Specification

CSI MasterFormat 08 71 00: How Mail Slot Hardware Is Classified

CSI MasterFormat is the standard numbering system architects, contractors, and manufacturers use to organize building products by category, so a specification written by one firm and read by another follows a shared, predictable structure.1 Mail slot hardware falls under Section 08 71 00, Door Hardware.

Why Mail Slot Hardware Falls Under Door Hardware

Mail slot hardware is manually operated, with no motors, powered openers, or automated components. That places it under the general Door Hardware section, 08 71 00, alongside hinges, locksets, closers, and other manually operated hardware.

Why the Section Number Matters

Using the correct CSI MasterFormat section keeps a project consistent from bid through construction. Hardware consultants, estimators, contractors, and suppliers organize submittals and bid documents by section number, not by product name. Specifying mail slot hardware under Section 08 71 00 keeps it grouped with the rest of the door hardware, so it gets reviewed alongside related items rather than being overlooked or filed under the wrong division.

Referencing It in a Specification

A typical hardware specification follows the standard three-part CSI format, General, Products, and Execution. Mail slot hardware fits into that structure the same way any other door hardware item does:

  • Part 1, General: reference applicable standards, in this case ASTM E283 for air leakage performance if verified test data is being specified.
  • Part 2, Products: list the mail slot hardware by manufacturer, model, and finish, along with any performance criteria the product must meet.
  • Part 3, Execution: installation requirements, typically referencing manufacturer instructions.

Section 08 71 00 is the section header under which this hardware is filed, regardless of which specific product is named within it.

Supporting Performance Data

Where a project requires documented air leakage performance rather than a general hardware listing, the Brass-Seal Forged Brass Mail Slot System has independently verified ASTM E283 results available.2 See the full breakdown on the ASTM E283 explainer.

Key facts on mail slot classification:

  • Mail slot hardware falls under CSI MasterFormat Section 08 71 00, Door Hardware
  • It's grouped there because it's manually operated, with no motors or powered components
  • Classification determines where a product is filed for bidding and submittal review, not how it performs
  • Performance is established separately, through testing such as ASTM E283

Frequently Asked Questions

What CSI MasterFormat section covers mail slot hardware?
Section 08 71 00, Door Hardware. This generally covers manually operated door hardware, including mail slots.

What other hardware is classified under 08 71 00?
Section 08 71 00, Door Hardware, generally covers manually operated hardware, including hinges, locksets, closers, and mail slots.

Does CSI classification affect how a product performs?
No. Classification determines where a product is filed in a specification for discoverability during bidding and submittal review. Performance is established separately, through testing such as ASTM E283.

Sources

  1. Construction Specifications Institute. MasterFormat. csiresources.org/standards/masterformat
  2. ASTM International. ASTM E283/E283M-19: Standard Test Method for Determining Rate of Air Leakage Through Exterior Windows, Skylights, Curtain Walls, and Doors Under Specified Pressure Differences Across the Specimen.

Related Guides

For CAD files, detail drawings, and Revit families available today, see blockouttheair.com/for-architects.

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