The document discusses the need for updated residential wall bracing codes to account for new engineered wood products and decreased sheathing surface areas, outlines the process by which the Wisconsin Builder's Association worked with the Department of Safety and Professional Services over several years to develop a new easier to follow wall bracing code, and provides details on the requirements and specifications of the proposed new wall bracing code.

1. Jesse A. Jerabek
Residential Designer at Braun Building Center/
Member of UDC Council

2. Why is wall bracing needed today, what changed?

3. Through availability of engineered wood products came
options that were never available, yet sheathing surface
area percentage has decreased rapidly.

4. Educational Outcomes
•To show most builders/inspectors for the first time the
updated wind bracing code proposed to take effect April 1st.
•WBA and DSPS worked together to write a stronger yet
easier code to follow for both builders and inspectors
•Prove through comparisons and details how the new code
is easier to follow and implement in the field
•Point out the design flexibility the new code allows, while
still ensuring needed engineered strength
•Show actual examples of how to properly brace problem
area’s with the new code. In the past there were issues
misunderstood or ignored because of confusion

5. Items To Be Covered
•Flexibility with added 12’ wall height options to enable
more common situations Table 321.25A
•Easy to read and use Bracing and Fastener Table 321.25-G
•Comparison of new 321.25-H and old table 321.25-J, easy
to read heights –vs- old percentages for easy use in the
field by both builders and inspectors
•Discuss options in tables 321.25-I and table 321.25-J, good
options depending on circumstances
•Show how to define the building sides via new
Circumscribed Rectangle –vs- current braced wall lines
• Discuss what is actually required to be shown on plans

10.  April 2009 Wind Bracing on WBA radar after adoption of current code
 Governor Walker expressed concern in conversations with WBA, attributed to the current
Wall Bracing Code
 2011 Department of Commerce became DSPS, Wind Bracing discussions began with WBA
 Took a back seat to protests at capitol in early 2012
 2012 DSPS and Small Business Regulatory Review Board listed current Wall Bracing code as a
top priority
 Spring 2012 WBA started talks on reform
 Debate on 2 options began, going back to old code or writing new code. Was old code
enough?
 July 2012 Jay Crandell (Engineer) assisted the WBA to write new code language
 June 2013 I became involved giving thoughts and ideas on the new preliminary code language
 August 2013 WBA, Jay Crandell (Engineer), and I attended UDC Council meeting to propose
new Wall Bracing Code with WBA
 UDC Council made recommendations. WBA and Jay modified the code proposal
 September 2013 UDC Council recommended the proposal to become Emergency Rule
proposed to take effect April 1st. 2014
 The current proposal is Draft Version #9

12. 5) REQUIRED PLANS. The required building plans shall be legible
and drawn to scale or dimensioned and shall include all of the
following:
(a) Site plan. The site plan shall show all of the following:
1. The location of the dwelling and any other buildings, wells,
surface waters and dispersal systems on the site with respect to
property lines and surface waters adjacent to the site.
2. The areas of land−disturbing construction activity and the
location of all erosion and sediment control measures to be
employed in order to comply with s. SPS 321.125.
3. The pre−construction ground surface slope and direction
of runoff flow within the proposed areas of land disturbance.
(b) Floor plan. 1. Floor plans shall be provided for each floor.
2. The following features shall be included on all floor plans:
a. The size and location of all rooms, doors, windows, structural
features, exit passageways and stairs.
b. The use of each room.
c. The location of plumbing fixtures, chimneys, heating and
cooling appliances, and a heating distribution layout.
d. The location and construction details of the braced wall lines.
(c) Elevations. The elevations shall show all of the following:
1. The exterior appearance of the building, including the type
of exterior materials.
2. The location, size and configuration of doors, windows,
roof, chimneys, exterior grade, footings and foundation walls.
(d) Storm water management plan. 1. A storm water management
plan shall be prepared for a site where one acre or more of
land will be disturbed.
2. The storm water management plan shall delineate and
describe the post−construction storm water management practices
to be employed to comply with s. SPS 321.126.

20. FIGURE 321.25–C
LOCATION OF BRACED WALL PANELS ALONG A BUILDING SIDEa
a
Continuous sheathing shall be applied to all surfaces of the wall, including areas between brace panels and above and below wall
openings.

23. The actual measured wall height shall
include stud height and thickness of top
and bottom plates. The actual wall height
shall be permitted to exceed the listed
nominal values by not more than 4 inches.

32. The max dimension of the hole should not be
greater than 10% of the least dimension of the
panel. Thus, for a 48” panel, the max size hole
would be 4.8” x 4.8”. Thus, for a 16” portal frame
panel that has high load but narrow width, the
max hole size would be 1.6”x1.6” (really just
enough for a pipe or to pull a wire, but not a gang
box). In these locations it would be necessary to
use a shallow surface mounted box where
needed.

49. Just go online :
http://dsps.wi.gov/public-board-agenda-item
Please use this form to submit an item for consideration at
a board or council meeting.
You may be asked to appear at the meeting to present and
explain your request.