Holes in steel studs

Status
Not open for further replies.
P

phisher

Member
Location
Omaha Nebraska
Our inspector is telling me that we cannot punch our own holes in the web of steel studs. I did a bunch of research online and he may be correct. The steel stud manufactures have parameters for holes sizes and where they can be made. Center of web no closer than 2' in addition to length and with dimension of the hole.

1) Has anybody run into this before?

2) Is there a repair for making additional holes? We really don't want to re run all the conduit.


Thanks
 
Punched literally a few thousand holes or more over the years.

Got a link to where you got the specs?

We drill out wooden studs, so why would punching metal be any different?

I have never really did more than use the same basic rules for both.
 
See attached. I checked the IBC and Steel Stud Manufactures Association. Both say additional holes have to be approved. Our inspector wants a document that allows us to make additional holes.
 

Attachments

  • SSMA_Product_Technical_Guide_8-14-15.pdf
    112.7 KB · Views: 6
phisher said:
See attached. I checked the IBC and Steel Stud Manufactures Association. Both say additional holes have to be approved. Our inspector wants a document that allows us to make additional holes.
Click to expand...

Check the documentation from the manufacturer of your particular steel studs. They are the only ones that can provide such a document since IBC and the industry association are silent.
 
Such construction has no structural value for the most part, it is simply a partition, though it can have a fire rating, but that mostly depends on what you cover it with. The studs have little strength even as a partition until drywall is attached.


:?
 
phisher said:
Our inspector is telling me that we cannot punch our own holes in the web of steel studs. I did a bunch of research online and he may be correct. The steel stud manufactures have parameters for holes sizes and where they can be made. Center of web no closer than 2' in addition to length and with dimension of the hole.

1) Has anybody run into this before?

2) Is there a repair for making additional holes? We really don't want to re run all the conduit.


Thanks
Click to expand...

That is ridiculous unless these are load bearing studs there is no reason not to make holes where needed. I would not waste any time with this guy. Everybody has a boss, find his and find out if this policy is really being enforced everywhere in your area.
 
kwired said:
Such construction has no structural value for the most part, it is simply a partition, though it can have a fire rating, but that mostly depends on what you cover it with. The studs have little strength even as a partition until drywall is attached.


:?
Click to expand...

understanding your point.

there are different Gage steel studs, i have seen steel with a mechanical room above them, in a recent dollar bottom, all the the mechanical equipment including a MCC making the studs load bearing
 
david said:
understanding your point.

there are different Gage steel studs, i have seen steel with a mechanical room above them, in a recent dollar bottom, all the the mechanical equipment including a MCC making the studs load bearing
Click to expand...

If actually providing structural load bearing that changes the game some.

But even with wood members you can drill holes in more places in a vertical member then a horizontal member without weakening them too much.
 
Anything that comes manufactured such as steel studs, that already have holes punched in them, are not supposed to be altered unless allowed by the manufacturer.
 
And when the "carpenters" use them in less-than-perfect walls, or above headers, or in short walls, etc...

Are you telling me that on your jobs they always use a fresh piece, cut from the same direction, and make sure all the factory holes line up?
 
cowboyjwc said:
Anything that comes manufactured such as steel studs, that already have holes punched in them, are not supposed to be altered unless allowed by the manufacturer.
Click to expand...
Then either it's allowed by the manufacturer or the whole entire mechanical trades is going to construction hell. I'll give you a dollar for every stud that doesn't have an extra hole in it and you give me fifty cents for every one that does and I'll be money ahead.
 
ActionDave said:
Then either it's allowed by the manufacturer or the whole entire mechanical trades is going to construction hell. I'll give you a dollar for every stud that doesn't have an extra hole in it and you give me fifty cents for every one that does and I'll be money ahead.
Click to expand...

I want in on this action, I done punched enough holes myself that I could prolly retire.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top