Georgia-Pacific Engineered Lumber Canada User Manual

GP LAM® LVL

installation Guide

WOOD I BEAM™ JOISTS

WHAT YOU DON’T

™

SEE MATTERS

canadian
Installation Instructions

Storage, Handling & Safety Guidelines

Safety Tips

1. Walking on the joists should not be permitted until they are properly braced.

2. Lateral restraint, such as an existing deck or braced end wall, must be established at the
ends of the bay. Alternatively, temporary or permanent sheathing may be nailed to the
first 4 feet of the joists at the end of the bay.

3. All hangers, rim boards, rim joists and blocking at the supports of the joists must be
installed and nailed properly.

4. During installation, a minimum 1x4 temporary brace at least 8 feet long is required.
Temporary bracing members should be spaced at no further than 10*-0( o.c. and nailed
to each joist with two 8d nails (10d box nails if bracing thickness exceeds 1().
Lap bracing ends and anchor them to temporary or permanent sheathing. Remove the
temporary bracing as the permanent sheathing is attached.

5. The ends of cantilevers must be temporarily braced on both the top and bottom flanges.

6. Never overload sheathed joists with loads that exceed design loads.

7. Do not ship or install any damaged I-joists.

8. When stacking construction material, stack only over beams or walls, NOT on
unsheathed joists.

Storage & Handling

1. CAUTION: Wrap and joists are slippery when icy or wet.

2. Store bundles upright on a smooth, level, well-drained and supportive surface to protect

from the weather (sun and precipitation). Keep covered and strapped until installed.

3. Keep bundles above ground to minimize the absorption of ground moisture and allow air

circulation.

4. Re-cover unused products with bundle wrap. Repair damage to bundle wrap with tape,

more bundle wrap, plastic or weatherproof covering.

5. Place 2x or LVL spacers (at a maximum of 10* apart) under bundles stacked on the

ground, and between bundles stored on top of one another.

6. All handling of joists with a forklift or crane should be done carefully by lifting from below

the bottom of the bundle.

7. Joists should remain upright (web vertical) during handling.

8. Avoid excessive bowing during all phases of handling and installation (i.e., measuring, sawing,

or placement).

9. Damage may result if the I-joist is twisted or a load is applied to it while it’s lying flat.

10. An MSDS is available at www.buildgp.com.

11. When handling I-joists with a crane on the job site (“picking”), take a few simple

precautions to prevent damage to the I-joists and injury to your work crew. Pick I-joists
in bundles as shipped by the supplier. Orient the bundles so that the webs of the I-joists
are vertical. Pick the bundles at the 5th points, using a spreader bar if necessary.

Align stickers

one above

the other

Hard, dry,

level surface

10* max.

10*-0(

max.

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Floor details

Some framing requirements such as
erection bracing and blocking panels
have been omitted
for clarity.

1E

1D

Glulam or multiple
Structural Composite
Lumber (SCL)
headers

1C1B

1G

Holes may be cut in web for
plumbing, wiring and duct work.

NOTE: Never cut or notch flanges.

Glulam or multiple
SCL headers

Use code approved hangers

1J

1N1A

Floor Installation Guidelines

1. Before laying out floor system components, verify that
I-Joist flange widths match hanger widths. If not, contact
your supplier.

2. Except for cutting to length, never cut, drill, or notch
I-Joist flanges.

3. Install I-Joists so that top and bottom flanges are within

1

⁄2" of true vertical alignment.

4. I-Joists must be anchored securely to supports before
floor sheathing is attached, and supports for multiple­span joists must be level.

5. Minimum bearing lengths: 1

1

⁄2” for intermediate bearings.

3

6. When using hangers, seat I-Joists firmly in hanger
bottoms to minimize settlement.

1

7. Leave a

8. Concentrated loads greater than those that can

⁄16” gap between the I-Joist end and a header.

normally be expected in residential construction should
only be applied to the top surface of the top flange.
Normal concentrated loads include track

3

⁄4” for end bearings and

lighting fixtures, audio equipment and security cameras.

Never suspend unusual or heavy loads from the
I-Joist’s bottom flange. Whenever possible, suspend
all concentrated loads from the top of the I-Joist. Or,
attach the load to blocking that has been securely
fastened to the I-Joist webs.

9. Never install I-Joists where they will be permanently
exposed to weather, or where they will remain in direct
contact with concrete or masonry.

