drilling beams

[normbac]

Anyone know of a web site or ? with info on drilling wood beams. I know the basics but am unsure on size of hole or how many or exactly where. Doing a lrg. house and every where I go is a different type of beam. Every room is circular and I guess needs different types of beams. I would like to study the subject so I can be less paranoid when I give the O.K. to drill it.
As always thanks for all the responses.

[Dennis Alwon]

I would contact the beam manufacturer or get the GC to do that and get the specs on what they would allow. Depending on the beam and the load it will vary.

[480sparky]

Laminated beams are taboo to drill even the smallest hole in my neck of the woods.

I know some wood I-joists will have pre-stamped holes you can knock out with a hammer.

http://www.ebuild.com/gateway/engineered-wood-laminated-beams.hwx
http://www.westernstructures.com/Links_files/EWS-S560.pdf
http://www.askthebuilder.com/227_Wood_I_Joists_-_Perfectly_Precise_Pfloors.shtml

[Dennis Alwon]

Laminated beams are taboo to drill even the smallest hole in my neck of the woods.


I have had the engineers from the laminated beam company tell me it was okay to drill a 7/8" hole in the lam beam. I did it and the house is still standing.

[frenchelectrican]

Dennis ,

The same sisuation you have as well ,, the lamiated beams i useally get approved by engineers but i get them in writing first before i swing out my drill so it will CYA on this one. typically 7/8 hole useally dont affect it unless you dealt with very long span.

Merci , Marc

[dab]

this is along the same lines as drilling holes. how about when a groove is routered into the top of an exposed beam of a post and beam home to conceal the nmb.

[jimmyglen]

we had an electrician who drilled holes in a laminated baeam and the inspector called for documentation to make sure it was OK

so where Ok and some where not

the manufactor of the beams has people that willgo out and certify if its OK and the also have all kinds of paperwork telling you where you can drill and where you cant drill

check with a lumber yard and ask for the factory rep phone# - those guys are pretty smart about this

[tonyou812]

Most laminate beams come with a little pamphlet showing you what and were it is appropriate to drill. But usually by the time we get on the job most of these are gone or thrown out. One builder once told me that a 7/8 hole was OK if it was located on the 1st third or last third of the span. I mean think about the big holes most plumbers have to make for their drain lines. Most of the homes today are over engineered anyway. But in most cases with a little knowledge and some common sense you could figure out was is ok. I would say it would be pretty impractical for us not to be able to drill any holes for our wires wouldnt you agree?
Hey Jimmyglen Im not so sure it is the "electrical" inspectors job to ask for that type of info. Man stuff like that really pumps my nads. Were do some of these guys get off asking for stuff like that?