// CODE SNIPPET
602.3 Exterior Walls, Design and Construction
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For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s; 1ksi = 6.895 MPa.
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 mile per hour = 0.447 m/s.
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm, 1 square foot = 0.093m2.
Exterior walls of wood-frame construction shall be designed and constructed in accordance with the provisions of this chapter and Figures 602.3(1) and 602.3.(2) or in accordance with AF&PA's NDS. Components of exterior walls shall be fastened in accordance with Tables 602.3(1) through 602.3(4). Structural wall sheathing shall be fastened directly to structural framing members. Exterior wall coverings shall be capable of resisting the wind pressures listed in Table 301.2(2) adjusted for height and exposure using Table 301.2(3). Wood structural panel sheathing used for exterior walls shall conform to the requirements of Table 602.3(3). Exterior walls shall be fireblocked in accordance with Section 602.8.
Studs shall be continuous from support at the sole plate to a support at the top plate to resist loads perpendicular to the wall. The support shall be a foundation or floor, ceiling or roof diaphragm or shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice.
Exception:
Jack studs, trimmer studs and cripple studs at openings in walls that comply with Tables 502.5(1) and 502.5(2).
TABLE 602.3(1)
FASTENER SCHEDULE FOR STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING ELEMENTS | NUMBER AND TYPE OF FASTENERa, b, c | SPACING OF FASTENERS |
| Roof | |||
| 1 | Blocking between joists or rafters to top plate, toe nail | 3-8d (21/2" × 0.113") | — |
| 2 | Ceiling joists to plate, toe nail | 3-8d (21/2" × 0.113") | — |
| 3 | Ceiling joists not attached to parallel rafter, laps over partitions, face nail | 3-10d | — |
| 4 | Collar tie rafter, face nail or 11/4" × 20 gage ridge strap | 3-10d (3" × 0.128") | — |
| 5 | Rafter to plate, toe nail | 2-16d (31/2" × 0.135") | — |
| 6 | Roof rafters to ridge, valley or hip rafters: | ||
| toe nail | 4-16d (31/2" × 0.135") | — | |
| face nail | 3-16d (31/2" × 0.135") | — | |
| Wall | |||
| 7 | Built-up corner studs | 10d (3" × 0.128") | 24" o.c. |
| 8 | Built-up header, two pieces with 1/2" spacer | 16d (31/2" × 0.135") | 16" o.c. along each edge |
| 9 | Continued header, two pieces | 16d (31/2" × 0.135") | 16" o.c. along each edge |
| 10 | Continuous header to stud, toe nail | 4-8d (21/2" × 0.113") | — |
| 11 | Double studs, face nail | 10d (3" × 0.128") | 24" o.c. |
| 12 | Double top plates, face nail | 10d (3" × 0.128") | 24" o.c. |
| 13 | Double top plates, minimum 24-inch offset of end joints, face nail in lapped area | 8-16d (31/2" × 0.135") | — |
| 14 | Sole plate to joist or blocking, face nail | 16d (31/2" × 0.135") | 16" o.c. |
| 15 | Sole plate to joist or blocking at braced wall panels | 3-16d (31/2" × 0.135") | 16" o.c. |
| 16 | Stud to sole plate, toe nail | 3-8d (21/2" × 0.113") or 2-16d 31/2" × 0.135") | — — |
| 17 | Top or sole plate to stud, end nail | 2-16d (31/2" × 0.135") | — |
| 18 | Top plates, laps at corners and intersections, face nail | 2-10d (3" × 0.128") | — |
| 19 | 1" brace to each stud and plate, face nail | 2-8d (21/2" × 0.113") 2 staples 13/4" | — — |
| 20 | 1" × 6" sheathing to each bearing, face nail | 2-8d (21/2" × 0.113") 2 staples 13/4" | — — |
| 21 | 1" × 8" sheathing to each bearing, face nail | 2-8d (21/2" × 0.113") 3 staples 13/4" | — — |
| 22 | Wider than 1" × 8" sheathing to each bearing, face nail | 3-8d (21/2" × 0.113") 4 staples 13/4" | — — |
