We were wrong. He also sees many cases where builders try to get away with 7/16-inch OSB as fire blocking, rather than the 23/32 inch required by code. The blocking prevents these cavities from acting as draft chimneys, thus slowing the spread of flame and smoke during a fire. Structurally: 1) studs must be continuous from sole plate to top plate, unless jack, trimmer or cripple at openings 2) must be No. If so, what are the requirements for that? Charles Wardell is a contributing editor to JLC. “But a lot of concrete guys just put bolts every 6 feet, rather than asking the framer where the joints will be.” The problem could obviously be avoided by better coordination between the framing crews and the concrete crews. Darryl Byle, a former building inspector and structural engineer from Kalispell, Mont., said that his city came up with a quick fix for the problem: The building department decided to put a stop work order on any project where the drawings weren’t on site. “It’s not me, it’s the manufacturer’s load requirements.”. You can also provide a link from the web. This applies in concealed framing cavities, in knee-wall areas (even if the knee-wall area is inaccessible), in attics and in crawlspaces. Besides the blocking it is often a worthwhile idea to add triangular bracing to external walls to keep them strong and straight. If I remember right, any stud section that is over 10' tall needs blocking. “The paper is coated with a bituminous material and is highly flammable,” he said. This eliminates the difficulty of properly flashing and fastening the ledger to the house. That leaves them with a bottom step that doesn’t match the rest of the stairway. Fire blocking is required in 1) horizontal and vertical framing spaces, like stud spaces and furred spaces at 10’, 2) intersection of walls and floors, 3) intersection of walls and attics, 4) top and bottom of stairs, and 5) at cornices. both flanges of the stud with blocking at intervals within the wall to provide resistance to the rotation tendency of the studs within the wall. “Then they end up with a top or bottom riser that’s too short.” Some builders may assume that the inspector will overlook this on an exterior stair, but Shapiro pointed out that the riser and tread requirements apply equally to the interior and exterior of a home. For instance, some foam sealants are rated for use as fire blocking, but can only be installed up to a maximum thickness, which they’re often not. “A day doesn’t go by when I don’t see a home with this issue,” Mathewson said. About 45% of residential field inspections result in a code violation. He added that builders who understand what areas need to be blocked often use the wrong materials. These days there are much easier to install metal strappings you can install on the outside surface of the studs in an X cross formation. Also, you can use a single top plate, but it’s too complicated to explain. This can have particular value in certain cases as follows: Fire blocking is required in 1) horizontal and vertical framing spaces, like stud spaces and furred spaces at 10’, 2) intersection of walls and floors, 3) intersection of walls and attics, 4) top and bottom of stairs, and 5) at cornices. (See R302.11.) Given the anchor-bolt requirements (these conform to the 2012 IRC), it’s often easier to use epoxy anchors. 7.14 Fire blocking shall be provided in concealed spaces of stud walls and partitions, including furred spaces, and parallel rows of studs or staggered studs; vertically at floor and ceiling levels, horizontally at intervals not to exceed 10 feet. In Hampton, Va., building official Steve Shapiro finds a lot of rise/run errors on stairs leading up to porches from sidewalks. “You need a bolt on each side of every joint on the sill,” he said (see “Anchor Bolt Placement,” left). Often times with the OK from the building inspector I've been able to avoid all together, the time-consuming task of installing fire blocking, on an outside wall which is insulated, which can also act as a draft stop. (See “Bracing Walls for Wind,” Jul/13.) This complicates bolt placement even further. Fire blocking in stud walls is required in wood framed buildings to stop drafts in the cavities between framing members. The terminal requirement is relatively new to residential construction but has long been a feature in commercial buildings, where it’s meant to protect firefighters in stairwells. The rail can’t just end, but has to die back into the wall or post, or terminate in a manner the code calls a safety terminal. satisfy this), 5) maximum spacing is 24” oc unless supporting 2 floors and a roof...then it’s 16” oc, 6) maximum height in non-bearing walls is 20’. ICC Digital Codes is the largest provider of model codes, custom codes and standards used worldwide to construct safe, sustainable, affordable and resilient structures. Code requires nailing along