Internet DCQ Continuing Education Course

Presented by

The Wisconsin Housing Alliance

Understanding Fasteners

History

Nails go back at least to the Ancient Roman

period.

Until the end of the 18th century, they were

made by hand.

Manufactured cut nails were first introduced

in America at the end of the 18th century

Cut nails have been replaced by wire nails

History

Most countries, except the

United States, use a metric

system for describing nail

sizes.

In the United States, the

length of a nail is designated

by its penny size

represented by a d.

As a reference a 8d nail is 2

½ inches or roughly 65 mm.

Fasteners and the UDC

The minimum fastener schedule table for the

UDC shows smooth-common, box or

deformed shanks nails unless otherwise

shown.

Nail Types

Common - a common construction wire

nail with a disk-shaped head that is

typically 3-4 times the diameter of the

shank: common nails have larger shanks

than box nails of the same size.

Box - a wire nail with a head; box nails

have a smaller shank than common nails

of the same size

Casing - a wire nail with a slightly larger

head than finish nails; often used for flooring

Finish - a wire nail that has a head only

slightly larger than the shank; can be easily

concealed by countersinking the nail slightly

below the finished surface with a nail-set and

filling the resulting void with a filler (putty,

spackle, caulk, etc.)

Additional Terms

Bright - no surface coating; not recommended for

weather exposure or acidic or treated lumber

CC or Coated - "cement coated"; nail coated with

adhesive (cement) for greater holding power; also

resin- or vinyl-coated; coating melts from friction

when driven to help lubricate then hardens when

cool; color varies by manufacturer (tan, pink, are

common)

Types of Galvanized Nails

Electrogalvanized - provides a smooth finish with

some corrosion resistance

Hot-dip galvanized - provides a rough finish that

deposits more zinc than other methods, resulting in

very high corrosion resistance that is suitable for

some acidic and treated lumber; often easier to bend

than other types of nails

Mechanically galvanized - deposits more zinc than

electrogalvanizing for increased corrosion resistance

Nails vs. Staples

The minimum fastener table for boards and

planks permits nails or staples.

Studies show that staples can have as much

as 54% more holding power than nails.

However depending on the changing

moisture content of the wood, staples over

time can lose most if not all of that

advantage.

In a Virginia Poly Tech study after a 10 week

seasoning of oak boards and stringers used

in pallet production at 50% relative humidity

and 70 degree temperatures

– Nail holding power increased 43%

– Staple holding power decreased from 35 to 51%

The Schedule

The code provides a minimum standard for

fastening. For engineered connectors, use

the manufacturer’s specified fasteners.

Fastener Standards

Specifies minimum number, size and

direction

– Example: Wall Framing

Sole plate to joist or blocking

– Face nail 16d at 16” on center

Stud to sole plate

– Toe nail 4 – 8d or 3 – 16d

The Staple Option

Fastening Boards & Planks

– 1“ thick boards can be nailed or stapled

– 2” thick boards can only be nailed

Wall Framing

– Staples allowed only for 1” corner braces

Soil Erosion

Grading Standards in the UDC

The purpose of erosion control as stated in the UDC is to prevent or reduce the potential deposition of soil or sediment to the waters of the state and adjacent properties.

The finished grade of the soil shall slope away from the dwelling at a rate of at least ½ inch per foot

The graded slope away from the dwelling shall be at least a minimum distance of 10 feet, or to the lot line, whichever is less.

Controls Come First

Land disturbing construction activities,

except those activities necessary to

implement erosion or sediment control

practices, may not begin until the sediment

control practices are in place for each area to

be disturbed in accordance with the

approved plan.

A disturbed area shall be considered

stabilized by vegetation when a perennial

cover has been established with a density of

at least 70%.

Mandated Practices for Less than 1 Acre Disturbances

A method to prevent or reduce soil from

leaving the site via entries or roads.

Storm water inlet protection.

Protection of adjoining waters.

Drainage way protection.

Dewatering activity sediment reduction.

Stockpile protection.

5 Methods

The Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation.

Silt fences.

Seed and mulch.

Best Management Practices to achieve 40%

reduction in sediment load.

