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Cold-Formed Steel Framing Quality Assurance and Quality Control

As CFS-framed projects grow in size and complexity, QA/QC will be paramount to project success. The addition of QA/QC to the AISI standards ensures high-quality results.

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Architects and engineers need to be aware of potential conflicts between their project specifications and the building codes. Another area of importance is quality — the quality of the products used on projects and the quality of their installation.

cold formed steel framing project

As CFS-framed projects grow in size and complexity, the addition of QA/QC to the AISI standards ensures high-quality results.

3 Sources of QA/QC in CFS Framing

Here are 3 ways the cold-formed (CFS) steel framing industry provides Quality Assurance and Quality Control for its products and their installation.

1. AISI S240 is now the definitive standard for building walls correctly

steel framing industry association product certification

The SFIA’s product certification is a mark of high-quality and ensures that AISI and ASTM standards are being met.

2. SFIA certification programs fulfill the AISI QA/QC requirements for the manufacturing of CFS products

QA Product Certification: The steel framing industry’s QA programs are process/document based. They involve manufacturing, training, sales, raw materials ordering, fabrication, and packaging processes to ensure CFS product quality.

SFIA has two QA product certification programs:

1. The SFIA Code Compliance Certification Program for Cold-Formed Steel Stud and Track

    • Requires the manufacturer to document the controls and procedures used during manufacturing to ensure the correct steel is ordered
    • Requires manufacturing crews to monitor tolerances and stud shapes as the framing material comes off the line
    • Requires strict record-keeping, including the ability to identify breakdowns in processes that may have resulted in product failures
    • Is administered by Intertek Group, PLC, an independent third-party verifier that makes unannounced visits to member plants to audit procedures and test samples
    • The SFIA Code Compliance Certification Program for Cold-Formed Steel Stud and Track is the industry’s only quality-control program with quality assurance that involves after-the-fact materials testing
  1. The SFIA Connector Manufacturing Compliance Certification Program
    • Requires that a QA program be in place
    • Certifies that the coating weights and mechanical property requirements of manufactured connectors match designs and part drawings
    • Assures architects, owners, and building officials that the CFS framing connectors specified and installed meet recognized manufacturing standards
    • Is administered by Intertek

QC Product Certification: The industry’s QC programs combine a QA program with physical product testing. This is the only valid certification process to confirm that a product performs as intended.

For architects and engineers selecting CFS products, the steel framing industry’s QC programs provide a high level of certainty that CFS products are produced consistently.

SFIA certified professionals have technical knowledge of codes, standards, and applicable tolerances associated with CFS framing.

3. SFIA certification programs fulfill the AISI QA/QC requirements for CFS installation

QA/QC in the CFS framing installation process is achieved in two ways:

Documentation: The framing contractor is required to provide documentation on their qualifications to install CFS framing.

    • Some framing contractors become a SFIA Certified Professional Contractor
    • A SFIA Certified Professional Contractor demonstrates technical knowledge of codes, standards, and applicable tolerances associated with CFS framing
    • The SFIA Certified Professional Truss Fabricator program is also available
    • Both Contractor and Truss Fabricator certifications require Observation Reports completed by a licensed professional engineer

Product Selection: Framing contractors selecting CFS products must review product literature, statements of code compliance, limiting heights tables, and more.

    • QA/QC typically requires verification that the CFS products selected comply with the requirements set by the project and the prevailing building code
    • A SFIA Certified Professional Contractor meets these AISI QA/QC requirements

As CFS-framed projects grow in size and complexity, the CFS framing industry’s QA/QC programs will be paramount to ensuring project success and high-quality results.