The Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) has published a new Technical Bulletin: Volume 1, Number 5, titled “Measuring Best Practices for SFIA Code Compliance Certification Program.”

Technical Bulletin: Volume 1, Number 5 assists manufacturers in aligning their cold-formed steel (CFS) products with the SFIA Code Compliance Certification Program, ensuring accurate and consistent measurement practices across the industry and quality assurance for customers using their products. It is part of a series of bulletins available for free download from the SFIA Documents Repository (Technical Bulletins category). 

“Accurate and consistent measurement is the foundation of code compliance,” says SFIA Technical Director Pat Ford, who led the task group that developed the bulletin. “This bulletin equips our manufacturer members — especially those new to the program — with practical tools and clear expectations that ensure their products meet the highest standards for quality and performance. It’s about building trust in every stud, track and framing member we certify.”

Download Technical Bulletin

Enhancing Measurement Consistency

SFIA Technical Bulletin: Volume 1, Number 5 provides detailed guidance on measuring steel framing products during the manufacturing process. It outlines specific tolerances for structural and nonstructural members on length, web depth, flange width and hole placements. As a result, manufacturers can ensure they meet the stringent requirements of the SFIA Code Compliance Certification Program.

Key Recommendations for Manufacturers

To facilitate compliance, the bulletin recommends that manufacturers:

• Use Calibrated Equipment: Identify each measuring device, calibrate it regularly and ensure traceability to national standards

• Maintain Calibration Logs: Keep detailed records of calibration dates and upcoming due dates, and affix stickers to each device to show its calibration status

• Implement Quality Control Manuals: Document your quality control system in a manual that complies with ICC-ES-AC10, and submit it for review before the initial inspection

• Prepare for Inspections: Designate primary and secondary contacts at your facility to assist inspectors during both scheduled and surprise inspections, conducted twice a year

Supporting Resources

In addition to Technical Bulletin: Vol. 1, No. 5, the SFIA provides supplementary materials to aid manufacturers, including:

• Volume 4, Number 2 – Steel Coil Procurement: Ordering Sheet Steel for Cold-Formed Framing (BuildSteel.org)

• SFIA Video: Verification of Product Dimensions and Other Physical Characteristics

Significantly, manufacturers — especially new SFIA members — can take consistent product measurements by using these resources. And inspectors can thereby make uniform evaluations of their program compliance.