03/01
NWCB Technical Document
STEEL FRAMING Interior Non-Load Bearing Partition Bracing
200-501 Option
1. Attachment options to structure (wood, concrete or
A
steel)
STRUCTURE a. Attachment devices to structure 1⁄4-inch (6mm) diame-
ter x 3-inch (75mm) long closed-eye wood screws; mini-
1 mum penetration 1 inch (25mm) into the wood member.
Two 12 ga. splay wires
at max. 8' (2,500mm) o.c. Max. 10' b. No. 12 ga. splay wire looped around bottom chord of
(3000mm) open joint or truss.
Approx. 45˚
Suspended 2 c. Metal 2-inch x 2-inch (50mm x 50mm) angle, attached
ceiling
to concrete or steel with approved fasteners.
d. Tie wire spike minimum 3⁄16-inch (5mm) diameter x 2
inches (50 mm) long, drilled and hammered for con-
crete.
Partition
e. Tie wire wedge anchor 1⁄4 inch x 13⁄4 inches (6mm x
44mm), for concrete.
f. Beam/flange clamps for steel structure members.
Splay wire to be wrapped around itself three full turns; within a
B 3-inch (75mm) length.
STRUCTURE 1
2. Attachment options at partition
One rigid brace at max. 8 feet
(2,500mm) o.c. at alternate Max. 10' a. Attach partition track to suspended ceiling main runner
sides or splay wires as shown (3,000mm) with two No. 8 S-screws. (Detail A only.)
in detail A. Approx. 45˚
3 b. 1⁄4-inch (6mm) closed-eye bolt through partition track.
3 2
c. 2-inch x 2-inch (50mm x 50mm) metal angle with two
No. 8 S-screws in partition track.
Splay wire to be wrapped around itself three full turns; within a
Suspended
ceiling 3-inch (75mm) length.
3. Bracing
Partition a. Plenum height to 5 feet (1,500mm): Use 3⁄4-inch
(19mm) 16 ga. (.0566 in.) cold rolled channel or 7⁄8-inch
(22mm) 25 ga. (.0188-inch) furring channel or 15⁄8 in.
(41mm) 25 ga. (.0188-inch) steel stud.
b. Plenum height 5–10 feet (1,500–3,000mm): Use nested
or back to back 31⁄2-inch (90mm) 25 ga. steel studs.
c. Attach to partition with two No. 8 S-screws.
PAGE 1 OF 2
www.nwcb.org
HEADQUARTERS OREGON
2825 Eastlake Ave E Ste 350 | Seattle, WA 98102 tel 503-295-0333
tel 206-524-4243 | email [email protected] email [email protected]
© NORTHWEST WALL AND CEILING BUREAU
C Partition Attachment to Acoustical Ceilings (connections
for nonbearing partitions)
5
⁄16" drill-in expansion anchor There are two considerations when bracing partitions:
minimum or approved fastener
a. The interior non-load bearing partition shall be braced to
Structural 45˚
Concrete meet Chapter 16, Section 1611.5 of the Uniform Building
Metal Angle Code (1997).
2" wide x 2" long x 12 ga. min.
(50mm x 50mm x 12 ga.) b. Acoustical ceilings shall be laterally braced to meet UBC
3 tight turns Standard 25-2.
Splayed Seismic Bracing Wire The intent of the code is not to use lay-in acoustical ceiling grid
as an alternate method of bracing interior non-load bearing
walls, unless the ceiling system has been designed (engi-
neered) to support the partition.
It is accepted industry practice to attach the partition track
D to the acoustical grid system temporarily for alignment until
permanent bracing is installed. The attachment of stud track
to the acoustical grid does not violate the intent of the code,
Structural Structural provided that the permanent bracing options for the nonbearing
Concrete Steel
partitions are installed (reference ICBO ES report 4071 Seis-
mic Connection Details for Gypsum Nonbearing Partitions and
Suspended Ceilings).
Metal Angle
NOTE:
12 ga. Splayed Seismic Bracing Wire
• A non-load bearing partition (gypsum board or plaster) that
ends at or just above a suspended lay-in-tile ceiling system
requires lateral support by means directly to the structure
E Exceptions:
• if the partition goes all the way up and is attached direct-
ly to the structure.
Wood Joist
• if end of partition is within 8 feet (2,500mm) of an inter-
secting partition.
• A partition system may be attached directly to the
support and/or framing member of a suspended gyp-
3" x 1⁄4" diameter
sum board or plaster system, 12 inches (300 mm) o.c.
(75mmx x 6mm) without the lateral bracing.
closed eye screw with
1 in. min. penetration • Partitions to resist 5 lbs/p.s.f. transverse load.
into wood.
• Maximum partition weight 15 lbs/p.s.f.
• It is accepted practice to attach the partition track to the
acoustical grid system temporarily for alignment until per-
12 ga. Splayed Wire manent bracing is installed
This technical document is to serve as a guideline and it is not intended for any specific construction projects. NWCB makes no express or implied warranty or
guarantee of the techniques, construction methods or materials identified herein.
PAGE 2 OF 2
www.nwcb.org © NORTHWEST WALL AND CEILING BUREAU
