Ceiling joists are specified to provide the continuous tie across a conventional roof. Over a bearing partition they overlap only 1 inch, with no joist-to-joist fasteners and only a toenail into the bearing member. Under 2021 IRC R802.5.2.1, what is the finding?
- AAccept because bearing removes the need for a continuous tie connection
- The lap and joist-to-joist tie connection do not comply; provide the required lap and connection or a compliant alternative
- CAccept because toenailing either member to the wall completes their mutual connection
- DReject because ceiling joists can never be spliced over a bearing partition
Where to look it up
https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3836/Lennox/3042182/2021_International_Residential_Code.pdf
Why B is correct
R802.5.2.1 requires ceiling-joist ends lapped at least 3 inches or butted over bearing partitions or beams and toenailed to the bearing member. Where they provide the continuous tie, lapped joists are nailed together under Table R802.5.2(1); butted joists need an equivalent-capacity tie connection. Joists not providing that tie have a separate fastening route. The stated 1-inch overlap with no mutual connection fails the specified continuous-tie case. The table depends on roof conditions; this does not prescribe an arbitrary universal nail count or predict inevitable wall spreading. Source: https://core-docs.s3.amazonaws.com/documents/asset/uploaded_file/3836/Lennox/3042182/2021_International_Residential_Code.pdf