STEEL DECK

INSTITUTE

American National standards institute/ steel deck institute

QA/QC - 2011 Standard for

Quality Control and Quality Assurance

for Installation of Steel Deck

copyright 2012 steel deck institute

American National standards institute/ steel deck institute

STEEL DECK
INSTITUTE

s
1.

QA/QC - 2011 Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of Steel Deck

General
1.1

Scope:
A.
This Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of
Steel Deck, hereafter referred to as the Standard, shall govern the minimum
requirements for quality control and quality assurance for material control and
installation of cold formed steel deck and deck accessories used for floor and
roof applications in buildings and other structures, where other structures are
defined as structures designed, fabricated, and erected in a manner similar to
buildings, with building-like vertical and lateral load resisting-elements.
User Note: This Standard does not apply to the manufacture of steel deck or
accessories by the deck manufacturer, other than material control, nor to
manufacture of mechanical fasteners or welding consumables. This Standard
does not address quality control or quality assurance for concrete, concrete
reinforcing steel, welded wire reinforcing, discontinuous fiber reinforcement
for concrete, steel anchors, or placement of concrete.
User Note: Quality Control/Quality Assurance provisions for structural
steel and steel anchors are found in Section N of AISC 360 and Section J of
AISC 341.
B.
C.

The Appendices shall be part of the Standard.

The User Notes and Commentary shall not be part of the Standard.
User Note: User Notes and Commentary are intended to provide practical
guidance in the use and application of this Standard.

D.

1.2

Quality Control (QC) as specified in this Standard shall be provided by the

installer. Quality Assurance (QA) as specified in this Standard shall be
provided by others when required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction, the
applicable building code, Owner, or Designer.

Definitions
A.
Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ): Organization, political subdivision,
office or individual charged with the responsibility of administering and
enforcing the provisions of the applicable building code.
B.
Designer: The licensed professional responsible for the content of the
drawings and specifications from which the steel deck is to be constructed.
User Note: The Designer is usually the structural engineer-of-record,
however it may be the architect or other licensed professional acting within
the scope of their license.

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C.

D.
E.

F.
G.

H.

QA/QC - 2011 Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of Steel Deck

Construction Documents: Written, graphic and pictorial documents prepared

or assembled for describing the design, location and physical characteristics
of the elements of a project necessary for obtaining a building permit, which
have been approved in accordance with the requirements of the applicable
building code.
Design Documents: The design drawings and the specifications.
Design Drawings. Graphic and pictorial documents prepared by the Designer,
showing the design, location and dimensions of the steel deck and accessories.
These documents generally include plans, sections, details, schedules,
diagrams and notes.
Installation Drawings: Field-installation drawings that are prepared to show
the deck finish, size and type, and location and attachment of the deck and
accessories.
Inspect: When used in conjunction with quality control and quality assurance,
it shall mean the systematic examination and review of the work for
compliance with the appropriate documents, with appropriate subsequent
documentation.
Owners Designated Representative for Construction: The owner or the entity
that is responsible to the owner for the overall construction of the project,
including its planning, quality, and completion.
User Note: The Owners Designated Representative for Construction is
usually the general contractor, the construction manager or similar authority at
the job site.

I.

J.
K.

L.
M.
N.
O.

Quality Assurance (QA): Inspection as herein required of the materials,

installation, fabrication, erection or placement of components and
connections, performed by an agency, individual or firm other than the
installer, requiring special expertise to confirm compliance with construction
documents and referenced standards.
Quality Assurance Inspector (QAI): Individual or agency designated to
provide quality assurance inspection for the work being performed.
Quality Control (QC): Controls and inspections implemented by the installer
to confirm that the material provided and work performed meet the
requirements of the construction documents, installation drawings, shop
drawings, design documents and referenced standards.
Quality Control Inspector (QCI). Individual or agency designated to perform
quality control inspection tasks for the work being performed.
Quality Control Program (QCP). A written practice describing the material
controls and inspection procedures used by the installer to confirm
conformance with the construction documents and referenced standards.
Shop Drawings: Drawings, diagrams, or schedules depicting the steel deck
and accessories produced for the specific project.
Specifications: Written documents prepared by the Designer, containing the
requirements for materials, standards and workmanship from which the steel
deck is to be constructed.

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P.

1.3

QA/QC - 2011 Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of Steel Deck

Terms not defined in this standard, AISI S100 or AISI/AISC shall have the
ordinary accepted meaning for the context for which they are intended.

