WIND BRACING

Land Development Services

Department of Public Works and Environmental Services Hours of Operation: Monday - Thursday: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday: 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fairfax County
VIRGINIA

Location:

Herrity Building 12055 Government Center Parkway Fairfax, VA 22035-5504 Telephone: 703-222-0801 TTY: 711

Visit us on the web at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/dpwes This publication provides guidelines for complying with the wall bracing provisions of the 2006 Virginia Residential Code so that your new house or addition can adequately resist wind load. These provisions also apply to the conversion of an existing deck into a sunroom or living space. in this publication: WIND LOAD BASICS ...........................................................................................1 AMOUNTS & TYPES OF BRACING .........................................................................4 INTERMITTENT BRACING....................................................................................6 CONTINUOUS SHEATHING ................................................................................10 BRACED WALL PANEL CONNECTIONS AND SUPPORTS.......................................17 PROPRIETARY SYSTEMS ...................................................................................19 ENGINEERED DESIGN .......................................................................................20 CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS ...........................................................................20 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ......................................................................21 WIND LOAD BASICS WIND LOAD All buildings must be designed to resist wind load. Unlike snow and other vertical loads, wind load is unique in that it acts horizontally and in any direction. Therefore a building must be able to resist loads acting parallel and perpendicular to any wall of a building. The design wind load on a structure is based on the local wind speed. For Fairfax County, the wind speed is 90 mph based on a 50year storm measured in 3-second gusts at 33 feet above the ground. While a 90 mph design wind speed might seem extreme, due to the way it is measured, this only translates to a weak Category 1 hurricane. RESISTING WIND LOAD All structures must be designed to transfer wind load from where it is applied to the ground. For example, in a simple one-story house, as shown in FIGURE 1, wind that blows against the end wall causes the roof to want to move in the direction of the wind, but the movement of the roof is resisted by the wall bracing in the side walls.
Wind Bracing

FIGURE 1: WIND LOAD APPLIED TO A HOUSE

Last Updated: 8/22/08

This process would be similar if the house had multiple floors. In such cases, the side walls of the first floor have the added responsibility to resist the forward movement of all the floors and the roof above. Since the walls of the first floor resist more load, they have stricter requirements for their design. BRACED WALL PANELS As shown in FIGURE 2, a typical wall will rack due to wind load if no bracing is provided. When installed along a specified length of a wall, bracing prevents this lateral displacement, see FIGURE 3. A braced wall panel is a sheathed unit of bracing that is placed in specified lengths and locations along a wall. Each braced wall panel must be sheathed for the full height of the wall, up to 12 feet; see FIGURE 4.

wind

FIGURE 2: RACKING DUE TO WIND LOAD

wind

FIGURE 3: TYPICAL WALL WITH BRACING BRACED WALL LINES Braced wall lines are designated "imaginary" straight lines you draw through the plan of a house or addition at each level that you will use to determine amounts and placement of bracing. In most cases, braced wall lines will be located along all the exterior walls of the house or addition. However, braced wall lines may need to run through the interior of the house as the spacing between parallel braced wall lines cannot exceed 50 feet. For example, in FIGURE 5, braced wall lines 1, 3, 4 and 5 account for the exterior walls of the house, whereas braced wall line 2 is located at the interior of the house if the distance between braced wall lines 1 and 3 exceeds 50 feet.

length FIGURE 4: BRACED WALL PANEL

spacing must be 50' or less

FIGURE 5: BRACED WALL LINES

Braced wall lines must begin and end perpendicularly at other braced wall lines except as allowed in the angled wall requirements; see page 3. In FIGURE 5 notice that braced wall lines 1, 2 and 3 begin at braced wall line 4 and end perpendicularly at braced wall line 5.

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Since there aren't too many simple rectangular houses built today, the code provides flexibility when designating a braced wall line. Wall segments of the house need not align with the designated braced wall line in order to assist in its resistance of the wind load. As shown in FIGURE 6, you may designate the location of your braced wall line (the dotted line) to maximize the total amount of wall segments that can be included on it. However, there are limits. No single offset can be more than 4 feet from the designated braced wall line, and the total out-to-out dimension of all offsets can be no more than 8 feet. See FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 6: ALLOWABLE OFFSETS OF A BRACED WALL LINE As shown in FIGURE 7, you may even locate your braced wall line such that all wall segments are NOT in alignment with the designated location, but each segment must fall within the limits shown in FIGURE 6.

FIGURE 7: PLACEMENT OF A DESIGNATED BRACED WALL LINE ANGLED WALLS Designers today usually design houses with angled walls and corners. That is why the code allows for this design. Braced wall lines can angle out of plane for a maximum diagonal length of 8 feet. Where the angled wall occurs at a corner, the braced wall line is measured from the projected corner as shown in FIGURE 8. Where the diagonal length is greater than 8 feet, it must be considered its own braced wall line.
BRACED WALL LINE 1 PROJECTED CORNER

NOTE: IF THE DIAGONAL WALL IS GREATER THAN 8 FEET LONG, THEN IT MUST BE TREATED AS A SEPARATE BRACED WALL LINE.