all panel edges, and that may require blocking between studs on tall walls or when panels are run horizontally. Energy Code for exterior walls: needs to be minimum 2x6 or you’ll need to have rigid board plus batt in 2x4 walls. That’s according to the Common Code Violations survey released in 2013 by the International Code Council (ICC) and the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB). Headroom is often the limiting factor for a given stair opening. “If you overdrive a nail, you can reduce the strength of a 7/16-inch panel to that of a 3/8-inch or 1/4-inch panel,” he said. “But you need to do a structural analysis to determine how much load the beam will need to support, especially if there are floors above.” He also pointed out that newer homes have more complicated load paths. Installing Wall Blocking: Step 2 2. “In my field inspections, I find that a lot of people fall down on this,” said Aaron Johnson, a Palm Beach County, Fla., fire inspector who runs a website called TheCodeCoach.com. Headroom is a limiting factor (see “Stair Layout,” below), and Byle has seen a lot of builders try to squeeze the stairs in by simply pitching the stairway a little more steeply, resulting in a rise that may be too high or treads that are too narrow. This may require blocking between studs on tall walls or when panels are run horizontally. Measure and cut each piece of blocking separately because there will be slight variations in the spaces between studs. considered in the requirements below. Local building code may require this as practice. The rule is intended to prevent all the bays in a wall from being connected when the studs are not drywalled or sheathed on both sides. Horizontal Basement Wall Fire Blocking Fire blocking must also be installed every 10' horizontally along the wall, IRC 302.11.1.2. Stud Dimensions, Stud Type and Stud Spacing Minimum stud dimensions: 2 inch x 4 inch (nominal measurements) Note: The stud cannot be “flat” against the wall surface. Another common oversight is at the return at the top and bottom of a handrail. On retrofits, he often recommends that the contractor build a freestanding deck with the deck frame an inch or so away from the house and the structure independently supported on posts . Of course as a fire inspector, Johnson would naturally look for blocking problems, but everyone else also cited it as one of the top reasons for inspection failure. Big mistake. Paying extra attention to them should make for fewer items that need correction. Composite limiting height data can be applied to walls where gypsum board is installed on both flanges of the stud for the full height of the wall. (See R302.11.1.). When building an exterior load bearing wall 12' high, using 2x6's, is there horizontal blocking/bracing required between the studs? Floor and ceiling runners must also be anchored securely to the structure. Refer to Table 1 & Table 3 for stud size, maximum height and spacing requirements. The most common reason a builder fails an inspection is the simplest (and least expensive) to remedy: not having all the required documents on site. You should check with your local building inspector to determine what code requirements are in effect for your area. Unlike OVE where the premise is primarily on reducing the amount of studs or wood used in a wall, the basic premise behind Optimized Framing Techniques is taking the best framing techniques that fit the house you are building & utilizing them to not only save resources but to also have a strong, durable structure that uses a minimal amount of connectors required by other techniques. It is for fire stopping I believe, perhaps structural as well. The flat strap is typically attached to each stud flange with a pre-determined number of screws. Weakened Joists and Beams. Doorways. In some cases, stair handrails and guardrails are the wrong height as measured from the tread. The code requirements for fire blocking vary by locale, whether the house is stand-alone or attached to other houses, whether the property is residential or commercial, etc. Mathewson pointed out that anchor bolts are a lot harder to fix than some other problems, so it’s worth the effort to get them right the first time. If the deck isn’t properly braced, fasteners will work loose,” Byle said. Drilling holes can’t be more than 60% the width if 5/8” is left on each side of hole. (R602. As is the case with fire blocking, these are often in hidden spots, such as behind bump-outs for gas fireplaces. Manufacturers of structural hangers usually specify a maximum gap of 1/8 inch between the end of the joist and the girder. Is there also a requirement for structural purposes, besides fire blocking? “The educational requirements for licensing have helped a lot,” Vaughn Wicker, ICC’s vice president of government relations, said. (See Table R602.3(5)). The 3-in-1 can be retro-fitted on existing walls … Click here to upload your image By code, they must be a minimum of 34 inches, and no more than 38 inches high. NAHB: 'Housing Takes the Lead in Lifting the Nation Out of the Downturn', New GROHE Showerhead Offers Remote Spray Control. The building is being constructed in an area where high winds are possible. He added that it doesn’t take much: “Something as simple as kids running around and banging into rails can put stress on the fasteners.”