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7.1 General & Design

ENDUROWALL® wall frames have been designed to engineering standards and it is essential that to perform as designed, they are handled, erected and braced correctly. The following recommendations apply to wall frames on standard domestic and light commercial buildings.
Components are selected from the ENDUROFRAME^® Building System Design Manual and detailed using the ENDUROCADD® design software to suit the specific roof and floor loads appropriate to the site and architecture. Additional loading such as Air Conditioning, etc. require special consideration at the time of design and the placing of these additional loads should be referred back to the designer.
Wind load is an important factor in the design and performance of wall frames. Ensure that the correct design wind loads have been used and that the tie down of frames to the floor structure is carried out in accordance with this manual or as specified by the design engineer.

7.1.1 Prior to construction

Before commencing wall construction:
Check the support structure in particular the plan dimensions, the plumb and level of the support structure, the straightness of the supporting walls or beams and that the structure is adequately braced, stable and tied down. Rectify the support structure if found deficient prior to proceeding.
Wall frames must be inspected and any damaged parts must be reported immediately to ensure correct rectification. Approval for site rectification should be obtained from the manufacturer.

Figure 7.1 Wall frame layout drawing as generated by the ENDUROCADD® software 
NOTES:
Frame orientationThe layout drawing specifies the correct frame orientation. Ensure frames are orientated as shown on the wall layout. The branding on the plates and nogging are on the side indicated by the arrows.(Figure 7.1)
Wall Frame NumberingDuring the detailing / fabrication process the wall frames are numbered to accurately identify them. These numbers are shown on the wall frame layout and form part of the frame branding (refer Section 6). In addition location of numbers of incoming walls are marked on the frames. Frames may have identical shape but may differ in the configuration or internal connections. Ensure that the correct frame is used in its specified location on the wall.


7.1.2 Safety 

Ensure that all barriers or scaffolding used in order to comply with safe work practices are installed so as to not damage or overload wall components.

7.1.3 Load bearing wall

The builder should ensure that all loads from both internal and external walls are accommodated in the foundation sub-flooring.

7.1.4 Fasteners

Generally, in non-cylonic wall construction, #10-16x16mm wafer or hex head or #12-14x20mm hex head self-drilling Class 3 Tek® screws are used for all structural connections. Use the recommended number shown on the drawings.
In connections, maintain a minimum fastener spacing of 17mm and minimum distance of 17mm to the edge of sections.

7.2 Wall Frame Setout

Prior to lifting any frames into place, mark out the frame locations on the floor, using the supplied Wall Framing Layout as a reference. Check by measuring diagonals that the marked wall positions are square.

Figure 7.2 Mark set out of wall panels using chalk line

7.3 Damp Proof Course

An impermeable membrane should be installed under all perimeter bottom plates fixed to concrete slabs on the ground. The membrane should also extend up the weather side flange of the bottom plate, and may be pre-applied to the bottom plates at the time of rollforming. This is consistent with good building practise and is a condition of BlueScope Steel's warranty on house framing made from TRUECORE® steel. Refer to BlueScope Steel Technical Bulletin-34 from which Figures 1 & 2 below, are taken.


When a frame is fixed to a suspended floor, an impervious membrane is not required if adequate ventilation is supplied and a minimum distance of 400mm is allowed between the underside of the floor framing and existing ground level. (The protection of internal bottom plates is not considered necessary. For wet areas refer to Australian Standard AS 3470).
The type of membrane used should be "impermeable to moisture"
Suitable impervious membranes include:

  • Bitusik by Grace construction products
  • Polyethylene and other products specified in BCA Section: Volume 2, 3.3.4.4
  • Brushable Hydroseal from Tremco
  • Kordon Termite Barrier (see manufacturer's specification for detail)

The protection of weather side flange is necessary because this part of the frame is subject to moist air movement from the lower parts of the cavity as it tries to evaporate and move past the masonry damp proof course.
Whilst erecting wall frames ensure that each frame is erected in the correct position, correctly orientated: aligned with the wall slopes and plumb (using a spirit level).
Best practice is to use the membrane on all underside surfaces (interior and exterior bottom plates) regardless of conditions. 
This ensures moisture control no matter what material the underside of the bottom plates come in contact with.

 

 

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