Straps, grips and blocking: frame checks on an Officer home
The tie-down and bracing details our inspectors look at before wrap goes on.
In short: Bracing and tie-down hold an Officer house together in wind. At frame stage they are all still in view.
Straps over the plate
Metal strap bracing must hook over the top plate and be nailed on top. Straps stopping short lose much of their strength.
Truss grips
Grips tie each truss to the wall plate. Missing grips leave the roof relying on skew nails alone.
Blocking in bracing walls
Where an engineered bracing wall sits between posi trusses, blocking is needed to restrain it. We have found it left out.
Plate overhang
Bottom plates can only overhang the slab by 10mm. More than that and the wall is poorly supported.
Bring your plans
The bracing plan and engineering are what the frame is checked against.
Written by our local inspection team from work carried out in Officer. Licensed building practitioners, Building & Plumbing Commission registration CDB-U 53425.
