Ledger Board Attachment for Residential Addition

[radioatlas]

We're designing a second story addition to a house which will 'bridge' between the existing gable end wall of the house and garage. The floor system of the addition will attach as a ledger board and span the 6'-0" gap between the buildings. Where does the IRC prescribe this type of connection e.g. through bolt spacing into the existing floor system, etc.? Thanks in advance.

 

[TheCommish]

IRC does not prescribe this directly, you may work with the BO to use deck ledger connections, or if you can expose the band joist used the appropriate metal joist hanger

 

[Mark K]

It is not clear that the IRC was ever intended to address additions. The IEBC or the IBC are better sources of guidance. If you comply with these standards instead of working with the building official the building officials role will become one of verifying compliance with the code.

Hire an engineer but be prepared for the likelihood that additional changes will be needed to deal with the wind loads.

 

[jar546]

It is not clear that the IRC was ever intended to address additions. The IEBC or the IBC are better sources of guidance. If you comply with these standards instead of working with the building official the building officials role will become one of verifying compliance with the code.

Hire an engineer but be prepared for the likelihood that additional changes will be needed to deal with the wind loads.

Yes, this is the correct answer. I would heed this since it is not prescriptive. As a building official, I would recommend the same as posted by Mark K.

 

[steveray]

The devil is in the details, and your design may not be prescriptive at all, but ledger strip attachment is address in the nailing schedule of the IRC in Ch. 6..