Division 31 Earthwork
Manufacturer or Product Substitution in Division 31 Earthwork 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 31 Earthwork: 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 31 Earthwork submittals.
What to look for in Division 31 Earthwork
Geosynthetic and shoring specs frequently name manufacturers or specify proprietary systems. Look for:
- Geotextile brand substitutions (Mirafi, Propex, Tensar, Huesker) without equivalency documentation
- Geogrid manufacturer swaps (Tensar TriAx, Fortrac, Secugrid) where specific products are tied to engineered designs
- Drainage composite substitutions (Enkadrain, Miradrains, Serindrain) that may have different flow rates
- Erosion control blanket brand changes (North American Green, Profile Products, Western Excelsior) affecting C-factor ratings
- Shoring system component manufacturer swaps where proprietary system was specified (e.g., Schnabel, Hayward Baker, Golder)
- Dewatering pump manufacturer substitutions where flow capacity is performance-critical
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 31 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 31
Frequently asked questions
What geosynthetic manufacturer substitutions require an or-equal approval in Division 31 Earthwork submittals?
Any swap of a named geosynthetic brand requires an or-equal approval letter from the architect of record before the submittal can clear review. This covers geotextile brand changes (Mirafi, Propex, Tensar, Huesker), geogrid swaps (Tensar TriAx, Fortrac, Secugrid), and drainage composite changes (Enkadrain, Miradrains, Serindrain). Without that letter the deviation is a Blocker.
How does a substituted shoring system manufacturer get approved in a Division 31 Earthwork submittal?
Proprietary shoring systems from named manufacturers such as Schnabel, Hayward Baker, or Golder are tied to engineered designs, so a component swap is treated as a Blocker until an or-equal approval letter accompanies the resubmittal. The sub must document that the replacement system matches every design parameter in the original specification, not just the product category.
View this page as Markdown for LLMs and note-taking.