Blog Details

Understanding Controls Submittals and Their Importance in Construction Projects

November 19, 2025

In the world of construction, precision, coordination, and documentation are key to ensuring a project runs smoothly. One critical component that often flies under the radar is the controls submittal. But what exactly is it, and why is it so important?

What is a Controls Submittal?

A controls submittal is a formal package of documents, drawings, data sheets, and specifications submitted by a contractor or subcontractor for approval before the installation of building automation, HVAC, or electrical control systems. It provides detailed information about the equipment, devices, and software that will be used to operate and manage a building’s systems efficiently.

Think of it as a blueprint for how the project’s mechanical and electrical systems will “communicate” and function once the building is operational. The submittal typically includes:

  • Control schematics and wiring diagrams
  • Device specifications and cut sheets
  • Programming sequences for building automation systems (BAS)
  • Integration plans for HVAC, lighting, and other systems
  • Testing and commissioning procedures

Why is a Controls Submittal Important?

  1. Ensures Compliance and Quality
    Every project has strict design standards, codes, and client requirements. A controls submittal ensures that the selected equipment and proposed systems meet these specifications, reducing the risk of costly rework.
  2. Facilitates Coordination
    Large construction projects involve multiple trades—HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and automation. The controls submittal allows all teams to align their work, identify potential conflicts early, and maintain a smooth workflow.
  3. Acts as a Reference Document
    Once approved, the submittal becomes a reference point for installation, testing, and commissioning. It ensures that contractors and technicians follow the agreed-upon design, making troubleshooting and future upgrades easier.
  4. Supports Project Approval and Inspection
    Authorities and project managers often review submittals before granting approval to proceed. A complete and accurate controls submittal can prevent delays in inspections and construction schedules.
  5. Reduces Risk and Cost Overruns
    By identifying errors or design inconsistencies before installation, the submittal minimizes costly on-site changes and potential downtime. It’s essentially a preemptive quality control step.

 

Final Thoughts

A controls submittal might seem like just another paperwork requirement, but in reality, it is a cornerstone of successful construction projects involving automation and control systems. It ensures that the building will operate efficiently, safely, and according to design expectations. For contractors, engineers, and project managers, paying attention to this step can make the difference between a smooth project delivery and costly setbacks

Latest Posts
Is Smart3DPlanner the Best Tool for Designing Floor Plans?

November 20, 2025

How Can You Easily Create a 2D Floor Plan of Your Home?

November 20, 2025

How Can You Build a Realistic 3D Floor Plan in Minutes?

November 20, 2025

What Is the Easiest Way to Create 2D Floor Plans and 3D Room Designs Online?

November 20, 2025

How Do You Create Detailed and Accurate Floor Plans Without Experience?

November 20, 2025

Can You Design a 3D Floor Plan of Your Home or Property Online?

November 20, 2025

How Is AI Changing the Way We Create 3D Floor Plans?

November 20, 2025

Which 3D Floor Plan App Offers the Best Tools for Home Design?

November 20, 2025

Is There a Free Floor Plan Creator That Works on Mobile?

November 20, 2025

What Is the Most User-Friendly 3D Floor Plan Creator for Beginners?

November 20, 2025

Which Is the Best Free Floor Plan Creator Online?

November 20, 2025

How Can You Download a 3D Floor Plan as a PDF?

November 20, 2025

How Do You Design 3D Floor Plans for Your House Easily?

November 20, 2025

Where Can You Create 3D Floor Plans for Free in 2025?

November 20, 2025

How Can You Track All Submittals Effectively to Avoid Delays and Errors?

November 19, 2025

Top Tips for Efficient Submittal Management in Large Construction Projects

November 19, 2025

How to Request Submittals with Ease and Streamline Communication with Contractors

November 19, 2025

What is the best construction submittal software for efficient project management?

November 19, 2025

How to create a submittal log template in Excel for tracking all submittals?

November 19, 2025

Contractors and engineers typically use the following submittals in construction projects:

November 19, 2025

Where can I find a control submittal template for my project documentation?

November 19, 2025

What Is a Good Control Submittal Example to Follow for Construction Projects?

November 19, 2025

Control Submittal Sample for HVAC & Building Automation Systems (BAS)

November 19, 2025

What Is a Control Submittal in Construction and How Is It Prepared?

November 19, 2025

How Does the Submittal Process Work in Construction Projects?

November 19, 2025

What Is Meant by a Submittal in Construction and Engineering?

November 19, 2025

Understanding Controls Submittals and Their Importance in Construction Projects

November 19, 2025

Best Tools and Resources to Design BAS Graphics for HVAC, AHU, and VAV Systems

November 18, 2025

How BAS Graphics Creates High-End 2D & 3D Floor Plans for Automation Systems

November 18, 2025

Benefits of Using Professional, High-End Graphics for BAS Dashboards

November 18, 2025

Why Their BAS Services Are Valuable for HVAC / Automation

November 18, 2025

Why are high-quality BAS graphics extremely important for operators and facility managers?

