WallBracing.org

APA, ICC Publish 2009 IRC Lateral Bracing Guide

11/03/2009

A Guide to the 2009 IRC Wood Wall Bracing Provisions explains how to use the International Residential Code (IRC) to provide the bracing necessary for a residential structure to resist the lateral loads that can result from wind and seismic events. The new, illustrated guide, developed to improve understanding and application of the 2009 IRC lateral bracing requirements, is the result of a publishing agreement between the International Code Council and APA --The Engineered Wood Association. The book is now available from the ICC store.

“Bracing is one of the most critical, yet most misunderstood, safety elements in one- and two-family dwellings and townhouses constructed under the IRC,” said Mark A. Johnson, the Code Council’s Senior Vice President of Business and Product Development. “A Guide to the 2009 IRC Wood Wall Bracing Provisions brought together the best technical resources from the Council and APA to develop this important publication for building safety. Inspectors, plan checkers, builders, designers and others involved in residential construction will find this guide is a very helpful resource.”

The IRC contains numerous prescriptive lateral bracing provisions. The type and amount of bracing required for a given residential structure are contingent on many factors, including location of the structure, size, bracing locations within the structure, and more. Bracing must be applied correctly and consistently to sufficiently protect the building from lateral loads, according to the Council and APA. This guide address all IRC-approved wall bracing methods, including wood structural panel sheathing with plywood or oriented strand board (OSB) panels.

“The IRC bracing requirements are a common source of confusion and misapplication,” said Ed Keith, Senior Engineer for the APA Technical Services Division, who co-authored the book with APA Engineered Wood Specialist Greg Bates. “In some parts of the country, where the IRC has not been previously adopted, the 2009 IRC will be the first time many builders, designers and code enforcement personnel have been exposed to wall bracing requirements. In this book, we demystify the prescriptive bracing provisions.”

A Guide to the 2009 IRC Wood Wall Bracing Provisions addresses bracing options available to the builder/designer, the amount of bracing required with adjustments and variations, rules for the use of bracing, whole house bracing considerations and many other related topics. The full-color book features numerous specific examples and more than 200 figures, tables and photos.

Although some content was adopted from the previous edition, A Guide to the 2006 IRC Wood Wall Bracing, Keith noted the book was rewritten extensively to reflect the 2009 IRC provision’s significant changes in organization, scope and detail. “Those familiar with bracing from earlier editions of the IRC may be surprised to find that the 2009 bracing requirements are considerably different, he said. “The provisions are now based on real engineering principles and the user is provided many different choices and opportunities to tailor the bracing to meet both the structural and architectural requirements of the designer and owner.”

The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety, fire prevention and energy efficiency, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states choose he International Codes, building safety codes developed by the International Code Council.

Based in Tacoma, Washington, APA is a nonprofit trade association representing North American manufacturers of plywood, oriented strand board, glued laminated timber, wood I-joists, laminated veneer lumber, and other structural engineered wood products. Its primary functions are quality auditing and testing, applied research, and market support and development.

A Guide to the 2009 IRC Wood Wall Bracing Provisions (Product #7102S09) is available for purchase for $41.00 ($33.00 for ICC members) from the ICC store. View the ICC informational flyer for additional information.