(A) Load-bearing bale walls shall have a roof-bearing assembly at the top of the wall to bear the roof load and to provide a means of connecting the roof structure to the foundation. The roof-bearing assembly shall be continuous along the tops of structural walls.
(B) An acceptable roof-bearing assembly option consists of two double two-inch by six-inch, or larger, horizontal top plates, one located at the inner edge of the wall and the other at the outer edge. Connecting the two doubled top-plates and located horizontally and perpendicular to the length of the wall shall be two-inch by six-inch cross members spaced no more than 72 inches center to center, and as required to align with the threaded rods extending from the anchor bolts in the foundation. The double two-inch by six-inch top plates shall be face nailed with 16d nails staggered at 16 inches on center, with laps and intersections face nailed with four 16d nails. The cross members shall be face nailed to the top plates with four 16d nails at each end. Corner connections shall include overlaps nailed as above or an acceptable equivalent such as plywood gussets or metal plates. Alternatives to this roof-bearing assembly option must provide equal or greater vertical rigidity and provide horizontal rigidity equivalent to a continuous double two by four top plate.
(C) The connection of roof-framing members to the roof-bearing assembly shall comply with the appropriate sections of the UBC.
(Res. 96-17, passed 12-12-1996)