| Cement |
General-purpose Portland-limestone cement |
Hydraulic cement for ready-mix concrete, foundations, slabs, columns, and structural members. |
Type IL; commonly supplied in 42.6 kg bags or bulk tanker loads. |
ASTM C595; concrete design commonly coordinated with ACI 318. |
Bag, short ton, or metric tonne |
Protect from humidity during inland and coastal transport. Confirm compatibility with the specified mix design and local batch-plant requirements. |
Mill certificate, certificate of compliance, manufacturing date, storage condition, and approved mix-design documentation. |
| Cement |
Portland cement for general and sulfate-exposure applications |
Used where project specifications require traditional Portland cement classifications or controlled sulfate resistance. |
Type I or Type II; bulk or 42.6 kg bags. |
ASTM C150; exposure requirements coordinated with ACI 318. |
Bag, short ton, or metric tonne |
For foundations and below-grade work, review soil and groundwater reports before selecting the cementitious system. |
ASTM classification, chemical and physical test results, lot number, and sulfate-exposure suitability. |
| Cement |
High-early-strength cement |
Supports faster formwork removal and accelerated construction schedules when the concrete mix is properly designed. |
Type III; available in bulk or bags. |
ASTM C150; performance verified through ASTM C39 concrete testing. |
Bag, short ton, or metric tonne |
Confirm heat development, curing method, and placement temperature during hot-weather construction. |
Early compressive-strength data, mix design, curing requirements, and delivery temperature controls. |
| Steel |
Deformed reinforcing bar |
Carbon-steel reinforcement for concrete footings, beams, slabs, walls, and columns. |
ASTM A615 Grade 60; common bar sizes No. 3 through No. 11. |
ASTM A615; detailing and development lengths coordinated with ACI 318. |
Short ton or metric tonne |
Provide bar schedules early. Coastal projects may require epoxy-coated, galvanized, or stainless reinforcement after durability review. |
Mill test report, heat number, bar size, grade, bend-test results, and traceability from mill to delivery. |
| Steel |
W-shape structural steel |
Hot-rolled sections for beams, columns, frames, canopies, and industrial structures. |
ASTM A992; nominal yield strength 50 ksi for typical W-shapes. |
ASTM A992; design and fabrication commonly coordinated with AISC 360. |
Short ton or metric tonne |
Confirm section availability, cut lengths, connection details, and delivery access for congested urban or industrial sites. |
Mill certificate, heat number, section designation, dimensions, weldability information, and coating requirements. |
| Steel |
Hollow structural sections |
Square, rectangular, or round steel tubing used for columns, braces, frames, and architectural supports. |
ASTM A500 Grade C; common wall thicknesses selected by structural design. |
ASTM A500; structural design commonly coordinated with AISC 360. |
Linear foot, piece, short ton, or metric tonne |
Check actual outside dimensions, wall thickness, straightness, and required fabrication tolerances before ordering. |
Material test report, outside dimensions, wall thickness, grade, heat number, and weld-procedure compatibility. |
| Steel |
Hot-dip galvanized steel components |
Corrosion-protected steel for exterior stairs, platforms, guardrails, supports, and exposed connection hardware. |
Coating thickness selected by service environment and steel thickness. |
ASTM A123 for fabricated steel; ASTM A153 for hardware. |
Piece, square foot, short ton, or metric tonne |
Useful for humid and salt-influenced environments. Avoid incompatible contact with certain materials without an approved isolation method. |
Coating certificate, visual inspection, thickness measurements, repair method, and drainage/vent-hole review. |
| Lumber |
Dimension softwood lumber |
Framing material for walls, roofs, floors, blocking, and temporary works. |
Nominal 2x4, 2x6, 2x8, 2x10, and 2x12; common grades include No. 2 and Select Structural. |
U.S. DOC PS 20; grading rules issued by an accredited grading agency. |
Piece, board foot, or bundle |
Store above ground under breathable cover. Protect from rain, standing water, and prolonged direct sun before installation. |
