tolerances for floors/walls

[hspinnler]

I would imagine that this comes up in both new and existing construction, but what building code reference material would one utilize concerning acceptable measures of levelness in floors and plumbness in walls?

For example, I was contacted by someone in the construction field today who wanted to know what was acceptable regarding floors and where that reference could be found. How much fraction of an inch off per foot, etc. The floor in question was framed with manufactured I-joists. The difference in height over an 18' span was reported as 1.5".

Any input would be appreciated.

[Dale Duffy]

Hank,

In Arizona using the UBC as a standard (with local changes).

Floors--1/2" in 12' or 3/16" in 4'

Wall Corners--Perpendicular within 1/4" in 10'

Wall Construction Flat--or no more than 3/8" in 8' (bulge)

But none of the contractors abide by the framing codes, nor do the city officials.

Unless something is so out of whack shimming in back of the sheetrock won't suffice it's OK here.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by hspinnler

existing The floor in question was framed with manufactured I-joists. .

Are you saying the house is out of level by 1 1/2" ? Don't sound right to me, not acceptable.

As to a standard, there must me one somewhere that states My house will be constructed plumb and level to tolerances of 1/4" +/-.

Marcel

[rcooke]

My house is not only plumb its better then plumb.
Roy sr

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Hi. Roy;

How can it be better than plumb?? Did you buy a new laser level?? ha. ha.
Some guys on my job can mess that up too!!

Marcel

[rcooke]

Originally Posted by mcyr

Hi. Roy;

How can it be better than plumb?? Did you buy a new laser level?? ha. ha.
Some guys on my job can mess that up too!!

Marcel

This came from My brother 40 years ago and I liked it so saved it to use .
The guy asked is it plumb and brother said Plumb why shes better then plumb and every body lost it.
Humour from the past .
It improves the day.
Another I rarely use but had my client last week crying .
Thats Ungood ,
We were talking about a section of floor that needed changing from dogs P
After he was able to talk he turned to the agent and said I like this guy he is the greatest.
You have to know you client before you do these things .
Roy sr

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Now that you mention it, I faintly remember that same saying.

Thanks Roy for the Mental block refresher.

Marcel

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Buy the "Residential Construction Performance Guidelines" from the NHBA Bookstore, most of the code related book sites or ITA. About 100 pages spiral bound and gives building tolerances for professional builders and remodelers, and the recommended repair for the issue.

Good reference book. We use it for construction monitorings & expert witness in addition to mfg installation guides, codes, etc.

[Brian E. Kelly]

Is this it Dan?

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Flatness/Levelness; Finished concrete surfaces of slabs on grade and wood floors should neet the following minimum tolerances for flatness F(F) and Levelness F(L) in areas with finish flooring materials.

ASTM E 1155/E 1155M for a randomly trafficked floor surface, except meet or exceed finish flooring manufacturer's required substrate tolerances where they are more stringent than the following:

Linoleum flooring and Cork flooring:
Flatness, F(F):35
Carpet:
Levelness F(F)20

These are just examples.

Similar levels would be appropriate for walls.

Marcel

[Robert J. OConnor]

Originally Posted by hspinnler

... I was contacted by someone in the construction field today who wanted to know what was acceptable regarding floors and where that reference could be found.

The first place to look is in the locally adopted construction codes (and the reference standards like AWC, ACI and AISC documents), and if ya strike out there or you really don't need a mandatory standard then ya go to industry references like the NAHB Guidelines.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Robert;

Now we sure are all confused.

Marcel

[Dan Bowers, CMI]

Brian - You got it!!

[Larry Ewens]

If the floor is out of level 1 1/2" in 18' the whole building is racked. Absolutly unacceptable. If the carpenter can't read a level he shouldn't be a carpenter. With the lazer levels available today there should be no deviation from level and plumb. We did it with a water level for years and our structures were never out of level. But then again a water level doesn't lie.
Larry

[David E. Helm]

What planet are you guys writing from? I have never seen a code inspector carrying a level. Never seen one even try to eyeball level and plumb. Seldom will one find a plumb and level house (new or old). The builder tries (hopefully) but with changes in moisture level, settling and a myriad of other factors working on the structure, things don't stay plumb and level. Having said all this, 1 1/2 inches in 18 feet is a bit much!