FIGURE 8: DIAGONAL BRACED WALL LINES

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BRACED WALL LINE LENGTH The length of a braced wall line becomes an important factor when analyzing its compliance. Therefore it is important to recognize where a designated braced wall line begins and ends: at the intersections of the perpendicular braced wall lines at each end. As shown in FIGURE 9, on the left side, braced wall line 3 begins at the projected corner of the angled wall at braced wall line 1 and ends at its intersection with braced wall line 2 to the right. Therefore, its length is the distance between those two points. Likewise, the length of braced wall line 2 is measured from the intersection of braced wall line 3 to that of braced wall line 4. Notice, this dimension is longer than the actual wall length of the house. AMOUNTS AND TYPES OF BRACING LOCATION, SPACING AND AMOUNTS OF BRACING Braced wall panels are required to be placed along a braced wall line and must meet three important criteria. SPACING: A braced wall panel must be located at each end of a braced wall line or begin within 12.5 feet of the end. See FIGURE 10. FIGURE 9: BRACED WALL LINE LENGTH

FIGURE 10: BRACED WALL PANELS IN A BRACED WALL LINE LOCATION: In each braced wall line, braced wall panels can be a maximum of 25 feet on center. See FIGURE 11.

FIGURE 11: SPACING OF BRACED WALL PANELS IN A BRACED WALL LINE

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AMOUNT: A minimum percentage of a braced wall line's length must contain braced wall panels. The determination of the minimum required percentage of bracing is based on wind speed (90 mph), floor, the maximum spacing to the next adjacent parallel braced wall line (see FIGURE 5) and the bracing material. Use TABLE 1 to determine the minimum required percentage of bracing required in a braced wall line. Bracing methods are listed in TABLE 2 and TABLE 3. To determine if your braced wall line is in compliance, the actual percentage of bracing must be greater than the value found in TABLE 1. TABLE 1: MINIMUM REQUIRED PERCENTAGE OF WALL BRACING
SEISMIC DESIGN CATEGORY (SDC) OR WIND SPEED MINIMUM REQUIRED PERCENTAGE OF FULL-HEIGHT BRACING PER WALL LINE Braced wall line spacing less Braced wall line spacing greater than than or equal to 35' 35' and less than or equal to 50'
Methods WSP, CS-WSP, CS-G, CS-PF One-story house or top floor of a two- or threestory house. All other methodsa Methods WSP, CS-WSP, CS-G, CS-PF All other methodsa

FLOOR

16%

16%

23%

23%

SDC A, B or wind speed 100 mph

First floor of a two-story or second floor of a three-story house. First floor of a three-story house

16%

25%

23%

36%

25%

35%

36%

50%

a.

For Method GB, the percentage required must be doubled for one-sided applications.

TYPES OF BRACING There are two types of bracing in the code, intermittent bracing and continuous sheathing. Intermittent bracing: bracing material is placed at the braced wall panel locations only along the braced wall line. All other areas of the braced wall line can remain unsheathed or infilled with foam or other nonstructural sheathing. See FIGURE 12.

FIGURE 12: INTERMITTENT BRACING Continuous sheathing: Bracing material is placed at the braced wall panels and on all other areas including above doors and above and below windows. See FIGURE 13.

FIGURE 13: CONTINUOUS SHEATHING

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INTERMITTENT BRACING METHODS The code identifies several unique intermittent bracing methods to construct a braced wall panel. Each method has a specified material type, minimum material thickness and attachment criteria; see TABLE 2. Minimum panel lengths and heights are shown in TABLE 3. TABLE 2: INTERMITTENT BRACING METHODS
METHOD MATERIAL MINIMUM THICKNESS
1x4 wood or approved metal straps at 45 to 60 angles

FIGURE

CONNECTION CRITERIA
wood: 2-8d nails per stud metal: per manufacturer

LIB

Let-in-bracing

DWB

Diagonal wood boards at 24" spacing

/8"

2-8d (2" x 0.113") nails or 2 staples, 1" per stud 6d common (2"x0.113") nails at 6" spacing (panel edges) and at 12" spacing (intermediate supports) or 16 ga. x 1-3/4 staples: at 3 spacing (panel edges) and 6 spacing (intermediate supports) 1" galvanized roofing nails or 8d common (2"x0.131) nails at 3" spacing (panel edges) at 6" spacing (intermediate supports) Nails at 7" spacing at panel edges including top and bottom plates; for exterior sheathing nail size, see Table R602.3(1); for interior gypsum board nail size, see Table R702.3.5 1" galvanized roofing nails or 8d common (2"x0.131) nails at 3" spacing (panel edges) at 6" spacing (intermediate supports) 11/2", 11 gage, 7/16" head nails at 16" spacing or 7 /16", 16 gage staples at 6" spacing 0.092" dia., 0.225" head nails with length to accommodate 1" penetration into studs at 4" spacing (panel edges), at 8" spacing (intermediate supports) See FIGURE 14

WSP

Wood structural panel

/8"

SFB

Structural fiberboard sheathing

1 /2" or 25/32" for 16" stud spacing only

GB

Gypsum board

/2"

PBS

Particleboard sheathing

/8" or 1/2" for 16" stud spacing only

PCP

Portland cement plaster

See Section R703.6

HPS

Hardboard panel siding

/16"

ABW

Alternate braced wall

See FIGURE 14 May only be constructed on concrete. See FIGURE 15 See FIGURE 15 May only be constructed on concrete.