A unique designed submitted for review.

More than 1 Acre Sites

An 80% sediment load reduction is required.

Mandated practices are the same as small

sites.

Methods

Same methods as small sites except silt

fences are not recognized.

Stone Tracking Pad

Either a stone tracking pad or tire washing

station shall be used at all points of

construction egress.

This standard applies where construction

traffic is likely to transport sediment off site.

The aggregate in a tracking pad shall be

placed in a layer at least 12 inches thick.

Tracking Pad

Stone tracking pads shall be underlain with a

WisDOT Type R geotextile fabric to prevent

migration of underlying soil into the stone if:

– Site has a high water table

– Where saturated soil conditions are expected

Tracking Pads

The tracking pad shall be

– the full width of the egress point.

– a minimum 50 feet long.

Tracking Pads

Surface water must be prevented from

passing through the tracking pad. Flows shall

be diverted away from tracking pads or

conveyed under and around them.

– A culvert would be an approved method.

A tracking pad plan shall include the name of

the responsible party.

Tire Washing Station

A tire washing station is another method of dealing with keeping soil on the site. It must be located on-site.

The wash rack for a tire washing station shall consist of heavy grating over a lowered area.

Rocks lodged between the tires of dual wheel vehicles shall be removed prior to leaving the construction site.

All plans for tracking pads or washing, standard detail drawings,

or specifications shall include a schedule for installation,

inspection and maintenance

Maintenance

Any sediment tracked onto a public or private road should be

removed by street cleaning NOT flushing before the end of

each working day.

Tracking pads and tire washing stations shall, at a minimum,

be inspected weekly.

24 hours after a precipitation event that produces 0.5 inches

of rain or more during a 24-hour period would create a new

mandatory inspection of a tracking pad.

Maintenance

The tracking pad performance shall be

maintained by scraping or top-dressing with

additional aggregate.

If the initial thickness of a tracking pad is 12

inches and must be maintained at 12 inches.

A shallow trench or diversion dam that

diverts surface water runoff into a dispersion

area is called a water bar.

Permits

Landowners of most construction projects

where one or more acres of land will be

disturbed must obtain a WPDES

Construction Site Erosion Control and Storm

Water Discharge Permit.

If the landowner doesn’t have proper permit

coverage, they could be fined up to $10,000

per day.

Landowners of most construction projects where

one or more acres of land will be disturbed must

obtain a WPDES Construction Site Erosion Control

and Storm Water Discharge Permit.

Landowners need to submit an application called a

Notice of Intent (NOI) to request coverage under the

Construction Site Storm Water Runoff General

Permit No. WIS067831.

Permits

Disturbing one acre or more of land

includes clearing, grading, and

excavating or stockpiling of fill material

All construction sites disturbing 1 acre or

more (with few exceptions) need storm

water permit coverage!

The landowner submits the permit

application.

Common pollutants in runoff include sediment, oil,

grease, nitrogen and phosphorus

Preventing contamination of storm water is critically

important or polluted runoff will be discharged –

untreated - into the water bodies we use for

swimming, fishing, and drinking water.

Most storm sewer systems do not provide significant

treatment to the water they collect.

The erosion control and storm water

management plans must be completed

before the landowner files an NOI

The landowner is required to develop a long-

term storm water maintenance agreement

that is to be finalized prior to submitting the

NOI to the DNR.

Exceptions to General Applicability of Post-Construction Standards

Notices of Intent prior to October 1, 2004

– Includes submittals to DNR or Commerce

Redevelopment site with no increase in parking lots or roads

Post-construction site with less than 10% connected imperviousness ( unless parking lots plus rooftops > 1 acre)

Agricultural facilities and practices

The four areas of an acceptable stormwater

management plan includes

Introduction and general information

Practices (Best Management Practices)

Normal Operating Procedures

Maintenance

Silt Fences

A silt fence is a temporary sediment barrier of

entrenched geotextile fabric designed to

intercept and slow the flow of runoff.

A silt fence shall be a minimum of 14 inches

high?

Building a Silt Fence

When using wood supports, the silt fence fabric shall

be stapled at least 0.5 inches

Wood silt fence supports can be made from hickory

or oak

Steel supports for silt supports shall be a minimum of

20 inches extending into the ground.

