Wisconsin Legislature: SPS 327.34(2)(b)3.

1. Polymer-based house wraps shall meet all of the following requirements:

a. A water vapor permeability rating of 5 perms or higher when tested in accordance with ASTM E96.

b. An acceptable water-resistance rating determined in accordance with ASTM D779, AATCC 127 or CCMC 07102.

Note: Asphalt-saturated felt or “tar paper” is not a polymeric-based house wrap.

Note: For more information on the water-resistance tests and their results, see the International Code Council Evaluation Services Acceptance Criteria AC 38.

2. Spray-applied water-resistive barriers shall be approved under the International Code Council Evaluation Services.

Note: For approval criteria, see ICC-ES acceptance criteria AC 212 or successor document.

(d) Application.

1. Horizontal seams in sheet or strip material shall be overlapped such that the upper layer extends over the lower layer at least 2 inches.

2. Vertical seams in sheet or strip materials shall be overlapped at least 6 inches.

3. Any rips, tears or voids shall be patched in accordance with subds. 1. and 2.

(e) Penetrations.

1. Penetrations caused by fasteners of the water-resistive barrier or the weather-resistant exterior covering do not require sealing.

2. Penetrations of 5 square inches or less with an annular space of no more than 1/2 inch shall be sealed with caulk or similar material.

3. Penetrations of greater than 5 square inches shall be flashed in accordance with sub. (3).

History: EmR1703: emerg. cr., eff. 2-6-17; CR 17-017: cr. Register March 2018 No. 747, eff. 4-1-18.

SPS 327.34 Wood frame walls. Unless designed through structural analysis, wood frame walls shall comply with the following requirements:

(1) Stud configuration. Studs in the exterior walls shall be placed with the wide faces perpendicular to the plane of the wall.

Note: See s. SPS 327.28 for requirements on treating wood for decay and termite resistance.

(2) Top plates.

(a) General. Except as allowed under par. (c), top plates shall be provided and configured as follows:

1. Studs at bearing walls shall be capped with double top plates.

2. End joints in double top plates shall be offset at least 2 stud spaces.

3. Double top plates shall be overlapped at the corners and at intersections of partitions.

4. The plate immediately above the stud may have a joint only when directly over the stud.

(b) Notching and boring.

1. When piping or ductwork is placed in an exterior wall or an interior load-bearing wall, such that at least half of the top plate is removed, the plate shall be reinforced with a steel angle at least 2 inches by 2 inches by 20 gauge thick.

Note: 20 gauge is approximately 0.036 inch.

2. The steel angle shall span the gap and extend at least to the midpoint of the adjacent stud spaces.

3. Other equivalent materials may be used in accordance with s. SPS 327.20.

1. A single top plate may be used in place of a double top plate provided a rafter is located directly over the studs and the plate is securely tied at the end joints, corners and intersecting walls. Joints may occur in single top plates only when directly over a stud.

2. A continuous header, consisting of two 2-inch members set on edge, may be used in lieu of a double plate if tied to the adjacent wall.

(3) Wall openings.

(a) Headers. Where doors or windows occur, headers shall be used to carry the load across the opening.

(b) Header support. Headers in bearing walls shall be supported in accordance with the following:

1. Headers 3 feet or less in length shall be directly supported on each end by one of the following:

a. The single common stud and a shoulder stud.

b. The single common stud with a framing anchor attached.

2. Headers greater than 3 feet but less than or equal to 6 feet in length shall be directly supported on each end by the single common stud and a shoulder stud.

3. Headers greater than 6 feet in length shall be directly supported on each end by the single common stud and 2 shoulder studs.

(4) Notching. Notching and boring of columns or posts is prohibited unless designed through structural analysis. Studs shall not be cut or bored more than 1/3 the depth of the stud, unless the stud is reinforced.

(5) Partitions. Load-bearing partitions shall be placed over beams, girders, or other load-bearing partitions. Load-bearing partitions running at right angles to the joists shall not be offset from the main girder or walls more than the depth of the joist unless the joists are designed to carry the load.

(6) Posts and columns.

(a) General.

1. Posts and columns shall be installed to resist imposed loads.

2. Posts and columns shall bear directly over the middle 1/3 of a footing.

3. Posts and columns shall be restrained at the top and bottom to resist displacement.

4. All columns shall be positively attached to the beams they support using clips, straps or saddles.

5. Posts and columns that use a height adjustment mechanism shall have the mechanism imbedded in concrete or permanently disabled after installation.

(b) Bearing surface. Posts and columns shall have a steel bearing plate affixed to one or both ends to distribute any applied loads and to prevent fiber crushing of any structural member being supported.

1. Manufactured columns shall follow the manufacturer’s testing and listing.

2. Columns made of steel stock, not meeting the requirements of subd. 1., shall follow a nationally accepted design specification or the size shall be determined through structural analysis or load testing.

(d) Wood posts or columns. Wood posts or columns shall be sized according to Table 327.34 or the size shall be determined through structural analysis or load testing.

(7) Foundation cripple walls.

(a) Foundation cripple walls shall be framed with studs at least as large as the studs above.

(b) When more than 4 feet in height, cripple walls shall be framed with studs needed for an additional floor level.

(c) Cripple walls shall be sheathed on at least one side for its entire length with a wood structural panel that is fastened to both the top and bottom plates or the cripple walls shall be constructed of solid blocking.

(d) Cripple walls shall be fully supported by a continuous foundation.

Table 327.34

WOOD COLUMNS

Wood Nominal Size Cross Section Area Height (feet) Allowable Load (pounds)

8 4,900

4” x 4” 12 1/4” 10 3,100

12 2,150

8 7,700

4” x 6” 19 1/4” 10 4,900

12 3,400

8 30,000

6” x 6” 30 1/4” 10 18,900

12 13,300

Note: This Table is based on a modulus of elasticity or E of 1,000,000 psi and a fiber bending strength or Fb of 1,000 psi.

History: EmR1703: emerg. cr., eff. 2-6-17; CR 17-017: cr. Register March 2018 No. 747, eff. 4-1-18.

SPS 327.35 Roof design and framing.

(1) Roof rafters.

(a) General.

1. Rafters shall be notched to fit the exterior wall plate and fastened to the wall.

2. Collar ties shall be installed on the upper third of every third pair of abutting roof rafters or every 48 inches, whichever is less.

(b) Ridge boards.

1. Where rafters meet to form a ridge, the rafters shall be attached to a ridge board.

2. The ridge board shall have a depth at least equal to the length of the cut end of the rafter abutting it.

3. Where all rafters are placed directly opposite each other or are offset at the ridge board by less than the thickness of the rafter, the ridge board shall have a nominal thickness of at least 1 inch.

4. Where one or more rafters are offset at the ridge board by more than the thickness of the rafter, the ridge board shall have a nominal thickness of at least 2 inches.

(c) Ridge beams. Rafters shall be attached to ridge beams using engineered clips, straps, or hangers or the connection shall be designed through structural analysis.

(d) Bearing. The required bearing for wood rafters shall be in accordance with the NDS adopted in Table 327.19-2, except in no case shall the bearing be less than 1 1/2 inches on wood or metal or less than 3 inches on masonry or concrete.

(e) Ladders.

1. In this paragraph, “ladder” means a perpendicular projection extending beyond the face of the wall below.

2. Overhangs at gable end walls of more than 12 inches shall be provided with ladders which extend into the structure a distance no less than the length of the overhang.