Minimum Uniformly Distributed Live Load For Habitable Attics MiTek Staff An attic truss with 7 feet room height – should it be designed for 20 psf (pounds per square foot), 30 psf, or 40 psf room live load? Per International Residential Code (IRC) Table R301.5, the minimum uniformly distributed live load for uninhabitable attics with limited storage is 20... Read More May 2024 Issue #16298 Page 104
AWC Releases New Wood Design Standards Madison Stephens The American Wood Council (AWC) released its three new 2024 wood design standards: the National Design Specification® for Wood Construction (NDS®), Wood Frame Construction Manual (WFCM) for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, and Fire Design Specification for Wood Construction (FDS). These... Read More February 2024 Issue #16295 Page 90
ANSI/TPI 1: The National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction Jay Jones, P.E. After more than three years in development, I’m pleased to announce the publication of ANSI/TPI 1–2022 National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction. Including a Commentary & Appendices, this standard is available for purchase in print and... Read More August 2023 Issue #15289 Page 90
Minimum Uniformly Distributed Live Load For Habitable Attics MiTek Staff Attic truss with 7 feet room height – should it be designed for 20 psf (pounds per square foot), 30 psf or 40 psf room live load? IRC (International Residential Code) defines Habitable Space as a space in a building for living, sleeping, eating, or cooking. Per IRC 2018 Table... Read More March 2023 Issue #15284 Page 93
Top Structural and Wood-Related Changes in the 2021 IRC, Part 2 Randy Daudet In the last article, we described the primary structural and wood-related changes in the 2021 International Residential Code, Chapters 3 and 4. This article will continue with the primary changes to Chapters 5 through 8 of the IRC. Decks For the 2018 and the 2021 IRC, an informal group... Read More February 2023 Issue #15283 Page 114
Top Structural and Wood-Related Changes in the 2021 IRC, Part 1 Randy Shackelford The ICC code change cycle for the 2024 International Codes is near completion, with only the certification by the Validation Committee and confirmation by the ICC Board of Group B results outstanding. However, many jurisdictions may just now be adopting the 2021 International Codes. This is the... Read More January 2023 Issue #15282 Page 108
Standards Ensure Off-site Built Tiny Homes Deliver Safety and Efficiency Ryan Colker As many communities and potential homeowners struggle with housing affordability, tiny houses have emerged as part of the solution. Assuring these tiny houses deliver the same level of safety and efficiency of other permanent housing solutions is essential. Local building codes and the... Read More August 2022 Issue #14277 Page 96
Understanding Bearing Size at a Wall or Beam MiTek Staff The first thing to consider with bearing sizes is the minimum required by the building codes. Per 2018 IRC, International Residential Code for One- and Two-Family Dwellings, Sec. R802.6 – When a ceiling joist is supported directly on wood or metal, the minimum bearing size required is... Read More April 2022 Issue #14273 Page 112
Wall-Bracing Alternatives to Help Designers and Builders Navigate the Lumber Shortage Simpson Strong-Tie Staff As lumberyards continue to recover from pandemic-related supply issues, there’s been an ever-increasing shortage of building materials, creating many challenges for building contractors. These shortages have impacted availability of wood structural panel sheathing and, as a result, our... Read More July 2021 Issue #13264 Page 126
Building Stronger Stick-Frame Roofs: Code Requirements and Connection Solutions Randy Shackelford While stick-frame roofs are sometimes preferred to premanufactured roof trusses in some areas of the country because they can accommodate larger attics, higher ceilings, and complex roof shapes, the code requirements for these roofs are often more complex. That’s largely because, unlike... Read More June 2021 Issue #13263 Page 124