About the Content

The data in SpecLink consists of three categories of documents:

• Procurement and Contracting Documents (Division 00)
• Design Criteria Documents (DC), and
• General Requirements and Construction Specifications (Divisions 01 through 49)

Organization of the Content (US and Canadian Libraries)

All the sections and documents in SpecLink are organized according to the most recent CSI/CSC's Masterformat® (2020), SectionFormat^™ (2008 edition), and PageFormat^™ (2008 edition). The document tree in SpecLink includes virtually all the MasterFormat numbers and titles down to Level 3, which results in some empty folders in areas where SpecLink does not provide section content. RIB is frequently adding new sections, so many of these folders will eventually include RIB content. The folders also provide the proper location for any sections our users may wish to create or import.

SpecLink's content is designed for maximum flexibility and broad application. RIB has found that greater production efficiencies and accuracy are gained by use of Level 1 (broad-) and Level 2 (medium-scope) sections that cover a range of related work results, and providing Level 3 (narrow-scope) sections only when RIB determines this is necessary from subscriber input and our experience. Editing by selection and intelligent linking makes this approach even easier to manage. There is also an option for the Subscriber to edit the Section ID to suit their specific preferences or owner expectations.

More sections do not make a better subscriber experience. A larger number of closely-related, Level 3 sections will have virtually identical Part 1 and Part 3 language. This leads to duplication between sections and an additional burden of coordination and cross-referencing on the user.  Please see our FAQ for more understanding of how we organize content.

The Design Criteria Documents define the expected performance of a whole building and its parts early in the project, such as a feasibility or Project Conception Phase, including predesign and programming, before the facility has been designed, and facilitate budgeting and design professional selection. Its organization is based on UniFormat for section scope and overall organization, and may be used for a CSI Preliminary Project Description (Uniformat), a record of design criteria for a design-bid-build project, or to create requirements for a Design-Build RFP/Contract.

• Where to Buy MasterFormat or get free information: Construction Specifications Institute, www.csiresources.org

About NMS (National Master Specification) Canadian Content: 

CSC and RIB are approved publishers of the NMS. The National Research Council of Canada (NRC), which owns and maintains the NMS content, is the Government of Canada's premier research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development, and fulfilling government mandates.  Learn: How is NMS content different from RIB Commercial content, here, including where to inquire about NMS content.

Sections Report (What's in the Section)

Where do I find _____?  

For a more in depth understanding of content available in each section, by Library:

• Click here to download the SpecLink® RIB Master (USA) Sections Report. 
• Click here to download the SpecLink® RIB Master (Canada) Sections Report. 

This regularly updated file in .xlsx format includes the one line summary in the title sequence and the work results available under the Part 1 Section Includes Article.  The reports also differentiate RIB Sections from manufacturer proprietary sections.

Use this report as a handy way to locate work results content, a checklist, or conduct a "what's in the job/what should be [not be] in the job" discussion with project team members, etc. There is also a handy link to this report directly from the SpecLink-E Start Page (SLC Start Page is coming soon). 

Supporting Documents (How to Specify)

Want to review more additional information about sections at a broader level outside of the User Experience? We have handy information and additional premium content for all levels of expertise available in our Supporting Documents, click here. 

Summary of MasterFormat® Updates

For details about the latest MasterFormat® Updates and look ahead for future MasterFormat Updates MasterFormat® Update of Folder, Section Number and Title Changes in SpecLink to go the Summary of MasterFormat® Update Changes. Currently RIB is applying the 2020 updates.

Recent Updates:  While not an official MasterFormat update, the Division 20 Facility Services folder was added 8/12/2020 in both US and Canada Libraries to address Subscriber needs. See  MasterFormat® Update of Folder, Section Number and Title Changes in SpecLink for more information.

Catalogs and Catalog Reports (Catalogues and Catalogue Reports)

The database for each Library is further divided into catalogs, by design discipline and scope.  Your subscription to RIB SpecLink includes access only subscribed Library catalog(s). A brief summary of the catalogs appears below. Click on the links below to download the latest version; updated daily.

Remember that Section Count alone does not determine the volume of content available and is a common misconception often promoted by competitors.  RIB's technology enables more concise grouping of work results together under MasterFormat's Level 2 for the most efficient workflow keeps the section count in your project to only those needed.  The reports also differentiate RIB Sections from manufacturer proprietary sections.

See the Sections Report (USA) or Sections Report (Canada) above which captures the Part 1 Section Includes Article for rapid insight into the content available in each Library.

Note: Click on the links below for daily generated section counts, summaries, and additional details.  Counts in the summaries below are updated continually. 

 *Design Criteria and Water and Wastewater Equipment catalogs can be added to any of the other catalogs.

Additional Resources

A large list of resources is available in the Specifier's Library.