8 - WALL, ROOF & FLOOR FRAMING

SPECIFICATION

Scope
This specification applies to all:
Wall and roof framing members
Posts, bearers, joists, rafters, purlins, trusses, lintels, battens, miscellaneous framing, and the like.

Important Note to Users of this Specification and Associated Drawings

Use of the Specification and Drawings

This sample specification and the associated drawings are prepared in electronic format, with the express intention that
designers will edit them to suit the particular requirements of specific construction projects. However the design,
construction and costing of structures must be carried out by qualified and experienced architects, engineers and builders.
The authors, publishers and distributors of this specification and the associated drawings do not accept any responsibility
for incorrect, inappropriate or incomplete use of this information. In particular, the contents of this specification and the
associated drawings are based on Indian Standards and the National Building Code of India in force at the time of
preparation. Architects, engineers and builders should make themselves aware of any changes to these standards and
regulations, and should amend the specification and associated drawings accordingly. The authors, publishers and
distributors of this specification and the associated drawings do not accept any responsibility for incorrect information
provided by product suppliers. Architects, engineers and builders should satisfy themselves that information on specific
products is correct, by contacting the particular suppliers.

Basis of the Specification and Drawings

All building construction must comply with the relevant State Building Regulations, which are set out in the National
Building Code of India (NBCI). These provide for compliance through:
Alternative Solutions, or
Deemed-to-Satisfy Provisions, which may include:
o Acceptable Construction Manuals, and/or
o Acceptable Construction Practice
In the preparation of these specifications and drawings, the following convention has been adopted.
Overall compliance with the NBCI is required.
Specifications and drawings rely principally on Indian Standards to provide compliance.
Where there is no particular Indian Standards provision and the NBCI does provide an Acceptable
Construction Practice solution, this may be included.
Where neither the relevant Indian Standards nor NBCI Acceptable Construction Practice provides solutions,
reliance has been made on a combination of current practice, engineering principles and suppliers information.

Indian Standards
All components and installation shall comply with the National Building Code of India (NBCI) and the relevant Indian
Standards.

General Sustainability Requirements

When a product or system is claimed to be Sustainable, the Supplier shall make available a Sustainability Statement that
clearly indicates how its use will lead to one or more of the following:
Reduction green-house gas generation, which causes global warming; or
Reduction in the use of non-renewable resources upon which our society depends; or
Reduction in land, water or air pollution or degradation, which alienate the use of these resources.
SPECIFICATION TIMBER FRAMING

Indian Standards
Timber framing for domestic housing shall comply with the NBCI section 6.3. Where the structure is beyond the scope of
the NBCI section 6.3 , the design and construction shall comply with the NBCI section 6.3.

Commencement
Work shall commence as soon as practical after, but not before,
(a) the Builder has issued:
a written order
the relevant contract drawings, specifications and schedule of work
written approval of any details provided by the Contractor
(b) concrete slabs and footings that support the frame are in place.

Materials

Timber and Timber Products

Stress Grade
Timber shall comply with the NBCI section 6.3 and the following specifications.

Timber shall comply with the stress grade specified on the drawings for the particular application. Unless stated otherwise,
timber shall comply with the following:
Softwoods for general purposes framing (without enhanced performance) shall be seasoned, and shall be not less
than MGP10 stress grade.
Douglas Fir (Oregon) shall be not less than F7 stress grade.
Hardwoods for general purposes framing (without enhanced performance) shall be seasoned, and shall be not less
than F11 stress grade.

Durability
Timber shall comply with the durability requirements specified on the drawings for the particular application and the
NBCI section 6.3. Unless stated otherwise, timber shall comply with the following:
More detailsclick here

Durability Requirements

In-ground contact Durability Class 1 or 2 timbers, with sapwood removed or preservative

External, above-ground, exposed
External, above-ground, protected
Internal, fully protected and ventilated
treated to H5
Softwood preservative treated to H5
Durability Class 1 or 2 timbers, with sapwood removed or preservative
treated to H3
Softwood preservative treated to H3
Durability Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 timbers
Durability Class 1, 2, 3 or 4 timbers (any timber)

Preservative Treatment
Where required to achieve particular resistance to termite and/or borer attack, the species listed herein shall be treated to
achieve the Hazard levels listed in the NBCI section 6.3. Where appropriate, particular state regulations shall apply. Note:
There are particular limitations regarding the use of CCA (Copper chrome arsenic).