For steel support for silt fencing the fabric shall be

attached with 50 pound plastic ties or wire fasteners

The trench for a silt fence can be 4 inch wide

by 6 inch deep or a 6 inch deep V trench on

the upslope side of the fence.

The maximum height for a silt fence is 28

inches.

Silt fences shall be removed once the

disturbed area is permanently stabilized and

no longer susceptible to erosion.

Sediment

Too much sediment in a waterbody can

cloud the water and make it difficult or

impossible for aquatic plants to receive the

sunlight they need to grow.

Construction & Demo Waste

Landfilling Waste is a Big Deal

A study shows 28.7% of waste placed in landfills is construction & demolition waste (C & D waste).

That’s 850 thousand tons per year.

Of the top 10 components of the waste stream, 3 are C & D waste.

Ranking number one is untreated wood followed by roofing shingles; third and last is a combination of rock, concrete and brick.

Other common C&D waste stream components include treated woods, drywall, PVC, ceramics and porcelain, glass and metals.

Waste paints, solvents, sealers and adhesives commingled in C&D waste have greater potential for environmental impacts. These materials are specifically excluded from the definition for C&D waste under s.NR 500.03 (50) [exit DNR], Wisconsin Administrative Code.

Like other recycling efforts, there are more management options for C&D debris that isn't mixed with other waste materials.

C&D debris consists primarily of asphalt, brick, concrete, glass, metal, drywall and wood, all having recycling potential.

Brick and cement block can be recovered for reuse, but more often they are combined with concrete and asphalt and are crushed to form the base for roadbeds and driveways.

Excess unpainted and untreated wood

lumber at construction sites can be

recovered for reuse as dimensional lumber,

but most often it is chipped for use in

landscaping and composting.

Metals can be marketed to scrap metal

dealers.

Some firms specialize in systematically

dismantling structures in order to recover

materials in the best possible conditions.

C&D debris is a solid waste subject to the

provisions in chs. NR 500 - 538, Wisconsin

Administrative Codes.

What is Clean Fill?

Wisconsin Administrative Code exempts the

following C&D materials as clean fill provided

the fill is not placed within a floodplain,

wetland, surface water environment or critical

habitat: brick, broken pavement, building

stone, clean soil, concrete, reinforced

concrete and unpainted or untreated wood.

Waste Recycling Resources

Find recycling centers near you

– http://search.earth911.com/

DNR Pre-Demolition Checklist

Waste Management

– http://www.wm.com/

Stairs, Steps, Decks & Ramps

Spiral Stairs

Often not just a decorative feature but a space necessity.

Spiral staircases shall be at least 26 inches wide measured from the outer edge of the supporting column to the inner edge of the handrail.

At the top and bottom of a flight, measurement shall be taken from the top of the nosing to the finished floor surface unless the finished surface is carpeting, in which case measurement shall be made to the hard surface below the carpeting.

Except for spiral staircases risers may not exceed 8 inches in height measured vertically from tread to tread.

Risers in spiral staircases may not exceed 9.5 inches in height measured vertically from tread to tread.

Rectangular treads shall have minimum tread depth of 9 inches measured horizontally from nosing to nosing.

Spiral staircase treads shall have a minimum

tread depth of 7 inches from nosing to nosing

measured at a point 12 inches from the outer

edge of the center column.

Headroom

Stairways shall be provided with a minimum

headroom clearance of 76 inches measured

vertically from a line parallel to the nosing of the

treads to the ceiling, soffit or any overhead

obstruction directly above that line.

The headroom clearance shall be maintained over a

landing that is at the top or bottom of a stairway for a

minimum distance of 36 inches in the direction of

travel of the stairway.

Variance in Height

Within a stairway flight, the greatest tread depth may not exceed the smallest tread depth by more than 3/8 inch and the greatest riser height may not exceed the smallest riser height by more than 3/8 inch.

WOW!

The walking surface of stair treads and

landings shall be a planar surface that is free

of lips or protrusions that could present a

tripping hazard.