. Cripple walls with a stud height less than 14 inches (356 mm) shall be sheathed on at least one side with a wood struc-tural panel that is fastened to both the top and bottom plates in accordance with Table R602.3(1), or the cripple walls shall be constructed of solid blocking. Both stud flanges must be attached to top and bottom runner flanges to provide proper end support. IRC Section R302.11 does describe a few specific locations for fire blocking, but not all. ie. As Mathewson put it: “It’s a lot easier to fix errors with a pencil than with a Sawzall or a sledgehammer.”. Although inspectors are flagging a few specific items—most notably guardrails, stairs and anchor bolts for foundations—more often than in the past, in general they reported far fewer failed inspections than in a similar survey published in 2006. “People get upset over this because they think I’m being punitive,” he said. our basement walls trigger a second code requirement: R602.8 (item 1.2) states that fire blocking is needed “horizontally at intervals not exceeding 10 feet” within concealed spaces in stud walls. The culprits included hangers that were too small for the joists, improper fastening, and inadequate flashing that set the ledger up for rot. Wall Sheathing: 1) maximum spacing of 16” for 3/8” and 1/2” plywood, 2) 16” for 1/2” OSB. The survey found overall compliance improving. “You really need to pay attention before you start poking holes in the structure.”. Staggered horizontal blocking at 48” o.c. The most common oversight Shapiro finds is missing blocking for braced wall panels. (R302.11) Table 2304.6 of the 2006 IBC lists the minimum thickness of wall sheathing and maximum wall-stud spacing for various types of wooden shear-wall … (this can be batts or blankets of mineral or glass fiber in walls constructed using parallel rows of studs). is required for exterior and loadbearing walls; 84” maximum o.c. Building codes require a minimum 6 feet, 8 inches from the tread to the ceiling. ), You can use: 1) 2x solid wood, 2) 2 layers of 1x solid wood, 3) 23/32” (3/4”) plywood with joints backed up with 23/32” plywood, 4) 3/4” particleboard with joints backed up with 3/4” particleboard, 5) 1/2” gypsum board, 6) 1/4” cement based board, 7) batts or blankets of rock wool or fiberglass insulation secured in place in approved manner, and 8) cellulose insulation when installed in an approved manner. Fortunately, blocking is usually easy to add. This is more common in remodels than in new construction. Any place I have seen, has been in the center of the height, placed flat so it completely blocks the cavity. The problem Mathewson sees most often—overdriven nails in bracing panels—can take a bit more work to correct. Loadbearing walls supporting only … “A lot of states now require training to get or keep a license, so builders in general have better code knowledge than in the past.”. (max 2 MiB). The builder or DIYer installs 2×4 or preferably 2×6 pieces of lumber in between studs wherever cabinets or other fixtures will be installed. Structural Framing – Framing consisting of floor joists, rim tracks, structural studs, wall tracks in structural walls, ceiling joists, roof rafters, headers, or other members that are designed or intended to carry loads. Code-mandated braced-wall requirements can be a head-scratcher for someone encountering them for the first time. To address all the required locations, it’s key you understand the intent and purpose of fireblocking: “to cut off all concealed draft openings … and to form an effective fire barrier between stories, and between a top story and the roof space.” This illustration shows some of the typical locations where fireblocking is required in a home. In other words, these cavities can act like the flue on a fireplace and actually promote the rate in which a … What Does the Adverse Market Fee Mean for the Housing Industry? Cripple walls shall be supported Often, a builder will use the right material but use it incorrectly, according to Mathewson. (The X cross format is important for strapping because it works well in length stretch resistance but not so well in length shrink (compressive). To get accurate measurements, take them near the top or bottom of the wall; if you take them halfway up the wall, a bowed or loose stud will throw you off. how many per cavity, do they stand on end or go flat, etc? Competitive pressures have certainly contributed to that improvement; failed inspections and re-do’s cost time and money. For a 2x4 plate, that means you’ve only got about 1 3/16 inches of tolerance to get it in the right spot. Such walls having a stud height exceeding 14 inches (356 mm) shall be considered to be first-story walls for the purpose of determining the bracing required by Section 2326.11.3. The leading edge of the reinforcing beside inches of reinforcing should be increased to 30 the toilet should be positioned at least 36 inches inches minimum. 