Common Species
Unless specified otherwise on the drawings, timber species shall comply with the following schedule:

Application Acceptable Common Timber Species

Decking Blackbutt, Blackwood, Brush Box, Sydney Blue Gum, Spotted Gum,
Grey Ironbark, Jarrah, Karri, Caribbean Pine (preserved), White
Cypress Pine, Hoop Pine (preserved), Radiata Pine (preserved), Slash
 Pine (preserved), Tallowwood, Qld/Nth NSW Mixed Hardwoods
Cladding Western Red Cedar, Spotted Gum, Blackbutt, Blackwood, Brush Box,
Jarrah, Caribbean Pine (preserved), White Cypress Pine, Hoop Pine
(preserved), Radiata Pine (preserved), Slash Pine (preserved),
Tallowood, Qld/Nth NSW Mixed Hardwoods
Internal flooring Alpine Ash, Mountain Ash, Blackbutt, Blackwood, Brush Box, Sydney
Blue Gum, Mountain Grey Gum, Shining Gum, Spotted Gum, Jarrah,
Karri, Messmate, Caribbean Pine, White Cypress Pine, Hoop Pine,
Radiata Pine, Slash Pine, Tallowood, Taun, Victorian Ash, Indian Oak,
Tasmanian Oak, Qld/Nth NSW Mixed Hardwoods
Panelling Alpine Ash, Mountain Ash, Blackbutt, Blackwood, Brush Box, Western
Red Cedar, Douglas Fir (Oregon), Sydney Blue Gum, Grey Gum
mountain, Jarrah, Karri, Mahogony/Phillipine-red light, Light-red
Meranti, Caribbean Pine, White Cypress Pine, Hoop Pine, Radiata Pine,
Slash Pine, Victorian Ash, Indian Oak, Tasmanian Oak,
External joinery Western Red Cedar, Jarrah, Karri, Mahogony/Phillipine-red dark,
Messmate,
Hoop Pine (preserved), Radiata Pine (preserved), Slash Pine
(preserved),
Internal joinery Alpine Ash, Mountain Ash, Blackwood, Western Red Cedar, Douglas
Firs(Oregon), Mountain Grey Gum, Jarrah, Karri,
Mahogony/Phillipine-red dark, Mahogony/Phillipine-red light, Light-
red Meranti, Messmate, Hoop Pine, Radiata Pine, Slash Pine, Victorian
Ash, Indian Oak, Tasmanian Oak.
Notes:
1. This table is based on the NBCI section 6.3 for species listed as readily available.
2. Species used for framing (including in-ground, above-ground, exposed and protected applications), are listed in
Specification 8 Wall, Roof & Floor Framing.
3. Where required to achieve particular resistance to termite and/or borer attack, the species listed herein shall be treated to
achieve the Hazard levels listed in the NBCI section 6.3. Where appropriate, particular state regulations shall apply.
More detailsclick here

Hardwoods with Enhanced Performance

When enhanced performance is required, hardwoods shall comply with the following schedule.

Required Performance Specification

Enhanced straightness and finish
Enhanced durability and
resistance to shrinkage
Enhanced strength
Enhanced fire resistance
Enhanced resistance to decay (rot),
lyctus borer attack and termite
attack
Notes:!!
1. AS 3959 - Category of Bushfire Attack
Level 1 - Low
Level 2 - Medium
Level 3 - High
Timber shall be kiln dried hardwood within the following dimensional tolerances.
Maximum deviation from straightness of any surface not more than 1 mm in a
length of 1,000 mm. Edges shall be pencil round.
Timber shall be kiln dried hardwood with Class 1 durability in accordance with the
NBCI section 6.3 . Ends shall be trimmed and sealed.
Timber shall be kiln dried hardwood complying with Stress Grade F14 (unless
specified otherwise). Note: Stress Grade F17 shall be provided when specified by
the engineer for highly stressed applications.
For construction in areas that are prone to bushfire, all materials and construction
shall comply with the NBCI section 4 and the specific requirements of the Timber
for the NBCI section 4 Construction Levels 2 or 3 shall be high density hardwood
of the following species:!! Spotted gum, Blackbutt or Merbau See Notes 1 and 2. Timber
sections shall be not less than 18 mm thick.
Timber shall be kiln dried hardwood treated to resist Hazard Level H5 in
accordance with the NBCI section 6.3 .
2. National Timber development Council Bulletin No 1 2000 (Amended May 2004) lists the following high-density
hardwoods as having suitable fire resistance: Blackbutt, Mebau (Kwila), Iron Bark, Silver Top Ash, Spotted Gum, River
Red Gum and Turpentine.

3. When appropriately treated, the following species provide improved termite resistance: Red Bloodwood, Grey Box,
Forest Gum, Ironbark (All species), White Mahogany, Red Mahogany, Gympie Messmate, Tallowwood, Blackbutt,
Spotted Gum, White Stringybark.

4. To minimise surface checking in the case of delayed use, apply an oil-based primer and store the timber flat in an
elevated, ventilated position, protected from rain and sun.

