Internet DCQ Continuing Education Course Presented by The Wisconsin Housing Alliance
History
Nails go back at least to the Ancient Roman
period.
Until the end of the 18th century, they were
made by hand.
Manufactured cut nails were first introduced
in America at the end of the 18th century
Cut nails have been replaced by wire nails
History
Most countries, except the
United States, use a metric
system for describing nail
sizes.
In the United States, the
length of a nail is designated
by its penny size
represented by a d.
As a reference a 8d nail is 2
½ inches or roughly 65 mm.
Fasteners and the UDC
The minimum fastener schedule table for the
UDC shows smooth-common, box or
deformed shanks nails unless otherwise
shown.
Nail Types
Common - a common construction wire
nail with a disk-shaped head that is
typically 3-4 times the diameter of the
shank: common nails have larger shanks
than box nails of the same size.
Box - a wire nail with a head; box nails
have a smaller shank than common nails
of the same size
Casing - a wire nail with a slightly larger
head than finish nails; often used for flooring
Finish - a wire nail that has a head only
slightly larger than the shank; can be easily
concealed by countersinking the nail slightly
below the finished surface with a nail-set and
filling the resulting void with a filler (putty,
spackle, caulk, etc.)
Additional Terms
Bright - no surface coating; not recommended for
weather exposure or acidic or treated lumber
CC or Coated - "cement coated"; nail coated with
adhesive (cement) for greater holding power; also
resin- or vinyl-coated; coating melts from friction
when driven to help lubricate then hardens when
cool; color varies by manufacturer (tan, pink, are
common)
Types of Galvanized Nails
Electrogalvanized - provides a smooth finish with
some corrosion resistance
Hot-dip galvanized - provides a rough finish that
deposits more zinc than other methods, resulting in
very high corrosion resistance that is suitable for
some acidic and treated lumber; often easier to bend
than other types of nails
Mechanically galvanized - deposits more zinc than
electrogalvanizing for increased corrosion resistance
Nails vs. Staples
The minimum fastener table for boards and
planks permits nails or staples.
Studies show that staples can have as much
as 54% more holding power than nails.
However depending on the changing
moisture content of the wood, staples over
time can lose most if not all of that
advantage.
In a Virginia Poly Tech study after a 10 week
seasoning of oak boards and stringers used
in pallet production at 50% relative humidity
and 70 degree temperatures
– Nail holding power increased 43%
– Staple holding power decreased from 35 to 51%
The Schedule
The code provides a minimum standard for
fastening. For engineered connectors, use
the manufacturer’s specified fasteners.
Fastener Standards
Specifies minimum number, size and
direction
– Example: Wall Framing
Sole plate to joist or blocking
– Face nail 16d at 16” on center
Stud to sole plate
– Toe nail 4 – 8d or 3 – 16d
The Staple Option
Fastening Boards & Planks
– 1“ thick boards can be nailed or stapled
– 2” thick boards can only be nailed
Wall Framing
– Staples allowed only for 1” corner braces
Grading Standards in the UDC
The purpose of erosion control as stated in the UDC is to prevent or reduce the potential deposition of soil or sediment to the waters of the state and adjacent properties.
The finished grade of the soil shall slope away from the dwelling at a rate of at least ½ inch per foot
The graded slope away from the dwelling shall be at least a minimum distance of 10 feet, or to the lot line, whichever is less.
Controls Come First
Land disturbing construction activities,
except those activities necessary to
implement erosion or sediment control
practices, may not begin until the sediment
control practices are in place for each area to
be disturbed in accordance with the
approved plan.
A disturbed area shall be considered
stabilized by vegetation when a perennial
cover has been established with a density of
at least 70%.
Mandated Practices for Less than 1 Acre Disturbances
A method to prevent or reduce soil from
leaving the site via entries or roads.
Storm water inlet protection.
Protection of adjoining waters.
Drainage way protection.
Dewatering activity sediment reduction.
Stockpile protection.
5 Methods
The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation.
Silt fences.
Seed and mulch.
