HR's - a few large holes or a bunch of smaller ones?

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Dennis Alwon said:
I believe the building code does address the size of the hole. That's way the plummers have to gussett their 3" holes. If you take a certain % of the joist then you have to repair it or gussett it.

I have never had a problem drilling 7/8' holes anywhere in the joist as long as I am in the width center.
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What I meant was that it doesn't address "ignoring" holes under a certain size. But I agree, I've drilled 7/8" holes everywhere without ever having an issue. And as you said, if you remove more of a framing member than permitted, you can use some engineered braces to reinforce the stud or joist. I think we are agreeing with each other.;)
 
CHAPTER 3 – WIRING METHODS AND MATERIALS
(Add) 300.4.1 Drilling and notching.

(A) Structural floor, ceiling and roof members.

1) Solid sawn lumber. Notches in solid lumber joists, rafters and beams shall not exceed one-sixth of the depth of the member, shall not be longer than one-third of the depth of the member and shall not be located in the middle one-third of the span. Notches at the ends of the member shall not exceed one-fourth the depth of the member. The tension side of members 4 inches or greater in nominal thickness shall not be notched except at the ends of the members. The diameter of holes bored or cut into members shall not exceed one-third the depth of the member. Holes shall not be closer than 2 inches to the top or bottom of the member, or to any other hole located in the member. Where the member is also notched, the hole shall not be closer than 2 inches to the notch.

Exception: Notches on cantilevered portions of rafters are permitted provided the dimension of the remaining portion of the rafter is not less than 4-inch nominal and the length of the cantilever does not exceed 24 inches.

(2) Engineered wood products. Cuts, notches and holes bored in trusses, laminated veneer lumber, glue-laminated members or I-joists are not permitted unless the effects of such penetrations are specifically considered in the design of the member and permitted by the manufacturer.

(B) Studs. Any stud in an exterior wall or interior bearing partition may be cut or notched to a depth not exceeding 25 per cent of its width. Studs in nonbearing interior partitions may be notched to a depth not to exceed 40 per cent of a single stud width. Any stud may be bored or drilled, provided that the diameter of the resulting hole is no greater than 40 per cent of the stud
 
My read on that is that you can put a 3" hole in the center of the width of a 2x10 (9.25") floor joist anywhere along its length. WOW.. I don't believe I want to do that.

Sounds like the holes should be 2 inches apart minimum. Oops, I am sure I have been closer than 2" on small holes.

So If I drill a 1" hole, technically I shouldn't be able to drill another hole within 2" of that one. If I drill a 3" hole, then that hole is bigger than 2- 1" holes next to each other. Go figure
 
Dennis Alwon said:
My read on that is that you can put a 3" hole in the center of the width of a 2x10 (9.25") floor joist anywhere along its length. WOW.. I don't believe I want to do that.

Sounds like the holes should be 2 inches apart minimum. Oops, I am sure I have been closer than 2" on small holes.

So If I drill a 1" hole, technically I shouldn't be able to drill another hole within 2" of that one. If I drill a 3" hole, then that hole is bigger than 2- 1" holes next to each other. Go figure
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I assure you a plumber would not have a problem with it... :grin:
 
Dennis - I'm not sure it's "anywhere along it's length" - as I think the intent is you can't drill in the middle third of it's span (or length). It reads - "shall not be located in the middle one-third of the span".

Does anyone disagree?
 
bjp_ne_elec said:
Dennis - I'm not sure it's "anywhere along it's length" - as I think the intent is you can't drill in the middle third of it's span (or length). It reads - "shall not be located in the middle one-third of the span".

Does anyone disagree?
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That's is for notches not holes.

Notches in solid lumber joists, rafters and beams shall not exceed one-sixth of the depth of the member, shall not be longer than one-third of the depth of the member and shall not be located in the middle one-third of the span.
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The section about holes is in the last 3 sentences of the paragraph.
 
Dennis - thanks - now I see it. I think I understand the criteria now. The job I'm working now, the plumber violated some of the criteria and one of the floor joists ended up splitting - and the GC had to perform some repair.

I don't want to be paying the GC to fix my not understanding this criteria.

Another perfect example of why this forum, and it's members are so AWESOME! Would have made a lot more "whoops", if I didn't have access to this TOOL. It's all about the tools you have (a side note - my wife's convinced I went in to the EC business just so I could buy more tools)
 
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You're always okay drilling the top corners of just about anything as long as you dont go too high as they're not load bearing.
 
bjp_ne_elec said:
The job I'm working now, the plumber violated some of the criteria and one of the floor joists ended up splitting .
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The forum wouldn't let me respond with a simple "ouch," so I will render my best E.T. and say, "Ooouuch!"
 
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