A Deck.

[Shaun04]

Hey guys, me and a mate are about to a deck at my place, we are both Apprentice Carpenters so we know whats going on but another Chippy told me i should put 4 stirrups across a 5.8m span, but i was only thinking 3 stirrups as its not a very big deck, and also was thinking F17 hardwood for bearers?

[Shaun04]

Anybody out there willing to reply?

[sol381]

Mate. Take some advisce from the old fella.. Definitely 4 sturrups. A span of 2.9m between bearers is too much, better to have 2m. Get a hold of a tradac manual and you will see allowable spans.
As for the timber,F17 150 x 75 will do fine, if you space the bearers at about 1.8 - 2m then you should get away with f14 100 x 50 joists.

[Shaun04]

Thanks mate, i think ill need to use 100x50 actually because its not very high from ground level to deck. Do you reckon i could go continuous span or just single span from stump to stump? And joists 100x50 softwood if i can get it, or 125x45.

[sol381]

definitely continuous span.You can get up to 6m lengths.You could still use 150 x 75 if you butted the joists into the bearer and used framing brackets instead of sitting them on top. If you dont use 100 x 50 hardwood go to the next size up in pine. 120 x 45 should do. Might be easier for your nails to go into as well.

[Larry McCully]

Hi mate, you should really refer to tradac framing manual based on your location and wind loading specs. Get in the habbit of stickin to the rules.

[journeyman Mick]

Shaun,
as Larry says, you should get into good work habits now. Looking at my Tradac manual (W50C) shows that at 3M single span your bearers need:
F17 175 x 75 if your joists are spanning 1800
F17 225 x 75 " " " " " 3600
F17 250 x 75 " " " " " 4800

If you go to 4 stumps and continuous span your bearers will be
100 x 75
125 x 75
150 x 75
respectively

If they're not continuous span add 25mm to the depth of each. If you build something by rule of thumb and something goes wrong somewhere down the line then chances are you will get your asre sued. If you followed the manual then you've discharged your duty of care.

Mick

[Larry McCully]

mick , i found this site for him confirming your advise.

www.fordtimbers.com.au/dprfloor.pdf

[Shaun04]

Thanks guys, really appreciated, ill post pics when its done.

Hey would anyone know where i can get a copy of the Tradac Framing Manual?

[Larry McCully]

Thanks guys, really appreciated, ill post pics when its done.

Hey would anyone know where i can get a copy of the Tradac Framing Manual?

TRADAC

[Shaun04]

Where abouts can i buy it though, i googled Tradac and didnt return much.

[journeyman Mick]

Ask your boss, he should have one! HIA or QMBA would stock them/get them in for you, you may even get a "student" price as an apprentice.

Mick

[bitingmidge]

Tradac is no more.

Timber Queensland was formed out of the merger between the Queensland Timber Board, and the Timber Research And Development Advisory Council (TRADAC) in July 2003.

The timber framing codes from each state were based on AS 1684 and that is now the document in use throughout Australia.

Read more at:
http://www.timberqueensland.com.au/a.../aboutcode.asp

You can purchase a copy of this document at any Standards Australia offices or simply contact TQL on (07) 3254 1989 - you can also purchase and find out more information about these manuals on-line by clicking here!

Cheers,

P

[Shaun04]

Arrrr that would explain why we have the AS1684 at TAFE and nothing about the Tradac Manual, thanks Bitingmidge....Actually come to think of it i can buy the AS1684 at TAFE

[journeyman Mick]

Tradac is no more..............

as Larry says, you should get into good work habits now.................

Another really good habit is to stay well informed of all developments in your industry.

Mick