New building code rules for decks in Minnesota

As I mentioned in a blog post at the beginning of this year, Minnesota adopted a new building code on January 24th.  I covered a few of the most significant changes, but one of the bigger changes that I never talked about is the addition of a whole section on deck construction.  I decided to wait until May to cover the stuff on decks, because the North American Deck and Railing Association says May is Deck Safety Month®, and they’ve partnered up with ASHI to promote deck inspections by ASHI Certified Inspectors.

There has never been much in the Minnesota State Building Code specific to decks, but now there is.  Just browse to section 507 of the 2015 Minnesota Residential Building Code to see it all.  It’s not much, but it’s a lot more than what we used to have.

Chapter 5 of the Minnesota State Building Code can be viewed online here https://codes.iccsafe.org/content/document/935/10914723, but that’s as good as of link as I can give.  You need to scroll down a ways to get to section 507, and none of the text at that page can be copied.

If you want an excellent document that explains how to build a deck that conforms to the 2012 IRC, download the free Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide, based on the 2012 International Residential Code.  Anyone who inspects or builds decks ought to have a copy of this document, and have it available on their smartphone or tablet at all times.  It’s great.

Here are the two biggest deck requirements that stuck out to me:

New lateral load connection requirement

As far as I’m concerned, this is the biggest change that deck builders will now be required to make in Minnesota.  In section R507.1, the code says “Where supported by attachment to an exterior wall, decks shall be positively anchored to the primary structure and designed for both vertical and lateral loads.”  Then in section R507.2.3, the code says “The lateral load connection required by Section R507.1 shall be permitted to be in accordance with Figure R507.2.3.  Where the lateral load connection is provided in accordance with Figure R507.2.3, hold-down tension devices shall be installed in not less than two locations per deck, and each device shall have an allowable stress design capacity of not less than 1500 pounds (6672 N)”

The diagram below shows figure R507.2.3, but I colored the lateral load connection device that they’re referring to orange:

This is just one type of lateral load connection device, and this specific device doesn’t need to be used.  They’re just showing one example of a device that could be used.  While effective, this particular device would be especially difficult to install, because it would require a lot of access to the framing inside the home, and would also require the building official to have to verify that the floor sheathing was nailed at 6″ maximum on center.  How in the world is the building official supposed to do that on an existing home?  Rip up the flooring?  I think not.

I’ve never actually seen one of these devices installed, and I don’t expect to ever see one.  There’s a much simpler device out there that meets the requirements of the 2015 IRC, called a Deck Tension Tie, made by Simpson Strong-Tie.  Check it out:

These devices have an allowable stress design capacity of not less than 750 lbs each, so at least four of these devices would need to be installed on every deck.  These aren’t specifically approved by the Minnesota State Building Code*, but if it’s good enough for the 2015 IRC, it ought to be good enough for us.  More on that topic here: Installation Options for Deck Lateral Load Connections.  I’ve heard a rumor that building officials throughout Minnesota are allowing these things, but it’s always wise to ask first.  The Journal of Light Construction just posted a little blurb about these on their web site, along with a great cut-away photo showing one being installed: http://www.jlconline.com/framing/simpson-strong-tie-dtt1z-deck-tension-tie_s.aspx

No more nonsense on deck ledger connections

Section R507.2.2 says “Girders supporting deck joists shall not be supported on deck ledgers or band joists.”  The photo below shows what this means.

Also under R507.2.2, it says Deck ledgers shall not be supported on stone or masonry veneer.  The deck construction guide that I referenced above has slightly different wording on that topic, but I think the intent is the same; check out their diagram below:

Just in case their diagram doesn’t make it clear, here are a couple of photos of my own, showing what not to do:

The fix for all of these situations shown above would be to have the deck be self-supporting.  In other words, it wouldn’t rely on the house for support.

* Most products aren’t specifically approved by the building code.  More on that topic in last week’s blog post: Are Diamond Pier footings approved for decks in Minnesota? Answers from the 20 largest cities.

Author: Reuben Saltzman, Structure Tech Home Inspections