10. Restrain ends of floor joists to prevent rollover. Use rim
board or equivalent, rim joists or I-Joist blocking panels.

11. For I-Joists installed over and beneath bearing walls, use
full depth blocking panels, rim board, or squash blocks
(cripple members) to transfer gravity loads through the
floor system to the wall or foundation below.

12. Due to shrinkage, common framing lumber set on edge
may never be used as blocking or rim boards. I-Joist
blocking panels or other engineered wood products
– such as rim board – must be cut to fit between the
I-Joists, and an I-Joist compatible depth selected.

1F

13. Provide permanent lateral support of the bottom flange
of all I-Joists at interior supports of multiple-span joists.
Similarly, support the bottom flange of all cantilevered
I-Joists at the end support next to the cantilever
extension. In the completed structure, the gypsum
wallboard ceiling provides this lateral support. Until the
final finished ceiling is applied, temporary bracing or
struts must be used.

14. If square-edge panels are used, edges must be supported
between I-Joists with 2 x 4 blocking. Glue panels to
blocking to minimize squeaks. Blocking is not required
under structural finish flooring, such as wood strip
flooring, or if a separate underlayment layer is installed.

15. Nail spacing:

• Space nails installed to the flange’s top face in

accordance with the applicable building code
requirements or approved building plans.

• If nails must be installed into the sides of flanges,

spacing shall not be closer than 3 inches o.c. for 8d
common nails, and 4 inches o.c. for 10d common nails.

1M1K1J1H

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Floor Details (continued)

All nails shown in the details below are assumed to be common nails unless otherwise noted. 10d box nails may be substituted for 8d common shown

in details. Individual components not shown to scale for clarity.

1

/

1

8" APA Rim

Board Plus

8090

1B

Blocking Panel

1A

or Rim Jost

Depth (in.)

up to 16

Maximum Factored

Uniform Vertical Load (plf)

WI 40

WI 60, WI 80

3340

8d nails @ 6" o.c.
(when used for lateral

Attach I-Joist to
top plate per 1B

shear transfer, nail to
bearing plate with same
nailing as required

for decking)

One 8d face
nail at each
side at bearing

To avoid splitting flange, start nails at least 1½"from end of I-Joist.
Nails may be driven at an angle to avoid splitting of bearing plate

For APA Rim Board Plus,

1

1

/8" thick, up to 16" depth
allowable factored vertical
load transfer

= 8090 plf.

One 8d nail at top and
bottom flange

Attach Rim Board to
top plate using 8d box
toe nails @ 6" o.c.

Rim joist vertical load transfer
(see detail 1A for capacities)

1C

Attach I-Joist
per 1B

Attach rim joist to
top plate per 1A

For single I-Joist, see detail 1A
for capacities. For double I-Joist,

1F

the table capacity may be doubled.
Filler block is not required
for this detail.

Provide backer
for siding

Wall
sheathing,
as required

Rim Board may be used in lieu of I-Joists.
Backer is not required when Rim Board is used.

attachment
unless nailable
sheathing is used.

Attach rim
joist to floor
joist with one
nail at top and
bottom. Nail
must provide
1" min.
penetration into
floor joist. Toe nails
may be used.

Min. 1 ¾"
bearing
required

1G

Joist attachment
per detail 1B

Blocking panel
see details 1A and 1B
for vertical load capacities.

1D

Rim Board blocking
panel per 1A

Squash block

Provide lateral bracing
per 1A, 1B or 1C

Pair of Squash Blocks
2x Lumber

1

/

1

8

" APA Rim board, Rim Board

Plus, or Rated Sturd-I-Floor 48 o.c.
1" APA Rim Board or

Rated Sturd-I-Floor 32 o.c.

Load bearing wall above shall align vertically
with the wall below. Other conditions such as
offset walls are not covered by this detail.

Blocking required over all interior supports

under load-bearing walls or when floor

8d nails
at 6" o.c.
to top plate

Vertical load transfer capacity per

pair of squash blocks as shown:

vertical load per pair of

3½" wide 5½" wide

joists are not continuous over support.

In high seismic areas blocking
is required at all intermediate
supports.

1E

1

/

"

16

for lumber
squash
blocks

Transfer load
from above to
bearing below.
Match bearing
area of squash
blocks in floor
cavity to post above.