November 18, 2025

How Can Companies Create Cost-Effective BMS Graphics Without Compromising Quality?

November 18, 2025

What Is a BAS (Building Automation System) Graphic, and Why Is It Important?

November 18, 2025

Where Can You Find a Niagara N4 Graphics Library for BAS Interface Development?

November 18, 2025

How can BAS custom prints help improve building automation visualization?

November 18, 2025

What is the best source to download AHU graphics for building automation projects?

November 18, 2025

Where Can You Download an HVAC Graphics Library for AHU, VAV, and Equipment Layouts?

November 18, 2025

How does QA Graphics support BAS and HVAC visualization?

November 18, 2025

What are the best free building automation graphics available online?

November 18, 2025

Where can you download a free BAS graphics library for building automation systems?

November 18, 2025

What Are the Key Features of Modern Application Programming Generators?

November 17, 2025

How does Application Programming Generation improve software development efficiency?

November 17, 2025

What are the benefits of using Application Programming Generation tools in automation?

November 17, 2025

Real-World Examples of Application Programming Generation Tools

November 17, 2025

How Application Programming Generation Improves Software Development

November 17, 2025

Key Features of Application Programming Generation in BMS

November 17, 2025

Types of Application Programming Generation in BMS

November 17, 2025

What Is Application Programming Generation and How Does It Work?

November 17, 2025

What Are Common Problems Faced in BMS and How to Solve Them?

November 15, 2025

Is It Possible to Upgrade an Old Building with a New BMS?

November 15, 2025

How Is BMS Maintained and Updated Over Time?

November 15, 2025

What Factors Affect the Cost of a BMS System?

November 15, 2025

How Much Does It Cost to Install a BMS?

November 15, 2025

What Is the Future of BMS in Smart Cities?

November 15, 2025

How Does BMS Support Facility Management and Maintenance?

November 15, 2025

What Are Some Real-World Examples of BMS Implementation?

November 15, 2025

How Is BMS Used in Hospitals, Schools, and Offices?

November 15, 2025

Which Industries Use BMS the Most?

November 15, 2025

Can a BMS Be Integrated with Renewable Energy Systems Like Solar?

November 15, 2025

What Role Does IoT Play in Modern BMS Solutions?

November 15, 2025

How Does a BMS Collect and Process Building Data?

November 15, 2025

What Communication Protocols Are Used in BMS (like BACnet, Modbus, etc.)?

November 15, 2025

How Does BMS Connect with HVAC, Lighting, and Security Systems?

November 15, 2025

How Does BMS Contribute to Smart Building Technology?

November 15, 2025

Can a BMS Help Achieve Green Building Certifications (like LEED)?

November 15, 2025

How Does BMS Improve Comfort and Safety?

November 15, 2025

What Are the Key Benefits of Installing a BMS?

November 15, 2025

How Does a BMS Help Save Energy and Reduce Costs?

November 15, 2025

Why Is BMS Important for Commercial and Residential Buildings?

November 15, 2025

What Is the Difference Between BMS and BAS (Building Automation System)?

November 15, 2025

what Are the Main Components of a BMS?

November 15, 2025

How Does a BMS Work in Modern Buildings?

November 15, 2025

Did ASHRAE Specify Which Temperature Sensor You MUST Use in BMS? (The Truth Every Engineer Should Know)

November 15, 2025

Wet-to-Wet Differential Pressure Sensors: Unidirectional vs Bidirectional — What Every Hydronic Engineer Must Know

November 14, 2025

Why Most Smart Building Projects Don’t Live Up to the Hype

November 8, 2025

Are You Underestimating the Power of Real-Time Data in Building Automation?

November 7, 2025

Why Automated Submittals Are the Next Big Game-Changer for BMS Consultants

November 6, 2025

Is Your BMS Strategy Missing This Critical Component?

November 5, 2025

Why Your 3D Floor Plans Might Be Costing You Projects

November 4, 2025

Are You Ready for the Future of Building Automation — or Are You Stuck in the Past?

November 3, 2025

Why Most Energy Dashboards Fail to Deliver Real Value

November 2, 2025

Is Your BMS Designed for Efficiency — or for Complexity?

November 1, 2025

Why PDF Submittals Won’t Win You Clients in 2025

October 31, 2025

Are You Still Treating Building Automation Like It’s 2010?

October 30, 2025

What is a Building Management System (BMS)

October 28, 2025

Understanding the “Keylock Push On/Off” Switch in Building Automation Systems

October 28, 2025

Understanding Temperature Sensors in Building Automation

October 28, 2025

Narrow Face-to-Face vs Large Face-to-Face Valves — The Difference That Impacts Design, Noise & Installation

October 28, 2025

How Outdated BMS Practices Are Hurting Your Career

October 28, 2025

Why Clients Stop Trusting BMS Consultants (And How to Fix It)

October 25, 2025

Is Your BMS Actually Smart — or Just Expensive Hardware?

