BRACED WALL PANELS

Prescriptive Design
The Building Code requires that all Typical bracing requirements for light-
residential buildings that are constructed of frame construction are shown below in
light-frame wood construction shall be Figure 1. Exterior braced wall lines
braced in accordance with the 2006 typically consist of the exterior walls
International Residential Code (IRC), or shall while interior braced wall lines are
have a lateral bracing system designed by an those main cross partitions that cross
engineer. This handout discusses only through the building either transversely
“prescriptive” design; that is, design utilizing or longitudinally. Braced wall lines
typical, well known wood frame construction must have sufficient lengths of wall
methods that do not require an engineered without openings to provide the
lateral system. It is essentially the “cookbook” method of minimum amount of bracing. No building can be more
bracing, using relatively simple box type designs. These than 35’ long without interior braced wall lines.
structural boxes provide the load resistance to enable
buildings to remain standing during earthquakes or major Figure 1
wind events. To illustrate the concept, think of a stack of
closed cardboard boxes… it is somewhat stable. However,
think of what would happen if you removed one side of the
box on the bottom. The stack would quickly collapse.
This series of boxes… the system of braced wall lines, and
braced wall panels, along with roof and floor diaphragms,
is what makes up the lateral bracing system that provides
the strength to keep buildings upright and safe. This
system includes both interior and exterior walls, as well as
the connections to foundations, floors and roof systems.
The wall lines are called braced wall lines. Braced wall
lines are made up of wall segments called braced wall
panels.
For additional information regarding prescriptive bracing
design, please see handout, Does my Building Design
Need Engineering?
Wall Bracing Fundamentals
For buildings located in Seismic Design Category D2,(all
of Kitsap County) braced wall lines must be provided
along the perimeter of the building, and across the middle
at intervals of 25 feet, with some exceptions. Within the
IRC, there are many specific details and bracing
requirements as well as many exceptions that allow a great
deal of design flexibility. This handout includes the most
common, essential information in an effort to help builders
better understand the basic code requirements to lead to
success in undertaking their own projects. For additional
specific requirements and other possible options and
exceptions, the IRC should be referenced.

