For all questions relating to the content and usage of NMS products, please contact NBS at 1-866-278-9954 or info@theNBS.ca
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 is published by the National Research Council (NRC). The NRC consults the design and construction industry on technical improvements to the text and specifications. The NRC 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 35 years and it is the NRC that ensures the product is available in both English and French. The NRC is in the process of “greening” all the sections to ensure that they include environmentally responsible material and work practices.
MasterFormat™ is a system of numbers and titles for organizing construction information into a standard order or sequence. The MasterFormat™ classification system is continuously updated jointly by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) and Construction Specifications Canada (CSC). In 2004, MasterFormat™ expanded from 16 Divisions to more than 40 Divisions. Within each division are sections, and each section has a 6 or 8 digit number to provide more granularity to the topic.
National Building Specifications (NBS) has been supplying specification software and services for the AECD industry for over 50 years. NBS acquired Digicon Information in 2017 and Innovative Technology (ITI) in 2020, further expanding their specification services in Canada. NBS owns, authors and publishes the Canadian Master Specifications (CMS) in Canada, the Uniclass specification content in the UK, and SureSpec specification content in Australia.
The RAIC is partnered with NBS to bring specification products and services to Canadian specifiers with a discount for RAIC members. RAIC receives a small royalty for each sale. RAIC collects the payment from RAIC members and NBS ships and supports the NMS products.
There are three types of NBS products sold through RAIC:
· Specification software (NBS Chorus) pre-loaded with all NMS content sections in both English and French.
· ITI’s SPECedit software to edit Word documents (additional users or workstations will require additional licences for the software). NOTE: Although still available for purchase, SPECedit will no longer be supported after December 31st, 2023.
· Curated Word document libraries of NMS content.
Note the purchase of the Software comes with a single user licence for it. If more than one user will need use of the software concurrently, additional licences must be purchased.
· Order from the RAIC at a discount price
· View the full list of contents available from NBS via Innovative Technology Inc.
The following options are available:
NBS Chorus specification software
Cloud based software compatible with both Macintosh, Windows, tablets and cell phones.
This package comes with 1 floating NBS Chorus user licence and all NMS content in both English and French.
SPECedit specification editor
To be used with Windows or Macintosh.
This package includes the SPECedit software only and does not come with any content.
Word documents for Windows and Macintosh, and Free Macros
To be used with Microsoft Word for Macintosh or Windows.
This package includes free specification cleanup macros, such as drop Spec Notes, drop Option brackets, Renumber Document.
NBS Chorus or SPECedit are not required.
Complete Set
This package includes NMS in both English and French as well as UniFormat content, and 1 floating user licence for NBS Chorus.
Content is available both as complete content sets as well as curated by discipline. Content libraries are available for both NBS Chorus and SPECedit.
The following content libraries are available:
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 Uniformat content.
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.
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.
Air Transportation
This package includes selected sections (no full divisions). See the NMS List of Contents for more information.
Conservation
This package includes selected sections (no full divisions). See the NMS List of Contents for more information.
Landscape Architectural
This package includes selected sections (no full divisions). See the NMS List of Contents for more information.
Structural
This package includes selected sections (no full divisions). See the NMS List of Contents for more information.
Interior Design
This package includes selected sections (no full divisions). See the NMS List of Contents for more information.
Heavy Civil
This package includes:
Division 00 – Procurement and Contracting Requirements
Division 01 – General Conditions
Division 03 – Concrete
Division 11 – Equipment
Division 31 – Earthwork
Division 32 – Exterior Improvements
Division 33 – Utilities
Division 35 – Water and Marine Construction
Parts of Division 02, 05, 06, 09, 27, 34, 44 and Performance. See the NMS List of Contents for more information.
Mechanical
This package includes:
Division 00 – Procurement and Contracting Requirements
Division 01 – General Conditions
Division 21 – Fire Suppression
Division 22 – Plumbing
Division 23 – HVAC
Division 25 – Integrated Automation
Parts of Division 08, 10, 11, 26, 33, 42 and Performance. See the NMS List of Contents for more information.
Electrical
This package includes:
Division 00 – Procurement and Contracting Requirements
Division 01 – General Conditions
Division 26 – Electrical
Division 27 – Communications
Division 28 – Electronic Safety and Security
Parts of Division 23, 33 and Performance. See the NMS List of Contents for more information.
Engineering (combination of Electrical and Mechanical)
This Package includes:
Division 00 – Procurement and Contracting Requirements
Division 01 – General Conditions
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 08,10, 11, 33, 34, 42 and Performance. See the NMS List of Contents for more information.
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