Stairways leading to non-habitable attics or

crawl spaces are not covered by the UDC.

Generally, stairways shall be at least 36

inches wide.

Common Defects

Openings in handrails/guardrails

Gripping surfaces on handrails

Headroom

Uniformity

Landings

Openings in Handrails

The opening in a handrail

shall prevent the passage of

a sphere with a diameter of

4 inches or larger.

The triangular area formed

by the tread, riser or

guardrail shall have an

opening that prevents the

passage of sphere of 6

inches or more

This design is decorative but

openings exceed 4 inches.

Stairways with open

risers shall be

constructed to prevent

the through-passage of

a sphere with a

diameter of 4 inches or

larger between any 2

adjacent treads.

Stair flights with more

than 3 risers shall be

provided with at least

one handrail for the full

length of the stair flight.

Cable or Ropes

If cables or ropes are

used in a handrail or

guardrail shall be

strung with maximum

openings of 3 ½ inches

with vertical supports 4

feet

Incorrect – opening

exceeds 3 ½ inches

Design Standards

Handrails and guardrails must be designed

to withstand a 200 lb load applied in any

direction.

Any glazing used must be safety glazing

Exterior handrails and guardrails must be

made of metal, decay resistant or pressure

treated wood, or shall be protected from the

weather.

Design Standards

Height can be variable

between 30 and 38 inches.

Must be uniform in height

except where a rail contacts

a wall or newel post or where

a turnout or volute is

provided at the bottom step. A volute

Design Standards

Handrails and associated trim may project

into the required width of stairs and landings

a maximum of 4 ½ inches on each side.

Landing Design Standards

A level landing shall be provided at the top and base of every stairs. The landing shall be at least as wide as the stairs and shall measure at least 3 feet in the direction of travel.

A landing is not required between the door and the top of interior stairs if the door does not swing over the stairs.

A landing is not required between a sliding glass door and the top of an exterior stairway of 3 or fewer risers.

The exterior landing, platform or sidewalk at

an exterior doorway shall be located a

maximum of 8 inches below the interior floor

elevation and shall have a length of at least

36 inches in the direction of travel out of the

dwelling.

Ramps

Ramps shall not have a

slop greater than 1 in 8.

(One foot of rise for

each 8 feet of run.)

Walkways with a slope

of less than 1 in 20 are

not considered ramps.

Ramps must have a

slip resistant surface.

Handrails Forms

A common violation regarding decks and stairs involves handrail shapes.

Must be symmetrical at the vertical centerline to allow for equal wraparound of the fingers and thumb.

Where the handrail is round or truncated round cross sectional gripping surface must have a whole diameter of 2 inches.

2 inches

Handrail Forms

Handrails with a

rectangular cross

sectional gripping

surface shall have a

maximum perimeter of

6 ¼ inches with a

maximum cross

sectional dimension of

2 7/8 inches.

OK (w x ht)

½” by 2 1/8”

¾” by 2 ½”

1” by 2 1/8”

1 ½” by 2 1/8”

1 1/8” by 2 5/16”

1 7/8” by 1 15/16”

Max 6 ¼ inch

gripping surface

Other Forms

Max 2 7/8th inch

Cross Section

including a

minimum ¼”

recess on each

side

Clearance

The clearance between the handrail and a

wall shall be at least 1 ½ inches.

Handrails and their trim can project a

maximum of 4 ½ inches into the required

width of the stairs or landing.

Continuity

Handrails must be continuous for the entire length of

the stairs except:

– At an intermediate landing

– A handrail may have newel posts

– At an intermediate wall provided

the upper rail is returned to the wall or provided with a flared

end,

The horizontal offset between the 2 rails is no more than 12”

measured from the center of the rails, and

Both upper and lower rails can be reached from the same

tread without taking a step.

Guardrails

All openings between floors, and open sides of

landings, platforms, balconies or porches that are

more than 24 inches above grade or a floor must

have a guardrail.

An insect screen is not a guardrail.

For exterior applications, the 24 inches is measured

within 3 feet horizontally from the edge of the deck,

landing, porch or similar structure.