IPF

Intermittent portal frame

All codes sections above reference the 2006 Virginia Residential Code.

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PANEL LENGTHS Panel lengths and heights are shown in TABLE 3. Only panels greater than or equal to the lengths per TABLE 3 can contribute to the minimum percentage of bracing from TABLE 1 (Criteria 3). TABLE 3: MINIMUM LENGTH OF INTERMITTENT BRACED WALL PANELS
BRACING METHOD DWB, WSP, SFB, PBS, PCP, HPS GB-two sided GB-one sided ABW FLOOR 8' All All All All One-story house IPF First floor of a two-story house 48" 48" 96" 28" 16" 24" HEIGHT OF INTERMITTENT BRACED WALL PANEL 9' 48" 48" 96" 32" 16" 24" 10' 48" 48" 96" 34" 16" 24" 11' 53" 53" 106" 38" 18" 27" 12' 58" 58" 116" 42" 20" 29"
a,b

a. b.

Interpolation is permitted. When determining compliance with the percentage of bracing required by TABLE 1, the length of Method LIB is equivalent to 48".

PARTIAL CREDIT When using intermittent bracing Methods DWB, WSP, SFB, PBS, PCP and HPS, a panel with a length less than 48 inches can partially contribute to the required percentage of bracing from TABLE 1. Use TABLE 4 below to determine the contributing length for panels between 36 inches and 48 inches. Any panel less than 36 inches cannot contribute. For example, if you had a 42-inch panel, you can only contribute 36 inches towards the percentage of bracing required. TABLE 4: PARTIAL CREDIT LENGTHS FOR BRACE WALL PANELS
ACTUAL LENGTH OF BRACED WALL PANEL 48" 42" 36"
a. Interpolation is permitted.
a

WALL HEIGHT 8' 48" 36" 27" 9' 48" 36" N/A

MIXING INTERMITTENT METHODS Mixing intermittent methods within a braced wall line is permitted. However, when calculating minimum required percentage noted in TABLE 1, the method with the greater shall value govern.

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PANEL LENGTH SPECIFIED BY TABLE 3 FOR A PANEL SPLICE (IF NEEDED), PANEL EDGES SHALL BE BLOCKED. ONE ROW OF TYP. SHEATHING-TO-FRAMING NAILING IS REQUIRED

8d COMMON OR GALV. BOX NAILS @ 4" O.C. AT PANEL EDGES MIN. 3/8" THICK WOOD STRUCTURAL PANELS ON ONE FACE 2X4 FRAMING, MINIMUM DOUBLE STUDS REQUIRED HOLD-DOWN DEVICE ON EACH SIDE WITH A MINIMUM CAPACITY OF 3600 LBS 1/2" DIA. ANCHOR BOLTS BETWEEN 6" AND 12" FROM EACH END OF PANEL 8d COMMON OR GALV. BOX NAILS @ 12" O.C. AT INTERIOR SUPPORTS

STUDS UNDER HEADER AS REQUIRED #4 TOP AND BOTTOM

12" X 12" MINIMUM FOOTING SIZE

FIGURE 14: METHOD ABW

HEIGHT SPECIFIED BY TABLE 3

SEE TABLE 3

FIGURE 15: METHOD IPF

Please note: Method IPF is not commonly constructed in Fairfax County and should not to be confused with Method CS-PF; see page 11 for more information.

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EXAMPLE 1: How to evaluate compliance of a braced wall line with intermittent bracing. 1. Determine braced wall panel method(s). 2. Determine length of braced wall line and maximum spacing to the next adjacent parallel braced wall line. 3. Determine which floor the braced wall line is located on. 4. Based on the above information, choose the highest percentage of bracing for the bracing method(s) required from TABLE 1. 5. Compute the actual percent bracing. Only panels greater than or equal to the lengths per TABLE 3 can contribute. Actual percent of bracing = sum of all panel lengths (in inches) length of braced wall line (in feet) x 12 x 100

6. Compare percentages; ensure the actual percentage is greater than the percentage required from Step 4. 7. Ensure panels are located at each end of the braced wall line or begin within 12.5 feet from the end and are spaced no more than 25 feet on center. For example: Using the 35-foot long braced wall line and bracing material shown below, for the first floor of a three-story house where the next adjacent parallel braced wall line is 25 feet away, determine if the braced wall line is in compliance. 35' 20'-6" 10'

Panel 1: /16 " OSB

Panel 2: /2" fiberboard

door

window

48"

108"

1. Determine methods: Panel 1 is Method WSP and Panel 2 is Method SFB. 2. The length of the braced wall line is 35 feet and the spacing to the next adjacent parallel braced wall line is 25 feet. 3. This is the first floor of a three-story house. 4. Using TABLE 1, the highest percent bracing is for Method SFB (all other methods) and equal to 35 percent. 5. & 6. Panels 1 and 2 are greater than or equal to 48 inches, therefore both can contribute. Compute actual percent bracing: 48 + 108 x 100 = 37.1% > 35% (required %) 35 x 12 7. For this 35-foot wall, the 48-inch panel is located at one end of the braced wall line and the 108inch panel begins within 12.5 feet from the other end. The spacing between the centerlines of each panel is less than 25 feet. Braced wall line complies! % bracing =

