What is code for drilling holes in floor joists?

IBC 2308.8. Notches on the ends of joists shall not exceed one-fourth the joist depth. Holes bored in joists shall not be within 2 inches (51 mm) of the top or bottom of the joist, and the diameter of any such hole shall not exceed one-third the depth of the joist.

Can I drill a 3 hole in a 2×10 floor joist?

Simply following building code, you’ll only be allowed to bore a 3-5/64″ hole through a 2×10 joist. A 2×10 is actually only 9-1/4″ deep, and building codes set the maximum hole size to 1/3 the depth of the member (9-1/4″ / 3 = 3.08333″).

How many wires can go through floor joists?

How many wires are in a joist hole? The Answer. According to the National Electrical Code, you can have 4 12/2 nonmetallic sheathed cables through a single bored hole that is fire- or draft-stopped using thermal insulation, caulk, or sealing foam, or where proper spacing is not maintained for more that 24 in.

How big of a hole can you drill through a 2×10 floor joist?

35⁄64 in.
The maximum allowable diameter of a hole in any solid-lumber joist is one-third of the joist’s depth. Notches can’t be deeper than one-sixth of the joist depth. In the case of your 2×10 joists, the maximum diameter is 35⁄64 in.

Are there joists on the second story of a house?

Typically, the second story floor joists will not only run the same direction as the first floor joists, they will also be directly over them. Second floor construction techniques follow a standard process. As construction gets higher, builders must take additional safety precautions to prevent falls.

How are the joists on the second floor aligned?

Floor joists align with the wall studs, which align with the first story floor joists. A staircase is essential for commuting between floors but it creates an opening in the second floor so you can’t run the joists from one side of the house to the other without interruption.

Are there specific requirements for a 3rd floor living space?

With the information you provided considered, would there be any specific requirements for the 3rd floor living space that the 2nd floor would not be subject to (i.e. sprinklers, multiple stair egress, etc)? I’m talking about the IRC, I know that local code could potentially call for something over and above.

Is there an attic above the 3rd floor?

Hey Roger, The 3rd floor, which is about 70% of the overall building footprint, is the space in question here. There is actually a 5′ high area above the 3rd floor which is the attic in this building. I don’t intend to do anything with the attic other than insulate properly.

Is it better not to drill through floor joists?

Sometimes, rather than drilling a hole, another route may exist. It is always better to staple across a joist and go around it rather than to drill through it unless the way around is ridiculously longer. Still, in the long run, the time difference is typically negligible. But not having to drill a hole is better for your home.

How big of a hole can you drill in a joist?

Size: The diameter of the holes cannot exceed a third of the joist depth. This means that if you are drilling a hole in a joist that’s 10 inches high (254mm), the diameter of the hole cannot exceed 3.3 inches (83mm). Position: The holes must be at least 2 inches (50mm) away from the top or bottom edge of the joist.

What kind of joists are used for drain lines?

While searching around for a solution, I came upon a company called Metwood which produces a line of floor joist hole “Reinforcer™ Technologies”, which attach directly to the side of the floor joist and are pre-engineered to distribute the joist load around the larger (up to 4″) hole.

What kind of reinforcement do you use for joist holes?

You can check out Metwood on their website here – which include not only joist hole reinforcement, but notch reinforcement, I-Joist Web Reinforcement, and even I-Joist Flange Reinforcement. Good Luck on the project!