Species, grade stamp, moisture condition, actual dimensions, straightness, damage inspection, and quantity count. |
| Lumber |
Structural plywood panels |
Sheathing for walls, roofs, floors, diaphragms, and formwork where specified by the engineer. |
Common thicknesses: 15/32 in, 19/32 in, and 23/32 in; 4x8 ft panels are standard. |
U.S. DOC PS 1 or PS 2; project-specific panel grade and span rating required. |
4x8 ft sheet or bundle |
Confirm exposure classification and edge-support requirements. Keep panels flat, dry, and separated from wet concrete or soil. |
Panel stamp, thickness, span rating, exposure classification, edge profile, and visible delamination check. |
| Lumber |
Pressure-treated southern pine |
Exterior and ground-contact lumber for decks, site structures, blocking, posts, and treated framing. |
Use category selected by exposure; UC3B for exterior above-ground and UC4A for general ground contact. |
AWPA Use Category System; preservative treatment evaluated under AWPA standards. |
Piece, linear foot, or bundle |
Houston humidity and rainfall increase the importance of end sealing, drainage, ventilation, and proper fastener selection. |
Treatment tag, use category, retention level, preservative type, moisture condition, and compatible fasteners. |
| Glass |
Annealed float glass |
Basic flat glass for interior partitions, non-safety glazing, mirrors, and fabricated glass assemblies. |
Common thicknesses: 1/8, 3/16, 1/4, 5/16, and 3/8 in. |
ASTM C1036; safety-glazing locations coordinated with the International Building Code. |
Square foot or square metre |
Use edge protection and weather-resistant packaging during long-distance transport. Verify whether the location requires safety glazing. |
Thickness, visible-light and solar-performance data where required, edge quality, surface condition, and breakage inspection. |
| Glass |
Fully tempered safety glass |
Heat-treated glass with increased resistance to thermal stress and mechanical impact compared with annealed glass. |
Common thicknesses: 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, and 1/2 in. |
ASTM C1048; safety glazing requirements coordinated with CPSC 16 CFR 1201. |
Square foot or square metre |
All cutting, drilling, edging, and notching must normally be completed before tempering. Confirm final dimensions carefully. |
Temper mark, thickness, dimensions, edge finish, fragmentation compliance, and heat-soak requirements if specified. |
| Glass |
Laminated safety glass |
Glass layers bonded with an interlayer to retain fragments after breakage and improve acoustic or impact performance. |
Common constructions include two 1/4 in lites with a 0.030 in interlayer, subject to design. |
ASTM C1172; safety glazing requirements coordinated with CPSC 16 CFR 1201. |
Square foot or square metre |
Specify interlayer type, UV exposure, moisture exposure, acoustic targets, and edge-seal requirements for exterior applications. |
Glass and interlayer thickness, safety classification, visible-light data, edge condition, and fabrication tolerances. |
| Glass |
Insulating glass unit |
Two or more panes separated by a sealed cavity to improve thermal and acoustic performance. |
Typical overall thicknesses: 1/2 to 1 in; cavity often 1/2 in, subject to window-system design. |
ASTM E2190; thermal performance commonly documented using NFRC procedures. |
Square foot or square metre |
Confirm low-emissivity coating surface, spacer type, gas fill, condensation resistance, and compatibility with the framing system. |
U-factor, solar heat gain coefficient, visible transmittance, air-space dimension, seal condition, and certification documents. |
| MEP Systems |
Copper water tube |
Potable-water, hydronic, and refrigerant-adjacent piping applications where copper is specified. |
Type L is common for above-ground water distribution; nominal sizes commonly 1/2 to 2 in. |
ASTM B88; installation coordinated with the International Plumbing Code and local amendments. |
10 ft or 20 ft length, coil, piece, or linear foot |
Protect from site chemicals and dissimilar-metal corrosion. Confirm water chemistry, joining method, and insulation requirements. |
Tube type, nominal size, wall thickness, cleanliness, pressure rating, heat number, and joining-material compliance. |
