Contractor Night 2014 Wall Bracing Update

Jesse A. Jerabek

Residential Designer at Braun Building Center/

Member of UDC Council

Why is wall bracing needed today, what changed?

Through availability of engineered wood products came options that were never available, yet sheathing surface

area percentage has decreased rapidly.

Educational Outcomes

• To show most builders/inspectors for the first time the updated wind bracing code proposed to take effect April 1st.

• WBA and DSPS worked together to write a stronger yet easier code to follow for both builders and inspectors

• Prove through comparisons and details how the new code is easier to follow and implement in the field

• Point out the design flexibility the new code allows, while still ensuring needed engineered strength

• Show actual examples of how to properly brace problem area’s with the new code. In the past there were issues misunderstood or ignored because of confusion

Items To Be Covered

• Flexibility with added 12’ wall height options to enable more common situations Table 321.25A

• Easy to read and use Bracing and Fastener Table 321.25-G

• Comparison of new 321.25-H and old table 321.25-J, easy to read heights –vs- old percentages for easy use in the field by both builders and inspectors

• Discuss options in tables 321.25-I and table 321.25-J, good options depending on circumstances

• Show how to define the building sides via new Circumscribed Rectangle –vs- current braced wall lines

• Discuss what is actually required to be shown on plans

April 2009 Wind Bracing on WBA radar after adoption of current code

Governor Walker expressed concern in conversations with WBA, attributed to the current Wall Bracing Code

2011 Department of Commerce became DSPS, Wind Bracing discussions began with WBA

Took a back seat to protests at capitol in early 2012

2012 DSPS and Small Business Regulatory Review Board listed current Wall Bracing code as a top priority

Spring 2012 WBA started talks on reform

Debate on 2 options began, going back to old code or writing new code. Was old code enough?

July 2012 Jay Crandell (Engineer) assisted the WBA to write new code language

June 2013 I became involved giving thoughts and ideas on the new preliminary code language

August 2013 WBA, Jay Crandell (Engineer), and I attended UDC Council meeting to propose new Wall Bracing Code with WBA

UDC Council made recommendations. WBA and Jay modified the code proposal

September 2013 UDC Council recommended the proposal to become Emergency Rule proposed to take effect April 1st. 2014

The current proposal is Draft Version #9

5) REQUIRED PLANS. The required building plans shall be legible and drawn to scale or dimensioned and shall include all of the

following: (a) Site plan. The site plan shall show all of the following:

1. The location of the dwelling and any other buildings, wells, surface waters and dispersal systems on the site with respect to

property lines and surface waters adjacent to the site. 2. The areas of land−disturbing construction activity and the location of all erosion and sediment control measures to be

employed in order to comply with s. SPS 321.125. 3. The pre−construction ground surface slope and direction

of runoff flow within the proposed areas of land disturbance. (b) Floor plan. 1. Floor plans shall be provided for each floor. 2. The following features shall be included on all floor plans:

a. The size and location of all rooms, doors, windows, structural features, exit passageways and stairs.

b. The use of each room. c. The location of plumbing fixtures, chimneys, heating and

cooling appliances, and a heating distribution layout.

d. The location and construction details of the braced wall lines. (c) Elevations. The elevations shall show all of the following:

1. The exterior appearance of the building, including the type of exterior materials.

2. The location, size and configuration of doors, windows, roof, chimneys, exterior grade, footings and foundation walls. (d) Storm water management plan. 1. A storm water management

plan shall be prepared for a site where one acre or more of land will be disturbed.

2. The storm water management plan shall delineate and describe the post−construction storm water management practices

to be employed to comply with s. SPS 321.126.

FIGURE 321.25–C

LOCATION OF BRACED WALL PANELS ALONG A BUILDING SIDEa

aContinuous sheathing shall be applied to all surfaces of the wall, including areas between brace panels and above and below wall

openings.

The actual measured wall height shall include stud height and thickness of top and bottom plates. The actual wall height shall be permitted to exceed the listed nominal values by not more than 4 inches.

The max dimension of the hole should not be greater than 10% of the least dimension of the panel. Thus, for a 48” panel, the max size hole would be 4.8” x 4.8”. Thus, for a 16” portal frame panel that has high load but narrow width, the max hole size would be 1.6”x1.6” (really just enough for a pipe or to pull a wire, but not a gang box). In these locations it would be necessary to use a shallow surface mounted box where needed.

Just go online : http://dsps.wi.gov/public-board-agenda-item Please use this form to submit an item for consideration at a board or council meeting. You may be asked to appear at the meeting to present and explain your request.