Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 780 CMR - STATE BOARD OF BUILDING REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS › Chapter 23 - Wood › Section 2308 - CONVENTIONAL LIGHT-FRAME CONSTRUCTION › Subsection 2308.9 - Wall framing

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
2308.9.1
Size, height and spacing.
The size, height and spacing of studs shall be
				in accordance with Table 2308.9.1 except that utility-grade studs shall not be
				spaced more than 16 inches (406 mm) o.c., or support more than a roof and
				ceiling, or exceed 8 feet (2438 mm) in height for exterior walls and
				load-bearing walls or 10 feet (3048 mm) for interior nonload-bearing walls.
				Studs shall be continuous from a support at the sole plate to a support at the
				top plate to resist loads perpendicular to the wall. The support shall be a
				foundation or floor, ceiling or roof diaphragm or shall be designed in
				accordance with accepted engineering practice.
Exception:
Jack studs, trimmer studs and cripple
				  studs at openings in walls that comply with Table 2308.9.5.
TABLE 2308.9.1 SIZE, HEIGHT AND SPACING OF WOOD
				  STUDS
STUD SIZE
(inches)
BEARING WALLS
NONBEARING WALLS
Laterally unsupported
stud
							 heighta (feet)
Supporting roof
and ceiling
							 only
Supporting one floor, roof and ceiling
Supporting two floors, roof and ceiling
Laterally unsupported stud
							 heighta(feet)
Spacing
(inches)
Spacing (inches)
2 × 3b
-
-
-
-
10
16
2 × 4
10
24
16
-
14
24
3 × 4
10
24
24
16
14
24
2 × 5
10
24
24
-
16
24
2 × 6
10
24
24
16
20
24
For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 foot = 304.8 mm.
a. Listed heights are distances between points of lateral support
							 placed perpendicular to the plane of the wall. Increases in unsupported height
							 are permitted where justified by an analysis.
b. Shall not be used
							 in exterior walls.
2308.9.2
Framing details.
Studs
				shall be placed with their wide dimension perpendicular to the wall. Not less
				than three studs shall be installed at each corner of an
exterior
				wall
.
Exception:
At corners, two studs are permitted,
				  provided wood spacers or backup cleats of
				  3/8-inch-thick (9.5 mm) wood
				  structural panel, 3/8-inch
				  (9.5 mm) Type M "Exterior Glue" particleboard, 1-inch-thick (25 mm) lumber or
				  other
approved
devices that will serve as an adequate backing
				  for the attachment of facing materials are used. Where fire-resistance ratings
				  or shear values are involved, wood spacers, backup cleats or other devices
				  shall not be used unless specifically
approved
for such
				  use.
2308.9.2.1
Top
				plates.
Bearing and
exterior wall
studs shall be capped
				with double top plates installed to provide overlapping at corners and at
				intersections with other partitions. End joints in double top plates shall be
				offset at least 48 inches (1219 mm), and shall be nailed with not less than
				eight 16d face nails on each side of the joint. Plates shall be a nominal 2
				inches (51 mm) in depth and have a width at least equal to the width of the
				studs.
Exception:
A single top plate is permitted,
				  provided the plate is adequately tied at joints, corners and intersecting walls
				  by at least the equivalent of 3-inch by 6-inch (76 mm by 152 mm) by
				  0.036-inch-thick (0.914 mm) galvanized steel that is nailed to each wall or
				  segment of wall by six 8d nails or equivalent, provided the rafters, joists or
				  trusses are centered over the studs with a tolerance of no more than 1 inch (25
				  mm).
2308.9.2.2
Top
				plates for studs spaced at 24 inches (610 mm).
Where bearing studs are
				spaced at 24-inch (610 mm) intervals and top plates are less than two 2-inch by
				6-inch (51 mm by 152 mm) or two 3-inch by 4-inch (76 mm by 102 mm) members and
				where the floor joists, floor trusses or roof trusses that they support are
				spaced at more than 16-inch (406 mm) intervals, such joists or trusses shall
				bear within 5 inches (127 mm) of the studs beneath or a third plate shall be
				installed.
2308.9.2.3
Nonbearing walls and partitions.
In nonbearing walls and partitions,
				studs shall be spaced not more than 28 inches (711 mm) o.c. and are permitted
				to be set with the long dimension parallel to the wall. Interior nonbearing
				partitions shall be capped with no less than a single top plate installed to
				provide overlapping at corners and at intersections with other walls and
				partitions. The plate shall be continuously tied at joints by solid blocking at
				least 16 inches (406 mm) in length and equal in size to the plate or by
				1/2-inch by
				11/2-inch (12.7 mm by 38 mm)
				metal ties with spliced sections fastened with two 16d nails on each side of
				the joint.
2308.9.2.4
Plates
				or sills.
Studs shall have full bearing on a plate or sill not less than
				2 inches (51 mm) in thickness having a width not less than that of the wall
				studs.