Structural Demands of Building Tall Walls

This course will identify the strength reductions in wood fiber base that conflict with industry’s demand for taller walls and larger windows. We will discuss code requirements in MN and WI and help inform the students to design and build a code-compliant home.

Course Outline

• Intro and briefly state how harvesting practices affect the end use of visually graded construction material and how that intersects with greater design requirements
• Discuss requirements of the tall wall design and look at both prescriptive and design options to meet those requirements.
• Address code requirements in Minnesota and Wisconsin regarding vertical and lateral loads and wind exposure requirements.
• Provide correct design and installation guidelines to meet both window manufacturer’s and building code requirements.
• Commonly asked questions

Learner Objectives

• Easily identify the problems that can occur with tall walls.
• Recognize the requirements that exist for both vertical and lateral loads.
• Be able to  recognize proper design and installation practices that will ensure a lasting code compliant wall.

In-Person Course Requirements

In order to earn CE credit(s) for in-person courses, students must attend the entire course during the time span(s) listed. Credit(s) will not be issued for the following:

• Non-attendance
• Arriving more than 5 minutes after a course has begun
• Leaving before completion of the course
• Leaving the classroom for more than 5 minutes during a course hour
• Non-payment of the course
• Failure to sign-in and/or sign-out

Students must sign-in/sign-out, and be prepared to show their driver’s license or other legal identification with their photo if requested.

A quiz is not required for those attending for Minnesota contractor, building official, and Realtor continuing education, or Wisconsin continuing education. Students attending for International Accreditors for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) CEU(s) must complete a quiz following the course and achieve 70% correct answers.

Credit Info

This course is approved for one hour of MN residential contractor, remodeler, and building official continuing education by the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry. This course is approved for one hour of WI Dwelling Contractor Qualifier CE by the Wisconsin Dept. of Safety & Professional Services. This course is approved for one hour of MN realtor continuing education by the Minnesota Department of Commerce.

If you are eligible to receive continuing education credits, your information will be electronically reported to the appropriate agency within 3 business days of course completion.

Questions and Comments

Questions and comments related to the curriculum for this course may be submitted to the instructor at education@housingfirstmn.org.