City of Bremerton Department of Community Development (360) 473-5275

345 6th Street, Suite 600 Inspections: (360) 473-5870
Bremerton, WA 98337 Fax: (253) 473-5278
12/10/2007
Some basic rules of prescriptive bracing in Seismic
Design Category D2 are shown below. Many of the basic
rules do, however, have exceptions that allow limited
modification of the requirements. A double asterisk**
below, signifies that exceptions exist, that will be
discussed in more detail later in this document.
Braced Wall Lines
o Every roof and floor must be supported on all
sides by braced wall lines.**
o Braced wall lines must be placed across the
building at least every 25 feet.**
o Braced wall lines may have offsets of up to 4 feet
(in each direction) along the length of the braced
wall line.
o Braced wall lines must be perpendicular to each
other.
o Buildings longer than 50 feet must have
continuous footings and foundations under the
interior braced wall lines.**
o If cripple walls are used (wood walls between the
foundation and the first floor framing) they must
be constructed as braced wall lines and
considered as an additional story if over 4 feet
tall.
o Braced wall lines must have at least 25% of the
wall area constructed as braced wall panels for
single story buildings, or the top floor walls of a
two-story; and 55% of the wall area constructed
as bracing on the first story walls of a two story
building.**
Braced Wall Panels
o Braced Wall panels must be at least 48 inches
long (plywood or OSB).**
o Braced wall panels must be located at the ends of
every braced wall line.**
o Braced wall panels must be located at least every
25 feet on center along every braced wall line.**
o Braced wall panels may be constructed by any
one of seven allowable methods found in IRC
Section R602.10.3, though the most common
methods of braced wall panel construction are
method #3, wood structural panel sheathing,
(plywood or OSB) and method #5 for interior
walls using gypsum wall board.
o Required braced wall panels may be replaced by
“Alternate Braced Wall Panels” that can be as
small as 2 feet 8 inches long.
#62—BRACED WALL PANELS
Page 2
Braced Wall Panel Locations
Braced wall lines shall consist of
braced wall panels that meet the
requirements for location, type, and
amount of bracing specified in the table below, and are
in line or offset from each other by not more than 4'.
Braced wall panels shall be located at the end of each
braced wall line, or may start up to 8 feet from the end
provided certain conditions are satisfied. All braced
wall panels shall be clearly indicated on the plans.
Braced Wall IRC R602.10.3 Bracing Requirements
Panel Location Construction
Method(s)
Located at each end and at
least every 25 feet on center
One Story,
but not less than 25% of
or top story of a 2,3,4,5,6,7 or 8
braced wall line for Method 3
two story
and 40% of braced wall line for
Methods 2,4,5,6,7 or 8.
Located at each end and at
least every 25 feet on center
First Story of a
2,3,4,5,6,7 or 8
but not less than 55% of
two story braced wall line for Method 3
and 75% of braced wall line for
Methods 2,4,5,6,7 or 8
Located at each end and at
Cripple Walls least every 25 feet on center
less than 48” tall
Method 3
but not less than 75% of
braced wall line.
Braced Wall Panel Construction
IRC Section R602.10.3 specifies 8 different methods to
construct braced wall panels, however, in Seismic Design
Category D2 area, only Methods 2 through 8 are
allowable. Method 3 is by far the most common method,
and Method 5 is frequently used for interior braced wall
panels; they are described below. The other methods are
not described in this handout, however could be used.
For the other methods, please see IRC Section R602.10.3.
• Method 3: Wood structural panel sheathing with
a thickness not less than 5/16" for 16" stud
spacing and not less than 3/8" for 24" stud
spacing. Wood structural panels shall be installed
in accordance with IRC Table R602.3(3). See
Figure 4)
• Method 5: Gypsum sheathing, minimum ½ inch
thickness, placed on studs spaced a maximum of
24 inches on center and fastened with 1 ½ inch
galvanized roofing nails or 6d common nails at 7
inches on center throughout; Or, gypsum
wallboard (interior) fastened with 5d cooler nails
spaced 7” on center throughout.(See Figure 5)
All vertical joints in braced wall panels shall occur over
the studs; all horizontal panel joints shall occur over
blocking at least 1½ inches thick.
 FIGURE 4:
TYPICAL PRESCRIPTIVE BRACED WALL PANEL
(per IRC Section R602.10.3, Method #3)

4'-0" min. 2 - 2x Top plates.

Stagger joints 4'-0" min.
Nail 16d at 16" oc.

2x studs spaced 24" o.c. max. End nail stud

to top plate with 2-16d nails. Nail stud to sill
plate with 4-8d toenails or 2-16d end nail.

Wood structural panel sheathing

minimum 5/16" thick for studs 16" oc.
and minimum 3/8" thick for studs 24" oc.

2x Blocking installed against sheathing and

nailed to studs with 16d nails. Nail sheathing
at 6 inches on center at panel edges and
10'-0" 12 inches on center in the panel field.
Max.

2x sill plate nailed to joist or blocking

with 3-16d nails per 16".

Approved floor system

2x Pressure treated mud sill

1/2" dia. anchor bolt with min. 7"
embedment spaced 4'-0" on center for
a two story building, 6'-0" on center for
a single story building. One bolt within
12" of each end of each piece of plate
material. 3"x3"x0.229" hot-dipped
galvanized plate washers are required.

Approved Foundation System,

Nail sheathing with 8d common or galvanized box nails spaced 6" on center
* at sheathing panel edges and 12" oc. in the field.
Braced wall panels (BWP or ABP) must be located at each end of each braced wall line.
Or, IRC Section R602.10.11 allows the braced wall panel (BWP) to be located up to 8' from the end of
the braced wall line, provided there is a hold down device at the end of the BWP nearest the end of the
braced wall line. Additional options may also be available, See IRC 602.10 for more information.
#62—BRACED WALL PANELS
Page 3
 FIGURE 5:
PRESCRIPTIVE INTERIOR BRACED WALL PANEL
(per IRC Section R602.10.3, Method #5)

4'-0" min. for GWB on 2 sides

8'-0" min. for GWB on one side 2 - 2x Top plates.
Stagger joints at least 4'-0" minimum.
Nail 16d at 16" oc.

