Coastal and Floodplain Construction Inspector's Practice Exam

In a house located in the 90 mph wind zone exposure B, how many fasteners are required for the wall to foundation bottom track to floor?

1. 0

2. 1

3. 2

4. 3

The correct answer is: 1

In a house located in a 90 mph wind zone with exposure category B, building codes and standards require specific fastening requirements to ensure structural integrity against wind loads. For the bottom track of the wall to the foundation, having one fastener is typically deemed sufficient in this specific scenario to adequately secure the wall system. This requirement ensures that the walls are anchored properly without over-complicating the fastening process. It is important to balance effective structural support with material efficiency, which is achieved with this single fastener system. The use of two or more fasteners might provide an unnecessary increase in fastening compared to what is needed in a typical exposure category B situation, where one fastener can sufficiently hold the bottom track in place against the prescribed wind loads. Understanding that building codes are designed to address safety and structural resilience, the choice of one fastener reflects the standardized practices recognized for such classifications in areas exposed to wind speeds of 90 mph.