50 Divisions refers to the 50 divisions of construction information, as defined by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)'s MasterFormat beginning in 2004.^[1][2][3][4] Before 2004, MasterFormat consisted of 16 Divisions.^[5] MasterFormat has continued to be updated and revised since 2004, with new numbers, titles, and a new division added in 2010 and additional updates completed in 2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016, and 2018.^[5]

"50 Divisions" is the most widely used standard for organizing specifications and other written information for commercial and institutional building projects in the United States and Canada.^[5] Standardizing the presentation of such information improves communication among all parties.^[5]

Divisions

The latest officially released version of MasterFormat is the 2018 Edition, which uses the following Divisions:

PROCUREMENT AND CONTRACTING REQUIREMENTS GROUP:

• Division 00 — Procurement and Contracting Requirements

SPECIFICATIONS GROUP

General Requirements Subgroup

• Division 01 — General Requirements

Facility Construction Subgroup

• Division 02 — Existing Conditions
• Division 03 — Concrete
• Division 04 — Masonry
• Division 05 — Metals
• Division 06 — Wood, Plastics, and Composites
• Division 07 — Thermal and Moisture Protection
• Division 08 — Openings
• Division 09 — Finishes
• Division 10 — Specialties
• Division 11 — Equipment
• Division 12 — Furnishings
• Division 13 — Special Construction
• Division 14 — Conveying Equipment
• Division 15 — Plumbing + HVAC
• Division 16 — Electrical + Lighting
• Division 17 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 18 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 19 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

Facility Services Subgroup:

• Division 20 — Mechanical Support
• Division 21 — Fire Suppression
• Division 22 — Plumbing
• Division 23 — Heating Ventilating and Air Conditioning
• Division 24 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 25 — Integrated Automation
• Division 26 — Electrical
• Division 27 — Communications
• Division 28 — Electronic Safety and Security
• Division 29 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

Site and Infrastructure Subgroup:

• Division 30 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 31 — Earthwork
• Division 32 — Exterior Improvements
• Division 33 — Utilities
• Division 34 — Transportation
• Division 35 — Waterways and Marine Construction
• Division 36 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 37 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 38 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 39 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

Process Equipment Subgroup:

• Division 40 — Process Interconnections
• Division 41 — Material Processing and Handling Equipment
• Division 42 — Process Heating, Cooling, and Drying Equipment
• Division 43 — Process Gas and Liquid Handling, Purification and Storage Equipment
• Division 44 — Pollution Control Equipment
• Division 45 — Industry-Specific Manufacturing Equipment
• Division 46 — Water and Wastewater Equipment
• Division 47 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION
• Division 48 — Electrical Power Generation
• Division 49 — RESERVED FOR FUTURE EXPANSION

References

• Johnson, Robert W. (2004). Masterformat 2004 Edition: Master List of Numbers and Titles for the Construction Industry. Alexandria, Va.: The Construction Specifications Institute. ISBN 0-9762399-0-6.