What Is CSI Code?

Organize your construction specs and project information

"Material Bidders uses CSI as the link used to match the requested tenders of buyers with the corresponding suppliers. Material Bidders has chosen CSI for its widespread use in the specifications of projects worldwide."

Herein a brief on what is CSI and its different sections.

MasterFormat is a coding system for organizing construction documents, contracts, design specifications, and operational manuals. It uses specific numbers and associated titles that make up a universal indexing system. MasterFormat is also a publication created and maintained by the Construction Specification Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). It is widely used in the construction and operation of buildings and systems in a variety of industries and projects, from hospitals and public infrastructure to schools and residential construction.

Advantages of Using MasterFormat

One of the most important benefits of MasterFormat is improved communication between project groups, most notably between the design and construction teams. It allows all team members to refer to specific sections of any document using the universal coding system. This facilitates coordination and communication between project owners, architects, contractors, and suppliers, minimizing the time spent organizing documents.

For industries with complex operations, such as health care, MasterFormat helps communicate and organize critical operational information among designers, builders, operations managers, and facility owners. In addition, as these and many other industries are increasingly using building information modeling, or BIM, MasterFormat can be used by modeling software to enhance data interoperability and improve BIM adoption.

The MasterFormat system can be used to organize many types of project documents, including:

  • Design specifications
  • Project manuals
  • Drawings (keynotes)
  • Product literature/data filing
  • Facility management and maintenance
  • Project integration and communication
  • Detailed cost estimating/project accounting
  • Building information modeling
MasterFormat Divisions and Subgroups
MasterFormat includes a group of "39 divisions" of construction information. Each division has its own number.

+ 02 00 00 Existing Conditions
+ 02 30 00 Subsurface Investigation
+ 02 40 00 Demolition and Structure Moving
+ 02 50 00 Site Remediation
+ 02 60 00 Contaminated Site Material Removal
+ 02 70 00 Water Remediation
+ 02 80 00 Facility Remediation
+ 03 00 00 Concrete
+ 04 00 00 Masonry
+ 05 00 00 Metals
+ 06 00 00 Wood, Plastics, and Composites
+ 07 00 00 Thermal and Moisture Protection
+ 08 00 00 Openings
+ 09 00 00 Finishes
+ 10 00 00 Specialties
+ 11 00 00 Equipment
- 12 00 00 Furnishings
+ 12 01 00 Operation and Maintenance of Furnishings
+ 12 05 00 Common Work Results for Furnishings
+ 12 06 00 Schedules for Furnishings
+ 12 08 00 Commissioning of Furnishings
+ 12 10 00 Art
+ 12 11 00 Murals
+ 12 12 00 Wall Decorations
+ 12 14 00 Sculptures
+ 12 17 00 Art Glass
+ 12 19 00 Religious Art
+ 12 20 00 Window Treatments
+ 12 21 00 Window Blinds
+ 12 22 00 Curtains and Drapes
+ 12 23 00 Interior Shutters
+ 12 24 00 Window Shades
+ 12 25 00 Window Treatment Operating Hardware
+ 12 26 00 Interior Daylighting Devices
+ 12 30 00 Casework
+ 12 31 00 Manufactured Metal Casework
+ 12 32 00 Manufactured Wood Casework
+ 12 34 00 Manufactured Plastic Casework
+ 12 35 00 Specialty Casework
+ 12 36 00 Countertops
+ 12 40 00 Furnishings and Accessories
+ 12 41 00 Office Accessories
+ 12 42 00 Table Accessories
+ 12 43 00 Portable Lamps
+ 12 44 00 Bath Furnishings
+ 12 45 00 Bedroom Furnishings
+ 12 46 00 Furnishing Accessories
+ 12 48 00 Rugs and Mats
+ 12 50 00 Furniture
+ 12 51 00 Office Furniture
- 12 52 00 Seating
+ 12 53 00 Retail Furniture
+ 12 54 00 Hospitality Furniture
+ 12 55 00 Detention Furniture
+ 12 56 00 Institutional Furniture
+ 12 57 00 Industrial Furniture
+ 12 58 00 Residential Furniture
+ 12 59 00 Systems Furniture
+ 12 60 00 Multiple Seating
+ 12 61 00 Fixed Audience Seating
+ 12 62 00 Portable Audience Seating
+ 12 63 00 Stadium and Arena Seating
+ 12 64 00 Booths and Tables
+ 12 65 00 Multiple-Use Fixed Seating
+ 12 66 00 Telescoping Stands
+ 12 67 00 Pews and Benches
+ 12 68 00 Seat and Table Assemblies
+ 12 90 00 Other Furnishings
+ 12 92 00 Interior Planters and Artificial Plants
+ 12 93 00 Interior Public Space Furnishings
+ 13 00 00 Special Construction
+ 14 00 00 Conveying Equipment
+ 21 00 00 Fire Suppression
+ 22 00 00 Plumbing
+ 23 00 00 Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
+ 25 00 00 Integrated Automation
+ 26 00 00 Electrical
+ 27 00 00 Communications
+ 28 00 00 Electronic Safety and Security
+ 31 00 00 Earthwork
+ 32 00 00 Exterior Improvements
+ 33 00 00 Utilities
+ 34 00 00 Transportation
+ 35 00 00 Waterway and Marine Construction
+ 40 00 00 Process Interconnections
+ 41 00 00 Material Processing and Handling Equipment
+ 42 00 00 Process Heating, Cooling, and Drying Equipment
+ 43 00 00 Process Gas and Liquid Handling,
+ 44 00 00 Pollution and Waste Control Equipment
+ 45 00 00 Industry-Specific Manufacturing Equipment
+ 46 00 00 Water and Wastewater Equipment
+ 48 00 00 Electrical Power Generation