675 IAC 15-2-13 Floors

Sec. 13. (a) Floor assemblies shall be designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice to support a minimum uniform live load of forty (40) pounds per square foot plus the dead load of the materials. In addition (but not simultaneously), floors shall be able to support a two hundred (200) pound concentrated load on a two inch (2") diameter disc at the most critical location with a maximum deflection not to exceed one-eighth inch (1/8") relative to floor framing. Perimeter joists of more than six inches (6") depth shall be stabilized against overturning from superimposed loads as follows: at ends by solid blocking not less than two inch (2") thickness by full depth of joist, or by connecting to a continuous header not less than two inch (2") thickness and not less than the depth of the joist with connecting device; at eight feet (8') maximum intermediate spacing by solid blocking or by wood cross-bridging of not less than one inch (1") by three inches (3"), approved metal cross-bridging or by other approved methods. (b) Wood floors or subfloors in kitchens, bathrooms (including toilet compartments), laundry rooms, water heater compartments, and any other areas subject to excessive moisture shall be moisture resistant or shall be made moisture resistant by sealing or by an overlay of nonabsorbent material applied with water-resistant adhesive. (c) Carpeting shall not be used under a heat-producing appliance unless the appliance is listed for such use. (d) Drilling or Notching of Wood Joist Structural Members. Except where substantiated by engineering design, notches on the ends of joists shall not exceed one-fourth (1/4) the joist depth. Holes bored in joists shall not be within two inches (2") of the top or bottom of the joist, and the diameter of any such hole shall not exceed one-third (1/3) the depth of the joist. Notches in the top or bottom of the joists shall not exceed one-sixth (1/6) the depth and shall not be located in the middle third of the span.