Ledger at existing brick party wall (fire considerations) 1

[Ben29]

I am renovating an existing rowhouse. The architect wants to remove existing interior bearing walls and so we decided that the easiest thing to do is to install new TJI joists to span between the party walls.

I am showing this ledger detail (see below). It just occurred to me that this might be a bad detail for fire considerations. If the floor collapsed due to fire, would this connection cause the brick party wall to fail?

The reason I did not put the ledger below the joists is because the architect wants to have exposed brick. But if it needs to be done that way, then I will make them do it.

 

[dik]

Can you use hangers and just a nominal connection so the floor can 'just fall away'? You might not want to use double bolts so far apart if there is any chance of lumber shrinking.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[DaveAtkins]

I have always assumed adhesive melts in a fire and allows the ledger beam to pull away from the wall. However, in your case, I would be more comfortable if you used a single horizontal row of adhesive anchors. Then you wouldn't have to worry about two rows of adhesive anchors failing at different times.

DaveAtkins

 

[dik]

another good reason...

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik