Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track
Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track
(OP)
Should the general contractor be asking us whether they should be using deflection slip track for the steel studs that go up to bottom of roof deck?
The contractor IS quite competent and also over 50% of our income for the past 3 decades; therefore, we often do appease their desires, requests, questions and so on...
I DID provide the total potential live/snow load as 1.8" for the center of 54' span for the OWS Joists.
I avoided giving a definite answer, rather, along with providing the potential deflection, i recommended slip track throughout, at all walls, not just those nearest the center.
Is it our responsibility to specify such components, being aware of the potential need? I think "Yes".
Opinions? Suggestions?
Thank you!
The contractor IS quite competent and also over 50% of our income for the past 3 decades; therefore, we often do appease their desires, requests, questions and so on...
I DID provide the total potential live/snow load as 1.8" for the center of 54' span for the OWS Joists.
I avoided giving a definite answer, rather, along with providing the potential deflection, i recommended slip track throughout, at all walls, not just those nearest the center.
Is it our responsibility to specify such components, being aware of the potential need? I think "Yes".
Opinions? Suggestions?
Thank you!






RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track
RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track
RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track
RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track
RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track
Whoever the CFS designer is, he should specify the size, thickness and depth of deflection tracks or adequate slotted clip angles. Do you have a CFS spec which calls for the GC to hire a qualified designer?
RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track
I am not sure exactly what you are asking. Are you asking if the construction documents should specify a particular deflection track or head of wall assembly? Or, are you asking if the contract documents should specify the amount of deflection the head of wall assembly needs to accommodate?
At a minimum, the amount of deflection expected should be specified. Beyond that, it depends on contract and specification. On some jobs (OSHPD), we provide a complete set of details for the partitions including the head of wall on the structural drawings. Often times, some typical details are on the architectural drawings with the head of wall deflection specified. Sometimes (more for exterior cladding) an L/xxx not to exceed x" deflection requirements is included in the specification rather than being detailed on the drawings (more common with our exterior cladding and exterior framing specs than in the non-bearing framing spec). If you want to push it off to the contractor, I guess you could clearly note on the construction documents that the bar joist deflection (deferred submittal) needs to be coordinated with the head of wall assembly; but whose going to check to make sure the contractor does it.
1.8" is bigger than most architects and contractors like. A slotted track might be hard to find, so another type of head of wall detail may be needed. Finding an assembly for a rated wall can be even more challenging. Often times, we stiffen the framing to limit the live and snow load deflection to 3/4". But, I've still had architects complain about +/- 3/4"(1 1/2" total).
PS cambering doesn't help with live load or snow load deflection at the head of wall.
RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track
RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track
Short answer is probably. Long answer is they need to ask whoever designed the CFS. If that's a specialty designer like Clark Dietrich then ask them, though they're usually good about showing everything they need to begin with. If it's the architect, then ask them (and they'll probably turn right back around and ask you). If it's you, then you need to tell them what you want.