Wood Framing Inspection

Per IRC R403.1.6, sill plates must be anchored to the foundation with minimum 1/2" diameter anchor bolts spaced no more than 6 feet on center, with a bolt within 12 inches of each end of each plate piece. Bolts must be embedded a minimum of 7 inches into the concrete or masonry. Per IRC R317.1, sill plates in contact with concrete must be preservative-treated or naturally durable lumber. Sill plate must be minimum 2x nominal lumber per IRC R602.3.

1. Verify anchor bolts are 1/2" diameter minimum and spaced at 6 feet on center maximum per IRC R403.1.6

2. Confirm a bolt is placed within 12 inches of each end of each sill plate section

3. Check that sill plates are pressure-treated or naturally durable lumber per IRC R317.1

4. Verify sill plate is level — shimming is acceptable but gaps must not exceed 1/4"

5. Confirm nuts and washers are installed and tightened on all anchor bolts

6. Check for sill seal gasket between sill plate and foundation to reduce air infiltration

- Anchor bolt spacing exceeds the 6-foot maximum

- Missing anchor bolt near end of plate section (must be within 12 inches)

- Untreated lumber used for sill plates in contact with concrete

- Sill plate not properly seated — gaps between plate and foundation

- Anchor bolts placed too close to edge of concrete, causing spalling

Per IRC R602.3, load-bearing wall studs must be spaced at a maximum of 16 inches on center for 2x4 walls and 24 inches on center for 2x6 walls. Studs must be continuous full height from sole plate to top plate. Per IRC R602.3.2, top plates must be doubled with joints offset by at least 48 inches, or a single top plate may be used with approved connectors at joints and intersections. Walls must be plumb within 1/4 inch per 8 feet per standard practice.

1. Measure stud spacing — verify 16 inches on center for load-bearing 2x4 walls or 24 inches on center for 2x6 walls per IRC R602.3

2. Check that double top plates have joints offset by at least 48 inches per IRC R602.3.2

3. Verify walls are plumb using a 4-foot level or plumb bob — maximum 1/4 inch deviation per 8 feet

4. Confirm sole plates are fastened to the floor system with proper nailing per IRC Table R602.3(1)

5. Check for cripple studs above and below openings and at corners per IRC R602.9

- Stud spacing exceeds maximum on center distance for load-bearing walls

- Top plate joints not offset properly or occurring over door/window openings

- Walls out of plumb from improper bracing during erection

- Missing corner framing assemblies needed for drywall attachment

- Bowed or crowned studs installed with crown not oriented uniformly upward

Per IRC R602.7 and IRC Table R602.7(1), headers over openings in load-bearing walls must be sized according to the span table based on building width, number of stories, and snow load. Headers in non-bearing walls are not required but a flat 2x is needed for cripple support. Header assemblies must bear on jack (trimmer) studs with full-height king studs alongside per IRC R602.7. Built-up beams must have plywood spacers or be adequately fastened per IRC R602.3.

1. Verify header sizes match the IRC Table R602.7(1) span requirements for the specific load condition

2. Confirm headers are supported on jack studs (trimmers) that extend from sole plate to bottom of header

3. Check that king studs are full height alongside each jack stud

4. Verify built-up headers are properly fastened with nails spaced per IRC Table R602.3(1) — typically 16d at 16 inches on center along each edge

5. Confirm point loads from beams above are transferred directly to posts or studs below

- Undersized headers for the span — not referencing correct IRC table for load condition

- Headers bearing on cripple studs instead of full-length jack studs

- Missing king studs alongside trimmers at header locations

- Built-up beams with insufficient nailing or missing plywood spacer

- Point loads not aligned vertically through framing to foundation

Per IRC R502, floor joists must be sized according to IRC Tables R502.3.1(1) and R502.3.1(2) based on species, grade, spacing, and span. Per IRC R502.6, joists must have a minimum of 1-1/2 inches of bearing on wood or metal and 3 inches of bearing on masonry or concrete. Per IRC R502.7, lateral restraint must be provided at bearing points. Rim joists or blocking must be installed at joist ends per IRC R502.7.1. Notching and boring must comply with IRC R502.8 — notches limited to 1/3 joist depth in outer 1/3 of span.