Best Management Practices to achieve 40%
reduction in sediment load.
A unique designed submitted for review.
More than 1 Acre Sites
An 80% sediment load reduction is required.
Mandated practices are the same as small
sites.
Stone Tracking Pad
Either a stone tracking pad or tire washing
station shall be used at all points of
construction egress.
This standard applies where construction
traffic is likely to transport sediment off site.
The aggregate in a tracking pad shall be
placed in a layer at least 12 inches thick.
Tracking Pad
Stone tracking pads shall be underlain with a
WisDOT Type R geotextile fabric to prevent
migration of underlying soil into the stone if:
– Site has a high water table
– Where saturated soil conditions are expected
Tracking Pads
The tracking pad shall be
– the full width of the egress point.
– a minimum 50 feet long.
Tracking Pads
Surface water must be prevented from
passing through the tracking pad. Flows shall
be diverted away from tracking pads or
conveyed under and around them.
– A culvert would be an approved method.
A tracking pad plan shall include the name of
the responsible party.
Tire Washing Station
A tire washing station is another method of dealing with keeping soil on the site. It must be located on-site.
The wash rack for a tire washing station shall consist of heavy grating over a lowered area.
Rocks lodged between the tires of dual wheel vehicles shall be removed prior to leaving the construction site.
All plans for tracking pads or washing, standard detail drawings,
or specifications shall include a schedule for installation,
inspection and maintenance
Maintenance
Any sediment tracked onto a public or private road should be
removed by street cleaning NOT flushing before the end of
each working day.
Tracking pads and tire washing stations shall, at a minimum,
be inspected weekly.
24 hours after a precipitation event that produces 0.5 inches
of rain or more during a 24-hour period would create a new
mandatory inspection of a tracking pad.
Maintenance
The tracking pad performance shall be
maintained by scraping or top-dressing with
additional aggregate.
If the initial thickness of a tracking pad is 12
inches and must be maintained at 12 inches.
A shallow trench or diversion dam that
diverts surface water runoff into a dispersion
area is called a water bar.
Permits
Landowners of most construction projects
where one or more acres of land will be
disturbed must obtain a WPDES
Construction Site Erosion Control and Storm
Water Discharge Permit.
If the landowner doesn’t have proper permit
coverage, they could be fined up to $10,000
per day.
Landowners of most construction projects where
one or more acres of land will be disturbed must
obtain a WPDES Construction Site Erosion Control
and Storm Water Discharge Permit.
Landowners need to submit an application called a
Notice of Intent (NOI) to request coverage under the
Construction Site Storm Water Runoff General
Permit No. WIS067831.
Permits
Disturbing one acre or more of land
includes clearing, grading, and
excavating or stockpiling of fill material
All construction sites disturbing 1 acre or
more (with few exceptions) need storm
water permit coverage!
The landowner submits the permit
application.
Common pollutants in runoff include sediment, oil,
grease, nitrogen and phosphorus
Preventing contamination of storm water is critically
important or polluted runoff will be discharged –
untreated - into the water bodies we use for
swimming, fishing, and drinking water.
Most storm sewer systems do not provide significant
treatment to the water they collect.
The erosion control and storm water
management plans must be completed
before the landowner files an NOI
The landowner is required to develop a long-
term storm water maintenance agreement
that is to be finalized prior to submitting the
NOI to the DNR.
Exceptions to General Applicability of Post-Construction Standards
Notices of Intent prior to October 1, 2004
– Includes submittals to DNR or Commerce
Redevelopment site with no increase in parking lots or roads
Post-construction site with less than 10% connected imperviousness ( unless parking lots plus rooftops > 1 acre)
Agricultural facilities and practices
The four areas of an acceptable stormwater
management plan includes
Introduction and general information
Practices (Best Management Practices)
Normal Operating Procedures
Maintenance
Silt Fences
A silt fence is a temporary sediment barrier of
entrenched geotextile fabric designed to
intercept and slow the flow of runoff.
A silt fence shall be a minimum of 14 inches
high?
