Residential Building Inspector Practice Exam

What is the maximum allowable span for a single family dwelling using cold formed steel wall framing?

1. 50 feet

2. 60 feet

3. 70 feet

4. 80 feet

The correct answer is: 60 feet

The maximum allowable span for a single-family dwelling using cold-formed steel wall framing is typically around 60 feet. Cold-formed steel is lightweight and offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, making it an effective material for wall framing. However, structural considerations such as load-bearing capacity, deflection limits, and local building codes dictate that spans should not exceed certain limits to ensure safety and structural integrity. In residential construction, spans are influenced by the design loads, the type of framing used, and the building's height and usage. A maximum span of 60 feet strikes a balance between providing open spaces in the layout while maintaining adequate strength and resilience against potential lateral and vertical loads. The options beyond 60 feet would generally exceed the typical spans recommended for cold-formed steel framing without the use of specific engineering solutions, such as additional supports or specialized design criteria. It is crucial for inspectors to have knowledge of these limits to ensure buildings are constructed safely and in compliance with building codes.