Cold-Formed Metal Framing - Section of Specification

Oct 24, 2026

Upload by Ben

Cold-formed metal framing requirements define load-bearing and non-load-bearing framing scope for exterior wall studs, anchors, bearing walls, and roof framing where permitted. The design criteria require resisting erection, dead, and additional live loads without exceeding working stresses under ASCE and applicable building code provisions, including dead loads, seismic, lateral, and minimum wind pressures. It specifies anchorage behavior, deflection limits, submittals (shop drawings and signed engineering calculations), acceptable products and member properties, stud gages, and installation practices per ASTM with bracing, deflection tracks, slide clips, and surface protections for cuts.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

A. General

B. Design Criteria

C. Submittals

D. Acceptable Products

E. Installation

Cold-Formed Metal Framing Page 1 of 3 Last Update: September 29 , 2022 A. General: 1. Metal framing specified under this section includes load bearing cold-formed metal framing for exterior wall studs and anchors , bearing walls, and roof framing where permitted by the owner. 2. Non-load-bearing metal framing may be specified in this section or in Division 09. B. Design Criteria: 1. Design cold-formed metal framing, anchors, supports, and reinforcement to resist erection loads and dead loads plus additional live loads without exceeding the working stresses permitted for the materials by applicable Codes and standards. a. Comply with the load requirements of ASCE 7 , member design requirements of ASCE 8, and requirements of Chapter 16 of the Indiana Building Code (IBC) . 1) Design shall include member dead loads, superimposed loads as indicated on the Drawings, seismic and lateral loads. 2) Design wind pressure shall not be less than 10 pounds per square foot, acting normal to the exposed surface, either direction. 3) Include loading changes due to height above ground and at wall discontinuities (corners, parapets, etc.), as defined in the IBC. b. Indicate general load requirements and lateral load design criteria in the Construction Documents. c. All loads shall be applied to each member and shall transfer through supporting elements to the structure of the building. d. Structural designs shall be prepared by a qualified Professional Engineer registered in the State of Indiana. 1) Review the design criteria with the Structural Engineer. Verify exterior stud depths and spacing based on wind load criteria during design, and indicate spacing changes on Drawings, if required to meet design load/span criteria. e. Anchorage: 1) Provide anchors that permit deflection of the primary structure without applying axial loads to the studs while maintaining lateral load resistance. 2) Provide fasteners or anchors of sufficient size and spacing to resist shear loads imposed on the framing. 2. Deflection limit: a. Exterior studs, masonry veneer: L/600 Cold-Formed Metal Framing Page 2 of 3 b. Exterior studs, non-masonry cladding: L/360 c. Interior Studs, unless otherwise indicated: L/240 over the full height of studs, L/360 over the height of gypsum board and plaster surfaces. d. Interior studs scheduled to be finished with porcelain tile, 12 inch or greater dimension: L/360 . C. Submittals: 1. Shop Drawings, Exterior Metal Studs: Provide exterior metal stud erection drawings produced by the Professional Engineer responsible for design of exterior framing. a. Provide elevations for each framing assembly, indicating anchorage locations, member sizes, sills and lintels. b. Provide details including anchorages, splices, boxed members, bracing, and other framing and fabrication details necessary to fully describe construction. 2. Engineering Calculations: Provide signed and sealed design calculations or certification by a professional engineer indicating compliance of stud selection with design criteria specified. D. Acceptable Products: 1. Metal framing members: Materials manufactured in the United States. Any manufacturer may be permitted as long as the following conditions are met: a. SSMA member company. b. Moment of inertia and section modulus meet or exceed the item specified. c. Modulus of elasticity and yield point meet or exceed the item specified. d. The submitted items functionally perform as well as the item specified. e. No adjustment in section depth is required to meet design criteria. 2. Stud Gages: a. Structural Studs: Minimum 0.0451 inch (18 gage, 43 mil) b. Interior wall framing: Minimum 0.0329 inch (20 gage, 33 mil) 3. Deflection Track: Provide at all floor-to-deck walls and where otherwise required, to allow for deflection of the structural framing. Provide a system capable of accommodating 2 times the calculated deflection without imposing a ver

FAQs

What types of metal framing are covered under the general scope?

The scope covers load-bearing cold-formed metal framing for exterior wall studs and anchors, bearing walls, and roof framing where permitted by the owner, plus non-load-bearing metal framing where specified in the section or Division 09.

What design loads and code criteria must be resisted?

Design must resist erection loads, dead loads, and additional live loads without exceeding permitted working stresses, complying with load requirements and member design requirements under ASCE and the applicable building code. Wind pressure must be at least 10 psf in either direction, and the design must include seismic and lateral loads.

What are the key installation requirements for studs and bracing?

Studs must be installed in runners at 16" o.c. maximum and secured with at least four screws per stud, with full-height structural studs at corners and at door/window jambs. The section also requires deflection track or slide clips at exterior locations as needed, and lateral bracing to achieve design loads, including strapping on the unsheathed side when only one side receives sheathing.

Oct 24, 2026

Upload by Ben