A contractor is building in an area where the design wind speed is 110 mph. According to CBC, what is the minimum required connection for roof sheathing to rafters?
Correct Answer
B) 8d common nails at 6 inches on center at edges
For 110 mph wind speeds, CBC requires 8d common nails spaced at 6 inches on center along panel edges and 12 inches on center in the field for roof sheathing attachment.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
At a design wind speed of 110 mph, CBC specifies 8d common nails at 6 inches on center at panel edges (and 12 inches on center in the field). This is the standard prescriptive requirement for this wind speed range — sufficient uplift resistance without requiring ring shank nails or larger fasteners.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 8d common nails at 4 inches on center at edges
8d common nails at 4 inches on center is more restrictive (tighter spacing) than the minimum required at 110 mph. While not structurally wrong, it exceeds the minimum requirement and is not what the question asks for.
Option C: Ring shank nails at 4 inches on center at edges
Ring shank nails at 4 inches on center are required in higher wind speed zones (typically 120+ mph or specific high-wind exposure categories). At 110 mph, ring shank nails are not the minimum requirement per CBC prescriptive tables.
Option D: 10d common nails at 6 inches on center at edges
10d common nails at 6 inches on center would provide more capacity than needed and are not the minimum requirement at 110 mph. Larger nail sizes are typically triggered by higher wind speeds or special exposure categories.
Memory Technique
For 110 mph wind: '8d at 6' — both numbers are common single digits. Think '110 mph = 8d/6in' as the baseline. As wind speed climbs past 120 mph, requirements escalate to ring shank or tighter spacing.
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