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National Master Specification (NMS)

The National Master Specification (NMS) is a comprehensive text base, containing descriptions of every procedure, product or method likely to be encountered. This collection of specifications can be used in developing a project specification by editing contents to suit the requirements of a project.

The NMS has been developed by Public Works and Government Services Canada within the National Master Specification Secretariat (NMSS). The NMSS consults the design and construction industry on technical improvements to the text and specifications. The NMSS co-ordinates a continuous review of all of the sections within this text base. The NMS has been available to the Canadian construction industry for over 25 years and it is the NMSS that ensures the product is available in both English and French. The NMSS is in the process of "greening" all of the sections to ensure that they include environmentally responsible material and work practices.

MasterFormat™

MasterFormat™ is a system of numbers and titles for organizing construction information into a standard order or sequence. MasterFormat™ is produced jointly by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). Recently MasterFormat™ expanded from 16 Divisions to more than 40 Divisions. Within each division are sections. Now each section has a 6 digit number (instead of the 5 digit number from the previous version of MasterFormat™ ).

See how the versions compare:

	>	1995 to 2004
	>	2004 to 1995

Innovative Technology Inc. (ITI) and the RAIC

Innovative Technology Inc. (ITI) is an information technology company that formats and distributes the text data provided under agreement from the National Master Specification Secretariat. In addition, ITI creates software used to edit and format the specification text base to create professional project specifications. The RAIC reached an agreement with ITI to assist with the distribution of ITI specification products and to obtain discounts for RAIC members on all of these products. RAIC receives a small royalty for each sale. RAIC collects the payment from RAIC members and ITI ships and supports the NMS products.

Product Descriptions

There are three types of products sold through ITI:

Text base or Data outlining all or some Divisions (the core product)
Software to edit the text called “NMS Edit Professional” (additional users or workstations will require additional licences for the software)
Site Licences

Note the purchase of the Software acquires a single user licence for it. If more than one user will use the software concurrently, additional Licences for each must be purchased as well.

	>	Order from the RAIC at a discount price
	>	View the full list of contents available from Innovative Technology Inc.

The following packages are available:

Software (there are three different platforms available)

4.1

NMS Format: NMS-Edit Professional Specification Editor

Editing Environment: for NMS Edit Professional (this is for editing the text with the NMS-Edit custom specification writing software and does not require additional word processing software.)

4.2

NMS Format: Word for Macintosh and Free Macros

To be used with Microsoft Word for Macintosh. This package includes free specification cleanup macros, such as drop Spec Notes, drop Option brackets, Renumber Document. NMS-Edit is not required.

4.3

NMS Format: Word or WordPerfect for Windows and Free Macros

To be used with Microsoft Word for Windows OR Word Perfect for Windows for PCs. This package includes free specification cleanup macros, such as drop Spec Notes, drop Option brackets, Renumber Document. NMS-Edit is not required.

Licences

4.4

User Licence for NMS-Edit Specification Editor

Editing Environment: Additional user licence for NMS Edit Professional (this is for editing the text with the NMS-Edit custom specification writing software and does not require additional word processing software.)

Text Base or Data offered in MasterFormat 2004 Numbering Format
(Note all packages include Division 00 – Procurement and Contracting Requirements and 01 – General Requirements)

4.6

Package – Architectural

This package includes:

Division 00 – Procurement and Contracting Requirements
Division 01 – General Conditions
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 31 – Earthwork
Division 32 – Exterior Improvements
Division 33 – Utilities

This package also includes updates for parts of “Performance-based.”

4.7

Package – Complete Set

This package includes all Divisions and “Performance-based”.

4.8

Package – Complete Set Update from 2006

This package includes updates to all Divisions since the previous year's publication. Buyers must have purchased NMS through the RAIC previously.

4.9

Package – Architectural Set Update from 2006

This package includes updates to the following Divisions since the previous year's publication.

Division 00 – Procurement and Contracting Requirements
Division 01 – General Conditions
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 31 – Earthwork
Division 32 – Exterior Improvements
Division 33 – Utilities

This package also includes updates for parts of “Performance-based.” See the NMS List of Contents for more information. Buyers must have purchased through the RAIC previously.

4.10

Package – Performance

This package contains 55 sections numbered according to UniFormat numbering for design-build and other applications. See the NMS List of Contents for more information.

4.11

Package – Building Services

This package includes:

Division 00 – Procurement and Contracting Requirements
Division 01 – General Conditions
Division 14 – Conveying Equipment
Division 21 – Fire Suppression
Division 22 – Plumbing
Division 23 – HVAC
Division 25 – Integrated Automation
Division 26 – Electrical
Division 27 – Communications
Division 28 – Electronic Safety and Security

Parts of Division 02, 08, 10, 11, 33, 34, 42 and Performance. See the NMS List of Contents for more information.

4.12

Package – Air Transportation