Wind Bracing

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CONTINUOUS SHEATHING Continuous sheathing is the second bracing type prescribed by the code to resist wind load. Continuous sheathing requires you to sheath all areas of a braced wall line, including the areas above doors and above and below windows. In return, you are able to reduce the length of the braced wall panels to as low as 24 inches. As identified in TABLE 5, there are three continuous sheathing methods. TABLE 5: CONTINUOUS SHEATHING METHODS
METHOD MATERIAL MINIMUM THICKNESS FIGURE CONNECTION CRITERIA
6d common (2"x0.113") nails at 6" spacing (panel edges) and at 12" spacing (intermediate supports) or 16 ga. x 1-3/4 staples: at 3 spacing (panel edges) and 6 spacing (intermediate supports)

CS-WSP

Wood Structural panel

/ 8"

CS-G

Wood structural panel adjacent garage opening supporting roof load only Continuous portal frame

/ 8"

See Method CS-WSP

CS-PFb

/ 8"

See Page 11

a. Applies to one wall of a garage only. b. The number of continuous portal frame panels in a braced wall line cannot exceed four. Continuous portal frame panels cannot be stacked vertically in multi-story buildings.

PANEL LENGTHS For Method CS-WSP, the length of a braced wall panel is based on the wall height and the clear height of the opening adjacent to the panel. Use FIGURE 16 and TABLE 6 to determine your panel length. For example, a panel adjacent a 76 inch window opening in a 10 foot high wall must have a minimum length of 30 inches. When a panel has an opening on each side of differing heights, the taller opening governs the panel length chosen from TABLE 6. Any panels less than the lengths determined from TABLE 6 are NOT considered braced wall panels, but by definition of continuous sheathing, must still be sheathed. For Methods CS-G and CS-PF, the panel length is independent of the adjacent opening height; see TABLE 6 for the required lengths. 25' 25'

panel

panel

panel

panel length

panel length

panel length

FIGURE 16: BRACED WALL PANELS FOR CONTINUOUS SHEATHING

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TABLE 6: LENGTH REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUOUS SHEATHING METHODS

Method ADJACENT CLEAR OPENING HEIGHT
64" 68" 72" 76" 80" 84" 88" 92" 96" 100" CS-WSP 104" 108" 112" 116" 120" 124" 128" 132" 136" 140" 144" CS-G CS-PF N/A N/A 24" 16" 27" 18" 30" 20" 33" 22"

WALL HEIGHT 8'

24" 26" 28" 29" 31" 35" 39" 44" 48"

9'
27" 27" 27" 30" 33" 36" 39" 42" 45" 48" 51" 54"

10'
30" 30" 30" 30" 30" 33" 36" 39" 42" 45" 48" 51" 54" 57" 60"

11'
33" 33" 33" 33" 33" 36" 38" 41" 43" 47" 48" 51" 53" 56" 58" 61" 63" 66"

12'
36" 36" 36" 36" 36" 36" 36" 36" 39" 42" 44" 47" 50" 53" 55" 58" 61" 64" 66" 69" 72" 36" 24"

METHOD CS-PF While similar to Method IPF, Method CS-PF, formally known as the "APA method," can be constructed on concrete without cast-in-place hold-down devices. Method CS-PF is even approved for use on a raised wood floor. The benefit to using a portal frame is that it is possible to construct a braced wall panel with a length as low as 16 inches. However, the downside of this desirable dimension is that construction of the portal frame is complex. As shown in FIGURE 17 and FIGURE 18, the connections of the studs, header and sheathing is quite rigid; this is done in order to limit the amount of movement the portal will see when encountering wind load.

FIGURE 17: METHOD CS-PF CONNECTIONS

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FIGURE 18: METHOD CS-PF: CONTINUOUS PORTAL FRAME BRACED WALL PANELSa
a. All codes sections above reference the 2006 Virginia Residential Code.

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Portal frames can be constructed as a single portal or double portal. A single portal includes the braced wall panel and header above spanning over the opening to a jack stud. A double portal includes a braced wall panel at each side of the opening with a continuous header spacing over each panel. See FIGURE 19. While Method CS-PF can be used on any floor beside any opening, they are commonly used in braced wall lines that contain multiple garage door openings. Single and double portals can be used together to frame numerous openings and still comply with wall bracing requirements. See FIGURE 20 for some examples.
single double

FIGURE 19: SINGLE AND DOUBLE PORTALS

two single portals one single and one double portal

optional false wall

three single portals

FIGURE 20: OPTIONS FOR GARAGE DOOR OPENINGS BEWARE! The most common error in constructing a portal frame is failing to extend the header over the braced wall panel; see FIGURE 21. There is no fix for this error and Fairfax County will not accept blocking or an "engineered" solution since the portal frame is a tested assembly.