Building a Silt Fence
When using wood supports, the silt fence fabric shall
be stapled at least 0.5 inches
Wood silt fence supports can be made from hickory
or oak
Steel supports for silt supports shall be a minimum of
20 inches extending into the ground.
For steel support for silt fencing the fabric shall be
attached with 50 pound plastic ties or wire fasteners
The trench for a silt fence can be 4 inch wide
by 6 inch deep or a 6 inch deep V trench on
the upslope side of the fence.
The maximum height for a silt fence is 28
inches.
Silt fences shall be removed once the
disturbed area is permanently stabilized and
no longer susceptible to erosion.
Sediment
Too much sediment in a waterbody can
cloud the water and make it difficult or
impossible for aquatic plants to receive the
sunlight they need to grow.
Landfilling Waste is a Big Deal
A study shows 28.7% of waste placed in landfills is construction & demolition waste (C & D waste).
That’s 850 thousand tons per year.
Of the top 10 components of the waste stream, 3 are C & D waste.
Ranking number one is untreated wood followed by roofing shingles; third and last is a combination of rock, concrete and brick.
Other common C&D waste stream components include treated woods, drywall, PVC, ceramics and porcelain, glass and metals.
Waste paints, solvents, sealers and adhesives commingled in C&D waste have greater potential for environmental impacts. These materials are specifically excluded from the definition for C&D waste under s.NR 500.03 (50) [exit DNR], Wisconsin Administrative Code.
Like other recycling efforts, there are more management options for C&D debris that isn't mixed with other waste materials.
C&D debris consists primarily of asphalt, brick, concrete, glass, metal, drywall and wood, all having recycling potential.
Brick and cement block can be recovered for reuse, but more often they are combined with concrete and asphalt and are crushed to form the base for roadbeds and driveways.
Excess unpainted and untreated wood
lumber at construction sites can be
recovered for reuse as dimensional lumber,
but most often it is chipped for use in
landscaping and composting.
Metals can be marketed to scrap metal
dealers.
Some firms specialize in systematically
dismantling structures in order to recover
materials in the best possible conditions.
C&D debris is a solid waste subject to the
provisions in chs. NR 500 - 538, Wisconsin
Administrative Codes.
What is Clean Fill?
Wisconsin Administrative Code exempts the
following C&D materials as clean fill provided
the fill is not placed within a floodplain,
wetland, surface water environment or critical
habitat: brick, broken pavement, building
stone, clean soil, concrete, reinforced
concrete and unpainted or untreated wood.
Waste Recycling Resources
Find recycling centers near you
– http://search.earth911.com/
DNR Pre-Demolition Checklist
Waste Management
– http://www.wm.com/
Spiral Stairs
Often not just a decorative feature but a space necessity.
Spiral staircases shall be at least 26 inches wide measured from the outer edge of the supporting column to the inner edge of the handrail.
At the top and bottom of a flight, measurement shall be taken from the top of the nosing to the finished floor surface unless the finished surface is carpeting, in which case measurement shall be made to the hard surface below the carpeting.
Except for spiral staircases risers may not exceed 8 inches in height measured vertically from tread to tread.
Risers in spiral staircases may not exceed 9.5 inches in height measured vertically from tread to tread.
Rectangular treads shall have minimum tread depth of 9 inches measured horizontally from nosing to nosing.
Spiral staircase treads shall have a minimum
tread depth of 7 inches from nosing to nosing
measured at a point 12 inches from the outer
edge of the center column.
Headroom
Stairways shall be provided with a minimum
headroom clearance of 76 inches measured
vertically from a line parallel to the nosing of the
treads to the ceiling, soffit or any overhead
obstruction directly above that line.
The headroom clearance shall be maintained over a
landing that is at the top or bottom of a stairway for a
minimum distance of 36 inches in the direction of
travel of the stairway.
Variance in Height
Within a stairway flight, the greatest tread depth may not exceed the smallest tread depth by more than 3/8 inch and the greatest riser height may not exceed the smallest riser height by more than 3/8 inch.
WOW!
