Division 05 Metals

Manufacturer or Product Substitution in Division 05 Metals submittals

By Deviation Check Editorial Team. Last reviewed June 1, 2026.

Short answer

The submittal proposes a different manufacturer or product than the spec names, without an approved or-equal or substitution request. Default grade in Division 05 Metals: Blocker.

The submittal proposes a different manufacturer or product than the spec names, without an approved or-equal or substitution request. This guide covers how it shows up specifically in Division 05 Metals submittals.

What to look for in Division 05 Metals

Structural steel specs name fabricators, joist manufacturers, and deck suppliers. Look for:

  • Steel joist manufacturer substitutions (Vulcraft/Nucor, New Millennium, Canam)
  • Metal deck manufacturer substitutions (Verco, Vulcraft, ASC Steel Deck, Consolidated Deck)
  • Steel fabricator changes (must hold AISC certification for the work category)
  • Shear stud manufacturer substitutions (Nelson, TRW)
  • Expansion anchor and cast-in-place anchor manufacturer changes (Hilti, Simpson Strong-Tie, Powers)
  • Ornamental metals fabricator changes

Common examples in Division 05 Metals submittals

Structural steel specs name fabricators, joist makers, and deck suppliers, and a brand swap here is not just a sourcing change - it can move the fabricator outside the AISC certification category the work requires.

  • Steel joist and joist-girder manufacturer (Vulcraft/Nucor, New Millennium, Canam) against the spec, and confirm the substitute's designations and load tables actually match the design.
  • Metal deck manufacturer (Verco, Vulcraft, ASC Steel Deck, Consolidated) and that the substitute's profile, gauge, and finish meet the specified deck type and diaphragm values.
  • Steel fabricator changes - confirm the proposed fabricator holds AISC certification for the work category (for example IBC steel building, or bridge), since the certification, not the brand, is the spec requirement.
  • Shear connector (stud) manufacturer (Nelson, TRW) and that the studs are the specified diameter, length, and base metal.
  • Post-installed and cast-in-place anchor manufacturer (Hilti, Simpson Strong-Tie, DeWalt/Powers) - these carry ICC-ES report numbers, and an "equal" is only equal if its ESR covers the same conditions.
  • Ornamental and architecturally exposed metal fabricator changes that affect finish quality and AESS capability.
  • That an or-equal or substitution request letter is attached, signed, and dated, not an assumed swap.

An anchor swapped to another brand can fall outside the ICC-ES evaluation report the engineer relied on, which is an approval problem the headline "equal" claim hides - so verify the ESR and the AISC category, not just the logo.

How severe is it?

Default grade: Blocker. Drops to a Note if the submittal attaches an or-equal approval letter from the architect of record.

Deviation Check assigns a default per category and escalates or de-escalates based on the spec, always showing its reasoning. See the Division 05 severity rules.

What the PM should do

Treat this as a hold. Do not approve the submittal until the sub resolves it, either by providing the specified product and documentation or by routing an approved substitution or or-equal request. Return the relevant spec passage to the sub as a redline.

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Frequently asked questions

Which steel joist and deck manufacturers are commonly named in Division 05 Metals specs, and what counts as an unapproved substitution?

Specs typically name Vulcraft/Nucor, New Millennium, and Canam for joists, and Verco, Vulcraft, ASC Steel Deck, or Consolidated Deck for metal deck. Submitting a different brand without an or-equal approval letter from the architect of record is a Blocker. Fabricators must also hold AISC certification for the applicable work category - swapping to an uncertified shop is a substitution even if the steel is the same grade.

How does a subcontractor clear a manufacturer substitution flag in a Division 05 Metals submittal?

The sub must attach an or-equal approval letter signed by the architect of record. Without that letter, the deviation stays a Blocker regardless of similarity. For steel fabricators, the replacement shop must hold valid AISC certification for the work category. Anchor and shear stud substitutions - such as swapping Hilti or Simpson Strong-Tie anchors, or Nelson vs TRW studs - follow the same path: letter first, then the flag clears.

View this page as Markdown for LLMs and note-taking.