// CODE SNIPPET

R802.4 Allowable Ceiling Joist Spans

Residential Code 2015 of Utah > 8 Roof-Ceiling Construction > R802 Wood Roof Framing > R802.4 Allowable Ceiling Joist Spans

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Spans for ceiling joists shall be in accordance with Tables R802.4(1) and R802.4(2). For other grades and species and for other loading conditions, refer to the AWC STJR. 
 
 TABLE R802.4(1) CEILING JOIST SPANS FOR COMMON LUMBER SPECIES (Uninhabitable attics without storage, live load = 10 psf, L/Δ = 240) 
 
   CEILING JOIST
 SPACING (inches)  SPECIES AND GRADE  DEAD LOAD = 5 psf 
 2 × 4 2 × 6 2 × 8 2 × 10 
  Maximum ceiling joist spans 
  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches) 
  12 Douglas fir-larch SS 13-2 20-8 Note a Note a 
 Douglas fir-larch #1 12-8 19-11 Note a Note a 
 Douglas fir-larch #2 12-5 19-6 25-8 Note a 
 Douglas fir-larch #3 11-1 16-3 20-7 25-2 
 Hem-fir SS 12-5 19-6 25-8 Note a 
 Hem-fir #1 12-2 19-1 25-2 Note a 
 Hem-fir #2 11-7 18-2 24-0 Note a 
 Hem-fir #3 10-10 15-10 20-1 24-6 
 Southern pine SS 12-11 20-3 Note a Note a 
 Southern pine #1 12-5 19-6 25-8 Note a 
 Southern pine #2 11-10 18-8 24-7 Note a 
 Southern pine #3 10-1 14-11 18-9 22-9 
 Spruce-pine-fir SS 12-2 19-1 25-2 Note a 
 Spruce-pine-fir #1 11-10 18-8 24-7 Note a 
 Spruce-pine-fir #2 11-10 18-8 24-7 Note a 
 Spruce-pine-fir #3 10-10 15-10 20-1 24-6 
  16 Douglas fir-larch SS 11-11 18-9 24-8 Note a 
 Douglas fir-larch #1 11-6 18-1 23-10 Note a 
 Douglas fir-larch #2 11-3 17-8 23-4 Note a 
 Douglas fir-larch #3 9-7 14-1 17-10 21-9 
 Hem-fir SS 11-3 17-8 23-4 Note a 
 Hem-fir #1 11-0 17-4 22-10 Note a 
 Hem-fir #2 10-6 16-6 21-9 Note a 
 Hem-fir #3 9-5 13-9 17-5 21-3 
 Southern pine SS 11-9 18-5 24-3 Note a 
 Southern pine #1 11-3 17-8 23-10 Note a 
 Southern pine #2 10-9 16-11 21-7 25-7 
 Southern pine #3 8-9 12-11 16-3 19-9 
 Spruce-pine-fir SS 11-0 17-4 22-10 Note a 
 Spruce-pine-fir #1 10-9 16-11 22-4 Note a 
 Spruce-pine-fir #2 10-9 16-11 22-4 Note a 
 Spruce-pine-fir #3 9-5 13-9 17-5 21-3 
 
 
 (continued) 
 
 TABLE R802.4(1)‒continued CEILING JOIST SPANS FOR COMMON LUMBER SPECIES (Uninhabitable attics without storage, live load = 10 psf, L/Δ = 240) 
 
