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Do you have ICBO approval?This approval is NOT necessary for getting a building permit. The Z-Wall is simply structural
steel shapes welded up to form a braced wall panel. To obtain a building
permit you only need two things. One is the structural calculations, and
the other is a registered engineer's or architect's stamp. Both of these
can be provided upon request.
Does the Z-Wall come in standard sizes?
Yes, there are standard sizes, however special sizes can be fabricated. The three standard widths are:
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17.5" center to center of anchor bolt. This is sized to fit
inside a 24" long wall.
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23.5" center to center of anchor bolt. This is sized to fit
inside a 30" long wall.
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29.5" center to center of anchor bolt. This is sized to fit
inside a 36" long wall.
The heights are set up for 8'-1", 9'-1", and 10'-1"
plate heights.
How much lateral load will the Z-Wall take?
The allowable load, using the 1997 Uniform Building Code (97 UBC),
is approximately 4000 to 5000 lbs. per Z-Wall. Depending on the size
opening, plate height, etc. This pair of Z-Walls are about four times as
strong, on the per foot basis, than an average plywood shear wall.
How many do I need for an average house?
This depends on the size house. Our past experience with hundreds
of tract homes has indicated that usually, only 8 to 10 Z-Walls are needed
for a one story house, and 16 to 18 for a two story house. Remember that
the holdowns are built right into the Z-Wall. So it is much faster to install.
Where are they made?
They are being fabricated in California and Chicago, Illinois.
The delivery to your job site should take two weeks depending on
the volume and specific location of the project. "Rush Orders" are also avalilable
and delivery to your job site will take one week.
What are the actual sizes of the members?
The vertical uprights are standard steel shapes. They are 3"
wide channels. The web members are 1 1/2" X 2" steel tubes, usually
14 gauge. The holdowns are designed directly into the base plates.
How do you fasten the siding material, or gypsum board to the Z-Wall?
A 1 X 4 strip of lumber can be fastened to the web members. The siding,
or gypsum board can then be fastened directly to the 1 X 4. If you are using
metal studs, a furring or "hat channel" can be used. This is simply
screwed into the web members in the desired location.
How do I attach my studs to your Z-Wall?
You DON'T have to fasten the studs to the Z-Wall, (unless you are
really cramped for space). Simply bolt the Z-Wall to the header at the top,
and bolt the Z-Wall to the sill or foundation at the bottom.
Have you talked to any of the local Building Department officials about the Z-Wall yet?
Yes, and the response is, "just bring in the drawings and the
calculations and we will push them through." Since the Z-Wall is really
just structural steel welded up into a braced wall panel, the Building Department
officials will process it like any other steel member.
How much money can I expect to save?
How much money you can save depends on the size of your house as well as the design.
Remember, that Z-Wall eliminates:
- all the holdowns
- all the heavy sill bolting at the shear walls
- all the end posts at either end of the shear wall along with their bolts and washer plates
- all of the shear wall nailing schedules
- all of the plywood and the associated bumps it creates in the siding, and
- all the furring required to cover up the bump that plywood creates
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