The walking surface of stair treads and
landings shall be a planar surface that is free
of lips or protrusions that could present a
tripping hazard.
Stairways leading to non-habitable attics or
crawl spaces are not covered by the UDC.
Generally, stairways shall be at least 36
inches wide.
Common Defects
Openings in handrails/guardrails
Gripping surfaces on handrails
Headroom
Uniformity
Landings
Openings in Handrails
The opening in a handrail
shall prevent the passage of
a sphere with a diameter of
4 inches or larger.
The triangular area formed
by the tread, riser or
guardrail shall have an
opening that prevents the
passage of sphere of 6
inches or more
This design is decorative but
openings exceed 4 inches.
Stairways with open
risers shall be
constructed to prevent
the through-passage of
a sphere with a
diameter of 4 inches or
larger between any 2
adjacent treads.
Stair flights with more
than 3 risers shall be
provided with at least
one handrail for the full
length of the stair flight.
Cable or Ropes
If cables or ropes are
used in a handrail or
guardrail shall be
strung with maximum
openings of 3 ½ inches
with vertical supports 4
feet
Incorrect – opening
exceeds 3 ½ inches
Design Standards
Handrails and guardrails must be designed
to withstand a 200 lb load applied in any
direction.
Any glazing used must be safety glazing
Exterior handrails and guardrails must be
made of metal, decay resistant or pressure
treated wood, or shall be protected from the
weather.
Design Standards
Height can be variable
between 30 and 38 inches.
Must be uniform in height
except where a rail contacts
a wall or newel post or where
a turnout or volute is
provided at the bottom step. A volute
Design Standards
Handrails and associated trim may project
into the required width of stairs and landings
a maximum of 4 ½ inches on each side.
Landing Design Standards
A level landing shall be provided at the top and base of every stairs. The landing shall be at least as wide as the stairs and shall measure at least 3 feet in the direction of travel.
A landing is not required between the door and the top of interior stairs if the door does not swing over the stairs.
A landing is not required between a sliding glass door and the top of an exterior stairway of 3 or fewer risers.
The exterior landing, platform or sidewalk at
an exterior doorway shall be located a
maximum of 8 inches below the interior floor
elevation and shall have a length of at least
36 inches in the direction of travel out of the
dwelling.
Ramps
Ramps shall not have a
slop greater than 1 in 8.
(One foot of rise for
each 8 feet of run.)
Walkways with a slope
of less than 1 in 20 are
not considered ramps.
Ramps must have a
slip resistant surface.
Handrails Forms
A common violation regarding decks and stairs involves handrail shapes.
Must be symmetrical at the vertical centerline to allow for equal wraparound of the fingers and thumb.
Where the handrail is round or truncated round cross sectional gripping surface must have a whole diameter of 2 inches.
2 inches
Handrail Forms
Handrails with a
rectangular cross
sectional gripping
surface shall have a
maximum perimeter of
6 ¼ inches with a
maximum cross
sectional dimension of
2 7/8 inches.
OK (w x ht)
½” by 2 1/8”
¾” by 2 ½”
1” by 2 1/8”
1 ½” by 2 1/8”
1 1/8” by 2 5/16”
1 7/8” by 1 15/16”
Max 6 ¼ inch
gripping surface
Clearance
The clearance between the handrail and a
wall shall be at least 1 ½ inches.
Handrails and their trim can project a
maximum of 4 ½ inches into the required
width of the stairs or landing.
Continuity
Handrails must be continuous for the entire length of
the stairs except:
– At an intermediate landing
– A handrail may have newel posts
– At an intermediate wall provided
the upper rail is returned to the wall or provided with a flared
end,
The horizontal offset between the 2 rails is no more than 12”
measured from the center of the rails, and
Both upper and lower rails can be reached from the same
tread without taking a step.
Guardrails
All openings between floors, and open sides of
landings, platforms, balconies or porches that are
more than 24 inches above grade or a floor must
have a guardrail.
An insect screen is not a guardrail.