October 24, 2025

Why Most BMS Projects Overrun Budget and Time Without This One Step

October 23, 2025

Are Your Energy Dashboards Driving Decisions — or Guesswork?Are Your Energy Dashboards Driving Decisions — or Guesswork

October 22, 2025

Why 80% of BMS Consultants Still Rely on Manual Submittals

October 17, 2025

Are You Losing Projects Because of Your BMS Process?

October 16, 2025

Why Outdated Workflows Are Killing BMS Efficiency in 2025

October 15, 2025

Is Your BMS Still Stuck in the Pre-Digital Era?

October 16, 2025

What Is Kp in Control Valves — and Why It’s the Hidden Hero of Stability?

October 13, 2025

Why Most BMS Consultants Are Stuck in 2010 (And Don’t Even Know It)?

October 10, 2025

Understanding Fp (Pressure Drop Factor) in Valve Selection

October 6, 2025

Nickel vs Platinum RTDs — How to Read It in Project Specs

September 29, 2025

Belt Monitoring in HVAC Fans: Current Switch vs VFD Feedback

September 26, 2025

Why Totalization is Critical in BAS (and the 168-Hour Cycle Rule)

September 23, 2025

Current Sensing Relay (CSR) in HVAC & BMS – Can It Detect Belt Breaks or Shaft Jams

September 11, 2025

Screwed (Threaded) Control Valves in HVAC/BMS

September 3, 2025

Why External Static Pressure (ESP) Always Considers Dirty Filters

September 2, 2025

Dual Temperature Water System – Practical Benefits

September 1, 2025

EPO Interlocks in BMS – Why They Matter

September 1, 2025

Why Generator & Damper Interlock Matters in Critical Facilities

September 1, 2025

Room Pressure Monitoring in Hospitals – More Than a Device, It’s a Compliance & Safety Necessity

September 1, 2025

Spring Return vs. Non-Spring Return Actuators – What Do Specs Really Call For?

September 1, 2025

Ever heard of a Piezo Ring AFMS in a supply blower

September 1, 2025

Are Differential Pressure Transducers and Velocity Sensors the Same?

September 1, 2025

Protect Your HVAC Units with Smart Leak Detection

September 1, 2025

Circulation Pump vs Freeze Protection vs Low Ambient Protection — What’s the Difference in HVAC/BMS

September 1, 2025

Understanding Alarm Classifications in BMS – Why It Matters

September 1, 2025

BAS Programming Tip: Don’t Forget Water Flush Mode

September 1, 2025

What is Mount Recessed?

September 1, 2025

What does “Mechanical Cooling” really mean in Building Automation

September 1, 2025

Understanding Access Levels in Building Management Systems (BMS)

September 1, 2025

HVAC Insight: Are Your Fresh Air Systems Smarter Yet

September 1, 2025

Upstream vs Downstream – What’s the Difference in HVAC

September 1, 2025

Steam Valve Fail Position – NC or NO? Let’s Clear the Confusion!

September 1, 2025

Why Pre-Purge & Post-Purge Sequences Matter in HVAC Control

September 1, 2025

ECM vs. VFD: Who Gets the 0-10V Signal?

September 1, 2025

Smart Buildings & Sustainability: How BMS Drives LEED & Green Certifications

September 1, 2025

Why Supply Voltage & Nominal Voltage Matter in HVAC Controls & BAS

September 1, 2025

Voltage Clarity: Nominal vs. Supply – Know the Difference!

September 1, 2025

FPS System Design: Engineering Best Practices for Reliability & Efficiency

September 1, 2025

Prevent Costly HVAC Failures with a Simple Dry Switch Monitor!

September 1, 2025

Don't Wait for a Fire Emergency! Here’s How FPS Engineering Saves Lives!

September 1, 2025

HVAC Controls vs. BMS: What’s the Difference?

September 1, 2025

Smart Buildings, Smarter Future: Why BMS is the of Modern Infrastructure!

September 1, 2025

Breathe Easy: How ASHRAE Standards Ensure Healthy CO₂ Levels Indoors

September 1, 2025

Boosting HVAC Efficiency: ASHRAE 90.1’s 15°F ΔT Requirement for Chilled-Water Coils

September 1, 2025

Why Every IDF Room Needs Proper Ventilation, Alarms & Clear Signage

September 1, 2025

Never Miss this Information in your Control Submittal

September 20, 2024

Greatest Time of All Control Contractor in Graphics Generation

September 13, 2024

"Does Smart Building Automation Truly Enhance Energy Efficiency?"

September 5, 2024

Why 3D floor plan important in Building Automation

August 31, 2024

11 Things Important in HVAC Control Submitta

August 28, 2024

10 - Important Process HVAC Control Or Mechanical Contractor Can't Avoid In BMS Automation

August 26, 2024

9- Steps Important In BAS Pre-Sales Engineering For HVAC Mechanical Or Control Contractor

August 25, 2024

Never Do This Mistake If You Are HVAC Mechanical Or Control Contractor

August 24, 2024

7-Steps Important In Damper Actuator Torque Calculation

May 14, 2024

Never Miss Following things In Valve Schedule

May 14, 2024

Menu