Page 192 - 8.5X11__AZ_VERSION_2_9-12-07

Division II – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Part 1 – REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL DESIGN METHODS
SECTION 2306 – DECAY AND TERMITE PROTECTION
2306.1 Preparation of Building Site. Site preparation shall be in accordance with Section 3302.
2306.2 Wood Support Embedded in Ground. Wood embedded in the ground or in direct
contact with the earth and used for the support of permanent structures shall be treated wood
unless continuously below the groundwater line or continuously submerged in fresh water.
Round or rectangular posts, poles and sawn timber columns supporting permanent structures
that are embedded in concrete or masonry in direct contact with earth or embedded in con-
crete or masonry exposed to the weather shall be treated wood. The wood shall be treated for
ground contact.
2306.3 Under-floor Clearance. When wood joists or the bottom of wood structural floors
without joists are located closer than 18-inches (457 mm) or wood girders are located closer
than 12-inches (305 mm) to exposed ground in crawl spaces or unexcavated areas located
within the periphery of the building foundation, the floor assembly, including posts, girders, joists
and subfloor, shall be approved wood of natural resistance to decay as listed in Section 2306.4
or treated wood.
When the above under-floor clearances are required, the under-floor area shall be acces-
sible. Accessible under-floor areas shall be provided with a minimum 18-inch-by-24-inch (457
mm by 610 mm) opening unobstructed by pipes, ducts and similar construction. All under-floor
access openings shall be effectively screened or covered. Pipes, ducts and other construction
shall not interfere with the accessibility to or within under-floor areas.
[For SPCB] There shall be a clearance of at least 18 inches (457 mm) between
underside of wood floor joists and the finished surface of the ground, and at least 12 inches
(305 mm) between the underside of any other wood horizontal framing member and the finished
surface of the ground. The ground underneath floor joists shall be leveled or smoothed off so
as to maintain a reasonably even surface. Accessible under-floor areas shall be provided with
an 18-inch by 24-inch (457 mm by 610 mm) access to crawl hole. Pipes, ducts and other
nonstructural construction shall not interfere with the accessibility to or within under-floor areas.
EXCEPTION: For purpose of structural pest control inspection, a minimum of 12 inches
(305 mm) of clearance under-floor joists shall be considered adequate except that such
clearance shall not be necessary where the subarea soil is of such a nature as to prevent
excavation or where excavation would create a hazard from shifting soil or other causes.
2306.4 Plates, Sills and Sleepers. All foundation plates or sills and sleepers on a concrete or
masonry slab, which is in direct contact with earth, and sills that rest on concrete or masonry
foundations, shall be treated wood or Foundation redwood, all marked or branded by an
approved agency. Foundation cedar or No. 2 Foundation redwood marked or branded by an
approved agency may be used for sills in territories where hazard of termite damage is slight,
any species of wood permitted by this code may be used for sills when specifically approved by
the building official.
2306.5 Columns and Posts [for SPCB] Separate Wood Framing. Columns and posts
located on concrete or masonry floors or decks exposed to the weather or to water splash or
in basements and that support permanent structures shall be supported by concrete piers or
metal pedestals projecting above floors unless approved wood of natural resistance to decay
or treated wood is used. The pedestals shall project at least 6 inches (152 mm) above exposed
earth and at least 1 inch (25 mm) above such floors.
199
Division II – GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Part 1 – REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE TO ALL DESIGN METHODS
SECTION 2306 – DECAY AND TERMITE PROTECTION
2306.1 Preparation of Building Site. Site preparation shall be in accordance with Section 3302.
2306.2 Wood Support Embedded in Ground. Wood embedded in the ground or in direct
contact with the earth and used for the support of permanent structures shall be treated wood
unless continuously below the groundwater line or continuously submerged in fresh water.
Round or rectangular posts, poles and sawn timber columns supporting permanent structures
that are embedded in concrete or masonry in direct contact with earth or embedded in con-
crete or masonry exposed to the weather shall be treated wood. The wood shall be treated for
ground contact.
2306.3 Under-floor Clearance. When wood joists or the bottom of wood structural floors
without joists are located closer than 18-inches (457 mm) or wood girders are located closer
than 12-inches (305 mm) to exposed ground in crawl spaces or unexcavated areas located
within the periphery of the building foundation, the floor assembly, including posts, girders, joists
and subfloor, shall be approved wood of natural resistance to decay as listed in Section 2306.4
or treated wood.
When the above under-floor clearances are required, the under-floor area shall be acces-
sible. Accessible under-floor areas shall be provided with a minimum 18-inch-by-24-inch (457
mm by 610 mm) opening unobstructed by pipes, ducts and similar construction. All under-floor
access openings shall be effectively screened or covered. Pipes, ducts and other construction
shall not interfere with the accessibility to or within under-floor areas.
[For SPCB] There shall be a clearance of at least 18 inches (457 mm) between
underside of wood floor joists and the finished surface of the ground, and at least 12 inches
(305 mm) between the underside of any other wood horizontal framing member and the finished
surface of the ground. The ground underneath floor joists shall be leveled or smoothed off so
as to maintain a reasonably even surface. Accessible under-floor areas shall be provided with
an 18-inch by 24-inch (457 mm by 610 mm) access to crawl hole. Pipes, ducts and other
nonstructural construction shall not interfere with the accessibility to or within under-floor areas.
EXCEPTION: For purpose of structural pest control inspection, a minimum of 12 inches
(305 mm) of clearance under-floor joists shall be considered adequate except that such
clearance shall not be necessary where the subarea soil is of such a nature as to prevent
excavation or where excavation would create a hazard from shifting soil or other causes.
2306.4 Plates, Sills and Sleepers. All foundation plates or sills and sleepers on a concrete or
masonry slab, which is in direct contact with earth, and sills that rest on concrete or masonry
foundations, shall be treated wood or Foundation redwood, all marked or branded by an
approved agency. Foundation cedar or No. 2 Foundation redwood marked or branded by an
approved agency may be used for sills in territories where hazard of termite damage is slight,
any species of wood permitted by this code may be used for sills when specifically approved by
the building official.
2306.5 Columns and Posts [for SPCB] Separate Wood Framing. Columns and posts
located on concrete or masonry floors or decks exposed to the weather or to water splash or
in basements and that support permanent structures shall be supported by concrete piers or
metal pedestals projecting above floors unless approved wood of natural resistance to decay
or treated wood is used. The pedestals shall project at least 6 inches (152 mm) above exposed
earth and at least 1 inch (25 mm) above such floors.
186