HOME SERVICES SOLUTIONS SEE OUR PLANS PRODUCTS CONTACT See Our Plans 1 Beam Labeling System 4 Fastening Requirements 7 Open Web Joists 2 LVL Floor Joists/Fire Code Compliant 3 Pre Cut Blocking 5 Insulated Headers 6 Plumbing Conflicts 8 Plywood Nailing Patterns 9 HDU Hold Downs 10 Steel Beams 13 Knuckle Beams 11 Steel Tube Columns (HSS Columns) 14 Roof Trusses 12 Steel Portal Frames 15 Footing Plan 16 Shear Wall Page Beams are labeled with either a beam number or similar label that clearly states where each beam should be installed. Each beam is clearly labeled prior to delivery to prevent confusion when installing. There is a beam call out on our plan for each beam stating its name, size, and whether it is flush or dropped thereby preventing any confusion as to where it needs to be installed. 1. Beam Labeling System Back to top LVL Floor Joists have several significant benefits: LVL Floor Joists produce a stronger, stiffer, and more stable floor than conventional lumber (2x10s - 2x12s) LVL Joists do not require any of the fire protections systems associated with an I joist floor system (IRC Section 302.13) No Drywall, Rockwool, sprinkler systems needed. LVL floor joist systems are denoted on our plans by the pull point callouts 2. LVL Floor Joists Back to top SWS provides “Pre-cut” blocking panels for every depth of joist no matter the “o.c.” spacing of the material. Blocks are denoted on our plans as the B1 hexagonal symbol 3. Pre-cut Blocking Back to top Every SWS plan calls out each beam by number. The fastening requirements of each beam are called out on the plan as well. 4. Fastening Requirements Back to top SWS’s Prefabricated Insulated Headers have one of the highest “R” values available on the market today. Each Insulated header is prefabricated using an LVL face on both sides of the panel to create a header that is stronger than (3) 2x10s yet has an “R” value of R-20. 5. Insulated Headers Back to top Often there is little to no coordination between the structural plans and the mechanical layouts (Plumbing/HVAC/Electrical). When conflicts arise, SWS provides a note on the framing plan instructing the framer to move a joist to avoid these conflict. 6. Plumbing Conflicts Back to top SWS now stocks the Tri-Force Open Web Floor Joists in a variety of depths and lengths. The Tri-Force Open Web Joist is a great option in any project where mechanical systems are a challenge. 7. Open Web Joists Back to top For Braced Wall / Shear Wall purposes, sometimes the typical nailing pattern is just not enough to resist the high wind loads. In these situations, SWS provides an additional sheet describing the nailing patterns as well as the hold-down locations required to comply with the local building codes. Often there are several different nailing patterns in your project. SWS color coded Braced Wall / Shear Wall plans make it very easy to follow the design. 8. Plywood Nailing Pattern Back to top Shear Walls often require “Hold Downs” (HDU’s) to anchor the wood wall to wall below (wood or concrete). Anchor bolts can carry most of the loads. When a stronger tie down system is required, SWS will call out the location and size of every HDU. Each HDU needed is shown as a pink triangle on the shear wall page. 9. HDU Holddowns Back to top SWS offers the full service package for integrating steel into your wood frame building. SWS provides the engineering design as well as the prefabricated steel components delivered directly to the jobsite. All steel products are supplied prefabricated, primed and ready to be bolted together. If full penetration welds are required, SWS offers “on-site” welding services. 10. Steel Beams Back to top SWS offers the full service package for integrating steel into your wood frame building. SWS provides the engineering design as well as the prefabricated steel components delivered directly to the jobsite. All steel products are supplied prefabricated, primed and ready to be bolted together. If full penetration welds are required, SWS offers “on-site” welding services. 11. Steel Tube Columns Back to top SWS offers the full service package for integrating steel into your wood frame building. SWS provides the engineering design as well as the prefabricated steel components delivered directly to the jobsite. All steel products are supplied prefabricated, primed and ready to be bolted together. If full penetration welds are required, SWS offers “on-site” welding services. 12. Steel Moment Frames (Portal Frames) Back to top SWS offers the full service package for integrating steel into your wood frame building. SWS provides the engineering design as well as the prefabricated steel components delivered directly to the jobsite. All steel products are supplied prefabricated, primed and ready to be bolted together. If full penetration welds are required, SWS offers “on-site” welding services. 13. Knuckle Beams Back to top SWS designs all Roof & Floor trusses in-house. In-house design ensures a fully integrated design from peak of roof to concrete wall. Each project is different. SWS will employ a strategy that often combines both conventional framing where it makes sense and an engineered lumber system where it makes sense. 14. Roof Trusses Back to top Footing size and layout is often overlooked. SWS will provide a footing plan for the location, size, and rebar needs for all interior footings. SWS does not provide foundation plans. 15. Footing Plan Back to top Sometimes the typical nailing pattern is just not enough to resist high wind loads. In these situations, SWS provides an additional sheet(s) describing the nailing patterns as well as the hold-down locations required to resist these lateral loads. In rare cases a moment frame (also known as a steel portal frame) may be required. SWS’s color coded Braced Wall / Shear Wall plans make it very easy to follow the design. 16. Shear Wall Design Back to top Structural Wood Systems, Inc. | 241 Lake Street, Bellingham, MA (508) 876-9663 | P.O. Box: 737 Copyright © 2020 Structural Wood Systems, Inc.