Division 11 Equipment
Manufacturer or Product Substitution in Division 11 Equipment 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 11 Equipment: 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 11 Equipment submittals.
What to look for in Division 11 Equipment
Div 11 specs name equipment manufacturers by product type. Look for:
- Foodservice cooking equipment manufacturer substitutions (Rational, Vulcan, Garland, Blodgett, Combi Oven brands)
- Foodservice refrigeration manufacturer substitutions (True Manufacturing, Traulsen, Hoshizaki, Turbo Air)
- Ice machine manufacturer substitutions (Hoshizaki, Manitowoc, Scotsman)
- Commercial dishwasher manufacturer substitutions (Hobart, Jackson, Champion)
- Food preparation equipment manufacturer substitutions (Hobart, Globe, Berkel)
- Loading dock equipment manufacturer substitutions (Rite-Hite, Kelley, Serco, Pentalift, Frommelt)
- Parking control equipment manufacturer substitutions (FAAC, Magnetic AutoControl, SKIDATA, Amano)
- Waste handling equipment manufacturer substitutions (Marathon, Wastequip, SP Industries, Precision)
- Laboratory equipment manufacturer substitutions (Fisher Hamilton, Labconco, Kewaunee, Mott)
- Laboratory fume hood manufacturer substitutions (Labconco, Fisher Hamilton, Hamilton Scientific)
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 11 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 11
Frequently asked questions
Which equipment manufacturers are most often substituted in Division 11 Equipment submittals?
Foodservice and refrigeration are the most common swap points. Substitutions frequently involve cooking equipment brands like Rational, Vulcan, Garland, Blodgett, or combi oven brands, and refrigeration brands like True Manufacturing, Traulsen, Hoshizaki, and Turbo Air. Ice machine swaps between Hoshizaki, Manitowoc, and Scotsman are also common. Each requires an or-equal approval letter from the architect of record to clear the Blocker flag.
How does a subcontractor get a Division 11 Equipment manufacturer substitution approved without restarting the submittal review?
The submittal must include an or-equal approval letter signed by the architect of record. Without that letter, the deviation is a Blocker regardless of how similar the proposed product is. Commercial dishwasher brands like Hobart, Jackson, and Champion and food prep brands like Globe and Berkel are common substitution targets - each requires the same documentation to close the finding.
View this page as Markdown for LLMs and note-taking.