FIGURE 21: PORTAL FRAME HEADER REQUIREMENTS

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CORNER FRAMING Corners of braced wall lines with continuous sheathing must be framed as shown in FIGURE 22.
8d common (0.131" x 2-1/2") @ 6" o.c. on all panel edges minimum 24" wood structural panel sheathing 16d nail (0.131" x 3-1/2") @ 12" o.c. 8d common (0.131" x 2-1/2") @ 6" o.c. on all panel edges optional non-structural filler panel 8d common nails (0.131" x 2-1/2") at 6" o.c., on all panels' edges orientation of studs may vary; see Figure R602.3(2)

orientation of studs may vary; see Figure R602.3(2)

16d nail (0.131" x 3-1/2") @ 12" o.c.

braced wall line with continuous sheathing 8d common (0.131" x 2-1/2") @ 12" o.c. on all intermediate supports 8d common nails (0.131" x 2-1/2") @ 6" o.c. on all panels' edges

gypsum wall board as required and installed in accordance with Chapter 7 minimum 24" wood structural panel sheathing braced wall line with continuous sheathing 8d common (0.131" x 2-1/2") @ 12" o.c. on all intermediate supports (a) Outside corner detail

(b) Inside corner detail 8d common nails (0.131" x 2-1/2") @ 6" o.c. on all panels' edges minimum 24" wood structural panel sheathing

gypsum wall board as required and installed in accordance with Chapter 7 16d nail (0.131" x 3-1/2") 2 rows @ 24" o.c. minimum 24" wood structural panel sheathing braced wall line with continuous sheathing optional blocking for gypsum wall board

8d common (0.131" x 2-1/2") typical @ 6" o.c. at panel edges and @ 12" o.c. on all intermediate supports optional non-structural filler panel

8d common nail (0.131" x 2-1/2") @ 3" o.c. on both studs at each panel edge (c) Garage door corner

FIGURE 22: CORNER FRAMING REQUIREMENTS FOR CONTINUOUS SHEATHINGa

a. All codes sections above reference the 2006 Virginia Residential Code.

CORNER PANELS Each end of a braced wall line with continuous sheathing must have a 24-inch panel on both sides of a corner: a return panel and an end panel; see FIGURE 23. In many cases, the end panel will also be a braced wall panel. This panel is called Option 1; see FIGURE 24(a). Option 2 allows the elimination of the return panel provided an 800 pound hold-down device is provided instead. See FIGURE 24(b). FIGURE 23: TYPICAL CORNER PANELS
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Option 3 allows the first braced wall panel to begin 12.5 feet from the end of the braced wall line; however, the 24-inch end and return panels must still be provided. See FIGURE 24(c). Option 4 allows for the first braced wall panel to begin 12.5 feet from the end of the braced wall line and for the elimination of both the corner panels. In their place an 800-pound hold-down must be provided at the location of the first panel. See FIGURE 24(d).
braced wall line with continuous sheathing (all framed portions of wall are sheathed) corner detail per Figure 22

braced wall line with continuous sheathing (all framed portions of wall are sheathed)

minimum 24" return panel

end panel is also braced wall panel (24" minimum)

braced wall panel within braced wall line

800 lbs hold- down

end panel is also braced wall panel (24" minimum)

braced wall panel within braced wall line

(a) Option 1: end and return panels provided; end panel is also braced wall panel
braced wall line with continuous sheathing (all framed portions of wall are sheathed) 12'-6" max. corner detail per Figure 22

(b) Option 2: hold-down device provided; end panel is also braced wall panel

braced wall line with continuous sheathing (all framed portions of wall are sheathed) 12'-6" max.

minimum 24" end and return panels

braced wall panel > 24" and up to 12'-6" from end of braced wall line

braced wall panel within braced wall line

800 lbs holddown device

braced wall panel up to 12'-6" from end of braced wall line

(c) Option 3: end and return panels provided; first braced wall panel begins up to 12.5' from end

(d) Option 4: hold-down device provided; first braced wall panel begins up to 12.5' from end

FIGURE 24: END PANEL AND CORNER RETURN PANEL REQUIREMENTS

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EXAMPLE 2: How to evaluate compliance of a braced wall line with continuous sheathing. 1. Determine braced wall panel method(s). 2. Determine length of braced wall line and maximum spacing to the next adjacent parallel braced wall line. 3. Determine which floor the braced wall line is located on. 4. Based on above, choose the percentage of bracing for the bracing method(s) required from TABLE 1. 5. Evaluate the length of each full height panel to determine if the panel qualifies as a braced wall panel based on the lengths from TABLE 6. 6. Compute actual percentage of bracing, as follows: sum of all panels lengths (in inches) x 100 length of braced wall line (in feet) x 12 7. Compare percentages; ensure the actual percentage is greater than the minimum percentage required from Step 4. 8. Ensure panels are located at each end of the braced wall line or within 12.5 feet with the appropriate corner return panels and/or tie-down devices and are spaced no more than 25 feet on center. For example: Determine compliance of the braced wall line fully sheathed with 7/16 inch OSB shown below for a one-story house with a 20-foot spacing between braced wall lines. Assume there are 24-inch return panels at each end. 50' 24'-7" 23' Actual percent of bracing =

Panel 1

Panel 2

Panel 3

Panel 4

34" 2. 3. 4. 5.

