Technical Publications

SFIA Technical Guide

The SFIA “Technical Guide for Cold‐Formed Steel Framing Products,” provides with a comprehensive tool for designing with cold‐formed steel framing members.

Included are tables for Section Properties, allowable Limiting Wall Heights (composite, non-composite, and curtain wall), Combined Axial and Lateral Loads, Floor and Roof Joist Spans, Header Loads, Web Crippling Loads, and Channel Properties.  In addition, the Technical Guides provides notes for fasteners (screws and welds), typical details, a guide to additional technical resources, as well as a useful explanation on reading fire rated assemblies.


The SFIA Product Technical Guide meets the requirements of the 2021 International Building Code (IBC), the 2022 California Building Code (CBC) and the 2020 Florida Building Code (FBC).

 

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Technical Notes

Limiting Heights for Nonstructural Standard and EQ Walls Studs

SUMMARY:  This Technical Note addresses cold-formed steel studs in nonstructural interior wall systems, often referred to as drywall partitions. The intent is limited to discussion of criteria necessary to understand and determine maximum allowable or “limiting” heights including applicable standards as referenced in the 2015 International Building Code (IBC) for steel framing materials, fasteners, bridging or bracing, and deflection. Examples are provided at the end of the paper to demonstrate selection of studs based on limiting height.

Clarification:  Head of Wall Connections and Composite Wall Heights