1406.2.4 Combustible exterior wall veneers 2111.11 and 2111.13 Fireplace clearances and fireblock requirements. After the corner studs and all blocking are in place, the Superior Walls panels are ready for drywall. It is best to leave a ½” gap between the concrete floor and the bottom of the drywall to prevent moisture absorption into the drywall. Shear wall blocking can be narrower than the adjacent studs (i.e. In fact you can’t even leave a gap between it and the wall covering. Speaking of knee walls, the backing is more than an air barrier; it’s also needed to cover kraft-faced insulation batts. Cripple walls shall be supported on continuous foundations. “I get the impression that people start at one end and work their way up or down,” he said. 2111.19 and 2111.20 Chimney clearance and fireblock requirements. When the gypsum board stops at the ceiling level, but the stud continues to … • Examples are any ledger applied directly to the studs, ceiling soffits, stair stringers, rafters etc. Researchers polled code officials across the U.S. about the items most likely to be flagged during construction. It’s purpose is to prevent the spread of smoke and flames from reaching the bottom of the 1st floor of your home from the basement area, thereby burning through and spreading to the 1st floor of the home. for non-loadbearing walls. “If I show up and they don’t have the plans I need for that inspection, then there’s no hope of passing.” In his city, that includes an engineer’s foundation letter, the structural plans, the truss drawings, the plan for the HVAC ductwork and gas piping, and the energy code documentations. A: There is no requirement that shear wall panel edge blocking match the depth of the wall studs, nor is there a requirement that it be oriented in the same axis as the wall studs. J-bolts require coordination between framing and concrete crews. Here is a list of the most common reasons that a builder or remodeler will fail inspection. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Service. “That got the drawings on site pretty fast,” he said. With that in mind, JLC looked at published lists of the top code violations from various municipalities across the country and contacted building inspectors to find out what items have been giving builders the most trouble. The blocks can be moved up or down as needed as long as the longest unblocked span is within code (it's best to keep it near the middle of the wall to split the space roughly in half). It often comes up when a contractor cuts through an exterior wall to add a sliding door or removes an interior bearing wall to create a more open living space. Blocking is a process that is done during the building process or when renovating because studs need to be exposed in order to install blocks. U-Channel or the Spazzer® bar does not provide sufficient bracing for members wider than 6". 6. If you’re not using a full-depth top plate that spans across both stud walls, install ½inch GWB or ¾-inch plywood in between the top plates and fire caulk the joints… “One of the most common mistakes I see is not using the proper [fire-rated] caulking,” he said. Whenever a toilet is next to a from the back wall to accommodate a bar that is a wall that allows for a longer area … Since they are usually interior walls, partition walls rarely have windows, but many have … The code also requires fire blocking such that the top of the assembly does not remain open to floor framing or attic spaces above. “Racking is a source of failure over time. “The first thing I look for is the documentation,” Glenn Mathewson, a Westminster, Colo. building official and a regular JLC contributor, said. But even when the bracing requirements are spelled out clearly on the plans, it’s the little details that often escape framers. be laterally supported every 10’ ( sheathing or gyp. Anything bigger will put moment arm on the hanger and drastically reduce its load capacity. Overdriving a nail dimples the steel, causing it to lose strength. “You don’t want airflow over the surface that could feed a fire.” The label printed on the insulation clearly states that the facing will burn and that it must be contact with the wall or ceiling covering. The latter problem is often because the builder has skimped in the blocking needed to make a secure connection. “If it’s a load-bearing wall, they often think they can just open