door

24"

window 1

24"

window 1

24"

1. The method is CS-WSP. The length of the braced wall line is 50 feet and the spacing is 20 feet. This is a one-story house. Using TABLE 1, the required percentage bracing required is 16 percent. From left to right, evaluate each panel: Panel 1 is adjacent an 80 inch opening and per TABLE 6 must have a length of at least 31 inches. Actual length is 34 inches. This panel can contribute. Panel 2 is adjacent an 80 inch opening and a 64 inch opening, but the taller opening governs. Therefore the panel must be at least 31 inches. The actual length is 24 inches. This panel CANNOT contribute! Panel 3 is adjacent 2-64 inch openings and must have a length of at least 24 inches. Actual length is 24 inches. This panel can contribute. Panel 4 is adjacent a 64" opening and has a length of 24 inches. This panel can contribute. 6. & 7. Compute actual percent of bracing: = 34 + 24 + 24 x 100 = 13.67% < 16% (required percentage) 50 x 12 Braced wall line FAILS!

% actual bracing

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MIXING METHODS In addition to being able to mix intermittent methods within the same braced wall line, mixing continuous sheathing methods on the same braced wall line, mixing methods per floor and mixing methods per braced wall line is permitted. However, you must analyze each braced wall line separately and ensure each methods requirements are met. Look for return panels, hold-downs, etc. Please note: you may not mix intermittent and continuous sheathing methods in the same braced wall line. HORIZONTAL BLOCKING For intermittent bracing and continuous sheathing, when bracing material is installed to construct a braced wall panel such that a horizontal splice occurs between the sheathing material, blocking is required. Vertical splices must occur at stud locations. See FIGURE 25. Blocking must be equal to the adjacent stud size. Sheathing must be edge nailed at all joints in accordance with the connection criteria of TABLE 2 and TABLE 5. Any horizontal splice in sheathing for Methods IPF or CS-PF must occur within 24 inches of the mid-height of the portal braced wall panel. Blocking is not required when the amount of bracing provided in a braced wall line is at least double that required by TABLE 1. FIGURE 25: HORIZONTAL BLOCKING INTERIOR FINISHES All braced wall panels must have 1/2-inch minimum gypsum wall board or equivalent installed on the side of the wall opposite the bracing material. This requirement does not apply to intermittent Methods GB, ABW and IPF and continuous sheathing Method CS-PF. This requirement may be ignored when the amount of bracing provided in a braced wall line is at least 1.5 times that required in TABLE 1. BRACED WALL PANEL CONNECTIONS AND SUPPORT Braced wall panels must be attached and/or supported as noted below. Where framing is perpendicular to a braced wall panel, a rim joist or blocking must be provided along the length of the braced wall panel as shown in FIGURE 26. Where framing is parallel to a braced all panel, a rim joist, framing member or blocking must be provided along the length of the braced wall panel as shown in FIGURE 27. When a braced wall panel with a length up to 48 inches is supported by a masonry stemwall, the masonry must be reinforced per FIGURE 28. Elevated post or pier foundations supporting braced wall panels must be designed by a registered design professional. See Engineered Design on page 20 for more information.

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CONTINUOUS RIM JOIST

FULL HEIGHT BLOCKING CONTINUOUS ALONG LENGTH OF BRACED WALL PANEL PERPENDICULAR FRAMING 8d @ 6" O.C. ALONG BRACED WALL PANEL

8d @ 6" O.C. ALONG BRACED WALL PANEL

BRACED WALL PANEL BRACED WALL PANEL 3-16d @ 16" O.C. ALONG BRACED WALL PANEL 3-16d @ 16" O.C. ALONG BRACED WALL PANEL

PERPENDICULAR FRAMING FULL HEIGHT BLOCKING CONTINUOUS ALONG LENGTH OF BRACED WALL PANEL

CONTINUOUS RIM JOIST

FIGURE 26: BRACED WALL PANEL CONNECTION WHEN PERPENDICULAR TO FLOOR/CEILING FRAMING

CONTINUOUS RIM OR END JOIST

ADDITIONAL FRAMING MEMBER DIRECTLY ABOVE BRACED WALL PANEL

FULL HEIGHT BLOCKING @ 16" O.C. ALONG BRACED WALL PANEL

8d @ 6" O.C. ALONG BRACED WALL PANEL

8d @ 6" O.C. ALONG BRACED WALL PANEL

TOE NAIL 3-8d NAILS AT EACH BLOCKING MEMBER

BRACED WALL PANEL 3-16d @ 16" O.C. ALONG BRACED WALL PANEL

BRACED WALL PANEL 3-16d @ 16" O.C. ALONG BRACED WALL PANEL

BRACED WALL PANEL 3-16d AT EACH BLOCKING MEMBER

2-16d NAILS EACH SIDE CONTINUOUS RIM OR END JOIST ADDITIONAL FRAMING MEMBER DIRECTLY BELOW BRACED WALL PANEL FULL HEIGHT BLOCKING @ 16" O.C. ALONG BRACED WALL PANEL

FIGURE 27: BRACED WALL PANEL CONNECTION WHEN PARALLEL TO FLOOR/CEILING FRAMING

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48" OR LESS

BRACED WALL PANEL 1/2" ANCHOR BOLTS PER BRACED WALL PANEL REQUIREMENTS #4 BAR BOND BEAM BOND BEAM WITH 1-#4 BAR

48" OR LESS BRACED WALL PANEL 1/2" ANCHOR BOLTS PER BRACED WALL PANEL REQUIREMENTS

#4 BAR MIN.; FIELD BEND 6" EXTENSION INTO BOND BEAM #4 BAR

20" MIN. TYP. 3" COVER SHORT STEM WALL REINFORCEMENT 48" OR LESS BRACED WALL PANEL 3" COVER

20" MIN. TYP.

