered in Division 1 of the specifications.
Divisions 2 through 17 include specific information pertaining to each area of construction on the job.
The professional registered engineer and architect are responsible for the design and calculations on a con-
struction project.
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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 02Existing Conditions
This division is now limited to existing conditions, construction practices that relate to items at the site at the
commencement of workselective demolition, subsurface and other investigation, surveying, site decontami-
nation, and site remediation, among others. All site construction as well as heavy civil and infrastructure sub-
ject matter, including utility and pavement work, has been relocated to the Site and Infrastructure Subgroup.
Divisions 03Concrete, 04Masonry,
and 05Metals
Essentially the same scope as MasterFormat 1995 Edition.
Division 06Wood, Plastics, and Composites
Essentially the same scope as MasterFormat 1995 Edition with expansion in the areas of plastics and composites.
Division 07Thermal and Moisture Protection
Essentially the same scope as MasterFormat 1995 Edition.
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.
Divisions 09Finishes and 10Specialties
Essentially the same scope as MasterFormat 1995 Edition.
Division 11Equipment
Equipment related to process engineering has been relocated to the Process Equipment Subgroup and equip-
ment related to infrastructure has been relocated to the Site and Infrastructure Subgroup.
Division 12Furnishings
Essentially the same scope as MasterFormat 1995 Edition.
Division 13Special Construction
Special construction related to process engineering has been relocated to the Process Equipment Subgroup.
Security access, building automation, detection and alarm, and fire suppression subjects have been relocated
to the Facility Services Subgroup.
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Division 14Conveying Equipment
Renamed with process related material handling subjects relocated to the Process Equipment Subgroup.
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.
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