For exterior applications, the 24 inches is measured
within 3 feet horizontally from the edge of the deck,
landing, porch or similar structure.
Guardrails
The required height is
at least 36 inches
above the floor as
measure from the hard
structure beneath the
finished surface to the
top of the rail. (measure
between the 2 red lines
shown).
Landings
An intermediate landing is required in any
stairs that has a height of 12 feet or more.
Intermediate landings connecting straight
stairs or stairs at a right angle must be as
wide as the stairs and measure at least 36
inches in the direction of travel.
Curved or irregular landings shall have a
radius of at least 36 inches.
Landings
Curved or irregular shaped landings must
have minimum straight line measurement of
26 inches between the nosing of the 2
connecting treads as measured at a point 18
inches from the narrow end of the landing.
Required Handrails
When the ramp has a gradient greater than 1 in 12 AND which overcomes a change in elevation of 24 inches or more, shall have a handrail on both sides.
Every ramp that overcomes a change of elevation of 8 inches or more shall have at least one handrail.
Handrails shall be located to the top of the handrail is at least 30 inches but not more than 38 inches above the ramp surface.
Handrails on Ramps
Open sided ramps shall have the area below
the handrail protected by intermediate rails or
an ornamental pattern to prevent the
passage of a sphere of 4 inches or larger.
Ramp Landings
A level landing shall be provided at the top,
at the foot and at any change of direction of
the ramp.
The landing must be at least as wide as the
ramp and shall measure at least 3 feet in the
direction of travel.
Deck Footings
Per SPS 321.15(2), deck footings shall be sized to not exceed the allowable material stresses.
The bearing area shall be at least equal to
the area required to transfer the loads to he
supporting soil without exceeding the bearing
values of the soil.
Soil Types
Wet, Soft clay, very loose silt, silty clay = 2000 psf
Loose, fine sand, medium clay, loose sandy clay = 2000
Stiff clay, firm inorganic silt = 3000
Medium (firm) sand, loose sandy gravel, firm sandy clay, hard
dry clay = 4000
Dense sand and gravel, very compact mixture of clay, sand and
gravel = 6000
Rock = 12000
Footing Sizing
In lieu of a designed footing, the code
required minimum size or a column footing of
24” x 24” x 12” thick
To provide adequate spread of the load
through the concrete or gravel footer, its
thickness should be at least one-half of its
diameter, but in no case less than 8”.
Carbon monoxide is a gas created by incomplete burning of fuels.
Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless, but highly toxic.
Carbon Monoxide can build up over time, with unrecognized symptoms such as headaches, nausea, disorientation, or irritability eventually building to unconsciousness and fatal poisoning.
Examples of some carbon monoxide sources are cars running in garages, heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances or cooking sources using coal, wood, oil, kerosene, or other fuels.
Electric appliances are not carbon monoxide sources.
As of February 1, 2011, there are Wisconsin requirements for both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in almost all one-
and two-family dwellings, regardless of the building’s age.
Owners are responsible for alarm installations
Occupants have responsibility to maintain the alarms.
Owners must repair or replace alarms within five days of written notice from an occupant or an inspector.
Authorized inspectors may enter dwellings to inspect alarms when requested by owners or occupants.
Tampering with alarms is illegal, dangerous, and can cause serious liability concerns.
Freezing can damage carbon monoxide alarms.
Alarms must be installed in the basement, and on each floor level.
The alarms need not be installed in attics, garages, or storage areas.
Hard Wiring
If the dwelling was permitted or construction on or after Feb 1, 2011 the CO detector must be hard wired unless the home has no attached garage, no fireplace and no fuel-burning appliance.
Battery or plug in units can be used with home older than 2/1/2011.
On floors with more than one sleeping area, a CO detector shall be installed outside of the sleeping area, within 21 feet of the centerline of the door opening and in an exit path from any sleeping area.
RequirementsBattery Powered
Hardwired Interconnection Alarm on every floor
Alarm outside each sleeping area
Built before
2/1/2011 ■ ■
Built on or
after 2/1/2011 ■ ■ ■ ■