Walls & Ceilings Architect/October 2007

MenOfSteel ing is the Steel Framing Alliance. www.steelframingalliance.com For those who are not familiar with steel framing there are some basics you need to know to get started. The DEFLECTION CRITERIA A signiﬁcant difference in the switch from wood to steel studs is the deﬂection criteria. Because steel has so much design ﬂexibility with width and thickness of the studs, contractors need to be aware of the minimum deflection criteria for walls. Unlike wood studs, all metal studs are not created equal. Contractors should also be aware of the recommended deﬂection criteria for walls with specific finishes. For interior walls the code refers to the deﬂ ection of walls with ﬂexible or brittle ﬁ nishes. Flexible ﬁ nishes would be considered products like gypsum wallboard. Brittle ﬁ nishes would be considered plaster. The wall and ceiling industry “recommends” L/240 for walls with ﬂexible ﬁ nishes and L/360 for walls with a brittle ﬁ nish. These recommendations are more rigid than code minimums and are meant to minimize problems like cracking, joint ridging and other related problems with wall deformation. Do not be afraid to recommend a higher standard than the code minimums. Explain the beneﬁts of higher standards and the caveats with using only the minimums. I think you will ﬁ nd more building owners and designers willing to spend a few dollars more for a superior system with less problems. Get a copy of each standard and look them over. This is a good idea for the veterans too. There are a lot of gray areas with installing steel framing that the codes and standards are silent on. Walls and Ceilings will cover areas considered an industry standard in future issues. Steel is definitely the future. If you are not using it, you will. If you think you can avoid it, you can’t. It’s kind of like computers: They are here and unless you are about to retire soon, you better start educating yourself. A good place to start is with your local steel sales representatives; they can help get you started on the right track. W&C pare the new mil thickness to the old reference gauge number. 18 mils 27 mils 30 mils 33 mils 43 mils 54 mils 68 mils 97 mils 25 Gauge 22 Gauge 20-Drywall 20-Structural 18 16 14 12 the materials you are buying meet the appropriate ASTM standards that are referenced in the speciﬁcations. The two ASTM’s you do need to be aware of are ASTM C-754, “The Standard Speciﬁcation for Installation of Steel Framing Members to Receive Screw-Attached Gypsum Panel” and ASTM C1007, “The Standard Speciﬁcation for Installation of Load-bearing (Transverse and Axial)Steel Studs and Related Accessories.” ASTM The American Society of Testing Materials (ASTM) is the grandfather of standards. If you are a contractor and just getting into steel framing or even a seasoned pro, there are some basic tips or guidelines/standards you should know about when dealing with ASTM. As a contractor (installer), do not concern yourself with the manufacturing standards like ASTM C 645, “The Speciﬁcation for NonLoad-bearing Steel Studs and Related Accessories,” unless you plan to make your own studs; that’s for the manufacturers and dealers. Ask the supplier to provide documentation that AISI The American Iron and Steel Institute is a good resource for steel framing standards. A must for any contractor engaging in load-bearing steel framing is the AISI “Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing-General Provision.” This standard contains deﬁ nitions, corrosion protection requirements, product description, installation guidelines, alignment requirements, sheathing spans, connections and other useful information. Another good source for this document and other generic information and details on steel fram- 22 | Walls & Ceilings Architect | October 2007 http://www.steelframingalliance.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Walls & Ceilings Architect/October 2007

Contents Trade News Silver Certiﬁed Airtight The Men of Steel Thinking Thermal Firestop 101 ICFs Create a Tight Envelope The Finish Line The Green Thumb Cracking the Code

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