According to Alabama building codes, what is the maximum allowable span for 2x8 floor joists spaced 16 inches on center using Southern Pine lumber?
Correct Answer
C) 13 feet 1 inch
Alabama building codes, following IRC standards, allow 2x8 Southern Pine joists at 16" o.c. to span up to 13 feet 1 inch for residential floors.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Under Alabama building codes (adopting IRC span tables), 2x8 Southern Pine floor joists spaced 16 inches on center are permitted to span up to 13 feet 1 inch for typical residential live/dead load conditions. This value comes directly from the IRC/NDS span tables for No. 2 Southern Pine.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 12 feet 4 inches
12 feet 4 inches is below the code-permitted span for this lumber size and spacing combination, making it unnecessarily conservative and incorrect.
Option B: 11 feet 10 inches
11 feet 10 inches is the approximate span limit for a smaller member (e.g., 2x6 at 16" o.c.) or a wider spacing, not for 2x8 joists at 16" o.c.
Option D: 13 feet 9 inches
13 feet 9 inches exceeds the maximum allowable span in the IRC span tables for this combination of lumber size, grade, and spacing, making it non-compliant.
Memory Technique
Think '13-1 for the 8' — a 2x8 at 16" o.c. spans just over 13 feet (13 feet 1 inch). The '1' in 13-1 reminds you it's the 2x8 (the first common deeper joist size).
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