SFIA Leads Update to North American Coldformed Steel Design Standards

The North American construction industry is witnessing a significant transformation in its approach to cold-formed steel (CFS), a material that has become increasingly vital in modern building projects. This evolution is driven by regulatory changes, technological advancements, and strategic organizational shifts that are reshaping industry standards.

For decades, the International Building Code (IBC) has served as the foundational document for construction projects across North America. In recent years, however, a pivotal change has occurred regarding CFS specifications. Since the 2018 IBC edition, design requirements for cold-formed steel have transitioned from traditional ASTM references to standards developed by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), marking a new chapter in CFS design and application.

This shift toward more specialized and systematic standards reached another milestone in late 2023 when AISI voluntarily withdrew its ANSI accreditation and transferred all related standards projects to the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA). This strategic move represents a fundamental reorganization of standards development within the CFS sector.

The transition has brought into focus several critical standards that continue to guide CFS engineering:

• AISI S100-16 (S2-20) 2020 Edition: This remains the cornerstone technical document for CFS engineering design in North America, covering strength calculations, stability analysis, and connection design principles.
• AISI S220-20 2020 Edition: This standard for non-structural framing components serves as the foundation for SFIA's code compliance certification program for non-structural framing members.
• AISI S240-20 2020 Edition: Similar to S220, this standard provides comprehensive guidance for structural framing design and serves as the basis for SFIA's structural framing member certification program.

Notably, these standards and related CFS design specifications remain accessible through designated channels, ensuring professionals across North America can access authoritative design guidance regardless of their local code adoption status.

On November 7, 2024, SFIA announced the establishment of a new standards committee, appointing Jay Larson, P.E., F.ASCE, formerly of AISI, as committee secretary. This move strengthens SFIA's position as an ANSI-accredited standards development organization and demonstrates its commitment to consolidating industry resources and advancing technical progress.

SFIA's upcoming annual meeting, scheduled for April 1, 2025, at the Charlotte Convention Center, will feature the presentation of design awards, officer elections, and a keynote address outlining SFIA's 2025-2028 strategic plan. The event's open attendance policy reflects the association's commitment to industry-wide collaboration.

The June 1, 2023, integration of the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) into SFIA represents a significant consolidation of industry expertise. This merger combines CFSEI's technical capabilities with SFIA's organizational resources, creating a more robust platform for supporting designers, engineers, and architects.

SFIA continues to support industry growth through data dissemination and technical resources:

• The 2022 Tonnage Report provides comprehensive statistics on CFS usage in the United States, offering valuable market insights.
• The Technical Guide for Cold-Formed Steel Framing Products offers practical design tools and references for professionals.
• Growing attention to fire safety considerations presents new opportunities for CFS applications, given its non-combustible properties and structural stability in fire conditions.

The North American CFS industry stands at an important juncture, with evolving standards and organizational consolidation paving the way for more efficient, safe, and sustainable construction practices. SFIA's leadership in standards development, market expansion, and technical support suggests a promising future for cold-formed steel in the region's built environment.