Is there a designation that is commonly used to call out light gage metal studs/joists? I realize that there a no standard sizes (every manufacturer has his own). I currently call out Detrich designations. Is there a more generic way to call out the sizes?

Each company has their own system and AISI has not, to my knowledge, standardized them yet (but I could definitely be mistaken).

What we do is specify, on the plans, usually in a schedule of some sort, the following parameters:

1.  Joist depth
2.  Joist gage
3.  Minimum joist width (flange width)
4.  Minimum joist moment of inertia - strong axis
5.  Any required web stiffeners
6.  Minimum length of bearing.
7.  The finish (galvanized or painted)- this is usually in a general note.

There is the Steel Stud Manufacturer's designation, called the SSMA, that has standardized somewhat the labels used for light gage.  A common joist designation would be 1200S200-68.  The 1200 would designate 12" deep, the S is a stud shape with returns at the end of the flange (T would be used for a track), the 200 designates a 2" flange, and the 68 designates the thickness (14 ga in this case).  

You also have the proprietary joists, like Dietrich's trade ready, which have openings in the webs.  With those types of joists, you would be stuck with their designations.

I don't know how prevalent the SSMA designations are for the east coast locations, but they have a website if you do a search.

I have been using the SSMA designations on projects in the midwest, works great. You should get the SSMA publication "Product Technical Information".

DEL2000 is right on.  And as far as I was aware, I thought his 600S162-54 (for example) IS the adopted industry standard.

Recently, I reviewed another engineers wall stud design, and he called for 6SW18 studs.  Some manufacturers indicated a 2" flange for that stud.  I get to the site, and they are installing 1 5/8" flange studs all over the place.  Needless to say, I immediately brought this to the attention of the project manager, and after many phone calls and antacids later, the engineer of record certified that he designed 1 5/8" flange studs, and not 2".  He was using a different catalog.

SO, if we all adopt the standard as mentioned above, this confusion can be eliminated.