Reference Codes, Standards, and Documents:

A.
Codes and Standards: The following documents or portions thereof are
referenced in this standard.
1.
American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)
a.
AISI S100-07, North American Specification for the Design of
Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, with Supplement 2,
dated 2010.
b.
AISI/AISC, Standard Definitions for Use in the Design of Steel
Structures, 2007 edition.
2.
American Welding Society (AWS)
a.
AWS B5.1:2003, Specification for the Qualification of
Welding Inspectors
b.
AWS D1.1:2010, Structural Welding Code-Steel
c.
AWS D1.3:2008, Structural Welding Code-Sheet Steel
3.
Steel Deck Institute (SDI)
a.
SDI C-2011, Standard for Composite Steel Floor Deck-Slabs
b.
SDI NC-2010, Standard for Noncomposite Steel Floor Deck
c.
SDI RD-2010, Standard for Steel Roof Deck
User Note: The following standards and documents are referenced within the
user notes:
1.
American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)
a.
AISC 341-10, Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel
Buildings
b.
AISC 360-10, Specification for Structural Steel Buildings
2.
American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI)
a.
AISI S100-07, North American Specification for the Design of
Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, with Supplement 2,
dated 2010.
3.
American Welding Society (AWS)
a.
AWS D1.1:2010, Structural Welding Code-Steel
4.
Steel Deck Institute (SDI)
a.
SDI-MOC, Manual of Construction with Steel Deck,
2nd Edition

2.

Required Submittals
2.1

The following documents shall be submitted to the Designer and Owners Designated
Representative for Construction for approval prior to the installation of the steel deck:
A.
Installation drawings showing deck layout and all accessories, including
installation details.
B.
Catalogue data or independent evaluation reports on deck(s), including
profile, thickness, physical properties and finish.

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QA/QC - 2011 Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of Steel Deck

User Note: Deck profile, thickness, physical properties, and finish may be shown on
the installation drawings instead of on submitted catalogue sheets.

2.2.

The following documents, as applicable, shall be made available in electronic or

printed form to the Designer and the Owners Designated Representative for
Construction for review prior to installation of the steel deck, unless otherwise
required by the Designer to be submitted.
A.
Manufacturers installation instructions and product data sheets, catalogue
data, or independent evaluation reports for mechanical fasteners.
B.
Manufacturers product data for welding consumables.
C.
Manufacturers product data sheets or catalog data for welding filler metals
and fluxes to be used. The data sheets shall describe the product, limitations
of use, recommended or typical welding parameters, and storage and exposure
requirements, including baking, if applicable.
D.
Mill certification of sheet steel used for deck.
E.
Welding procedure specifications (WPS).
F.
Procedure qualification records (PQR) for WPS that are not prequalified in
accordance with AWS D1.1 or AWS D1.3, as applicable.
G.
Welding personnel performance qualification records (WPQR)
H.
Installers written quality control program (QCP).
I.
Installers QC Inspector qualifications.
User Note: Documents related to mechanical fasteners are required only when
mechanical fasteners are being installed. Documents related to welding are required
only when welding of steel deck is being performed. At the time of initial submittals,
the specific steel coil to be used is not known, therefore the mill certification should
not be expected to be made available until after delivery of the deck to the job site.
While it is possible to track a coil to a specific deck bundle, once bundles are broken,
it is usually not possible to track a coil to a specific deck sheet with absolute
certainty. Specific welders may not be known until deck installation begins, therefore
WPQRs may not be made available until immediately before deck installation begins.

3.

Inspection and Testing Personnel

3.1

Quality Control Inspector Qualifications

A.
Quality Control (QC) welding inspection personnel shall be qualified to the
satisfaction of the installers QCP, as applicable, and in accordance with one
of the following:
1.
Associate Welding Inspector (AWI) or higher as defined in AWS
B5.1; or
2.
Qualified by training or experience, or both, in deck installation,
inspection, or testing and competent to perform inspection of the work.
User Note: Qualification by training or experience is permitted by AWS D1.1,
Section 6.1.4.1(3)

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B.

3.2

QA/QC - 2011 Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of Steel Deck

Quality Control (QC) mechanical fastener inspection personnel shall be

qualified to the satisfaction of the installers QCP on the basis of training and
experience in installation of like or similar fasteners and shall be competent to
perform inspection of the work.

