CSI MasterFormat 1995 Support Ended in 2009

To those who wish to continue using MF95 (16-Division, 5-digit spec format), be aware, CSI ended support of MasterFormat 1995 on 12/31/2009. Specs have been 6-digit for FIFTEEN YEARS now.

Why does it matter?

Well, if you use the old format, your specs will be immediately suspected of being out of date (just suspected, but of course you might be diligently keeping the old manufacturers and other info in the specs up to date, right??) and bidders might catch the scent of blood on your documents and look hard (or not very hard) for errors leading to future change orders. The most well-meaning contractor will have difficulty following out-of-date documents.

Also, your documents will be less than compatible or not compatible with modern information management systems for construction information. You might not use them, but estimators do, contractors do, sophisticated building owners and facility managers do, making you the obstacle to getting things done efficiently.

If you need help converting your specs, talk with an independent spec writer at www.scip.com > Find a Specifier. We are more than willing and able to help you.

Click here for CSI's announcement from 6/29/2009: CSIEndingSupportOfMF95.pdf