Division 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection
Manufacturer or Product Substitution in Division 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection submittals
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 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection: 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 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection submittals.
What to look for in Division 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection
Div 07 specs routinely name roofing system manufacturers, waterproofing producers, and insulation brands. Look for:
- Roofing membrane manufacturer substitutions (Carlisle, Firestone/Elevate, Johns Manville, GAF, Sika Sarnafil, Tremco)
- Waterproofing manufacturer substitutions (Carlisle CCW, W.R. Grace/GCP, Henry Company, Tremco, Cetco)
- Insulation manufacturer changes (Owens Corning, Johns Manville, Rockwool/Roxul, Dow/DuPont, Carlisle)
- Air barrier manufacturer substitutions (Henry Blueskin, Grace Perm-A-Barrier, Carlisle CCW, Prosoco)
- Fireproofing manufacturer substitutions (Isolatek/Cafco, W.R. Grace/Monokote, Southwest Fireproofing, Carboline)
- Firestop system manufacturer substitutions (Hilti, 3M, STI, Specified Technologies)
- Sealant manufacturer changes (Dow, Tremco, Pecora, Sika, Bostik)
- Metal panel manufacturer substitutions (ATAS, Centria, Kingspan, Morin)
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 07 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.
Other deviation categories in Division 07
Frequently asked questions
Which roofing membrane manufacturers are commonly substituted in Division 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection submittals?
The most frequent substitutions involve the six major single-ply manufacturers: Carlisle, Firestone/Elevate, Johns Manville, GAF, Sika Sarnafil, and Tremco. A submittal that swaps one for another without an approved or-equal letter from the architect of record is a Blocker. The waterproofing side sees similar patterns among Carlisle CCW, W.R. Grace/GCP, Henry Company, Tremco, and Cetco.
How does an or-equal approval letter affect a manufacturer substitution finding in a Division 07 Thermal and Moisture Protection submittal?
An or-equal approval letter from the architect of record drops the finding from a Blocker to a Note. Without that letter, any swap - whether a roofing membrane, air barrier such as Henry Blueskin or Grace Perm-A-Barrier, firestop system from Hilti, 3M, or STI, or a sealant brand such as Dow, Tremco, or Pecora - stays a Blocker until the approval is attached.
View this page as Markdown for LLMs and note-taking.