Quality Assurance Inspector Qualifications

A.
The Quality Assurance Inspector shall be a qualified person who shall
demonstrate competence, to the satisfaction of the AHJ and satisfy the Quality
Assurance Inspector Qualifications contained in Section 3.2.B and 3.2.C.
B.
Quality Assurance (QA) welding inspection personnel shall be qualified in
accordance with the quality assurance agencys written practice and with
either of the following:
1.
Welding Inspector (WI) or higher as defined in AWS B5.1, except
Associate Welding Inspectors (AWI) shall be permitted to be used
under the direct supervision of WIs or higher who are on the premises
and available when weld inspection is being conducted; or
2.
Qualified by training or experience, or both, in deck installation,
inspection, or testing and competent to perform inspection of the work.
User Note: Qualification by training or experience is permitted by AWS D1.1,
Section 6.1.4.1(3)
C.

4.

Quality Assurance (QA) mechanical fastener inspection personnel shall be

qualified in accordance with the quality assurance agencys written practice
on the basis of training and experience in inspection of like or similar
fasteners and shall be competent to perform inspection of the work.

Requirements for Inspection of Steel Deck Installation

4.1

Quality Control
A.
Quality control tasks shall be performed by the installers Quality Control
Inspector (QCI).
B.
For quality control inspection, the construction documents, installation
drawings, shop drawings, design documents and the applicable referenced
standards shall be utilized.
User Note: QC documentation is an internal record for the installer to record that the
work has been performed and that the work is in accordance with the construction
documents. Depending upon the installers QCP, the method of documentation
may vary.

4.2

Quality Assurance
A.
Quality assurance inspection of the deck shall be made at the project site. The
Owners Designated Representative for Construction shall schedule this work
with the QAI and the installer to minimize interruptions to the work of the
installer.
B.
The QAI shall review the materials test reports and certifications listed in
Section 2.2 for compliance with the construction documents.

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QA/QC - 2011 Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of Steel Deck

C.
D.

4.3

4.4

Quality assurance tasks shall be performed by the QAI.

Concurrent with the submittal of reports to the AHJ, Designer or Owner, the
QAI shall submit to the Owners Designated Representative for Construction
and the installer lists of nonconforming items.
Where a task is to be performed by both QA and QC, it shall be permitted to
coordinate inspection functions between the QCI and QAI so that the inspections are
performed by only one party when approved in advance by the Owner, Designer, and
AHJ. When QA tasks are performed only by the QCI, each inspection is to be
documented in a report and the QAI shall periodically review the work of the QCI at
an interval acceptable to the Owner, Designer, and the AHJ.
In the event that the requirements of the construction documents conflict with the
installation drawings or shop drawings, the requirements of the construction
documents shall govern.

User Note: It is not normally accepted practice for the Designer to change the
requirements of the construction documents through the shop drawings or installation
drawings without modifying the construction documents through a method acceptable
to the AHJ.

5.

Installers Quality Control Program

5.1

The installer shall produce and maintain quality control procedures and perform
inspection to confirm that their work is performed in accordance with this Standard,
construction documents, installation drawings, shop drawings, design documents and
the applicable referenced standards. All material control and installation procedures
shall be monitored by the installers Quality Control Inspector (QCI).

5.2

The installers QCI shall inspect the following, as applicable:

A.
Field welding of deck in accordance with AWS D1.3, SDI C, SDI NC, and
SDI RD.
B.
Installation of mechanical fasteners in accordance with SDI C, SDI NC, SDI
RD, and manufacturers instructions.
C.
Steel deck installation in accordance with the construction documents,
installation drawings, shop drawings, design documents and applicable
referenced standards.
D.
Scope of inspections shall comply with Appendix 1 and the requirements of
the AHJ.
User Note: SDI-MOC is a useful guide to appropriate deck placement and
installation practice.

6.

Quality Assurance Tasks

6.1

The QAI shall perform the following verifications and inspections, as applicable.
Acceptance shall be based on conformance with the construction documents.
A.
Verify deck materials are represented by appropriate mill certifications.
B.
Field welding of deck in accordance with AWS D1.3, SDI C, SDI NC, and
SDI RD

American National standards institute/ steel deck institute

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C.
D.
E.

QA/QC - 2011 Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of Steel Deck

Installation of mechanical fasteners in accordance with SDI C, SDI NC, SDI

RD, and manufacturers instructions.
Steel deck installation in accordance with the construction documents,
installation drawings, shop drawings, design documents and applicable
referenced standards.
Scope of inspections shall comply with Appendix 1 and the requirements of
the AHJ.

User Note: SDI-MOC is a useful guide to appropriate deck placement and

installation practice.

