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MASTER SPECIFICATIONS

SpecSuite

SpecSUITE is a family of master specifications that consists of the six complimentary master specifications developed by Digicon Information Inc. (CMS, Master PP, OutlineSPEC, MiniSPEC, RenoSPEC, HomeSPEC). Each is designed to fulfill a specific purpose in the production of specifications and can be integrated to the degree necessary to successfully develop a project specification. Based on the Canadian Master Specification (CMS©), SpecSuite conforms to national format documents and is updated on an ongoing basis to ensure its currency. Written to allow for performance, prescriptive, and proprietary specification methods, it can be provided in Word; Wordperfect; or Specnique link.

They may be purchased as a complete "Suite", as separate packages or as individual sections.

	Package Name	Description
SpecSUITE		Includes all libraries below
	CMS (Canadian Master Specification)	used for medium to large construction projects: Divisions 0 - 16
	MiniSPEC	used to develop a short-form specification or for smaller projects: Divisions 0 - 16
	OutlineSPEC	used to expand information from the PP and to further define decisions made and elements or systems selected for a project
	HomeSPEC	for multi-family and quality residential construction
	MasterProspectus	to inform and document project specification design criteria, code and regulatory requirements, facility element descriptions and other factors affecting project cost plan and budgeting

Canadian Master Specification (CMS©)

The Canadian Master Specification is a master specification library, oriented to medium sized and larger construction projects. It includes, Divisions 00, 01, and the first 14 of the 49 divisions consisting of approximately 345+ sections. This specification conforms to national format documents and is updated on an ongoing basis to ensure its currency. Written to allow for performance, prescriptive, and proprietary specification methods, it can be provided in Word; Wordperfect; or Specnique.

CMS Bundles (Packages) Summary

Package Name	Description

CMS Complete	Divisions 0 to 16
CMS Architectural/Structural	Divisions 0 to 14
CMS Landscape	Divisions 0, 1, part of 2, 3, and 5
CMS Structural	Divisions 0 to 6
CMS Interiors	Divisions 0, 1, 9 and 12
CMS Mechanical	Divisions 0, 1, part of 13, 15
CMS Electrical	Division 0, 1, part of 13, 16
CMS Mechanical and Electrical	Divisions 0, 1, part 13, 15, 16

CMS Key Features

A full sized master specification system, oriented to medium and large construction.
Consists of approximately 350+ sections; covering all 16 divisions.
Section content varies from new construction, to certain aspects of renovation, to project take-over and commissioning.
complete bid and contract document model forms, supporting CCDC standard forms in most instances, adding others where there may be voids.
Thoroughly encompasses specification subjects of varying complexity from product only sections, to function oriented sections, to location specific sections.
Can be preceded by other SpecSUITE© products such as MasterPP© and OutlineSPEC©. link to specifications.htm

MasterProspectus

A project prospectus is a project tool and a prompting cue that encourages project discussion and decision making. It describing project specific information in a comprehensive yet abstract form. Our MasterProspectus identifies project decisions to be made, it then elaborates on these decisions made and records them for all to share. No such master document of this type exists in North America today - until we introduced one as part of our package of master specification libraries in 2001.

MasterProspectus Key Features

Identifies requirements for intended occupied spaces.
PP is a checklist for planning and design parameters.
PP identifies presents a check-list of applicable code and regulations criteria for a typical project.
MasterPP is great for identifying facility structural design factors, and is expressed as performance criteria.
Presents interior environment design determinants, expressed as required criteria.
PP presents a listing of elements that establish a project's principal constructed assemblies.
MasterPP can follow or be a part of the development of a checklist for cost plans and budgeting.
PP actually serves a similar but more detailed function than a checklist.
The organization of a checklist follows so closely to a PP in its content that they could be a combined document - as we have done.

MasterProspectus Advantages

Identifies project requirements at early schematic and design development stages.
MasterPP is a form of checklist, identifying information to acquire as well as to stimulate questions to be asked - it actually prompts “intelligence gathering” for a project.
Our PP works to assist information and project issue decision making.
MasterPP works best when it precedes the development of an outline specification or a larger-form specification.
The author of all Digicon’s SpecSUITE master specification libraries also developed and maintained the most comprehensive master specification library available anywhere in the United States; SPECTEXT©. SPECTEXT is marketed for use throughout the USA. This expertise offers YOU the opportunity to acquire the best master specification library available anywhere ... CMS.

MasterProspectus Quality Assurance Features

Digicon’s master specification libraries undergo a number of “quality” checks to ensure glitch-free and problem-free editing by specifiers.
Our electronic documents are “sanitized” to ensure unwanted software codes are removed, that all text statements conform to our highest grammar standards, and that documents are ready for use.

OutlineSPEC

An outline specification is a document used during the early to mid-stages of preliminary design prior to a more developed specification. It expands on a Project Prospectus (MasterPP) or a check-list. When primary decisions are made, OutlineSPEC expands and elaborates on decision made and records them for all to share.

OutlineSPEC© Key Features

A design and product selection tool for producing a brief project specification.
The OutlineSPEC library consists of 75+ sections including architectural, structural, mechanical, and electrical disciplines.
OutlineSPEC can be used as a basis for establishing a “scope document” for design-build, management, or fast-track contracts.
OutlineSPEC is organized by locating “functions” and “objects” within the 16 divisions where MasterPPs organized by “elements” as a introduction preceding that concept.
OutlineSPEC may be used as a basis for preliminary project costing and budgeting.
OutlineSPEC sections can be considered as “connecting” a Project Prospectus to a mid-size MiniSPEC™ or a full-size specification such as CMS^©.