1. Verify joist sizes and spans match IRC Tables R502.3.1(1) and R502.3.1(2) for the species, grade, and spacing used

2. Check joist bearing — minimum 1-1/2 inches on wood, 3 inches on masonry per IRC R502.6

3. Confirm rim joists or blocking are installed at joist ends for lateral stability per IRC R502.7.1

4. Inspect any notches or holes — notches limited to 1/3 joist depth in outer 1/3 of span; holes must be 2 inches from edges per IRC R502.8

5. Verify doubled joists under parallel bearing partitions and proper support at concentrated loads

- Joist spans exceed allowable for species, grade, and spacing combination

- Insufficient bearing length at supports — especially on ledger or beam connections

- Excessive notching or boring of joists weakening the structural member

- Missing blocking or bridging at supports and mid-span per IRC R502.7

- Floor joists not crowned up, resulting in uneven floor surfaces

Per IRC R802, rafters must be sized per IRC Tables R802.4(1) through R802.4(8) based on species, grade, spacing, span, and snow load. Per IRC R802.3, a ridge board at least 1x nominal and equal in depth to the rafter cut end must be installed where rafters frame opposite each other, or a structural ridge beam must be used if ceiling joists do not provide rafter ties. Per IRC R802.5.1, collar ties (1x4 minimum) must be installed in the upper third of the rafter span at maximum 4 feet on center. Rafter ties (ceiling joists) must be installed per IRC R802.5.

1. Verify rafter sizes and spans match IRC Tables R802.4 for species, grade, spacing, and applicable snow load

2. Confirm ridge board is installed and is at least equal in depth to the cut end of the rafter per IRC R802.3

3. Check that ceiling joists or rafter ties are installed to resist outward thrust at plate line per IRC R802.5

4. Verify collar ties are in the upper third of rafter height, maximum 4 feet on center per IRC R802.5.1

5. Confirm proper birdsmouth cuts — seat cut not exceeding 1/3 rafter depth per IRC R802.6

- Missing rafter ties or ceiling joists allowing outward wall thrust and ridge sag

- Ridge board undersized or missing, causing rafters to slip past each other

- Birdsmouth cuts too deep, reducing effective rafter depth below the cut

- Collar ties installed too low or spaced too far apart to be effective

- Rafter spans exceeding allowable tables for the applied snow or dead load

Per IRC R602.10, braced wall panels must be provided along each braced wall line to resist lateral forces from wind and seismic loading. The IRC provides multiple bracing methods including let-in bracing, wood structural panels (WSP), and others per IRC R602.10.4. Per IRC R602.10.1, spacing between braced wall panels must not exceed 25 feet. Hold-down connectors must be installed at ends of braced wall panels in Seismic Design Categories D and E per IRC R602.10.9. Per IRC R602.10.6, braced wall panel minimum lengths vary by method and story height.

1. Verify braced wall lines are identified and braced wall panels are provided per IRC R602.10

2. Confirm braced wall panel spacing does not exceed 25 feet along any braced wall line per IRC R602.10.1

3. Check that wall sheathing panels meet minimum lengths per IRC R602.10.6 for the bracing method used

4. Verify hold-down connectors are installed at required locations per IRC R602.10.9 for the applicable seismic design category

5. Confirm structural panel sheathing nailing pattern — typically 6 inches on center at edges and 12 inches on center in the field per IRC Table R602.3(1)

- Braced wall panel lengths shorter than required for the method used

- Missing hold-down connectors at ends of braced wall panels in seismic zones

- Sheathing nailing too far from panel edges or spaced too widely

- Braced wall panels not starting within required distance from corners per IRC R602.10.1.4

- Continuous load path from roof to foundation not maintained through wall connections

Per IRC Table R602.3(1), all framing connections must follow the prescriptive fastener schedule specifying nail size, count, and spacing for each connection type. Hurricane ties or equivalent connectors must be installed to connect rafters or trusses to the top plate per IRC R802.11 in high-wind regions. Joist hangers must be sized and installed per manufacturer specifications and IRC R502.6.1. All connectors must be of approved type and installed with the manufacturer-specified fasteners per IRC R602.3(3). Hot-dip galvanized or stainless steel connectors are required where contact with treated lumber occurs per IRC R317.3.1.

1. Verify nail sizes and quantities match IRC Table R602.3(1) — for example, 3-16d common toenails for stud to plate, 16d at 16 inches on center for double top plate

2. Confirm hurricane ties or rafter-to-plate connectors are installed where required per IRC R802.11

3. Check that joist hangers are properly sized for the joist dimensions and installed with all nail holes filled with correct nail type

4. Verify connectors contacting pressure-treated lumber are hot-dip galvanized or stainless steel per IRC R317.3.1

5. Inspect for proper connector installation — no overdriven nails, no missing fasteners, connectors tight to wood

- Incorrect nail size or type used — for example, gun nails (clipped head) where full-round-head nails are required

- Joist hangers installed with roofing nails or drywall screws instead of specified joist hanger nails

- Missing hurricane ties or rafter-to-plate connectors in high-wind areas

- Connectors in contact with treated lumber not corrosion-resistant, leading to connector failure

- Overdriven nails in sheathing that do not properly engage the framing member