It is the way it is...I can accept it, but does anyone have any reasoning or explanation as to why structural metal framing is Div. 05 and non-structural is Div. 09?

It's always been odd to me that light gauge metal framing has been the only major part of Div. 09 that isn't 'visible' when a project is complete. Normally you'd think 'Finishes' should be visible when the project is finished...

A general question, not necessarily test specific, but in reviewing the spec sections it occurred to me that I've always had this question and never really gotten an answer to it. I'm sure I'm not the only one

Cheers!

My reasoning, and it's just mine and could be wrong, would be that non-structural metal framing is normally covered by gyp board--a finish, whereas structural metal framing isn't necessarily covered.

It could also be because the sub-contractor responsible for light gauge metal framing is going to be furnishing/installing with GWB and other finish related specifications.