OutlineSPEC© Advantages:

OutlineSPEC is a master specification library, specially designed to assist specifiers in producing an abbreviated specification for projects of most any size - during early to mid-design phases.
Brevity: OutlineSPEC is designed to be used as a design assistance tool, the purpose of which is to improve a designers ability to identify project product and installation requirements at the earliest possible stage, perhaps following the use of MasterPP.
A typical OutlineSPec includes:
- product requirements relevant at an early design stage of project decision making,
- applicable quality, performance, and project criteria statements,
- appropriate preliminary installation statements.

MiniSPEC©

MiniSpec is a mid-sized master specification system, oriented to small and medium sized construction. Written in prescriptive, proprietary, and performance terms, this master specification integrates seamlessly with other SpecSUITE© products, and provides content that is capable of varying from new construction, to certain aspects of renovation, to project take-over and commissioning.

MiniSPEC Content Summary

MiniSPEC	used to develop a short-form specification or for smaller projects
MiniSPEC Complete	Divisions 0 to 16
MiniSPEC Architectural	Divisions 0 to 14
MiniSPEC Mechanical and Electrical	Divisions 0, 1, 15, 16

MiniSPEC Key Features

100+ master specification sections ranging from "front end" documents, and Division 1 to Division 16.
Bid and contract document model forms, supporting CCDC standard forms in most instances.
Medium and broad technical subject coverage within an integrated master subsystem.
Encompasses specification subjects of varying complexity from product only sections, to function oriented sections, to location specific sections.
MiniSPEC was first introduced in 1985, and became the trend setting specification package for this category of master specification systems; none other like it!
Section content varies from new construction, to certain aspects of renovation, to project take-over and commissioning.

HomeSPEC

A small-sized master specification which includes subjects addressing residential (light frame) construction projects.

Key Features:

Principal building framing is based on either wood lumber or light-gauge metal materials.

Specification sections address most of the commonly used products for residential facilities.

Most specifications sections are from 1 to 3 pages long.

The HomeSPEC library consists of approximately 38 master specification sections ranging from foundation and framing to most construction subjects associated with residential facilities.

Abbreviated technical subject coverage within an integrated master subsystem to ensure a concise project specification document - yet text is enforceable if needed.

Encompasses specification section subjects of varying complexity, but expressed in a concise format.

HomeSPEC was introduced in 2004 - none other like it!

HomeSPEC sections can be supplemented with other SpecSUITE specifications such as MiniSPEC and OutlineSPEC on the same project.

The author of all Digicon's SpecSUITE master specification libraries also developed and maintained the most comprehensive master specification library available anywhere in the United States - SPECTEXT- which is marketed for use throughout the USA. This expertise offers YOU the opportunity to acquire the best shortened form master specification library for residential construction available anywhere .... HomeSPEC

Quality Assurance Features

Digicon's master specification libraries undergo regular annual "quality" checks to ensure glitch-free and problem-free editing by consultants, specifiers, and others who prepare project specifications.
Our electronic documents are "sanitized" to ensure unwanted software codes are removed, that all text statements conform to our highest grammar standards, and that documents are ready for use.

Advantages of HomeSPEC Master Specification

HomeSPEC can easily be integrated with other SpecSUITE libraries such as OutlineSPEC and MiniSPEC8 on the same project. This offers a dynamic and natural approach to decision making and the development of any project specification.

HomeSPEC can be used on most any public or private sector project. CMS has been used and accepted on federal, provincial, and territorial government projects - when edited in a non-proprietary context.

Editing of HomeSPEC is made much easier and quicker using Digicon's SpecMacros macro (computer mini program) utilities.

MasterProspectus

MasterProspectus Key Features:

Identifies requirements for intended occupied spaces.
PP is a checklist for planning and design parameters.
PP identifies presents a check-list of applicable code and regulations criteria for a typical project.
MasterPP is great for identifying facility structural design factors, and is expressed as performance criteria.
Presents interior environment design determinants, expressed as required criteria.
PP presents a listing of elements that establish a project's principal constructed assemblies.
MasterPP can follow or be a part of the development of a checklist for cost plans and budgeting.
PP actually serves a similar but more detailed function than a checklist.
The organization of a checklist follows so closely to a PP in its content that they could be a combined document - as we have done.

Advantages of MasterProspectus Advantages

Identifies project requirements at early schematic and design development stages.
MasterPP is a form of checklist, identifying information to acquire as well as to stimulate questions to be asked - it actually prompts “intelligence gathering” for a project.
Our PP works to assist information and project issue decision making.
MasterPP works best when it precedes the development of an outline specification or a larger-form specification.
The author of all Digicon’s SpecSUITE master specification libraries also developed and maintained the most comprehensive master specification library available anywhere in the United States; SPECTEXT©. SPECTEXT is marketed for use throughout the USA. This expertise offers YOU the opportunity to acquire the best master specification library available anywhere ... CMS.

MasterProspectus Quality Assurance Features

Digicon’s master specification libraries undergo a number of “quality” checks to ensure glitch-free and problem-free editing by specifiers.
Our electronic documents are “sanitized” to ensure unwanted software codes are removed, that all text statements conform to our highest grammar standards, and that documents are ready for use.