PowerPoint® Presentation

Unit 45
Metal Framing

Industry and Code Regulations • Light-

gauge Steel Framing Members • Fasteners
• Framing Tools • Metal Framing Safety •
Light-gauge Steel Construction Methods •
Structural Steel Framing • Building
Envelope and Insulation
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

The use of light-gauge steel framing continues to

increase in residential and commercial construction.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

C-shapes, tracks, U-channels,

and furring channels are the
most common light-gauge steel
framing member shapes.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Light-gauge steel thickness is expressed as gauge,

mils, and millimeters.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

The Right S-T-U-F system identifies the web depth,

shape, flange width, and steel thickness.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Self-drilling and self-piercing

screws are used to connect
light-gauge steel members.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

A variety of screw
head types are
available for metal
framing operations.
Pan, hex washer,
and pancake heads
are commonly used
for light-gauge steel
framing operations.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

No. 8 screws are

used most often
as light-gauge
steel fasteners.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Drive pins are held in place

by the compressive force of
metal framing members.
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Welding must be performed

by a certified welder.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Spot clinching is a method for joining two metal

framing members and provides a strong connection.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

A drywall screwdriver is
commonly used in metal
framing operations.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Pneumatic steel framing

tools are used to install
drive pins.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

When attaching wood to steel, a pin must be driven

so its head is flush with the surface of the wood.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

An abrasive cutoff saw is

used to cut heavy-gauge
framing members.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Power shears can

cut metal up to a
thickness of 68 mils.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Plasma arc cutting is commonly used when

prefabricating metal-framed panels in a shop.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

A locking C-clamp secures

metal framing members
tightly together while they
are being fastened.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Joist thickness and

size are determined
by the live and dead
loads the floor must
support and its
unsupported span.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

The main components of

a metal-framed floor unit
are the joists, rim track,
cross bridging, and
blocking. Ensure framing
components are installed
in the same direction so
cutouts align to allow easy
installation of utilities.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Holddowns tie the wall

studs and track together
and fasten the assembly
to the foundation.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Similar to wood-framed floor openings, additional

support must be provided around floor openings in
metal-framed buildings.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

In-line framing requires

that the joists, studs, and
roof rafters be in a direct
line ± 3/4″.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Studs fit into the top

and bottom tracks
and are secured with
one #8 screw in
each flange. Studs
should be oriented
the same way to
ensure utility cutouts
align properly.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

The bottom track of a

wall is secured to the
foundation with
anchor bolts. Bottom
tracks must be
reinforced to ensure a
proper connection.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

The main components of

an exterior wall placed
over the floor unit include
top and bottom tracks,
studs, diagonal tension
straps, horizontal bracing,
strap stud bracing, and
corner posts.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Reinforced headers are required in load-bearing walls.

Box beam, back-to-back, or L-headers may be used.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

An inside corner post provides support for interior

wall finish materials.
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A short piece of
stud material is
commonly used
to splice tracks.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

After a wall has been

framed and squared,
it is raised into
position. Temporary
diagonal bracing
remains in place until
structural sheathing is
fastened to the wall.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

A continuous strap
beneath the joists
and solid bridging
12′ OC are attached
to the ceiling joists
to provide rigidity.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

When joists are lapped over a load-bearing wall,

studs should be placed directly below the lapped
ends. A bearing stiffener provides additional support.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Where a wall below runs parallel with the joists,

blocking is placed a maximum of 48″ OC between the
joists for fastening the tops of the wall to the ceiling.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

A light-gauge steel roof

framework requires
considerable bracing.
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Light-gauge steel trusses are very frequently installed

over steel-framed walls.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Light-gauge steel
trusses are commonly
prefabricated in a shop.
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Seismic and hurricane ties should

be used to tie metal-framed walls
to metal trusses in areas prone to
earthquakes and severe winds.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Structural steel
framing is on the
increase for
residential and
light-commercial
buildings. Large
open spaces can
be created within
a structure.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Bolted connections are commonly used for structural

steel framing.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Spaces between
structural steel framing
members are filled
with heavy-gauge
steel framing members
spaced 16″ to 24″ OC.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Window and door

openings are framed with
wood or heavy-gauge
steel framing members.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Oriented strand board or

plywood is typically used
as wall sheathing on
steel-framed buildings.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

When installing a
brick veneer wall,
the wall ties are
fastened to the
sheathing and
metal studs and
embedded in the
mortar between
bricks.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Exterior insulation and

finish systems are
commonly installed over
metal-framed buildings.
 Unit 45 — Metal Framing

Insulation for steel-framed

buildings can be rigid foam
insulation, fiberglass
blankets or batts, or a
combination of both.