| Floor | |||
| 23 | Joist to sill or girder, toe nail | 3-8d (21/2" × 0.113") | — |
| 24 | 1" × 6" subfloor or less to each joist, face nail | 2-8d (21/2" × 0.113") 2 staples 13/4" | — — |
| 25 | 2" subfloor to joist or girder, blind and face nail | 2-16d (31/2" × 0.135") | — |
| 26 | Rim joist to top plate, toe nail (roof applications also) | 8d (21/2" × 0.113") | 6" o.c. |
| 27 | 2" planks (plank & beam — floor & roof) | 2-16d (31/2" × 0.135") | at each bearing |
| 28 | Built-up girders and beams, 2-inch lumber layers | 10d (3" × 0.128") | Nail each layer as follows: 32" o.c. at top and bottom and staggered. Two nails at ends and at each splice. |
| 29 | Ledger strip supporting joists or rafters | 3-16d (31/2" × 0.135") | At each joist or rafter |
(continued)
TABLE 602.3(1)—continued
FASTENER SCHEDULE FOR STRUCTURAL MEMBERS
| ITEM | DESCRIPTION OF BUILDING MATERIALS | DESCRIPTION OF FASTENERb, c, e | SPACING OF FASTENERS | ||
| Edges (inches)i | Intermediate supportsc, e (inches) | ||||
| Wood structural panels, subfloor, roof and interior wall sheathing to framing and particleboard wall sheathing to framing | |||||
| 30 | 3/8" - 1/2" | 6d common (2" × 0.113") nail (subfloor wall)j 8d common (21/2" × 0.131") nail (roof) | 6 | 12g | |
| 31 | 5/16" - 1/2" | 6d common (2" × 0.113") nail (subfloor, wall) 8d common (21/2" × 0.131") nail (roof)f | 6 | 12g | |
| 32 | 19/32" - 1" | 8d common nail (21/2" × 0.131") | 6 | 12g | |
| 33 | 11/8" - 11/4" | 10d common (3" × 0.148") nail or 8d (21/2" × 0.131") deformed nail | 6 | 12 | |
| Other wall sheathingh | |||||
| 34 | 1/2" structural cellulosic fiberboard sheathing | 1/2" galvanized roofing nail, 7/16" crown or 1" crown staple 16 ga., 11/4" long | 3 | 6 | |
| 35 | 25/32" structural cellulosic fiberboard sheathing | 13/4" galvanized roofing nail, 7/16" crown or 1" crown staple 16 ga., 11/2" long | 3 | 6 | |
| 36 | 1/2" gypsum sheathingd | 11/2 " galvanized roofing nail; staple galvanized, 11/2" long; 11/4 screws, Type W or S | 7 | 7 | |
| 37 | 5/8" gypsum sheathingd | 13/4 " glavanized roofing nail; staple galvanized, 15/8" long; 15/8" screws, Type W or S | 7 | 7 | |
| Wood structural panels, combination subfloor underlayment to framing | |||||
| 38 | 3/4" and less | 6d deformed (2" × 0.120") nail or 8d common (21/2" × 0.131") nail | 6 | 12 | |
| 39 | 7/8" - 1" | 8d common (21/2" × 0.131") nail or 8d deformed (21/2" × 0.120 ") nail | 6 | 12 | |
| 40 | 11/8" - 11/4" | 10d common (3" × 0.148 ") nail or 8d deformed (21/2" × 0.120 ") nail | 6 | 12 | |
- All nails are smooth-common, box or deformed shanks except where otherwise stated. Nails used for framing and sheathing connections shall have minimum average bending yield strengths as shown: 80 ksi for shank diameter of 0.192 inch (20d common nail), 90 ksi for shank diameters larger than 0.142 inch but not larger than 0.177 inch, and 100 ksi for shank diameters of 0.142 inch or less.
- Staples are 16 gage wire and have a minimum 7/16-inch on diameter crown width.
- Nails shall be spaced at not more than 6 inches on center at all supports where spans are 48 inches or greater.
- Four-foot-by-8-foot or 4-foot-by-9-foot panels shall be applied vertically.
- Spacing of fasteners not included in this table shall be based on Table 602.3(2).
- For regions having basic wind speed of 110 mph or greater, 8d deformed (21/2" × 0.120) nails shall be used for attaching plywood and wood structural panel roof sheathing to framing within minimum 48-inch distance from gable end walls, if mean roof height is more than 25 feet, up to 35 feet maximum.
