The National Master Specification (NMS), published by the National Research Council (NRC), is a comprehensive, bilingual reference for developing project specifications in Canada. Continuously reviewed with industry input, it covers procedures, products, and methods used in construction. The NRC is also updating the NMS to include environmentally responsible practices.
NBS Products Available through the RAIC
The RAIC is partnered with National Building Specifications (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.
The RAIC offers three NBS product options for professionals seeking access to the National Master Specification (NMS) content.
1. NBS Chorus — Specification Software
A cloud-based platform compatible with Windows, macOS, tablets, and mobile devices.
- Includes all NMS content in English and French.
- Comes with one floating user licence for NBS Chorus.
- The Complete Set option also includes UniFormat content.
- Additional licences are required for multiple concurrent users.
2. SPECedit — Specification Editor
A desktop-based editor for Word specifications on Windows or macOS.
- Includes the SPECedit software only (no NMS content).
- Additional workstations or users require extra licences.
- Note: SPECedit is still available but no longer supported after December 31, 2023.
3. NMS Word Document Libraries
Curated Word document versions of NMS content for Windows and macOS.
- Includes free cleanup macros (remove Spec Notes, drop Option brackets, renumber documents).
- No additional software required — compatible with Microsoft Word only.
All products are available exclusively through the RAIC with member discounts.
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.
MasterFormat™
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.
Content Libraries
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.