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• What are construction submittals?
• What does a good submittal look like?
• What are submittal logs and submittal registers?
• Who's doing innovative work in submittals? COMING SOON!

What are construction submittals?

Almost every day, someone asks us "What is a construction submittal?" We have searched far and wide for a definitive article on this subject. Since we have yet to find one, we have made an attempt to answer this question for you.

Submittal requirements are part of the project specifications. The "spec book," which on some projects can be the size of the Manhattan phone directory, accompanies the drawings and describes "how the project is to be constructed and what results are to be achieved." ¹

Architects and engineers prepare the specifications. Almost all specifications used in the U.S. and Canada are based on the CSI MasterFormat™ developed by the Construction Specifications Institute. Some designers use the 16 division CSI MasterFormat™ from the 1995 version. Other designers have adopted the 2004 edition, which has 50 divisions. Additional information on CSI MasterFormat™ is available on www.csinet.org.

As a rule, submittal requirements are set forth project specifications, usually in section 1310. A second section, 1330, lays out specific submittal procedures.

At the beginning of the project, the general contractor will prepare a submittal schedule. The schedule, sometimes called a submittal log, indicates the specification sections, due dates, and responsible party for each required submittal. The designer approves this schedule.

MasterSpec², a resource used by many specification writers, defines two types of submittals: action submittals, which require the architect's responsive action and informational submittals, which do not. Action submittals include:

• Product data submittals
• Shop drawing submittals
• Sample submittals
• Schedules, including the project master schedule, payment schedule, etc.
• Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
  submittals ³

BuildSite was designed specifically to help you do product data and LEED submittals. Frequently, we can cut the time on a complex project submittal from four hours to less than one. To see how to use BuildSite to search for product information, click here. To see how to build an actual submittal, click here.

Section 1330 also lays out the time requirements for the architect's review of each submittal and the type of cover sheets and transmittal memos needed to identify them.

Many submittals are still done on paper. Contractors must make copies, sometimes five or more sets, for project participants, including owner, general contractor, architect, engineer, and consultants. The architect or engineer will indicate approvals, rejections, and conditions on cover sheets.

On some projects it is possible to submit electronically. This is especially true where the owner or GC is using Primavera Expedition, Meridian Prolog, Constructware, or a similar program to manage document flow. At present, it is possible to attach PDF files from BuildSite to Submittal Logs in Expedition and Prolog. For details, contact us at support@buildsite.com.

With BuildSite, you can submit on paper or electronically. We are committed to doing our part to simplify the time intensive submittal process. Suggestions are always welcome; send them to support@buildsite.com.

¹ Clough, Richard H., and Glenn A. Sears. Construction Contracting.

² Architectural Computer Services Inc. (ARCOM) publishes and

³ More information on the Leadership in Energy and Environmental

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What does a good submittal look like?

A good submittal has a cover page that meets project requirements. Pages are legible - they are not copies of faxes. With BuildSite, all pages are derived from electronic originals and are in PDF format.

Click here to see a sample submittal cover page.

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What are submittal logs and submittal registers?

The July 1997 issue of The Construction Specifier published an article entitled "The Submittal Process". The Construction Specifier is published by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) of Alexandria, VA.

Click here to read CSI's article on submittal logs and registers.

About CSI

The Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) is a national association dedicated to creating standards and formats to improve construction documents and project delivery. The organization is unique in the industry in that its members are a cross section of specifiers, architects, engineers, contractors and building materials suppliers. The organization has 145 chapters and more than 16,000 members. Monthly Chapter meetings allow members the opportunity to communicate openly with their counterparts and exchange information for successful project management. CSI is renown in the industry for its rigorous certification programs for professionals seeking to improve their knowledge of accurate and concise construction documents. CSI provides continuing education, professional conferences, and product shows. For more information, visit www.csinet.org, or call 800-689-2900.

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