   CEILING JOIST
 SPACING (inches)  SPECIES AND GRADE  DEAD LOAD = 5 psf 
  2 × 4  2 × 6  2 × 8  2 × 10 
  Maximum ceiling joist spans 
  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches) 
  19.2  Douglas fir-larch  SS  11-3  17-8  23-3  Note a 
  Douglas fir-larch  #1  10-10  17-0  22-5  Note a 
  Douglas fir-larch  #2  10-7  16-8  21-4  26-0 
  Douglas fir-larch  #3  8-9  12-10  16-3  19-10 
  Hem-fir  SS  10-7  16-8  21-11  Note a 
  Hem-fir  #1  10-4  16-4  21-6  Note a 
  Hem-fir  #2  9-11  15-7  20-6  25-3 
  Hem-fir  #3  8-7  12-6  15-10  19-5 
  Southern -pine  SS  11-0  17-4  22-10  Note a 
  Southern pine  #1  10-7  16-8  22-0  Note a 
  Southern pine  #2  10-2  15-7  19-8  23-5 
  Southern pine  #3  8-0  11-9  14-10  18-0 
  Spruce-pine-fir  SS  10-4  16-4  21-6  Note a 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #1  10-2  15-11  21-0  25-8 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #2  10-2  15-11  21-0  25-8 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #3  8-7  12-6  15-10  19-5 
  24  Douglas fir-larch  SS  10-5  16-4  21-7  Note a 
  Douglas fir-larch  #1  10-0  15-9  20-1  24-6 
  Douglas fir-larch  #2  9-10  15-0  19-1  23-3 
  Douglas fir-larch  #3  7-10  11-6  14-7  17-9 
  Hem-fir  SS  9-10  15-6  20-5  Note a 
  Hem-fir  #1  9-8  15-2  19-10  24-3 
  Hem-fir  #2  9-2  14-5  18-6  22-7 
  Hem-fir  #3  7-8  11-2  14-2  17-4 
  Southern pine  SS  10-3  16-1  21-2  Note a 
  Southern pine  #1  9-10  15-6  20-5  24-0 
  Southern pine  #2  9-3  13-11  17-7  20-11 
  Southern pine  #3  7-2  10-6  13-3  16-1 
  Spruce-pine-fir  SS  9-8  15-2  19-11  25-5 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #1  9-5  14-9  18-9  22-11 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #2  9-5  14-9  18-9  22-11 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #3  7-8  11-2  14-2  17-4 

  Check sources for availability of lumber in lengths greater than 20 feet. 
 For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kPa. 
 a. Span exceeds 26 feet in length. 
 
 
 TABLE R802.4(2) CEILING JOIST SPANS FOR COMMON LUMBER SPECIES (Uninhabitable attics with limited storage, live load = 20 psf, L/Δ = 240) 
 
   CEILING JOIST
 SPACING (inches)  SPECIES AND GRADE  DEAD LOAD = 10 psf 
  2 × 4  2 × 6  2 × 8  2 × 10 
  Maximum ceiling joist spans 
  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches) 
  12  Douglas fir-larch  SS  10-5  16-4  21-7  Note a 
  Douglas fir-larch  #1  10-0  15-9  20-1  24-6 
  Douglas fir-larch  #2  9-10  15-0  19-1  23-3 
  Douglas fir-larch  #3  7-10  11-6  14-7  17-9 
  Hem-fir  SS  9-10  15-6  20-5  Note a 
  Hem-fir  #1  9-8  15-2  19-10  24-3 
  Hem-fir  #2  9-2  14-5  18-6  22-7 
  Hem-fir  #3  7-8  11-2  14-2  17-4 
  Southern pine  SS  10-3  16-1  21-2  Note a 
  Southern pine  #1  9-10  15-6  20-5  24-0 
  Southern pine  #2  9-3  13-11  17-7  20-11 
  Southern pine  #3  7-2  10-6  13-3  16-1 
  Spruce-pine-fir  SS  9-8  15-2  19-11  25-5 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #1  9-5  14-9  18-9  22-11 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #2  9-5  14-9  18-9  22-11 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #3  7-8  11-2  14-2  17-4 
  16  Douglas fir-larch  SS  9-6  14-11  19-7  25-0 
  Douglas fir-larch  #1  9-1  13-9  17-5  21-3 
  Douglas fir-larch  #2  8-11  13-0  16-6  20-2 
  Douglas fir-larch  #3  6-10  9-11  12-7  15-5 
  Hem-fir  SS  8-11  14-1  18-6  23-8 
  Hem-fir  #1  8-9  13-7  17-2  21-0 
  Hem-fir  #2  8-4  12-8  16-0  19-7 
  Hem-fir  #3  6-8  9-8  12-4  15-0 
  Southern pine  SS  9-4  14-7  19-3  24-7 
  Southern pine  #1  8-11  14-0  17-9  20-9 
  Southern pine  #2  8-0  12-0  15-3  18-1 
  Southern pine  #3  6-2  9-2  11-6  14-0 
  Spruce-pine-fir  SS  8-9  13-9  18-1  23-1 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #1  8-7  12-10  16-3  19-10 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #2  8-7  12-10  16-3  19-10 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #3  6-8  9-8  12-4  15-0 
 
