I feel that this is important enough that it deserves it's own topic.


This is a start, and there will be more to come. What is covered:

• Facing(skin) of Wood Structural Panels(OSB & Plywood)...
• Wall Heights up to 10'...
• Structures up to 2 stories tall...
• Building with walls up to 60' long and 40' wide...
• Maximum wind speed of 130 Mph and an Exposure of A, B or C.
• Maximum roof Snow & Live loads of 70 psf...
• Seismic Zones A, B and C...

The actual details are available from SIPA.

Fine Home Building also has this article: SIPs get mainstreamed.

What does this mean? That most SIP structures will not require engineering for the walls. SIP roofs are not yet covered, but will no doubt be added in the future.

The ICC is accepted in 49 states

I came across this before. But does this mean that the maximum dimensions for the house are 60x40? Perhaps based on roof loads?

No it means you would need an engineer to certify plans are in compliance with codes, we just did a 70ft x 201ft

It's a great start. The header tables seem to be a little light. The house widths do not accomodate anything better then a 1600 sq ft home (40 x 40). I don't see that it addresses using a standard header and it doesn't make a provision for houses that are not square ie there is a jog in the floor plan creating a home that is bigger then the maximum width but a roof that component that is less then the width.

Is california the fiftyth state.  We have the LARR in Los Angeles but everything still needs to be engineered and you can still only do type V.

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am told CA is one of the toughest jurisdictions and LA in particular is difficult. While I don't know about their acceptence of the code, I believe they require their own stamp and have wanted to visit manufacturers before approval. I believer they are serious about the whole sliding off into the ocean thing.

" . . . in the event of a water landing, your SIPs can be used as a floatation device. . . " ;)

Dick Mills

I think it is all about trying to be the dominant manufacturer.  It's very interesting to watch as SIPs is definitely at the tipping point.  A friend who did some extensive market research into SIPs says that it is at less then .05% of the market and almost the same cost as stick framing.  When it reaches just 1% it will take over because there will be so much more volume that the raw material prices will drop dramatically and roll over traditional building.  If for no other reason than the speed factor.   If the three big manufacturers: Insulspan, Premeir and R-Control got together they could make that happen now...But I think they would all rather have the nickel now instead of the quarter later.  As far as getting Panels approved in Los Angeles, for the
LARR (Los Angeles Research Report)  R-Control had to submit 3rd party testing etc.  Also they require a cert from the manufactering plant.  Which I believe is just a City of L.A. business lic.  R- Control and Premier are the only two approved so far.  I know R-Control submitted in 2003...I don't know about Premier.   I think it is also up for review this month and may be upped to the "no engineering for type V" this month.  Does any body know more?

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