Charles E. Gulledge III, P.E., MAI, Senior Mechanical Engineer, AC Corporation, Greensboro, N.C., ASHRAE TC 7.1 Chair and Chapter Technology Transfer Vice-Chair

MasterFormat 2004: Building Automation and Control Systems

Division 13? Division 15? Division 16? With the Construction Specifications Institute's MasterFormat '95, we saw a variety of interpretations regarding where to place work results for building automation systems (BAS). Some of these choices followed the basic structure of MasterFormat, while others were more "creative." The main problem was that multiple divisions and level 2 sections could be used to cover equipment, installation and commissioning of integrated BAS. Because MasterFormat '95 left us with many opportunities to spread BAS specification content away from an organized structure and common location, a change was definitely needed. But the initial industry response to revise MasterFormat and rectify the situation was less than optimal. Division 17: the initial response Instead, because the industry felt MasterFormat didn't have a consistent architecture to accommodate integrated construction, control, monitoring, verification and energy optimizing, it created its own category, adding the "mystical" Division 17—to the 16 divisions of MasterFormat '95. As it turned out, Division 17 didn't work out.