2109.5 Thickness of Masonry

Minimum thickness requirements shall be based on nominal dimensions of masonry.

The thickness of masonry walls shall conform to the requirements of Section 2109.5.

The minimum thickness of masonry bearing walls more than one story high shall be 8 inches (203 mm) where the height floor to floor does not exceed 12 feet (3658 mm), the floor live load does not exceed 60 pounds per square feet (psf) (0.156 kg/m²), and the roof is designed so that the dead load imparts no lateral thrust to the wall. Bearing walls of one-story buildings shall not be less than 6 inches (152 mm) thick. However, the overall thickness of cavity or masonry-bonded hollow walls shall not be less than 8 inches (203 mm), including cavity.

Masonry walls above roof level, 12 feet (3658 mm) or less in height, enclosing stairways, machinery rooms, shafts, or penthouses, may be up to 8 inches (203 mm) thick and shall be considered as neither increasing the height, nor requiring any increase in the thickness of the wall below.

The minimum thickness for partitions shall be as follows:

TABLE 2109.5.3 MINIMUM THICKNESS OF MASONRY PARTITIONS

HEIGHT OF WALLS	THICKNESS
8 ft. and under	2 in.
Over 8 ft. to 12 ft	3 in.
Over 12 ft. to 16 ft	4 in.
Over 16 ft. to 20 ft	6 in.
Over 20 ft. to 24 ft.	8 in.