ANSI approves 2015 Wood-Frame Construction Manual standard

The American Wood Council's 2015 “Wood-Frame Construction Manual for One- and Two-Family Dwellings” (WFCM ) has been approved as an American National Standard by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). WFCM is referenced in the International Code Council’s 2015 “International Building Code” and 2015 “International Residential Code” (IRC).

The manual equips designers with engineered construction methods that result in buildings better able to withstand damage and protect occupants should disaster strike,” said AWC President & CEO Robert Glowinski. “Since the WFCM was first published in 1995, AWC has been providing a solution for design of wood-frame structures to resist natural disasters. Each successive edition of the standard continues to provide solutions to more severe events as required by building codes.”

The WFCM includes design and construction provisions for connections and wood wall, floor, and roof systems. A range of structural elements are covered, including sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timber, wood structural sheathing, I-joists, and trusses.

Primary changes in the new WFCM include:

·         Tabulated spans for lumber framing members now reflect changes to design values referenced in the 2015 “National Design Specification for Wood Construction”.

·         New tables provide prescriptive wood-frame solutions for rafters and ceiling joists in response to new deflection limits for ceilings using gypsum wallboard or brittle finishes adopted in the 2015 IRC.

·         Designers may begin using the new standard immediately, but are encouraged to seek approval from the authority having jurisdiction.

The free view-only 2015 WFCM is now available in electronic format on the AWC website. Print versions of the standard are expected to be available for purchase in early 2015.

(http://www.awc.org/NewsReleases/2014/newsreleases2014.php)