5. Prime all timber and joints before and during construction.

6. For high quality finishes, apply at least two coats of acrylic or oil-based enamel paint.
More detailsclick here

Preservative Treatment
Where required to achieve particular resistance to termite and/or borer attack, the species listed herein shall be treated to
achieve the Hazard levels listed in the NBCI section 6.3 . Where appropriate, particular state regulations shall apply. Note:
There are particular limitations regarding the use of CCA (Copper chrome arsenic)
More detailsclick here
SPECIFICATION COLD-FORMED STEEL FRAMING

Indian Standards
Domestic metal framing shall comply with the NBCI section 6.6 and the standards referred to therein. Where the structure
is beyond the scope of the NBCI section 6.6, cold-formed steel structures shall comply with IS 513:1994.

Materials

Cold-Formed Wall and Floor Framing

Cold-formed sections and accessories for wall and floor framing shall be manufactured from Z350 galvanised steel (Grade G550)
complying with IS 513:1994, IS 1079:1994, or IS 6911:1992, with a zinc coating not less than 350 g/m 2 and shall comply with
AS4600. Brackets and components shall consist of prefabricated components compatible with the purlin system.
More detailsclick here
Inspections and Tests
All new work shall remain open until it has been inspected and approved by the Builder and Approval Authority. The
following inspections shall be performed.

Item or Product Inspection Required Accept Criteria Hold

Witness
Drawings & Specifications Inspect controlled documents Controlled copy of latest Hold
issue on site
Slab and footing dimensions
Position Spot check +,- 5 mm Hold

Square Spot check +,- 5 mm Hold

Bearers and joists

Stress grade Visual As specified

Dimensions Spot check +50,-3 mm Witness

Bolts and support Visual As specified Witness

Flooring Witness
Thickness Spot check As specified

Walls
Stress Grade Visual Visual Witness

Dimensions Spot check Spot check Witness

Tie down Visual Visual Witness

Roof Witness
Stress Grade Visual Visual Witness

Dimensions Spot check Spot check Witness

Tie down Visual Visual

Notes
All tolerances shall be as shown, except where overridden by the NBCI section 6.3.
SPECIFICATION - PASSIVE SUB-FLOOR VENTILATION

Installation of Passive Sub-floor Ventilation

Sub-floor areas shall be ventilated to reduce the incidence of termite attack. Guidance on humidity is provided in NBCI
2005.

Note: For Active Sub-floor Ventilation refer to Section 23, Mechanical Ventilation and Services.
SPECIFICATION - TERMITE INTERCEPTION, BAITING, MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT

Installation of Interception, Baiting, Monitoring and Management Systems

Where termite interception, baiting, monitoring and management are used it shall comply with the manufacturers
recommendations and be generally in accordance with the following specification.

In-ground stations shall be designed to intercept foraging termites with timber interceptors to concentrate their feeding in
the stations. In-ground stations shall contain timber interceptors embedded in the soil around the perimeter of the structure
at 3 5 meter centres, and be focused in areas where termites are most likely to be found foraging. Stations shall be
inspected on a regular basis of approximately 8 12 week intervals until termites are intercepted, or more frequently during
summer months. When termites are intercepted baits shall be added to each station and inspected every 3 8 weeks, with
more frequent inspections during the initial stages of termite feeding. When the termite colony has been eliminated, the
baits shall be removed and fresh timber interceptors shall be placed in the stations, which shall be monitored regularly.
Refer to the manufacturers instructions in situations where live termites are found feeding within an existing structure.
Baits shall only be used in accordance with the Materials Safety Data Sheet provided by the manufacturer and
shall not pose any risk to the health of persons or animals.
Interception shall be monitored and managed using a barcode, scanner and computer system.
Users and operators of the termite interception and baiting system shall receive training by the manufacturer.
SPECIFICATION ENHANCED FIRE PROTECTION

When wall, roof or floor framing is required to achieve specified FRLs (Fire Resistance Levels) for fire separation or
structural performance under fire load, it shall be designed, tested, constructed and protected in accordance with the
appropriate parts of the NBCI.

Unless noted otherwise on the drawings, the required the required FRLs for various parts of the structure shall be in
accordance with the NBCI as shown in the following schedule.

Required FRLs (Fire Resistance Levels)

Member Description FRL FRL FRL
Structural Integrity Insulation
Adequacy
minutes minutes minutes

Fire protection that is required to comply with NBCI shall be designed and/or tested in accordance with the NBCI.