Guardrails

The required height is

at least 36 inches

above the floor as

measure from the hard

structure beneath the

finished surface to the

top of the rail. (measure

between the 2 red lines

shown).

Landings

An intermediate landing is required in any

stairs that has a height of 12 feet or more.

Intermediate landings connecting straight

stairs or stairs at a right angle must be as

wide as the stairs and measure at least 36

inches in the direction of travel.

Curved or irregular landings shall have a

radius of at least 36 inches.

Landings

Curved or irregular shaped landings must

have minimum straight line measurement of

26 inches between the nosing of the 2

connecting treads as measured at a point 18

inches from the narrow end of the landing.

Required Handrails

When the ramp has a gradient greater than 1 in 12 AND which overcomes a change in elevation of 24 inches or more, shall have a handrail on both sides.

Every ramp that overcomes a change of elevation of 8 inches or more shall have at least one handrail.

Handrails shall be located to the top of the handrail is at least 30 inches but not more than 38 inches above the ramp surface.

Handrails on Ramps

Open sided ramps shall have the area below

the handrail protected by intermediate rails or

an ornamental pattern to prevent the

passage of a sphere of 4 inches or larger.

Ramp Landings

A level landing shall be provided at the top,

at the foot and at any change of direction of

the ramp.

The landing must be at least as wide as the

ramp and shall measure at least 3 feet in the

direction of travel.

Deck Footings

Per SPS 321.15(2), deck footings shall be sized to not exceed the allowable material stresses.

The bearing area shall be at least equal to

the area required to transfer the loads to he

supporting soil without exceeding the bearing

values of the soil.

Soil Types

Wet, Soft clay, very loose silt, silty clay = 2000 psf

Loose, fine sand, medium clay, loose sandy clay = 2000

Stiff clay, firm inorganic silt = 3000

Medium (firm) sand, loose sandy gravel, firm sandy clay, hard

dry clay = 4000

Dense sand and gravel, very compact mixture of clay, sand and

gravel = 6000

Rock = 12000

Footing Sizing

In lieu of a designed footing, the code

required minimum size or a column footing of

24” x 24” x 12” thick

To provide adequate spread of the load

through the concrete or gravel footer, its

thickness should be at least one-half of its

diameter, but in no case less than 8”.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is a gas created by incomplete burning of fuels.

Carbon monoxide is colorless, odorless and tasteless, but highly toxic.

Carbon Monoxide can build up over time, with unrecognized symptoms such as headaches, nausea, disorientation, or irritability eventually building to unconsciousness and fatal poisoning.

Examples of some carbon monoxide sources are cars running in garages, heaters, fireplaces, furnaces, appliances or cooking sources using coal, wood, oil, kerosene, or other fuels.

Electric appliances are not carbon monoxide sources.

The installation requirements for those multifamily dwellings are different.

As of February 1, 2011, there are Wisconsin requirements for both smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms in almost all one-

and two-family dwellings, regardless of the building’s age.

Owners are responsible for alarm installations

Occupants have responsibility to maintain the alarms.

Owners must repair or replace alarms within five days of written notice from an occupant or an inspector.

Authorized inspectors may enter dwellings to inspect alarms when requested by owners or occupants.

Tampering with alarms is illegal, dangerous, and can cause serious liability concerns.

Freezing can damage carbon monoxide alarms.

Alarms must be installed in the basement, and on each floor level.

The alarms need not be installed in attics, garages, or storage areas.

Hard Wiring

If the dwelling was permitted or construction on or after Feb 1, 2011 the CO detector must be hard wired unless the home has no attached garage, no fireplace and no fuel-burning appliance.

Battery or plug in units can be used with home older than 2/1/2011.

On floors with more than one sleeping area, a CO detector shall be installed outside of the sleeping area, within 21 feet of the centerline of the door opening and in an exit path from any sleeping area.

RequirementsBattery Powered

Hardwired Interconnection Alarm on every floor

Alarm outside each sleeping area

Built before

2/1/2011 ■ ■

Built on or

after 2/1/2011 ■ ■ ■ ■

Installations must follow manufacturers’

instructions.

Alarms used in Wisconsin must be approved by Underwriters Laboratories.