strapping all the rafters and 2×4’s
Craigabooey
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
I see alot of construction going on here on LoNg Island and I now see all the builders are using metal strapping to connect the 1st floor studs to the 2nd floor studs, and over the tops of the rafters (over the ridge). This practice seems pretty new, when did this requirement start and does the strapping add alot of cost to a project? It seems like alot of labor. What are the codes pertaining to where the BI’s want strapping?
Replies
Do you know what the sustained windspeeds were during Long Island's famous hurricane of 1938?
Didn't exceed the windspeeds of Andrew or Katrina, but did some damage, anyhow. Here is a clip:
Storms
The 1938 season was fairly inactive save for one event. The New England Hurricane of 1938 (nicknamed the 'Long Island Express'), which reached Category 5 strength out in the Atlantic, slammed into Long Island, New York as a massive extratropical cyclone with sustained winds topping 115 mph. The storm surge swamped a large part of the island. Whole neighborhoods ceased to exist. New York City was paralyzed by the flooding rains dumped on it by the storm. New inlets were cut into the barrier islands just offshore. One, Shinnecock Inlet, is half a mile long. 600 people died. It remains one of the deadliest hurricanes to strike the US.
Sounds like Long Island is trying to boost their code requirements because of the long term forecast for more hurricanes.
Edited 3/9/2006 4:17 pm ET by Stinger
I'm in NC but I presume it's hurricane protection, to help prevent the rafters from lifting off. The other straps provide continuity for this 'tie down' down to the foundation. Here we only need hurricane ties securing the rafters to the ceiling joist/top plate framing.
Let's not confuse the issue with facts!
Are you a contractor, builder, framing sub, homeowner?
If this practice is new like you said than no matter what you are whenever you get a set of Architectural plans it will all be on all your plans. Here in NJ we don't do anything like you describe where I frame, yet. If/when we start the price in labor will naturally have to go up. Do you know any Architects that you can call to ask?
Joe Carola
Edited 3/9/2006 4:47 pm ET by Framer