(a) Systems with FRLs deemed to be achieved by certain building elements, in accordance with NBCI,
including:
Solid calcium-silicate masonry
Solid clay masonry
Solid concrete masonry
Solid gypsum blocks
Hollow terracotta blocks with 13 mm plaster
(b) Systems identical to a prototype that has been submitted to the Standard Fire Test in the NBCI section 4,
or an equivalent or more severe test by a Registered testing Authority.
(c) Systems that differ only a minor degree from a prototype tested under (b) and the FRL is confirmed in a
report by a Registered Testing Authority.
(d) Systems designed in accordance with the NBCI section 4.
(e) Systems where the FRL is determined by calculation based on the performance in the Standards Fire Test
in the NBCI section 4 and confirmed in a report in accordance with the NBCI.

When materials used in the construction are required to achieve specified fire hazard properties, they shall comply with the
NBCI.

Unless noted otherwise on the drawings, the required the Spread of Flame Index and Smoke Developed Index (measured in
accordance with the NBCI section 4 and the ability to prevent ignition and screen core material from free air (measured in
accordance with the NBCI section 4 for various materials, components, assemblies and parts of the structure shall be in
accordance with the NBCI as shown in the following schedule.

Required Fire Hazard Properties

Member Description Spread of Smoke Ability to prevent ignition and screen core
Flame Developed material from free air
Index Index
Fire Resistant Coatings
In some circumstances, the fire resistance of components may enhanced by various systems, including the following.
Intumescent paint
Intumescent spray with fire protection blanket wrap.
Cementitious spray

All products used to enhance fire resistance shall meet the requirements of NBCI, and shall have following properties.
Flame spread index Nil
Smoke Developed Index Nil
Toxicity Nil
POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AND SOLUTIONS

Levels
It is critical that all floor framing is level. Before commencing the set out, check that slab or timber floor framing is level. It
may be necessary to pack the frames in the low areas or to rectify the high areas.

Dimensions and Squareness

Check the position and square of the concrete slab or footings before commencing construction. Measure diagonals to
check square.

Setting Out
When setting out the wall framing, a small error in position can lead to misalignment of the other components, such as the
roof. Base the set out on the longest side of a building, since this will reduce the likelihood of errors in squareness.

Prefabricated Trusses
If there are setting out errors in the walls, there is a possibility that roof trusses may fail to engage the required supports. In
complicated buildings, check the position of walls, before constructing the roof. It is critical that all wall framing be fixed
and braced plumb.

Bracing and Tie-Down

All buildings must be adequately supported against lateral wind loads, as specified in the relevant Indian Standard (or AS
1170.2) and the relevant Indian Standard (or AS 4055). In some cases, lateral earthquake loads may be a design criterion.
The bracing requirements should be determined for the appropriate Region, Terrain Category, Topography and Shielding
and recorded on the drawings by the design engineer.

Tie Down
All buildings must be adequately tied down to resist overturning due to wind loads, as specified in the relevant Indian
Standard (or AS 1170.2 and AS 4055). The tie-down requirements should be determined for the appropriate Region, Terrain
Category, Topography and Shielding and recorded on the drawings by the design engineer. Ensure that all tie-down systems
are continuous to the footings or to the specified location on the structure. The NBCI section 6.3 (or AS 1684 and AS 3623)
give requirements.

Corrosion of Galvanised Steel Posts

Where soil with a high salt content is allowed to cover the lower part of galvanised steel posts, it may cause them to
corrode. To prevent this, encase the lower part of the post in 300 mm diameter concrete pedestal, 100 mm high with a
sloping top. Occasionally inspect the footings to ensure that soil is not in contact with the steel.

Shrinkage
The following information in drawn from a number of references, including the following:
Anon (1989), Introducing Timber An Introduction to Wood and Timber, Timber
Development Association (NSW) Ltd, Timber Information Leaflet No 1
Anon (1997), Decorative Floors Guide to Decorative Floors of Timber, Timber
Development Association (NSW) Ltd, Timber Information Leaflet No 4
Anon (1997), Hardwoods Native hardwoods of the East Coast, Timber Development
Association (NSW) Ltd, Timber Information Leaflet No 18
Anon (1974), Technical Timber Guide - Shrinkage, TRADAC
As timber dries, it shrinks, and in some circumstances cracks can open. The moisture content
varies with type and the degree of seasoning. Seasoned timber has moisture content in the range
approximately 10% to 15%, and a variation of up to 2% within any lot of timber.
Dense close-grained hardwoods dry more slowly than softwoods. The following table is available in
TRADAC guide No 9. It sets out the mean percentage shrinkage in a lineal dimension from green to
12% moisture content. This table enables the specifier to determine which timbers are most likely
to present the greatest potential shrinkage problems.
Notes:
1. Tan means in the tangential direction. Rad mean in the radial direction.
2. Tasmanian Oak is a mixture of Alpine Ash and Mountain Ash. !!