- For regions having basic wind speed of 100 mph or less, nails for attaching wood structural panel roof sheathing to gable end wall framing shall be spaced 6 inches on center. When basic wind speed is greater than 100 mph, nails for attaching panel roof sheathing to intermediate supports shall be spaced 6 inches on center for minimum 48-inch distance from ridges, eaves and gable end walls; and 4 inches on center to gable end wall framing.
- Gypsum sheathing shall conform to ASTM C 1396 and shall be installed in accordance with GA 253. Fiberboard sheathing shall conform to ASTM C 208.
- Spacing of fasteners on floor sheathing panel edges applies to panel edges supported by framing members and required blocking and at all floor perimeters only. Spacing of fasteners on roof sheathing panel edges applies to panel edges supported by framing members and required blocking. Blocking of roof or floor sheathing panel edges perpendicular to the framing members need not be provided except as required by other provisions of this code. Floor perimeter shall be supported by framing members or solid blocking.
TABLE 602.3(2)
ALTERNATE ATTACHMENTS
| NOMINAL MATERIAL THICKNESS (inches) | DESCRIPTIONa, b OF FASTENER AND LENGTH (inches) | SPACINGc OF FASTENERS | |
| Edges (inches) | Intermediate supports (inches) | ||
| Wood structural panels subfloor, roof and wall sheathing to framing and particleboard wall sheathing to framingf | |||
| up to 1/2 | Staple 15 ga. 13/4 | 4 | 8 |
| 0.097 - 0.099 Nail 21/4 | 3 | 6 | |
| Staple 16 ga. 13/4 | 3 | 6 | |
| 19/32 and 5/8 | 0.113 Nail 2 | 3 | 6 |
| Staple 15 and 16 ga. 2 | 4 | 8 | |
| 0.097 - 0.099 Nail 21/4 | 4 | 8 | |
| 23/32 and 3/4 | Staple 14 ga. 2 | 4 | 8 |
| Staple 15 ga. 13/4 | 3 | 6 | |
| 0.097 - 0.099 Nail 21/4 | 4 | 8 | |
| Staple 16 ga. 2 | 4 | 8 | |
| 1 | Staple 14 ga. 21/4 | 4 | 8 |
| 0.113 Nail 21/4 | 3 | 6 | |
| Staple 15 ga. 21/4 | 4 | 8 | |
| 0.097 - 0.099 Nail 21/2 | 4 | 8 | |
| NOMINAL MATERIAL THICKNESS (inches) | DESCRIPTIONa,b OF FASTENER AND LENGTH (inches) | SPACINGc OF FASTENERS | |
| Edges (inches) | Body of paneld (inches) | ||
| Floor underlayment; plywood-hardboard-particleboardf | |||
| Plywood | |||
| 1/4 and 5/16 | 11/4 ring or screw shank nail—minimum 121/2 ga. (0.099") shank diameter | 3 | 6 |
| Staple 18 ga., 7/8, 3/16 crown width | 2 | 5 | |
| 11/32, 3/8, 15/32, and 1/2 | 11/4 ring or screw shank nail—minimum 121/2 ga. (0.099") shank diameter | 6 | 8e |
| 19/32, 5/8, 23/32 and 3/4 | 11/2 ring or screw shank nail—minimum 121/2 ga. (0.099") shank diameter | 6 | 8 |
| Staple 16 ga. 11/2 | 6 | 8 | |
| Hardboardf | |||
| 0.200 | 11/2 long ring-grooved underlayment nail | 6 | 6 |
| 4d cement-coated sinker nail | 6 | 6 | |
| Staple 18 ga., 7/8 long (plastic coated) | 3 | 6 | |
| Particleboard | |||
| 1/4 | 4d ring-grooved underlayment nail | 3 | 6 |
| Staple 18 ga., 7/8 long, 3/16 crown | 3 | 6 | |
| 3/8 | 6d ring-grooved underlayment nail | 6 | 10 |
| Staple 16 ga., 11/8 long, 3/8 crown | 3 | 6 | |
| 1/2, 5/8 | 6d ring-grooved underlayment nail | 6 | 10 |
| Staple 16 ga., 15/8 long, 3/8 crown | 3 | 6 | |
- Nail is a general description and may be T-head, modified round head or round head.
- Staples shall have a minimum crown width of 7/16-inch on diameter except as noted.
- Nails or staples shall be spaced at not more than 6 inches on center at all supports where spans are 48 inches or greater. Nails or staples shall be spaced at not more than 12 inches on center at intermediate supports for floors.
