Thor submits code change proposal to the International Code Council to revise typical fastening requirements for floor framing connections. Existing requirements allow construction in new homes that immediately needs earthquake retrofit work under FEMA and other guidelines.

Thor initiated a code change proposal through the National Council of Structural Engineers Associations (NCSEA) to address glitch noted on 10/26/11. NCSEA code subcommittee discusses problem, agrees to support code change proposal for 2015 edition of the building code.

An alert earthquake-retrofit specialty contractor points out a glitch in the conventional framing requirements for wood construction that apparently went unnoticed since 1994. Shearwalls.com has contacted code officials to suggest changes to address the problem. Stay tuned...

The second edition of "Wood-Framed Shear Wall Construction--an Illustrated Guide" has been released in full color by the International Code Council. Updated to the most recent building codes, it also features a new chapter on residential earthquake retrofitting. Order from the publisher as Item #4020S09. 180 pages, over 150 photos, illustrations, and diagrams.

See Thor's article on earthquake retrofits in the current issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine (#222)