it up and throw in a double 2x8,” Mathewson said. ), My version of the IRC codebook (2012) says, https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/133314/what-are-the-irc-requirments-for-bracing-blocking-in-a-load-bearing-2x6-stud-wal/133563#133563. When hangers are double-shear nailed (toenailed), large gaps leave the nails completely missing the carried member. Block and strapping is typically used when wall studs exceed 6". Code requires nailing along all edges of braced wall panels. He also sees a lot of missing air barriers behind HVAC chases and attic knee walls. (See R302.11. This was at the top of nearly every municipal list we looked at and cited by every code official we contacted. “Now you have to wrap the thermal envelope around the back of it.”. One of the biggest problems Mathewson sees is gaps at the ends of joists or trusses supported by hangers (photo at left). Fortunately, stair manufacturers now make a variety of volutes and other termination pieces that make this requirement a lot easier to meet than in the past. It doesn’t take much: Gaps can be caused by a girder truss that’s slightly crooked or out of plumb, making the time required to use a string line and level well spent. (photo: Jim Mattison), Running diagonal braces in both directions for deck posts is an effective way to resist racking. FIRE BLOCKING REQUIREMENTS Fire blocking Fire blocking or FIGURE 2 FINISHING BASEMENT Fire blocking Fire blocking every 10’ in furred horizontal wall cavities. (photo: Glenn Mathewson), Adding a Quakeproof Deck to a Stucco Home, JLC Rolls Out Deck and Railing Skills Workbook, The Last Word (We Hope) on Vapor Barriers, Share of New Homes with Decks Declines Once Again, A Preview of the Virtual 2020 PSP/Deck Expo, RRI: Remodeling Market Remains Strong, But Economic Uncertainty Looms in 2021, NKBA Anticipates Larger Kitchens and Bathrooms, Strong COVID-19 Influence in Design Trends Report, Regal Brands Introduces Italian-Inspired Viaggio Hardware, House Plans for View Lots from Visbeen Architects, House Plans with 3 Beds and 2 Baths from Don Gardner, How Increased Work-From-Home Opportunities Benefit the Housing Market, Gift Guide 2020: Sparks of Joy for Architects and Designers. Our findings confirmed those of the ICC and NAHB researchers. What are the IRC requirments for bracing/blocking in a load-bearing 2x6 stud wall that is 12' high? It's not a "building code" thing and it's not optional, you'll more than likely have to install some blocking to complete your wall framing. GENERAL REQUIREMENTS 1. Keep in mind that liability associated with stairs goes beyond inspection failure. Fire blocking must cut off the concealed draft openings between all vertical and horizontal cavities, essentially compartmentalizing the areas from each other. Another common problem Byle sees is that builders, who may get the correct riser heights and tread depths, often don’t adjust for the added thickness of the flooring at the bottom. By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy, 2020 Stack Exchange, Inc. user contributions under cc by-sa, https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/133314/what-are-the-irc-requirments-for-bracing-blocking-in-a-load-bearing-2x6-stud-wal/133315#133315, https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/133314/what-are-the-irc-requirments-for-bracing-blocking-in-a-load-bearing-2x6-stud-wal/133316#133316, https://diy.stackexchange.com/questions/133314/what-are-the-irc-requirments-for-bracing-blocking-in-a-load-bearing-2x6-stud-wal/133318#133318. Otherwise, the end of the railing could catch on things like pants pockets or purse straps, causing a fall. To further resist racking, builders can also use flat-framed 2-bys run diagonally on the underside of the joists . • Any wall cavity between studs from top to bottom plate that the drywall or sheathing does not completely seal needs to be fire blocked. The warning label on paper-faced insulation batts clearly states: “This facing will burn ...” It cannot be left exposed but must be covered with drywall or other type of sheathing permitted by code. Byle isn’t far from Polson, Mont., where a 2004 deck collapse at a casino injured 52 people after the connection between the deck and the building failed. Metal-Lite has the only ADA Compliant Backing available. (photo: Jim Findlay). 3 and better (hmmm...I was surprised about that too) unless in a non-bearing wall they can be “Utility”, 3) exterior walls must be designed to withstand minimum wind load for you area, 4) 2x6’s must. 3-IN-1 Metal Stud Backing System This rendering illustrates the versatility of Metal-Lites patented 3-in-1 backing system that allows your wall mounted applications to be positioned at any location along your wall. (photo: Chris Ulster), The gap at the end of this floor truss is a framing violation. 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