 
 (continued) 
 
 TABLE R802.4(2)‒continued CEILING JOIST SPANS FOR COMMON LUMBER SPECIES (Uninhabitable attics with limited storage, live load = 20 psf, L/Δ= 240)  
 
   CEILING JOIST
 SPACING (inches)  SPECIES AND GRADE  DEAD LOAD = 10 psf 
  2 × 4  2 × 6  2 × 8  2 × 10 
  Maximum ceiling joist spans 
  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches)  (feet - inches) 
  19.2  Douglas fir-larch  SS  8-11  14-0  18-5  23-7 
  Douglas fir-larch  #1  8-7  12-6  15-10  19-5 
  Douglas fir-larch  #2  8-2  11-11  15-1  18-5 
  Douglas fir-larch  #3  6-2  9-1  11-6  14-1 
  Hem-fir  SS  8-5  13-3  17-5  22-3 
  Hem-fir  #1  8-3  12-4  15-8  19-2 
  Hem-fir  #2  7-10  11-7  14-8  17-10 
  Hem-fir  #3  6-1  8-10  11-3  13-8 
  Southern pine  SS  8-9  13-9  18-2  23-1 
  Southern pine  #1  8-5  12-9  16-2  18-11 
  Southern pine  #2  7-4  11-0  13-11  16-6 
  Southern pine  #3  5-8  8-4  10-6  12-9 
  Spruce-pine-fir  SS  8-3  12-11  17-1  21-8 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #1  8-0  11-9  14-10  18-2 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #2  8-0  11-9  14-10  18-2 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #3  6-1  8-10  11-3  13-8 
  24  Douglas fir-larch  SS  8-3  13-0  17-2  21-3 
  Douglas fir-larch  #1  7-8  11-2  14-2  17-4 
  Douglas fir-larch  #2  7-3  10-8  13-6  16-5 
  Douglas fir-larch  #3  5-7  8-1  10-3  12-7 
  Hem-fir  SS  7-10  12-3  16-2  20-6 
  Hem-fir  #1  7-7  11-1  14-0  17-1 
  Hem-fir  #2  7-1  10-4  13-1  16-0 
  Hem-fir  #3  5-5  7-11  10-0  12-3 
  Southern pine  SS  8-1  12-9  16-10  21-6 
  Southern pine  #1  7-8  11-5  14-6  16-11 
  Southern pine  #2  6-7  9-10  12-6  14-9 
  Southern pine  #3  5-1  7-5  9-5  11-5 
  Spruce-pine-fir  SS  7-8  12-0  15-10  19-5 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #1  7-2  10-6  13-3  16-3 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #2  7-2  10-6  13-3  16-3 
  Spruce-pine-fir  #3  5-5  7-11  10-0  12-3 

  Check sources for availability of lumber in lengths greater than 20 feet. 
 For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 pound per square foot = 0.0479 kPa. 
 a. Span exceeds 26 feet in length. 

