fig8 b simplifying these cutouts will result in construction labor cost savings when electrical and plumbing lines run parallel to the conventional joists that support them clips and hangers must be used to attach those lines to the joist chord s a tubular joist chord provides a ready conduit for these lines 128 130 fig9 and in a large building it would eliminate significant quantities of clips and hangers resulting in labor and material cost savings such an arrangement also provides the aesthetic benefit of concealing lines 128 and 130 similar to electrical and plumbing lines 128 and 130 fig9 hvac ductwork often runs parallel to the joists supporting it in such cases the tubular chord 102 is available for distributing air and if utilized may substantially reduce the quantity of ductwork needed for the building again this would lead to construction labor and material cost savings and the aesthetic benefit of less visible ductwork an example calculation of estimated cost savings for the different one story u201c big box u201d type buildings resulting from the use of the tubular steel joists of the present disclosure over a conventional steel joists are set forth in table i metal deck roof 1 5b 22 ga with 5 u215d u2033 puddle welds amp 8 10 tek sidelap screws 1 field savings reflect steel erection bid prices based on generally accepted labor productivity rates as compiled by the software program u201c steel erection bid wizard u201d this program has been the subject of a steel erectors association of america seaa newsletter and is used by granau metals.