- Fasteners shall be placed in a grid pattern throughout the body of the panel.
- For 5-ply panels, intermediate nails shall be spaced not more than 12 inches on center each way.
- Hardboard underlayment shall conform to ANSI/AHA A135.4.
TABLE 602.3(3)
REQUIREMENTS FOR WOOD STRUCTURAL PANEL
WALL SHEATHING USED TO RESIST WIND PRESSURESa,b,c
| MINIMUM NAIL | MINIMUM WOOD STRUCTURAL PANEL SPAN RATING | MINIMUM NOMINAL PANEL THICKNESS (inches) | MAXIMUM WALL STUD SPACING (inches) | PANEL NAIL SPACING | MAXIMUM WIND SPEED (mph) | ||||
| Size | Penetration (inches) | Edges (inches o.c.) | Field (inches o.c.) | Wind exposure category | |||||
| B | C | D | |||||||
| 6d Common (2.0" × 0.113") | 1.5 | 24/0 | 3/8 | 16 | 6 | 12 | 110 | 90 | 85 |
| 8d Common (2.5" × 0.131") | 1.75 | 24/16 | 7/16 | 16 | 6 | 12 | 130 | 110 | 105 |
| 24 | 6 | 12 | 110 | 90 | 85 | ||||
- Panel strength axis parallel or perpendicular to supports. Three-ply plywood sheathing with studs spaced more than 16 inches on center shall be applied with panel strength axis perpendicular to supports.
- Table is based on wind pressures acting toward and away from building surfaces per Section 301.2. Lateral bracing requirements shall be in accordance with Section 602.10.
- Wood Structural Panels with span ratings of Wall-16 or Wall-24 shall be permitted as an alternate to panels with a 24/0 span rating. Plywood siding rated 16 oc or 24 oc shall be permitted as an alternate to panels with a 24/16 span rating. Wall-16 and Plywood siding 16 oc shall be used with studs spaced a maximum of 16 inches on center.
TABLE 602.3(4)
ALLOWABLE SPANS FOR PARTICLEBOARD WALL SHEATHINGa
| THICKNESS (inch) | GRADE | STUD SPACING (inches) | |
| When siding is nailed to studs | When siding is nailed to sheathing | ||
| 3/8 | M—1 Exterior glue | 16 | — |
| 1/2 | M—2 Exterior glue | 16 | 16 |
- Wall sheathing not exposed to the weather. If the panels are applied horizontally, the end joints of the panel shall be offset so that four panels corners will not meet. All panel edges must be supported. Leave a 1/16-inch gap between panels and nail no closer than 3/8 inch from panel edges.
TABLE 602.3(5)
SIZE, HEIGHT AND SPACING OF WOOD STUDSa
| STUD SIZE (inches) | BEARING WALLS | NONBEARING WALLS | |||||
| Laterally unsupported stud heighta (feet) | Maximum spacing when supporting a roof-ceiling assembly or a habitable attic assembly, only (inches) | Maximum spacing when supporting one floor, plus a roof-ceiling assembly or a habitable attic assembly (inches) | Maximum spacing when supporting two floors, plus a roof-ceiling assembly or a habitable attic assembly (inches) | Maximum spacing when supporting one floor heighta (feet) | Laterally unsupported stud heighta (feet) | Maximum spacing (inches) | |
 |  |  |  | ||||
| 2 × 3b | — | — | — | — | — | 10 | 16 |
| 2 × 4 | 10 | 24c | 16c | — | 24 | 14 | 24 |
| 3 × 4 | 10 | 24 | 24 | 16 | 24 | 14 | 24 |
| 2 × 5 | 10 | 24 | 24 | — | 24 | 16 | 24 |
| 2 × 6 | 10 | 24 | 24 | 16 | 24 | 20 | 24 |
- Listed heights are distances between points of lateral support placed perpendicular to the plane of the wall. Increases in unsupported height are permitted where justified by analysis.
- Shall not be used in exterior walls.
- A habitable attic assembly supported by 2 × 4 studs is limited to a roof span of 32 feet. Where the roof span exceeds 32 feet, the wall studs shall be increased to 2 × 6 or the studs shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice.
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm.
FIGURE 602.3(1)
TYPICAL WALL, FLOOR AND ROOF FRAMING
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
FIGURE 602.3(2)
FRAMING DETAILS
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