Intelligent construction specification, in the cloud
Work smarter and safer, collaborate better, and connect your workflow
Construction success starts with the specification
Fully cloud-based
Chorus is a fully online specification platform for construction. Access anywhere, on any capable device (including Mac), with lightning-fast performance and ultimate scalability for all sizes of organisation. No complicated installs for IT to manage, start your project on your laptop, finish on your tablet or mobile - NBS Chorus keeps your specification in sync, wherever you are.
Comprehensive, authoritative content
Reduce your risk and rely on our multi-disciplinary specialist team to keep on top of thousands of changes to construction standards. Chorus offers the most comprehensive, high-quality content available, with multiple content sets and links to standards. Uniquely, the platform natively supports the Uniclass 2015 classification required for BIM projects and now includes a library of Common Arrangement of Work Sections (CAWS).
Intelligent
Work smarter than with any other specification tools or word processor. Save time, connect your workflow and specify more effectively with a powerful feature set. Develop specifications quickly and intuitively, and manage knowledge across your organisation. Chorus guidance (UK content) links to the Construction Information Service (CIS) for documents and standards, and NBS BIM Library for BIM objects.
Download sample specifications
Integrate model and specification
Chorus enables you to develop your model and specification at the same time. Develop your specification directly within the Autodesk Revit® or Graphisoft ARCHICAD environment, keep your information co-ordinated and create a seamless link between your design and specification - saving you time and reducing the risk of information becoming out of sync.
Multiple users, working at once
Empower your team members to work together on specs in real-time, across organisations and locations. Powerful browser-based collaboration allows multiple users and teams to develop specifications together, making instant updates. Ryder Architecture’s Newcastle and Vancouver teams were among the first to produce a specification using NBS Chorus, simultaneously across the globe. Read more about their experience below.
Ryder Architecture - Global collaboration
Manufacturer product data
Find the right products for your projects, without searching for hours. NBS offers a suite of free digital tools which enable you to instantly select from over 25,000 construction products from over 1,100 leading manufacturers; pre-written in specification and BIM object format, all to NBS standards. Saving you time, and giving you the confidence that the information is accurate and well-structured.
Like what you see? Book a demo for NBS Chorus today
Pricing and purchase
A subscription to NBS Chorus also gives you access to NBS Create and NBS Building so you can transition in your own time.
We have a range of price plans for different organisations, featuring:
- Access to NBS Chorus
- Access to NBS Create/NBS Building
- 13,000+ Guidance articles
- 25,000+ manufacturer products
- Uniclass 2015 and CAWS
- Use anywhere on any device
- Multi-user collaboration
- Model integration via Revit® or ARCHICAD
- Dedicated account manager
- Continually updated content
Already a NBS Chorus user?
Scope of content
Libraries of pre-written specification clauses, guidance and manufacturer product information are written by our multi-disciplinary specialist team.
NBS Chorus covers multi-discipline content, which means that an accurate specification can be written in less time, avoiding the risk of duplicated or conflicting content.
United Kingdom – Uniclass 2015
NBS Chorus covers the specific systems and the performance, products, execution and system completion clauses that are required by the following groupings. This content is grouped into four content libraries: Architecture, Landscape, Services and Structure.
Preliminaries
Download full list of preliminaries content groupings by library (PDF)
| Domestic sub contract |
| General information |
| ICC Minor Works Version |
| IMechE/ IET General conditions of contract, Model Form MF/1 |
| Investigation/ Survey Contract |
| JCLI 2017 |
| JCT 2016 |
| JCT Subcontract ICSub/NAM |
| NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) |
| NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) |
| NFDC 2015 Form of Direct Contract |
| Public Works Contracts |
| RIAI |
| RIBA Concise Building Contract |
| SBCC 2016 |
| SBCC Constructing Excellence Contract |
| SBCC Framework Agreement |
| Work Package A70 |
Work sections
Download full list of content groupings by library (PDF)
| Ss_15 | Earthworks systems |
| Ss_20 | Structural systems |
| Ss_25 | Wall and barrier systems |
| Ss_30 | Roof, floor and paving systems |
| Ss_32 | Damp proofing, waterproofing and plaster finishing systems |
| Ss_35 | Stair and ramp systems |
| Ss_37 | Tunnel, shaft, vessel and tower systems |
| Ss_40 | Signage, fittings, furnishings and equipment (FF&E) and general finishing systems |
| Ss_45 | Flora and fauna systems |
| Ss_50 | Disposal systems |
| Ss_55 | Piped supply systems |
| Ss_60 | Heating, cooling and refrigeration systems |
| Ss_65 | Ventilation and air conditioning systems |
| Ss_70 | Electrical systems |
| Ss_75 | Communications, security, safety, control and protection systems |
| Ss_80 | Transport systems |
United Kingdom – CAWS
Download full list of preliminaries content groupings by library (PDF)
Preliminaries
| Domestic sub contract |
| Infrastructure Conditions of Contract (ICC) Minor Works Version |
| Investigation/ Survey Contract |
| JCLI 2017 |
