Securing Top Plate To Steel Support Beam

[John Evans]

Does anyone have information regarding the required method for securing 2x6 top plates to steel I beams? Inspection this morning, the plates were not secured.;)

[Richard A. Hetzel]

They are either bolted or anchored with powder-actuated fasteners. If they are bolted, of course, you would have seen the bolts on the underside of the top flange, assuming the steel was an I-beam. If they were anchored with powder-actuated fasteners, they may not be visible from below, but if you could see the top of the wood plate, they some should have been visible..

[John Evans]

They are "secured" by some common nails driven into the sides of the top plate and bent over the edge of the beam!

[Richard A. Hetzel]

Uhhhh, no. You didn't say that. =)

Well, I guess you did. The two methods I described are the two commonly used methods. Bent nails, I don't believe, are listed as among the acceptable methods. Are you sure they were not just for hanging Christmas lights or something?? )

[John Evans]

I guess the nails kept the plate in place until the floor joists and upper floors provided enough weight to hold the plates in position. Probably won't move, unless there is a seismic event. Did call it out as improper, recommend repair by....................

[tlower]

The bent nails are for the original inspector to use to hang his/her jacket on while inspecting the rest of the home, But I guess it must have been a warm day.