I’m doing a remodel on a house in raleigh that has 9 1/2 ceilings. My framer hasn’t said anything about installing purlins in the walls, but today I had another guy helping me and he said they were required in walls over 8 feet.
I looked in the code book, and the best I could find about it is that walls should have blocking top and bottom (sole and top plate) and blocking every 10 feet.
Do I need to put blocking in these 9′ 6″ walls?
raleigh, nc
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Replies
Shouldn't need them unless you got bulkheads,valences that the wall cavities open into. Depending on the fire code for your area, you may need other types of closure for these cavities or floor cavities.
I don't know about Raliegh, but in my 9 1/2-foot walls in Seattle, blocking was required.
This varies a lot depending on local code. Call your local inspector and ask.
(Also, it likely depends on whether the walls are insulated or not. Make sure you understand that detail.)
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Yes, over eight feet needs blocking
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Folks:
He has the code book for his AHJ and it says 10 feet!! And if the wall is insulated, it may not need the blocking at all.
I knew he had the code book, but he reported a lack of experience using it leading to confusion. Since my past experience agrees with that of his helper, I reported based on that, rather thana code book I can't see.
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I too build in Raleigh. If you are talking about < 10' interior walls, no, they do not need blocking. For exterior walls, in the corners or wherever a sheer panel is required, you need the blocking at the sheathing joints.
The code book states the minimums allowed. If you only work to minimun acceptable standards and only expect those you hire to do the minimum then keep your code book handy and read it often.
Blocking in any wall is a good idea. It keeps all the studs plumb and adds stiffness to the wall.
Up in New England they strap everything and walls and ceilings seem to be much more crack resistant.
"Up in New England they strap everything and walls and ceilings seem to be much more crack resistant."When did they start strapping walls?Joe Carola
Edited 4/17/2006 12:57 pm ET by Framer
I take it you didn't get that memo?
"I take it you didn't get that memo?"No memo. I don't strap but I know alot lot of people do but strapping walls is a new one.Joe Carola
The ten foot rule has been around for many years...Fire/Draft stop rule. Sounds as though NC has adopted the rule from earlier code. If the rule is in the code where your located then, no you don't need to install fire/draft stop in any of the walls that are less then 10 feet in height. However, the codes are rules for MINIMUM standards for health and safety. If you have the opportunity to install blocking then I would do it just as an extra measure to help stop the spread of fire within the walls.
Stops can be any nominal 2X wood or sheetrock held in place by some mechanical means. Fiberglass insulation, if secured in place and not allowed to move, can be classified as a fire block if it completly fills the void and is secured against movement. Recheck your code book in your area to make sure this portion of prior code was also adopted in your local code.
The rule for blocking applies regardless if the wall is exterior or interior. The blocking will, if it's 2X material, help make the wall somewhat stiffer.
Purlining is not code, just good building practice. It keeps the walls straight and true, and also allows the wall to act in unison. I live/work in Wilmington NC, and I Purlin everything over 9 Feet. Some architects/ Design Firms call for purlin blocking in the design. Sounds to me like you have a quality minded framer. Will you be putting chair rail on these walls? If so, purlin everything.
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