Division 22 Plumbing
Manufacturer or Product Substitution in Division 22 Plumbing 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 22 Plumbing: 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 22 Plumbing submittals.
What to look for in Division 22 Plumbing
Plumbing specs name specific pipe, fixture, and equipment manufacturers. Look for:
- Pipe manufacturer substitutions (Charlotte Pipe, JM Eagle, Viega, Watts, Nibco)
- Fixture manufacturer substitutions (American Standard, Kohler, Sloan, Zurn, Chicago Faucets, Elkay, Moen, Delta Commercial, T&S Brass)
- Water heater manufacturer substitutions (A.O. Smith, Bradford White, Rheem, Lochinvar, PVI)
- Valve manufacturer substitutions (Watts, Nibco, Apollo, Milwaukee Valve)
- Water cooler/fountain manufacturer substitutions (Elkay, Halsey Taylor, Oasis, Haws)
- Backflow preventer manufacturer substitutions (Watts, Zurn Wilkins, Apollo, Febco)
- Grease interceptor manufacturer substitutions (Zurn, Jay R. Smith, Watts, Schier)
- Pump manufacturer substitutions (Grundfos, Bell & Gossett/Xylem, Armstrong, Taco)
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 22 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 22
Frequently asked questions
What plumbing manufacturers are commonly substituted without approval in Division 22 Plumbing submittals?
Substitutions happen across every product category. Common swaps include pipe manufacturers such as Charlotte Pipe or Viega for a specified brand, fixture manufacturers such as Kohler or Sloan for an approved one, and backflow preventer brands such as Watts or Febco. Water heater substitutions - A.O. Smith for Bradford White, for example - are also frequent. None of these are acceptable without an or-equal approval letter from the architect of record.
How does a plumbing subcontractor get an unauthorized product substitution cleared on a Division 22 Plumbing submittal?
The sub must submit an or-equal request and receive a written approval letter from the architect of record before the substitution is accepted. Until that letter is attached to the resubmittal, the deviation stays a Blocker. Product categories that commonly need this path include pump brands such as Grundfos or Bell and Gossett, valve brands such as Apollo or Milwaukee Valve, and grease interceptor brands such as Zurn or Schier.
View this page as Markdown for LLMs and note-taking.