Residential CMU foundation walls - cap requirements

[GTEngineer95]

I recently inspected a new house where the 8-inch hollow CMU walls were not capped or filled. Georgia uses the 2006 IRC. I cannot find a reference in the code that requires CMU foundation walls be capped. Am I missing it or is this not a requirement?

 

[msquared48]

Any CMU retaining earth needs to be filled. As for reinforcing, well that depends on local requirements.

As for the cap, how would you set you anchor bolts without the cap and possibly a few cells filled?

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[GTEngineer95]

Mike, thanks for the response. Actually the '06 IRC table 404.1.1(1) does not require CMU walls be filled until certain height limits are exceeded. And our statewide code does not allow local jurisdictions to approve less than the state requirements.

In this case, the walls are not more than 6-foot tall and do not have significant unbalanced fill. The sill is anchord with mudsill anchors, which Georgia allows, at specific cells that have been filled with grout. I do not know if only the top cell is grouted or if the grout extends to the footing.

We are in the "Very Heavy" termite infestation probability area, so one concern is damage by hidden trails inside the hollow cells that may go unnoticed. I was hoping for a code or reference standard reference that I have overlooked because I sure hope this construction method is not acceptable and a local trend.