7.

Nonconforming material and workmanship:

7.1

Identification and rejection of materials and workmanship not in conformance with

the construction documents shall be permitted at any time during progress of or
following the completion of the work. However, this provision shall not relieve the
Owner or the inspector of the obligation for timely, in-sequence inspections.
Nonconforming material and workmanship shall be brought to the immediate
attention of the Owners Designated Representative for Construction and the deck
installer. Nonconforming material or workmanship shall be brought into
conformance, or made suitable for its intended purpose as determined by the Designer.

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QA/QC - 2011 Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of Steel Deck

Appendix 1. Tables of Inspection or Execution Tasks

Observe shall mean to inspect these items on an intermittent basis. Operations need not be
delayed pending these inspections. Frequency of observations shall be adequate to confirm that
the work has been performed in accordance with the applicable documents. In the event that
observations determine that the materials and/or workmanship are not in conformance with the
applicable documents, additional inspections shall be performed to determine the extent of nonconformance.
Perform shall mean to perform these tasks prior to final acceptance for each item or element.
Within the listed tasks, Document shall mean the inspector shall prepare reports or other
appropriate written documentation indicating that the work has or has not been performed in
accordance with the construction documents.
User Note: The scope of inspections contained in Appendix 1 is considered to be adequate
for most installations. At the option of the Designer or AHJ, the scope of inspections may be
increased for specific structures or conditions.

A
B

A
B
C

A
B
C
D

Table 1.1. Inspection or Execution Tasks Prior to Deck Placement

T as k
QC
QA
Verify compliance of materials (deck and all deck accessories)
Perform
Perform
with construction documents, including profiles, material
properties, and base metal thickness
Document acceptance or rejection of deck and deck accessories
Perform
Perform
Table 1.2. Inspection or Execution Tasks After Deck Placement
T as k
QC
Verify compliance of deck and all deck accessories installation
Perform
with construction documents
Verify deck materials are represented by the mill certifications
N/A
that comply with the construction documents
Document acceptance or rejection of installation of deck and
Perform
deck accessories
Table 1.3. Inspection or Execution Tasks Prior to Welding
T as k
QC
Welding procedure specifications (WPS) available
Observe
Manufacturer certifications for welding consumables available
Observe
Material identification (type/grade)
Observe
Check welding equipment
Observe

QA
Perform
Perform
Perform

QA
Observe
Observe
Observe
Observe

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A
B
C
D

A
B
C
D

A
B
C

A
B

A
B
C
D
E

QA/QC - 2011 Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of Steel Deck

Table 1.4. Inspection or Execution Tasks During Welding

T as k
QC
Use of qualified welders
Observe
Control and handling of welding consumables
Observe
Environmental conditions (wind speed, moisture, temperature)
Observe
WPS followed
Observe
Table 1.5. Inspection or Execution Tasks After Welding
T as k
QC
Verify size and location of welds, including support, sidelap,
Perform
and perimeter welds.
Welds meet visual acceptance criteria
Perform
Verify repair activities
Perform
Document acceptance or rejection of welds
Perform

QA
Observe
Observe
Observe
Observe
QA
Perform
Perform
Perform
Perform

Table 1.6. Inspection or Execution Tasks Prior to Mechanical Fastening

T as k
QC
QA
Manufacturer installation instructions available for mechanical
Observe Observe
fasteners
Proper tools available for fastener installation
Observe Observe
Proper storage for mechanical fasteners
Observe Observe
Table 1.7. Inspection or Execution Tasks During Mechanical Fastening
T as k
QC
QA
Fasteners are positioned as required
Observe Observe
Fasteners are installed in accordance with manufacturers
Observe Observe
instructions
Table 1.8. Inspection or Execution Tasks After Mechanical Fastening
T as k
QC
QA
Check spacing, type, and installation of support fasteners
Perform
Perform
Check spacing, type, and installation of sidelap fasteners
Perform
Perform
Check spacing, type, and installation of perimeter fasteners
Perform
Perform
Verify repair activities
Perform
Perform
Document acceptance or rejection of mechanical fasteners
Perform
Perform

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QA/QC - 2011 Standard for Quality Control and Quality Assurance for Installation of Steel Deck

Commentary
Commentary
Field Determination
Field Determination
of BaseofMetal
BaseThickness
Metal Thickness
The following
The following
information
information
is provided
is provided
to assisttofield
assist
inspectors
field inspectors
in checking
in checking
base metal
base metal
thickness:
thickness:
1.
2.
3.

