Guest Blog: Master Format 2010 - What's new?

by Felix Zayas
July 28, 2010

In the telecommunications field the term "MasterFormat" can be somewhat of a convoluted term. For the next 350 words or so I will go through the finer details of MasterFormat and how it relates to telecommunications.

MasterFormat is a publication from the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). It is a living document and is continuously updated and expanded upon. The purpose of MasterFormat is to provide classification structure to organize project manuals used in construction. MasterFormat was introduced in 1963 and has had multiple revisions along the way.

MasterFormat 2010 Update is the latest, released in May of 2010. you can download a PDF of the Numbers and Titles at csinet.org. You can also purchase a copy of MasterFormat at csinet.org where you will get the same document as previously described plus a PDF of all the Numbers and Files including additional descriptive information about titles and a keyword index. You also get an Excel spreadsheet giving transition information from the 2004 and 1995 editions to the 2010 Update.

Some of the changes involve removing 27 05 28 Pathways for Communications Systems and moving the four numbers previously indented below it, up a level (Hangers and Supports for Communications Systems, Conduits and Backboxes for Communications Systems, Cable Trays for Communications Systems and Surface Raceways for Communications Systems).

The following three numbers were added.

27 41 16.52 Integrated Audio-Video Systems and Equipment for Religious Facilities
27 41 43 Audio-Video Conferencing
27 53 13.13 Wireless Clock Systems

In a follow-up to this entry later in the year, I will discuss how specification writers use this MasterFormat to develop master specifications and the process that entails.

Felix Zayas is a technology designer for BVH Integrated Services Inc., a multi-disciplined engineering firm based in Bloomfield, CT that provides MEP, civil, structural, sustainable design, commissioning and technology services to clients in the educational, health-care, corporate, governmental and research markets.

With more than seven years of telecommunications engineering experience, Felix has earned the Registered Communications Distribution Designer and Network Transport Systems designations from BICSI. He is a Certified Technology Specialist as designated by InfoComm and is licensed in the State of Connecticut as a Telecommunications Layout Technician. He is also a LEED Green Associated as designated by the Green Building Certification Institute. He can be reached at felixz@bvhis.com or 860-286-9171.