CSI MasterFormat Divisions Explained
CSI MasterFormat is the construction industry standard for organizing project specifications and cost estimates, published by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). It divides all construction work into 50 numbered divisions, each covering a specific category of materials, systems, or work.
The Major Division Groups
Division 00-01: Procurement and General Requirements
- Division 00: Procurement and contracting requirements (bid forms, contract documents)
- Division 01: General requirements (summary of work, temporary facilities, submittals, closeout)
Divisions 02-09: Existing Conditions and Facility Construction
- Division 02: Existing conditions (demolition, site remediation, geotechnical)
- Division 03: Concrete (cast-in-place, precast, shotcrete)
- Division 04: Masonry (CMU, brick, stone)
- Division 05: Metals (structural steel, miscellaneous metals, metal fabrications)
- Division 06: Wood, plastics, and composites (rough carpentry, finish carpentry, millwork)
- Division 07: Thermal and moisture protection (roofing, waterproofing, insulation, cladding)
- Division 08: Openings (doors, frames, hardware, windows, glazing)
- Division 09: Finishes (drywall, flooring, ceilings, painting, tile)
Divisions 10-14: Specialties and Equipment
- Division 10: Specialties (toilet accessories, signage, fire extinguishers)
- Division 11: Equipment (food service, laundry, athletic)
- Division 12: Furnishings (casework, window treatments)
- Division 13: Special construction (clean rooms, prefab structures)
- Division 14: Conveying equipment (elevators, escalators)
Divisions 21-28: Facility Services (MEP and Fire Protection)
- Division 21: Fire suppression (sprinklers)
- Division 22: Plumbing
- Division 23: Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC)
- Division 25: Integrated automation
- Division 26: Electrical
- Division 27: Communications (data, AV, voice)
- Division 28: Electronic safety and security (fire alarm, access control, cameras)
Divisions 31-35: Site and Infrastructure
- Division 31: Earthwork (grading, excavation, fill)
- Division 32: Exterior improvements (paving, landscaping, site concrete)
- Division 33: Utilities (underground water, sewer, storm drain, gas)
- Division 34: Transportation (railroad, traffic signals)
- Division 35: Waterways and marine (docks, piers)
Why MasterFormat Matters for Estimating
When an estimate is organized by MasterFormat division, it can be compared directly to any other MasterFormat estimate for the same project type. It also maps directly to the project specifications, allowing the estimator to verify that every specified material and system has a corresponding cost line. At California Construction Estimating, all estimates are delivered in MasterFormat format as the default standard.