| MEP Systems |
PVC pressure pipe |
Nonmetallic pipe for cold-water distribution, irrigation, process water, and selected mechanical services. |
Schedule 40 or Schedule 80; common nominal sizes 1/2 to 6 in. |
ASTM D1785; system design coordinated with the International Plumbing Code. |
10 ft or 20 ft length, piece, or linear foot |
Protect from prolonged ultraviolet exposure before installation and account for thermal expansion in above-ground runs. |
Schedule, nominal size, pressure rating, solvent-cement compatibility, dimensional inspection, and test records. |
| MEP Systems |
CPVC hot- and cold-water pipe |
Chlorinated polyvinyl chloride piping for hot- and cold-potable-water distribution. |
Common SDR 11 or SDR 13.5 systems; nominal sizes commonly 1/2 to 2 in. |
ASTM F441; installation coordinated with the International Plumbing Code. |
10 ft length, piece, or linear foot |
Confirm maximum service temperature, chemical compatibility, support spacing, and transition details to metal piping. |
Dimension ratio, pressure-temperature rating, listed joining system, lot identification, and pressure-test documentation. |
| MEP Systems |
Galvanized steel sheet for HVAC ductwork |
Sheet metal for supply, return, and exhaust air ducts, fittings, plenums, and equipment connections. |
Typical gauges range from 26 to 18 gauge depending on duct size, pressure class, and reinforcement. |
ASTM A653; duct construction commonly coordinated with SMACNA standards and IMC requirements. |
Square foot, sheet, or fabricated piece |
Control corrosion during storage and installation. Coordinate duct pressure class, leakage class, access panels, and insulation thickness. |
Base-metal coating designation, gauge, duct pressure class, leakage testing, sealant compatibility, and fabrication drawings. |
| MEP Systems |
Mineral wool mechanical insulation |
Thermal and fire-resistant insulation for piping, equipment, ducts, and selected mechanical assemblies. |
Common thicknesses: 1 to 4 in; density and facing selected by application. |
ASTM C547 for pipe insulation; ASTM C612 for block and board products. |
Linear foot, square foot, carton, or piece |
Choose vapor-retarder facings for cold systems and protect insulation from rain, flooding, and mechanical damage during construction. |
Thermal conductivity, service-temperature range, density, fire performance, facing type, and thickness verification. |
| MEP Systems |
Copper electrical building wire |
Insulated conductors for branch circuits, feeders, control wiring, and equipment connections. |
THHN/THWN-2; common conductor sizes No. 14 AWG through 500 kcmil. |
UL 83; installation coordinated with NFPA 70, the National Electrical Code. |
Foot, metre, coil, or reel |
Verify conductor temperature rating, wet-location suitability, conduit fill, voltage drop, and compatibility with terminations. |
Conductor material, AWG or kcmil size, insulation marking, temperature rating, voltage rating, and footage certification. |
| MEP Systems |
Electrical metallic tubing and rigid metal conduit |
Raceway systems protecting conductors in commercial, industrial, and institutional installations. |
Common nominal sizes: 1/2 to 4 in; wall type selected by installation conditions. |
ANSI C80.3 for EMT; UL 6 for rigid metal conduit; NFPA 70 for installation. |
10 ft length, bundle, or piece |
Use corrosion-resistant finishes or approved coatings in humid, exterior, and chemically exposed areas. |
Nominal size, wall thickness, coating, inside diameter, coupling type, certification marking, and damage inspection. |
| MEP Systems |
Packaged air-conditioning equipment |
Rooftop or split-system equipment for cooling, heating, ventilation, and humidity control. |
Capacity selected by load calculation; common commercial ranges are approximately 3 to 25 tons per unit. |
AHRI performance certification where applicable; energy compliance coordinated with ASHRAE 90.1 and local code. |
Unit, ton of refrigeration, or set |
Review sensible and latent loads, hurricane/wind exposure, roof curb dimensions, condensate drainage, and flood-related elevation requirements. |
Cooling capacity, efficiency rating, refrigerant type, electrical data, sound data, curb details, controls, and commissioning requirements. |