TALL STEM WALL REINFORCEMENT

BRACED WALL PANEL

BOND BEAM BOND BEAM WITH 1-#4 BAR FACE BRICK OPTIONAL 8" MIN. CMU

5/8" THREADED RODS MAY BE SUBSTITUTED FOR ANCHOR BOLTS AND REBAR

3" COVER

MIN. 2" CUT WASHERS TYPICAL STEM WALL SECTION

OPTIONAL STEM WALL REINFORCEMENT

NOTE: GROUT BOND BEAMS AND ALL CELLS WHICH CONTAIN REBAR, THREADED RODS AND ANCHOR BOLTS.

FIGURE 28: MASONRY STEM WALLS SUPPORTING BRACED WALL PANELS PROPRIETARY SYSTEMS Proprietary systems are pre-designed, pre-manufactured panels that can be used to resist wind load. Acceptable products in Fairfax County are those listed by a testing agency with a code evaluation report in accordance with International Code Council-Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) Acceptance Criteria. The ICC-ES itself currently has several products listed. Go to www.icc-es.org to obtain product evaluation reports which will list manufacturer contact information, limitations for use and design loads. Reports must be included with your plan submission during the permit application process. Proprietary systems must be installed in strict conformance with the manufacturer's recommendations and the evaluation report.

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Listed below are some of the available proprietary products. TABLE 7: PROPRIETARY SYSTEMS Product Simpson Strong Tie Steel Strong Wall1 Simpson Strong Tie Shear Wall Weyerhaeuser iLevel TJ Shear Panel Weyerhaeuser iLevel Shear Brace Hardy Panels
1 2

ICC-ES Evaluation Report # ESR-1679 PFC-5485 ESR-1281 ESR-2632 PFC-5342

Available Lengths As a Braced Wall As a Portal Frame Panel 12", 15", 18", 21", 24" 12", 15", 18", 21", 24" 16", 22" 16", 22" 12", 18" 12", 18", 24" 18", 24", 32", 48" 18", 24", 32", 48" 12", 18" 12", 18", 24"

Panels can be stacked for two-story walls; restrictions apply. See manufacturers' literature for more information. Fairfax County does not endorse any of the products listed above.

ENGINEERED DESIGN If you wish to deviate from the prescriptive code requirements, then you must have your wall bracing designed by a registered design professional licensed in the commonwealth of Virginia. Determine wind load using Section 1609 of the 2006 International Building Code. The basic wind speed for Fairfax County is 90 mph. Most residential construction in Fairfax County qualifies as Exposure B with an Importance Factor (Iw) of 1.00. Please note: wind load must be applied to both windward and leeward sides simultaneously. DESIGN METHOD AND CALCULATIONS Section 2305, "General Design Requirements for Lateral-Force-Resisting Systems," and accepted engineering practice shall be employed in the design professional's calculations. Calculations, at a minimum, must: Show a detailed analysis of the wind load determination. Show a detailed design of the building diaphragms (Section 2305.2) and shear walls (Section 2305.3). Specify the sheathing thickness, nail sizes and nailing pattern for diaphragms and shear walls. Ensure there is an adequate load path to the foundation. Show a detailed analysis of all connections along the lateral load path. Show an analysis of the existing lateral load resisting system with the new applied loads when utilizing an existing structure to resist lateral loads of an addition. Ensure post-to-beam connections are capable of resisting shear and rotation. Bear the original signature and seal of the registered design professional. Calculations which do not meet the above requirements will not be approved by Building Plan Review during the permit application process. CONSTRUCTION DOCUMENTS All plans submitted to the county for permit application and plan review must have all braced wall lines, braced wall panels and method(s) clearly identified. Plans will not be approved otherwise. When submitting plans for a building that utilizes a proprietary product or an engineered design, the related evaluation report and/or calculations must be attached to the plans. The drawings must also include comprehensive details outlining the construction requirements of the diaphragms and shear walls. These detail sheets must also bear the original signature and seal of the responsible registered design professional.