Maximum factored

squash blocks (lb)

5800

9500

4500

5800

4000 5800

Method 1:
One 8d nail toe nailed at each
side of top and bottom flange
at each end of I-Joist blocking.

Caution: Effective toe nailing
may be difficult to achieve due to limited access of pneumatic nailers.
The builder shall evaluate installation for potential of nail squeak.

Notes:
1- I-Joists do not always need blocking (bridging) between supports. I-Joist blocking must be installed
only where specified by the building designer.

2- Use of construction adhesive is recommended at wood-to-wood contact areas.
3- It shall be permitted to offset (stagger) I-Joist blocking up to the flange width. Nailing

thru the joist flange into the ends of the I-Joist blocking is not permitted.

Blocking panels or Rim Board are also required
for uniform vertical and / or lateral load transfer.
(See details 1A, 1B or 1C as applicable.)

Squash block

I-Joist blocking at mid-span (or at other locations between supports)
may be used to reduce vibration. Two recommended methods

of attachment are shown. Other fastening methods are possible.

1Ga

Factored
load (lbs.)

size
(1) 2 x 42 900
(2) 2 x 45 800
(3) 2 x 48 700
(4) 2 x 4 11 600

Squash block

size
(1) 2 x 64 750
(2) 2 x 69 500
(3) 2 x 6 14 250
(4) 2 x 6 19 000

Method 2:
Minimum two 10d nails face nailed
thru OSB web of I-Joist blocking
into 2 x 6 vertical block and clinched
(preferred) or nailed thru 2 x 6 and
clinched on back face of OSB web
of I-Joist
blocking. In
addition, nail
thru OSB web
of full-length
joist into 2 x 6
with minimum
two 10d nails.
Repeat at opposite
end of I-Joist
blocking.

Factored
load (lbs.)

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Floor Details (continued)

All nails shown in the details below are assumed to be common nails unless otherwise noted. 10d box nails may be substituted for 8d common shown

in details. Individual components not shown to scale for clarity.

Backer block (use if factored hanger load exceeds 360 lbs.) Before installing a
backer block to a double I-joist, drive three additional 3 inch nails through the
webs and filler block where the backer block will fit. Clinch. Install backer

1H

tight to top flange. Use twelve 3 inch nails, clinched when possible. Verify
hanger capacity with manufacturer. Maximum factored resistance for
hanger for this detail = 1620 pounds.

Backer blocks (Blocks must be long enough to permit required nailing without splitting)

Flange Width

2 "

½ 5½"

3 ½"

* Minimum grade for backer block material shall be Utility grade SPF (south) or better
for solid sawn lumber and Rated Sheathing grade for wood structural panels.
**For face-mount hangers use net joist depth minus 3¼".

1J

Material Thickness Required*

1"

1½"

7¼"

Glulam or multiple structural composite
lumber (SCL) beams

Minimum Depth**

For nailing schedules
for multiple SCL beams,
see the manufacturer’s
recommendations

Top - or face - mounted hanger Double I-Joist header

Note: Unless hanger sides laterally
support the top flange, bearing
stiffeners shall be used. Backer blocks
are not required for top mount hangers
with factored reactions less than
360 pounds.

Face-mount hangers shallower
than the joist depth shall
have full depth bearing
web stiffenners and
shall have
side flanges
at least 60%
of the joist

Filler block

Backer block required
(both sides for face-mounted hangers)

For hanger capacity see hanger manufacturer’s recommendations.
Verify double I-Joist capacity to support concentrated loads.

1K

depth.

2x plate flush with
inside face of wall
or beam

Top - or face - mounted hanger installed
per manufacturer’s recommendations

Note: Unless hanger sides laterally support the top flange,
bearing stiffeners shall be used.

Install framing anchor
per manufacturer’s

1M

recommendations
(both sides of stringer)

Filler block

Maximum factored support = 1620 pounds

Multiple I-Joist header with
full depth filler block shown.
Glulam and multiple SCL
headers may also be used.
Verify double I-Joist capacity to
support concentrated loads.

Backer block attach per 1H.
Nail with twelve 10d nails,
clinch when possible.

Top-mounted hanger installed
per manufacturer’s recommendations

1N

Note: Blocking required at
bearing for lateral support,
not shown for clarity.

Note: Unless hanger
sides laterally support
the top flange, bearing
stiffeners shall be used.

Do not bevel­cut joist beyond
inside face
of wall

Attach
I-Joist
per 1B

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