CSI Division
CSI Division 09 Finishes: section numbers and submittal deviations
What gets flagged between a Division 09 Finishes spec section and the submittal package, why it matters, and how each deviation is graded, so you can catch it before you send the package or before you approve it.
Short answer
Finishes is Division 09 in CSI MasterFormat, so its section numbers start with 09. Common sections include 09 21 16 Gypsum Board Assemblies, 09 22 16 Non-Structural Metal Framing, and 09 24 00 Cement Plastering. Its submittals deviate most often on product substitutions, performance ratings, and missing certifications.
Division 09 covers interior and exterior finishes in commercial construction: gypsum board and non-structural framing, plaster, tile, acoustical ceilings, resilient, wood, and fluid-applied flooring, carpet, wall coverings, and painting and coatings. Common CSI sections submitted for review:
Division 09 Finishes CSI section numbers
Division 09 Finishes spec sections frequently submitted for review:
| Section | Title |
|---|---|
09 21 16 | Gypsum Board Assemblies |
09 22 16 | Non-Structural Metal Framing |
09 24 00 | Cement Plastering |
09 30 00 | Tiling |
09 51 13 | Acoustical Panel Ceilings |
09 51 23 | Acoustical Tile Ceilings |
09 64 00 | Wood Flooring |
09 65 13 | Resilient Base and Accessories |
09 65 19 | Resilient Tile Flooring |
09 66 13 | Portland Cement Terrazzo Flooring |
09 67 00 | Fluid-Applied Flooring |
09 68 13 | Tile Carpeting |
09 68 16 | Sheet Carpeting |
09 72 00 | Wall Coverings |
09 91 00 | Painting |
09 96 00 | High-Performance Coatings |
Sending a Division 09 package? Run the free Division 09 pre-submittal checklist first. It prints or downloads as a PDF, no email required.
The six deviation categories in Division 09 Finishes
Every issue Deviation Check flags maps to one of six categories. Here is how each appears in Division 09 Finishes submittals, with the full guide one click away.
Manufacturer or Product Substitution
Blocker The submittal proposes a different manufacturer or product than the spec names, without an approved or-equal or substitution request.
Manufacturer or Product Substitution in Division 09 Finishes submittals →
Performance Specification Gap
Blocker A measurable performance property in the submittal (rating, capacity, tolerance, efficiency) does not meet what the spec requires.
Performance Specification Gap in Division 09 Finishes submittals →
Missing Certification or Compliance Documentation
Fix and Resubmit A required listing, test report, certification, or compliance document is absent from the submittal package.
Missing Certification or Compliance Documentation in Division 09 Finishes submittals →
Aesthetic Deviation
Fix and Resubmit A visible attribute (color, finish, texture, profile) differs from the spec or the architect-approved sample.
Aesthetic Deviation in Division 09 Finishes submittals →
Detail or Installation Mismatch
Fix and Resubmit The submitted detail, dimension, anchorage, or installation method differs from what the spec or drawings require.
Detail or Installation Mismatch in Division 09 Finishes submittals →
Submittal Package Incompleteness
Fix and Resubmit A required submittal element (cut sheet, schedule, calculation, sample) is missing, leaving the package unreviewable as submitted.
Submittal Package Incompleteness in Division 09 Finishes submittals →
How Division 09 deviations are graded
Each finding is graded Blocker, Fix and Resubmit, or Note. Division 09 escalation rules:
The AI assigns a default per category but can escalate or de-escalate based on context. It always shows its reasoning.
| Severity | Meaning | PM action |
|---|---|---|
| Blocker | Cannot be approved as submitted; building defect, code violation, or compliance risk if accepted. | Reject or Revise-and-Resubmit; notify subcontractor in writing. |
| Fix-and-Resubmit | Approval not blocked, but sub must update and re-send before fabrication or install. | Stamp "Revise and Resubmit" with redlines. |
| Note-Only | Acceptable as submitted; flag for the project record (e.g., manufacturer change pre-approved). | Note in approval stamp; no sub action required. |
Run a Division 09 submittal review
Upload a Division 09 spec section and your submittal package before you send it, and get a one-page deviation report in under five minutes, so the package goes through the first time. GC reviewers use it the same way on a package that just arrived. Before that, work through the free Division 09 checklist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the CSI code for finishes?
Finishes is CSI MasterFormat Division 09, and every section number in it starts with 09. Common sections include 09 21 16 Gypsum Board Assemblies, 09 22 16 Non-Structural Metal Framing, 09 24 00 Cement Plastering, 09 30 00 Tiling, and 09 51 13 Acoustical Panel Ceilings. Type any number into the CSI division lookup to decode it.
What is Division 09 Finishes in construction?
Division 09 covers interior and exterior finishes in commercial construction: gypsum board and non-structural framing, plaster, tile, acoustical ceilings, resilient, wood, and fluid-applied flooring, carpet, wall coverings, and painting and coatings. In a CSI MasterFormat spec, its sections carry the submittal and product requirements a Division 09 package is reviewed against.
What are the most common deviations in Division 09 Finishes submittals?
The most common are product or manufacturer substitutions, performance specification gaps, and missing certification or compliance documentation. Deviation Check sorts every finding into one of six categories.
How are Division 09 deviations graded?
Each finding is graded Blocker (resolve before approval), Fix and Resubmit (correct and re-send before fabrication or install), or Note (acceptable with a comment).
View this page as Markdown for LLMs and note-taking.