Yes. OPEN JOIST has been approved for use by BOCA, ICBO and SBCCI code agencies. National Evaluation Service, Inc. has issued National Evaluation Report Number NER-502 for the product.

The National Fuel Gas Code (NFPA 54/ANSI Z223.1) and all of the major model building codes have approved copper for the use in fuel gas systems. In fact, in states like Minnesota, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, etc, copper is the dominant, if not the primary choice, for flexible fuel gas piping systems in homes and multi-family units. IAPMO approved copper for use with fuel gas in 1999 - you may want to read the announcement.

open-web floor truss assembled through a unique process of finger joinery and waterproof structural adhesive instead of metal plates.

Yes. The three recognized model code groups in the United States all have sections relating to the approval of sprayed polyurethane foams which Dwyer's use. The products are accepted nationwide. Southern Building Code Congress International (SBCCI), also known as the Basic Building Code, publishes the Standard Building Code Building Officials and Code Administrators International, Inc., (BOCA) publishes the National Building Code

OPEN JOIST is an engineered floor truss that takes advantage of the structural power of the triangle and the forces of compression and tension working together to create superior strength.

OPEN JOIST uses phenol resorcinol adhesive. This structural adhesive is the standard of the engineered wood products industry (also used by I-Joist and Glu-Lam manufacturers) and has been in use since the late 1940's. It is safe to say that the wood fiber in an OPEN JOIST floor truss would disintegrate from age before this glue would break down.

Building codes are adopted and enforced all over the world to ensure that structures in which we live, work, and play meet recognized minimum standards for protection against structural collapse, fire, explosion, health hazards and other potential dangers.

Yes! However, some regions have additional requirements for high wind load, heavy snow loads, high seismic activity, or any combination of these. ThermaSteel panels can be engineered to meet these additional requirements.

Clear spans depend on truss spacing and floor loading requirements, but the maximum clear spans achievable (distance between bearings) with OPEN JOIST are:

The Building Code - which sets forth regulations for construction - is one of four codes in the new NYC Construction Codes. Other codes that have been revised as part of the Model Code Program are the Fuel Gas, Mechanical, and Plumbing Codes.

I am interested in building a pueblo style home, but am looking into building it as a straw bale house. As I understand it, the basic change would be to change the exterior walls to 14" thick with the foundation plan to match, but the interior stays the same.

For the beams it is recommended to nail 2 – 2x6 boards together to make the beam and rest them on top of the post and attach with steel connectors. If the deck is going to be very low profile the beams can be mounted on the sides of the posts and attached with large bolts and/or brackets. For the joists 2x6 boards is all that is required. Spacing between the boards should follow building code and manufacturers guidelines (for composite decking).

In order to use beam on top of joist, the deck must be at least 25" tall. Anything shorter than this and the software will switch to flush joist construction.

No. The superior strength and highly competitive cost make it a natural choice for many commercial construction projects. The product's strength/cost ratio makes it an attractive floor-framing system for almost any building project. an open-web floor truss, OPEN JOIST normally issues floor-system designs using the standard floor truss deflection criteria of L/360, because open-web floor joists allow the use of "strongback" bracing (see installation details).

engineered floor system layout is supplied with every shipment, along with general framing details and information for framers. Generally, a builder only has to keep in mind a few things when framing with OPEN JOIST. Leave at least 1-3/4" of the end block when trimming the end, and do not cut or notch the web area of the OPEN JOIST floor truss. For the most part, framing with OPEN JOIST is no different than framing with dimension lumber.