Allowable
1.
Allowable
minimum
minimum
base metal
basethickness
metal thickness
is 95% is
of 95%
the design
of the thickness,
design thickness,
per AISIper
S-AISI S100, Section
100, Section
A2.4. Lesser
A2.4. thicknesses
Lesser thicknesses
are permitted
are permitted
at bendsatand
bends
corners.
and corners.
Design Design
thickness
thickness
is as specified
is as specified
by the manufacturer.
by the manufacturer.
Primer
2.
paint
Primer
thickness
paint thickness
is usually
is usually
on the order
on theoforder
0.30 of
to 0.30
0.40 to
mils
0.40
permils
sideper
(0.0003
side (0.0003
to
to
0.0004 inches)
0.0004 inches)
Galvanizing
3.
Galvanizing
thicknesses
thicknesses
(measured
(measured
as the total
as the
of total
both of
sides
both
ofsides
the sheet)
of theare
sheet) are
typically
typically
as follows:
as follows:
G40 0.50
G40 mils
0.50
(0.0005
mils (0.0005
inches) inches)
G60 0.90
G60 mils
0.90
(0.0009
mils (0.0009
inches) inches)
G90 1.40
G90 mils
1.40
(0.0014
mils (0.0014
inches) inches)

Use of this
Use Standard
of this Standard
for Purposes
for Purposes
of Other
ofThan
OtherSpecial
Than Special
Inspection
Inspection
This Standard
This Standard
has beenhas
prepared
been prepared
specifically
specifically
for providing
for providing
requirements
requirements
for Special
for Special
Inspections
Inspections
as required
as required
by Chapter
by Chapter
17 of the
17International
of the International
BuildingBuilding
Code orCode
otherorgoverning
other governing
buildingbuilding
code. However,
code. However,
this Standard
this Standard
may also
may
be also
usedbe
forused
setting
for forth
setting
requirements
forth requirements
for
for
quality quality
control control
and quality
and quality
assurance
assurance
for cases
forwhere
casesSpecial
where Special
Inspections
Inspections
are not required
are not required
by
by
the Code.
the In
Code.
this instance,
In this instance,
if a Designer
if a Designer
wishes to
wishes
incorporate
to incorporate
this standard
this standard
into project
into project
specifications
specifications
as a contractual
as a contractual
requirement,
requirement,
the following
the following
modifications
modifications
to this specification
to this specification
are recommended.
are recommended.
Table C-1.
TableModifications
C-1. Modifications
to SDI QA/QC-2011
to SDI QA/QC-2011
SectionSection
2.2.D: 2.2.D: Delete this
Delete
section.
this section.
SectionSection
3.2.A: 3.2.A: ChangeChange
AHJ to
AHJ
Designer
to Designer
SectionSection
4.2.D: 4.2.D: Delete reference
Delete reference
to AHJ
to AHJ
SectionSection
4.3: 4.3: Delete references
Delete references
to AHJ
to AHJ
SectionSection
5.2.D: 5.2.D: Delete and
Delete
theand
requirements
the requirements
of the AHJ.
of the AHJ.
SectionSection
6.1.A: 6.1.A: Delete this
Delete
section.
this section.
SectionSection
6.1.E: 6.1.E: Delete and
Delete
theand
requirements
the requirements
of the AHJ.
of the AHJ.
Appendix
Appendix
1:
1: Delete task
Delete
1.2.B
task 1.2.B

A Designer
A Designer
may incorporate
may incorporate
this Standard
this Standard
into theinto
project
the project
specifications
specifications
in a manner
in a manner
similar similar
to the following:
to the following:
QualityQuality
ControlControl
and Quality
and Quality
Assurance
Assurance
for steelfor
deck
steel
installation
deck installation
shall beshall
in be in
accordance
accordance
with SDI
with
QA/QC-2011,
SDI QA/QC-2011,
Standard
Standard
for Quality
for Quality
ControlControl
and Quality
and Quality
Assurance
Assurance
for the Installation
for the Installation
of Steelof
Deck,
Steel Deck,
as modified
as modified
by Table
byC-1
Table
contained
C-1 contained
in
in
the Commentary
the Commentary
to that Standard.
to that Standard.

Alternately,
Alternately,
the Designer
the Designer
may listmay
any list
applicable
any applicable
changeschanges
to this Standard
to this Standard
individually
individually
within the
within
project
the project
specification.
specification.

10