When to use it, a subject line, a body you can paste and fill, what to attach, how to word impact, and what not to say.
When to use: spec sections disagree (05 12 00 vs 09 91 00 vs 05 50 00), galvanized members lack a touch-up/overcoat requirement, or shop/field split is unclear.
Subject: RFI [no.] — Coating system clarification, [members/area]
Body:
Section [09 xx xx ¶x] specifies [system A] for exposed steel at [location]; section [05 xx xx ¶x] references [system B] for the same members. Galvanized members at [location] have no specified touch-up or overcoat system. Please confirm for the listed members: (1) governing coating system and surface prep, (2) shop vs field application split, (3) touch-up requirements at field welds and bolted connections.
Attach: the two spec paragraphs side by side, member list grouped by area. Impact wording: coating answers gate shop scheduling — say so plainly if the shop date is near. Don't say: which system is "obviously" intended — pricing differences between coating systems are large enough that guessing wrong is expensive in either direction. Escalation: flag the earliest affected blast/paint date and ask for response before it.
Log every one of these. Submission date, needed-by date, response date, what was held, what it cost. That trail is where steel money leaks — and where it’s recovered.
Drafting aid only — not legal advice. Adapt to your contract's notice requirements; your EOR and contract documents govern. Impact/rights wording is a starting point, not a determination.
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