Coastal and Floodplain Construction Inspector's Practice Exam

For a house in the 110 mph wind zone exposure C, how many fasteners are needed for the wall to foundation bottom track to floor?

1. 1

2. 2

3. 3

4. 4

The correct answer is: 2

In the context of a house located in a 110 mph wind zone with exposure C, the building code requirements dictate specific fastening protocols to ensure structural integrity against high winds. The bottom track, which is the part of the framing that connects the walls to the foundation, is critical for providing resistance against uplift and lateral forces caused by wind pressures. The appropriate number of fasteners needed for fastening the wall to the foundation bottom track is determined by both the structural design requirements and the code provisions that take into account wind speed, exposure conditions, and the type of materials used. In this scenario, selecting two fasteners for the bottom track provides a balance between compliance with safety standards while ensuring adequate attachment is achieved without excessive material use. This quantity helps to distribute the load effectively, reducing the risk of structural failure during high wind events. In contrast, fewer fasteners might not provide adequate strength and stability, while more fasteners could lead to unnecessary costs and complications in construction. Therefore, two fasteners meet the minimum code requirement for effective securing of the wall to the bottom track in a 110 mph wind zone, ensuring that the structure is resilient against strong winds while remaining cost-effective and practical in construction methods.