Construction Specifications Institute

History and Expansion of CSI
– CSI was founded in March 1948 by government agency specification writers.
– The institute aimed to improve the quality of construction specifications.
– CSI’s efforts were crucial in meeting the demands of the post-war construction boom.
– The institute expanded to include specification writers in the private sector.
– In November 2010, CSI acquired Building Systems Design (BSD) to advance software tools for specifications development.

CSI Standards
– CSI publishes MasterFormat, a standardized classification for construction information.
– MasterFormat consists of divisions representing different categories of construction.
– In 2004, a revised edition of MasterFormat expanded the categories to 50 divisions.
– MasterFormat facilitates Building Information Modeling (BIM) and project specifications.
– UniFormat is another construction classification system organized by functional elements.

MasterFormat
– MasterFormat helps classify construction work results using various construction resources.
– It serves as the organizational structure for industry publications like the Sweets catalog.
– MasterFormat sections can reference performance and safety requirements from agencies.
– It is used by architects, engineers, owners, contractors, and manufacturers.
– MasterFormat was expanded to include facility life cycle and maintenance information.

UniFormat
– UniFormat is a construction classification system based on functional elements.
– It provides a breakdown of functional elements in a construction project.
– UniFormat levels 1-3 can be applied to project descriptions and cost estimates.
– Levels 4 and below offer a more detailed breakdown of functional elements.
– UniFormat editions have been published in 1992, 1998, and 2010.

CSI Practice Guides
– CSI Practice Guide series debuted in 2011.
– Replaced CSI Project Resource Manual (PRM) and CSI Manual of Practice (MOP).
– Best practice references for construction industry professionals.

– CSI Project Delivery Practice Guide (PDPG) is the introductory volume in the series.
– Presents an overview of the process needed for a construction project.
– Describes the inter-related roles of participants in the process.
– Second edition published in 2017, third edition published in 2020.

– CSI Construction Specifications Practice Guide (CSPG) describes the communication process in construction projects.
– Focuses on the creation of complete and coordinated construction documents.
– Provides best practices for product selection and roles and responsibilities.
– First edition published in 2011.

– CSI Construction Contract Administration Practice Guide (CCAPG) discusses the process of delivering a construction project.
– Focuses on the roles of participants and their relationship to contractual requirements.
– Describes different responsibilities based on project delivery method.
– First edition published in 2011, second edition published in 2020.

– CSI Construction Product Representation Practice Guide (PRPG) discusses sales and marketing of construction products.
– Highlights the contributions of knowledgeable product representatives.
– Provides best practice recommendations for effective representation.
– First edition published in 2011. Source:  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Construction_Specifications_Institute