| JCT 2016 |
| JCT Subcontract ICSub/NAM |
| NEC3 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) |
| NEC4 Engineering and Construction Contract (ECC) |
| NFDC Form of Direct Contract |
| Public Works Contracts |
| RIAI |
| RIBA Concise Building Contract |
| SBCC 2014 |
| SBCC 2016 |
| Short Public Works Contract |
| Work Package A70 |
Work sections
Download full list of content groupings by library (PDF)
| B - Complete buildings/ structures/ units |
| C - Demolition/ alteration/ renovation |
| D - Groundwork |
| E - In situ concrete/large precast concrete |
| F - Masonry |
| G - Structural/carcassing metal/timber |
| H - Cladding/covering |
| J - Waterproofing |
| K - Linings/sheathing/dry partitioning |
| L - Windows/ doors/ stairs |
| M - Surface finishes |
| N - Furniture/equipment |
| P - Building fabric sundries |
| Q - Paving/planting/fencing/site furniture |
| R - Disposal systems |
| S - Piped supply systems |
| T - Mechanical heating/cooling/refrigeration systems |
| U - Ventilation/air conditioning systems |
| V - Electrical supply/power/lighting systems |
| W - Communications/security/control systems |
| X - Transport systems |
| Z - Building fabric reference specification |
Australia – Uniclass 2015
Download list of content (PDF)
| Classification | Systems |
| Ss_20 | Structural systems |
| Ss_25 | Wall and barrier systems |
| Ss_30 | Roof, floor and paving systems |
| Ss_32 | Damp-proofing, waterproofing and plaster finishing systems |
| Ss_35 | Stair and ramp systems |
| Ss_40 | Signage, fittings, furnishings and equipment and general finishing systems |
| Ss_45 | Flora and fauna systems |
| Ss_55 | Piped supply systems |
| Ss_80 | Transport systems |
Canada – CMS
Download list of content (PDF)
| Classification | Systems |
| Division 00 | Procurement and Contracting Requirements |
| Division 01 | General Requirements |
| 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 21 | Fire Suppression |
| Division 22 | Plumbing |
| Division 23 | Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) |
| Division 25 | Integrated Automation |
| Division 26 | Electrical |
| Division 27 | Communications |
| Division 28 | Electronic Safety and Security |
| Division 31 | Earthwork |
| Division 32 | Exterior Improvements |
| Division 33 | Utilities |
| Division 34 | Transportation |
Canada – NMS
Canada – NMS (French)
Keeping you safe in the cloud
The cloud has been proven to be a reliable and secure choice for even the largest organisations, and is fast becoming the most trusted data solution.
We take data security very seriously, and you can be reassured that we have taken all the necessary steps to protect your data and maintain our cloud security.
Below, we've included some frequently asked questions to share more detail about how we keep your data safe.
How safe is my data in NBS Chorus?
We test our platform against the Google VSAQ (Vendor Security Assessment Questionnaire) – the process that Google uses to assess vendor security to ensure the highest levels of compliance.
VSAQ is a collection of adaptable questionnaires for evaluating a given vendor’s security and privacy posture. Whilst we do not publicly publish the results of this questionnaire, we can make this information available upon request. For further details on VSAQ, click here.
Where is my data stored?
Data is stored in secure data centres in London operated by Amazon Web Services (AWS).
What is the cloud?
The cloud is a network of remote servers hosted on the internet and used to store, manage and process data in place of local servers or personal computers.
How is the cloud protected?
Chorus runs with AWS’ state of the art infrastructure, and makes use of its comprehensive security features to enforce rigorous access control and defend against threats such as DDoS attacks. Our policy is to keep data encrypted in transit and at rest, wherever possible, to eliminate the possibility of any unauthorised access.
Who owns the data?
NBS claims no ownership rights to data entered by users into NBS Chorus. All of the intellectual property rights in the NBS Chorus Service, the NBS Content and in any materials or software created or used in the provision of training are, and shall remain at all times, the sole and exclusive property of NBS or its licencors.
How is my data backed up?
Our infrastructure is designed to be extremely reliable, and makes use of the latest cloud technologies to minimise the risk of any data loss. Data is continually backed up with a restoration window target of five minutes (the maximum potential of any data loss in the unlikely event of a problem). Data and back-ups are stored on systems with a designed durability of 99.999999999%, giving robust protection from component failure leading to data loss.
What are the system requirements?
Use Google Chrome for the best experience with NBS Chorus.
Chorus works best in web browsers that have modern javascript engines. Internet Explorer 11 runs Chorus the slowest and it is not recommended.
Compatible Browsers:
- Google Chrome
- Mozilla Firefox
- Microsoft Internet Explorer 11 - not recommended
- Microsoft Edge
- Apple Safari
Always ensure you have the latest, vendor supported version of these browsers installed.
Other requirements:
- An internet connection.
- JavaScript enabled.
Irrespective of your browser choice, you must have JavaScript and Cookies enabled in your browser for the website to function correctly. Please read your browser’s help instructions for details on how to enable these settings if they are switched off.
Export to Microsoft Word - NBS Chorus can export specifications to Microsoft Word. A licenced version of Microsoft Word (Windows or macOS) is required to open these documents.