Braced wall lines + panels per Section R602.10 — every plan needs a braced wall analysis

Description

Every dwelling must have braced wall lines arranged to resist lateral wind + seismic loads. Braced wall panels may use one of several construction methods (continuous wood structural panel sheathing CS-WSP, structural panels DWB, gypsum board GB, particleboard PBS, hardboard HPS, plus engineered alternates). The required length of bracing depends on building geometry, wind speed, seismic category, and method per Table R602.10.3. Mixing methods is allowed under specific rules. Panel ends must be anchored to floor framing or foundations per R602.10.8.

Why this exists

Wall bracing is the prescriptive engineering for lateral resistance. Many residential failures in storms trace to missing or undersized bracing. Architects designing open-plan / window-heavy great rooms should expect a braced-wall-line analysis — and may need to use Method PFH (portal frame with hold-downs) at narrow walls beside garage doors.

Categories

Applies to

• Jurisdiction: New York State

Source

Solver enforcement

Browsable only — the solver does not currently enforce this directive (no spec-level data to check against). This entry exists so the architect personas can cite it in conversation and the user can read what the rule says.

Related directives

• Garage / dwelling fire separation · IRC R302.6
• Habitable space minimum ceiling height · IRC R305.1
• Egress window net opening dimensions · IRC R310.2
• Stair riser, tread, and headroom · IRC R311.7
• Smoke alarms required throughout dwelling · IRC R314