I am installing Simpson ICFLVs 15"oc for my second floor.  These are now discontinued, but they seem to fit my needs better than the new design.  I placed them 15"oc so that I can use a steel floor system.

Question is, what is the spacing on the "end wall" that won't have joists hanging on a ledger.  The end joist is rated at a clear span of more than 16", so it seems odd to attach it to the wall every 15 inches, especially since the spacing works out such that the last joist is only 10" from the next.  Is there some table for determing the spacing of these brackets on the end wall?  I'm going to put a call in to Simpson and Dietrich, but thought I'd get some opinions here.

Mark

You of all people are asking this question? Who's the engineer? Your answer is based on loading, spans, deflections, etc. oh yea and your location to where you are building.

Thanks, Chris.  Duh, what's a span?  Does anybody know the answer, i.e., which table in the IRC gives the data or even if it's in chapter R400 or R600?

Mark Fleming

Is that house ICF?  I don't know!  You'll have to ask an engineer.

You really don't need a ledger board, or connectors, at the end wall. Just put the last joist up tight against the wall. That's what I did.

That's the answer I got from Simpson StrongTie technical support.  Although the catalog implies that the clips are used on the end wall, they are not actually required.  The last joist, tight against the wall, will exceed the span and load requirements just becaust it's only supporting half of the 16"oc (or whatever) tributory load.  He didn't know of any seismic requirements for end wall brackets.  He'd seen brackets all the way around (and since they sell the brackets that's okay by Simpson), but just a couple on an end wall would provide enough support for those who use the belt-and-suspenders method.

That's the answer I wanted because now I have a few extra and can use them to attach partion walls to the ICF.  In two places I have a door jam within inches of the ICF wall and wanted to really secure the wall in case of a slammed door.

Mark

Not only is building a house a heck of a way to spend retirement, it may force me to go back to work.