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FAQS: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS There have been no major catastrophic events in Fairfax County due to wind. What has prompted theses new wind bracing requirements? One driving force for wind bracing provisions has been the insurance industry who's involvement in building code development intensified after Hurricane Andrew in 1992 and the Northridge Earthquake in 1994. While Fairfax County has not recently experienced a widespread and devastating wind event, the code requires all residential construction to be designed to resist the potential for such events. A jurisdiction's probability for wind events is based on its proximity to the coastline and/or other high wind regions. Hurricane Isabel in 2003, and the tornados from Hurricane Ivan in 2004 are just a few reminders of the potential in Fairfax County for high winds. Does Section R602.10 apply to sunrooms and cold-formed steel construction? No. Section R602.10 applies only to light framed wood construction. Sunrooms constructed of aluminum or steel and any house or addition construction using cold-formed steel requires an engineered solution. What does the county expect to see in a engineered shear wall design during permit application? As noted in Engineered Design on page 20, a set of calculations meeting the requirements therein must be submitted to the county. In addition, the shear wall design detail must be shown on the drawings with a minimum aspect ration of 3.5 to 1 (height to length) and must show, at a minimum, material thickness, fastener spacing, stud size and spacing, hardware requirements and a signature and seal of the registered design professional. Can I construct a stud/pony wall above a portal frame at a garage door opening? No. A stud/pony wall above a portal frame weakens the wall and creates an undesirable condition called a "hinge." The ability of a wall with a hinge to resist wind load is severely reduced. What are the requirements for wind bracing if I construct an enclosed room atop my deck? The walls of your new room must meet the requirements of this publication. However, the posts of the deck below must be designed by a registered design professional to resist lateral loads using accepted engineering practice. Can I construct a two-story braced wall panel using the prescriptive requirements of the code? No. The maximum height of a braced wall panel using the Virginia Residential Code is 12 feet. See the FAQ below for potential options. If my design does not meet the prescriptive requirements of the code, what are my options? You have two options. The first is to use a proprietary system such as those from Simpson Strong-Tie, Weyerhaeuser or Hardy Frame. See Proprietary Systems on page 19 for more information. The second is to have the structure designed by a registered design professional licensed in the commonwealth of Virginia. See Engineered Design on page 20 for more information. Are Simpson Strong-Tie, Weyerhaeuser and Hardy Frame wall bracing products available on the east coast? Yes. Representatives from all companies have indicated that their products are available to builders in our area. For more information, contact Simpson Strong-Tie at 1-800-999-5099, TTY 711, Weyerhaeuser at 1-800-242-4854, TTY 711, and Hardy Frame at 1-800-754-3030, TTY 711. A full list of braced wall products acceptable in Fairfax County can be found at www.icc-es.org. Can Thermoply be used as a braced wall panel? Yes. Thermoply (Blue) Structural Grade is considered equivalent to Method SFB for intermittent bracing and can be an additional method for continuous sheathing. However, installation in either case must be in strict conformance with the product's ICC-ES Evaluation Report (ESR-1122).

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Can sheets of OSB be placed with the long dimension horizontal to construct a braced wall panel? Yes. OSB can be placed horizontally provided all vertical joints are located at studs, horizontal joints are blocked and all joints are edged nailed. Does Fairfax County require an added inspection for wall bracing elements such as sheathing, framing and nailing prior to the house or addition being wrapped? No. Wall bracing elements will be inspected during the framing inspection. If I call a braced wall line intermittent bracing with Method WSP (OSB) and infill the areas between the braced wall panels with more OSB, am I required to analyze this braced wall line as if it were continuous sheathing, Method CS-WSP? No. This is the advantage to Method WSP. If you meet the three criteria for a braced wall line with Method WSP and each panel is greater than or equal to the minimum panel length, then you can infill between the panels with any material, even the same material as the panel itself, in this case OSB. Analyzing this as Method CS-WSP is simply over designing the braced wall line and could possibly require hold-downs, return panels and/or end panels. Is there a fix for a portal frame, Methods IPF or CS-PF, that was constructed without the header spanning atop the panel? No. Both Methods IPF and CS-PF are laboratory tested assemblies that could not be proven using standard engineering principles. Therefore, any fix would also require laboratory testing which most builders do not have the capacity to do. So it is imperative to construct a portal frame correctly the first time. If I have a braced wall line with continuous sheathing on the second or third floors and I opt to use a hold-down instead of a return panel (Options 2 or 4), how do I attach the hold-down? Hold-downs, if installed per the manufacturers' recommendations, require a connection from the holddown device to an anchor bolt into the masonry or concrete foundation. Obviously this becomes problematic for a braced wall line on the second floor. In this case, a galvanized strap, with an 800-pound capacity, attached on the exterior side of the sheathing into a stud on the second floor and the first floor will suffice. Can a braced wall panel from a portal frame (Method IPF or CS-PF) with a length less than 24 inches be used as the return panel for a perpendicular braced wall line with continuous sheathing? Yes. A portal frame braced wall panel is considered equivalent to the return panel for an adjacent braced wall line with continuous sheathing. Can braced wall panels be constructed on a cantilevered floor? Yes. Braced wall panels can be constructed on a cantilevered floor provided blocking is provided back at the bearing wall and the cantilever limits of Section R502.3.3 of the Virginia Residential Code are followed. Sources: International Code Council-Evaluation Service, APA The Engineered Association, Simpson Strong-Tie

Fairfax County is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in all county programs, services and activities and will provide this document in alternative formats and in different languages upon request. Please call 703-324-5033, TTY 711 or write Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, Suite 659, 12055 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, VA 22035-5506. Please allow at least seven working days for preparation of material.

A Fairfax County, Virginia Publication

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