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CEILING JOIST SPACING (inches)	SPECIES AND GRADE		DEAD LOAD = 5 psf
			2 × 4	2 × 6	2 × 8	2 × 10
			Maximum ceiling joist spans
			(feet - inches)	(feet - inches)	(feet - inches)	(feet - inches)
12	Douglas fir-larch	SS	13-2	20-8	Note a	Note a
	Douglas fir-larch	#1	12-8	19-11	Note a	Note a
	Douglas fir-larch	#2	12-5	19-6	25-8	Note a
	Douglas fir-larch	#3	11-1	16-3	20-7	25-2
	Hem-fir	SS	12-5	19-6	25-8	Note a
	Hem-fir	#1	12-2	19-1	25-2	Note a
	Hem-fir	#2	11-7	18-2	24-0	Note a
	Hem-fir	#3	10-10	15-10	20-1	24-6
	Southern pine	SS	12-11	20-3	Note a	Note a
	Southern pine	#1	12-5	19-6	25-8	Note a
	Southern pine	#2	11-10	18-8	24-7	Note a
	Southern pine	#3	10-1	14-11	18-9	22-9
	Spruce-pine-fir	SS	12-2	19-1	25-2	Note a
	Spruce-pine-fir	#1	11-10	18-8	24-7	Note a
	Spruce-pine-fir	#2	11-10	18-8	24-7	Note a
	Spruce-pine-fir	#3	10-10	15-10	20-1	24-6
16	Douglas fir-larch	SS	11-11	18-9	24-8	Note a
	Douglas fir-larch	#1	11-6	18-1	23-10	Note a
	Douglas fir-larch	#2	11-3	17-8	23-4	Note a
	Douglas fir-larch	#3	9-7	14-1	17-10	21-9
	Hem-fir	SS	11-3	17-8	23-4	Note a
	Hem-fir	#1	11-0	17-4	22-10	Note a
	Hem-fir	#2	10-6	16-6	21-9	Note a
	Hem-fir	#3	9-5	13-9	17-5	21-3
	Southern pine	SS	11-9	18-5	24-3	Note a
	Southern pine	#1	11-3	17-8	23-10	Note a
	Southern pine	#2	10-9	16-11	21-7	25-7
	Southern pine	#3	8-9	12-11	16-3	19-9
	Spruce-pine-fir	SS	11-0	17-4	22-10	Note a
	Spruce-pine-fir	#1	10-9	16-11	22-4	Note a
	Spruce-pine-fir	#2	10-9	16-11	22-4	Note a
	Spruce-pine-fir	#3	9-5	13-9	17-5	21-3

CEILING JOIST SPACING (inches)	SPECIES AND GRADE		DEAD LOAD = 10 psf
			2 × 4	2 × 6	2 × 8	2 × 10
			Maximum ceiling joist spans
			(feet - inches)	(feet - inches)	(feet - inches)	(feet - inches)
12	Douglas fir-larch	SS	10-5	16-4	21-7	Note a
	Douglas fir-larch	#1	10-0	15-9	20-1	24-6
	Douglas fir-larch	#2	9-10	15-0	19-1	23-3
	Douglas fir-larch	#3	7-10	11-6	14-7	17-9
	Hem-fir	SS	9-10	15-6	20-5	Note a
	Hem-fir	#1	9-8	15-2	19-10	24-3
	Hem-fir	#2	9-2	14-5	18-6	22-7
	Hem-fir	#3	7-8	11-2	14-2	17-4
	Southern pine	SS	10-3	16-1	21-2	Note a
	Southern pine	#1	9-10	15-6	20-5	24-0
	Southern pine	#2	9-3	13-11	17-7	20-11
	Southern pine	#3	7-2	10-6	13-3	16-1
	Spruce-pine-fir	SS	9-8	15-2	19-11	25-5
	Spruce-pine-fir	#1	9-5	14-9	18-9	22-11
	Spruce-pine-fir	#2	9-5	14-9	18-9	22-11
	Spruce-pine-fir	#3	7-8	11-2	14-2	17-4
16	Douglas fir-larch	SS	9-6	14-11	19-7	25-0
	Douglas fir-larch	#1	9-1	13-9	17-5	21-3
	Douglas fir-larch	#2	8-11	13-0	16-6	20-2
	Douglas fir-larch	#3	6-10	9-11	12-7	15-5
	Hem-fir	SS	8-11	14-1	18-6	23-8
	Hem-fir	#1	8-9	13-7	17-2	21-0
	Hem-fir	#2	8-4	12-8	16-0	19-7
	Hem-fir	#3	6-8	9-8	12-4	15-0
	Southern pine	SS	9-4	14-7	19-3	24-7
	Southern pine	#1	8-11	14-0	17-9	20-9
	Southern pine	#2	8-0	12-0	15-3	18-1
	Southern pine	#3	6-2	9-2	11-6	14-0
	Spruce-pine-fir	SS	8-9	13-9	18-1	23-1
	Spruce-pine-fir	#1	8-7	12-10	16-3	19-10
	Spruce-pine-fir	#2	8-7	12-10	16-3	19-10
	Spruce-pine-fir	#3	6-8	9-8	12-4	15-0