Tech Note B006-25: Introduction to Evaluation Services and Explanation of Evaluation Reports
$5.00
Reaffirmed in November 2025
Summary: Evaluation reports act as a bridge between authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs) and manufacturers in conveying specific information on building products and systems relative to compliance to codes and standards. When an evaluation report is made available and determined as supporting the product’s use in projects, approval of the code official should be solicited. After such approval is attained, the design and installation details given in the report need to be observed and the labeling of the actual product needs to match the description provided in the evaluation report.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.
Related Products
Tech Note T201-20: Firestops in Head-of-Wall Joints for Cold-Formed Steel Construction
Summary: The selection of fire-resistive joint systems is aided by an abundance of listed options. This same abundance can make it difficult to find the fire-resistive joint system that not only meets project requirements but also the most project-friendly. Firestop manufacturers conduct training programs for installing contractors, architects, building officials, and others who would like to learn more about fire-resistive systems. Specialty firestop contractors can help with understanding project-specific opportunities. Both UL and FM offer certification programs for firestop contractors to help ensure consistency across the industry. Moreover, it is important to note whether a project will require special inspection of firestops systems. For example, 2018 IBC, Section 1705.17, lists requirements for special inspection of firestops in certain high-rise buildings. There are companies that focus on offering special inspection services. For recommendations or further learnings, please contact your firestop provider. The firestop industry is focused on improving life safety in the built environment through improved passive fire protection.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.
Tech Note FC101-22: Design of Cold-Formed Steel Rim Track
Summary: Cold-formed steel floor, roof, soffit, and ceiling joists are widely used in commercial applications. End of the joist rim track is an important component of many floor/roof/ceiling/soffit systems used to transfer load from the joist to another component of the structure. This Technical Note provides an overview of different rim track applications and how each is designed.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.
Tech Note T100-12: Fire Assemblies of Cold-Formed Steel Construction
Summary: Cold-formed steel has been widely used in commercial buildings, especially in non-load bearing (partitions) and curtain wall applications. Cold-formed steel sections are increasingly used as primary structural members, such as beams and columns, or as load-bearing walls or partitions in commercial and residential construction. In most cases, these members are required to be fire resistant where they are part of a compartment’s wall or floor, or where they support other floors. The purpose of this Tech Note is to provide the user with a comprehensive list of resources summarizing available tested fire rated steel assemblies, building code requirements, test methods and applicable
references.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.
Tech Note F101-12: Screws for Cold-Formed Steel-To-Wood and Wood-To-Cold-Formed Steel Attachments
Summary: Screws are often used to attach cold-formed steel (CFS) framing to wood members or wood structural panel decking to CFS joists or rafters. The AISI North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members (AISI S100) provides design equations for screw connection capacity for CFS members. The National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS) provides design equations for fastener/connection capacity (nails, wood screws, bolts, etc.) in wood members. The Engineered Wood Association (APA) and the building codes offer several resources for determining the capacity of screw connections attaching wood sheathing. This Tech Note reviews these resources and discusses design and detailing of these fastener connections.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.
Tech Note S300-21: Coordinating Cold-Formed with Metal Buildings
Summary: This Technical Note presents a discussion of both the design responsibilities and the need for coordination when integrating field-framed, i.e., stick-built, cold-formed steel (CFS) framing with a metal building system. Important potential coordination topics connection details and design concepts are highlighted.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.
Tech Note W600-21: Cold-Formed Steel Load-Bearing Wall Design
Summary: This Technical Note has been written to help cold-formed steel (CFS) engineers further their understanding of structural load-bearing CFS walls. Given the myriad of details required for such structures, the importance of proper design and analysis of load-bearing CFS members cannot be understated. This Technical Note will discuss the various design considerations that must be taken into consideration during the design phase of such structures.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.
Tech Note B003-20: Introduction to Building Codes
Summary: The International Code Council develops a suite of building codes that are considered nationally to be the model codes for the building industry. Local jurisdictions adopt, and in some cases amend, the codes and they become the law of the jurisdiction for building design and construction. The adopted building codes are intended to provide minimum requirements to provide a safe building environment. Among other requirements, the code dictates the maximum allowable size of a building based on its intended use, materials used in construction, fire resistance rating of structural elements, and the presence of automatic sprinkler systems. The International Building Code establishes all design loads to be applied to the building or structure. The building code also relies on references to other standards and specifications to ensure the provisions reflect the current industry practice. For cold-formed steel framing, the IBC references the American Iron and Steel Institute’s suite of framing standards as the accepted design methods and procedures.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.
Tech Note L002-23: Strap Braced Wall: Loose Strap Considerations
Summary: Strap braced walls are a common means of providing lateral stability for cold-formed steel load-bearing structures. Discussed in this technical note are causes of loose straps, potential stability implications as well as potential means of remediation.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.