Cold-formed steel framing is common in commercial and multifamily buildings.
In this article
Uses
Walls and soffits.
Design
Delegated design often.
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Connections
Engineered details.
Coordination
MEP penetrations.
Fire ratings
Tested assemblies.
A closer look
Many cold-formed steel systems use delegated design, meaning the framing subcontractor's engineer designs parts of the system. Coordinating these submittals early with structure, envelope and MEP avoids field conflicts.
Where to start
Confirm which framing elements require delegated design and schedule those submittals early.
An example
A GC coordinated steel stud submittals with mechanical drawings. Penetrations were planned and field cutting was minimized.
Common mistakes
Late delegated design, unplanned penetrations and wrong gauge.
What to track
Track submittal approvals, field changes and inspections.
Questions to ask
Which elements require delegated design? Are penetrations coordinated with MEP? Do assemblies match the tested fire-rated designs? Who reviews connection details?
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Frequently asked questions
Where is cold-formed steel used?
Interior partitions, exterior walls, soffits, trusses and some load-bearing structures in commercial and multifamily construction.