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Know substitutions

September 30, 2001

It’s inevitable: The time will come when a product specified in the plans is not available or is out of stock, and you need to substitute a lesser-known product. Or you want to use a new product but are not sure if it will be accepted by the local code official. Take these steps:

 

 

  • Get a copy of the evaluation report, usually available on the manufacturer’s Web site or through your supplier. Product manufacturers typically have new products tested by an independent, third-party testing laboratory to establish suitability for the intended use. To verify that the tests meet accepted standards, the tests are then evaluated by an independent evaluation organization such as the National Evaluation Service (www.nateval.org) or the International Conference of Building Officials Evaluation Service (www.icbo.org/icbo_es).

     

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  • Get agreement that the code official will accept the product in the field. Nothing is worse than having to hold up a job until a code official accepts an installed product.

     

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  • Keep a copy of the evaluation report in your construction documents.
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