American Iron and Steel Institute
AISI cold-formed steel standards
The AISI cold-formed steel standards govern light-gauge steel framing: the studs, tracks and joists rolled from thin sheet that make up walls, floors and curtain-wall backup. They set what thickness a member has to be, how it is fastened, and how it is braced so it behaves the way it was designed to. On a walk the recurring questions are about gauge, screw pattern and the details that let a wall move without cracking.
Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
What it covers
- Member thickness and gauge against what the framing schedule calls for
- Screw type, size and pattern at connections
- Bridging and blocking that brace studs against rotation and buckling
- Deflection tracks and the movement gap at the head of non-bearing walls
- Bearing, web stiffeners and load transfer at floor and roof lines
What the evidence looks like
- Gauge confirmed against the schedule, with the member stamp or thickness photographed rather than assumed from color.
- Screw patterns photographed at connections: right screw, right spacing, driven home without stripping the metal.
- Bridging and blocking photographed installed continuously, not skipped in the bays the drywall will hide.
- Deflection track photographed with the movement gap open, so a structural load is not pinned onto a non-bearing wall.
- Web stiffeners at bearing photographed before the deck or track closes the joint.
Checklists that verify work against AISI cold-formed steel standards
4 free checklists, each with the photo every item needs before it can be submitted.
Cold-formed metal framing Rough-in· Cold-formed metal framingCold-formed metal framing rough-in inspection checklistLayout, track anchorage, stud gauge and bridging verified before board or sheathing goes up6 items11 photosCold-formed metal framing Pre-cover· Cold-formed metal framingCold-formed metal framing pre-cover inspection checklistScrew type and pattern, welds and finish backing checked before cladding or board closes the wall4 items7 photosCold-formed metal framing Final· Cold-formed metal framingCold-formed metal framing final inspection checklistCompleted framing checked plumb and aligned with openings and connections complete4 items7 photosCold-formed metal framing Punch· Cold-formed metal framingCold-formed metal framing punch checklistCloseout walk for missed screws, damaged studs and alignment before board is released3 items4 photos
Common questions
- What is AISI cold-formed steel standards?
- Cold-formed light-gauge steel framing: member thickness, screw patterns, bridging and deflection tracks. It is published by the American Iron and Steel Institute. The AISI cold-formed steel standards govern light-gauge steel framing: the studs, tracks and joists rolled from thin sheet that make up walls, floors and curtain-wall backup. They set what thickness a member has to be, how it is fastened, and how it is braced so it behaves the way it was designed to. On a walk the recurring questions are about gauge, screw pattern and the details that let a wall move without cracking.
- What does AISI cold-formed steel standards cover?
- Member thickness and gauge against what the framing schedule calls for; Screw type, size and pattern at connections; Bridging and blocking that brace studs against rotation and buckling; Deflection tracks and the movement gap at the head of non-bearing walls; Bearing, web stiffeners and load transfer at floor and roof lines.
- What does a field inspection against AISI cold-formed steel standards look at?
- Gauge confirmed against the schedule, with the member stamp or thickness photographed rather than assumed from color. Screw patterns photographed at connections: right screw, right spacing, driven home without stripping the metal. Bridging and blocking photographed installed continuously, not skipped in the bays the drywall will hide. Deflection track photographed with the movement gap open, so a structural load is not pinned onto a non-bearing wall. Web stiffeners at bearing photographed before the deck or track closes the joint.
- Which edition of AISI cold-formed steel standards applies to my project?
- Adoption varies by jurisdiction. Confirm the edition your authority having jurisdiction enforces before you run a walk against it.
- Which checklists verify work against AISI cold-formed steel standards?
- 4 free checklists in the RTI library reference this family. Each is listed on this page with the photo evidence every item needs before it can be submitted.
A standard is only met if the evidence exists
RTI holds the submit button until every mandatory item is answered and the photos are attached, then chains the record so it can be proven untouched later.