History in the Making
Jun 1, 2004 12:00 PM,
By Chuck Wilson
The unfortunate part of any evolution is the time it takes to achieve one. But good things come to those who wait, and right now plenty of good things are coming, thanks to the new Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) MasterFormat.
The commentary phase of the 2004 CSI MasterFormat is now complete, and production on the newly expanded document is moving forward. Last month’s CSI show gave the association’s members a chance to preview the new MasterFormat, before it goes on sale. Technical writers have been hired to put the finishing touches on the work of the Expansion Task Team, including smoothing out the language and making all of the appropriate references that come with such an important document. Also in the works is the formation of another task team, one focused on the implementation of MasterFormat. This group is developing a train-the-trainer program for organizations such as NSCA so we can then teach members how to use and benefit from the new document. The program should be released sometime this summer.
The final MasterFormat won’t be for sale until later this fall, but it has been confirmed: division 25 is integrated automation, division 27 is communications, and division 28 is electronic safety and security. Those divisions are a part of the Facility Services subgroup. A listing of the final section numbers under each division and their respective titles will be posted on CSI’s Web site (www.csinet.org) later this summer.
Although it was a long and tedious process, the 2004 CSI MasterFormat represents the most significant revision in the standard’s 40-year history. It reflects the rapidly growing volume and complexity of information generated for commercial building projects, which are the results of dramatic advances in construction technology. For the members of NSCA and the industry at large, these new divisions present many new and exciting opportunities.
The new divisions generate increased awareness and appreciation for low-voltage work in the minds of other construction professionals. This awareness will multiply following step two of the document’s evolution: translation into MasterSpec, the AIA document used by architects nationwide. Once this is done, specifiers will have a clear-cut outline inclusive of separate divisions for low-voltage work. That is where the elite systems integrators will really start to reap the benefits. As new certified electronic systems technician designations continue to emerge, competency in the appropriate skill sets can at long last be required, calling for an end to the infamous phrase, “shall be done in a neat and workmanlike manner.” As a bonus for those companies in non-right-to-work states, the certification ties directly to the federally approved standard occupation code (SOC) for the skill sets of EST. If in these states licenses are required, or will be, they can and should be based on our SOC, of which a training prescription and certification for that skill set is already in place.
There is, of course, plenty of work to be done educating our construction partners and others on this monumental change — by NSCA and by you, the systems integrator. But this is where you reap the benefits, too. Focus on taking advantage of our industry’s growth all the way to a more successful business.
Chuck Wilsonis executive director of NSCA.
For more information about NSCA, visit www.nsca.org or call (800) 446-6722.