2x studs spaced 24" o.c. max. End nail stud

to top plate with 2-16d nails. Nail stud to sole
plate with 4-8d toenails or 2-16d end nail.

1/2" thick min. gypsum wall board fastened

to all framing with screws or nails at 7" on
center at all studs and blocking.
Sheathing is shown cut away for clarity.

2x Blocking installed against sheathing and

nailed to studs with 16d nails. Nail sheathing
10'-0" at 7 inches on center at all panel edges and
Max. throughout the panel field.

2x sole plate nailed to joist or blocking

with 3-16d nails per 16"

Approved floor system. Double joist under

braced wall panel where joists run parallel
to BWP. Block between joists where
running perpendicular to BWP.

#62—BRACED WALL PANELS

Page 4
Alternate Braced Wall Panels
In braced wall panel locations on exterior walls where
the wall line is fully supported on a full foundation,
standard 4 foot braced wall panels may be replaced by
minimum 2’-8” alternate braced wall panel. This option
allows a shorter part of the wall to be used to provide the
minimum bracing support. See Figure 6 on the
following page.
Alternate Braced Wall Panels (ABWP) shall be
constructed as follows:
In one-story buildings:
(1,800# ABWP)
• Each ABWP shall have a length of not less than 2
feet, 8 inches and a height of not more than 10 feet.
• Each ABWP shall be sheathed on one face with 3/8
inch minimum thickness wood structural panel
sheathing nailed with 8d common nails placed at 6
inches on center around the panel perimeter, and 12
inches on center in the panel field. All plywood
joints shall be made over full blocking.
• Each ABWP shall have at least two anchor bolts
installed at the panel quarter points.
• Each ABWP end stud shall have a tie-down device
fastened to the foundation, capable of providing an
uplift capacity of not less than 1,800 lbs. The tie-
down device shall be installed according to the
manufacturer’s directions.
• Each ABWP shall be supported directly on a
reinforced foundation, or on floor framing supported
directly on the foundation that is continuous across
the entire length of the braced wall line, such that the
tie down device connects directly to the foundation.
In the first story of two-story buildings, (3,000# ABWP)
each ABWP shall be constructed the same as for a one-
story building, except:
• The wood structural panel sheathing shall be
provided on BOTH faces.
• The sheathing edge-nailing spacing shall be at 4
inches on center.
• Three anchor bolts shall be placed at one-fifth
points.
• The tie-down devices shall provide an uplift capacity
of not less than 3,000 lbs.
#62—BRACED WALL PANELS
Page 5
By city of Bremerton policy, it is allowable to use an
alternate braced wall panel on the top floor of a two-
story building provided a 3,000# ABWP is located
directly below the upper ABWP such that the tie-down
devices above connect directly to the foundation through
the ABWP hold-down devices below. A complete load
path to the foundation must be maintained.
Lateral Restraint Panels (LRP)
(Limited Allowable Uses)
By city of Bremerton Policy, a lateral restraint panel
(LRP) may replace any BWP required by code in a
single-story Group U occupancy only, such as a
single-story garage or storage shed. An LRP cannot be
used in a house. See Figure 7 on page 7.
An LRP shall have:
• A width of at least 24".
• A reinforced foundation, continuous across the
entire braced wall line.
• The solid header from the adjacent opening shall
continue across the top of the LRP.
• End studs shall be doubled and shall have tie-down
devices that provide an uplift capacity of not less
than 2,400 lbs.
• Two anchor bolts with 7" minimum embedment into
the reinforced concrete foundation.
• Minimum 3/8" APA-rated sheathing nailed to all
studs, plates and headers with 8d nails placed 3" on
center in all directions.
For the purposes of
calculating percentages
of wall bracing along a
wall line, each ABWP
or LRP may be
considered to provide 4
feet of required bracing.
 FIGURE 6:
PRESCRIPTIVE ALTERNATE BRACED WALL PANEL
(per IRC Section R602.10.6).
2'-8" minimum 2 - 2x Top plates.
Stagger joints 4'-0" min.
Nail 16d at 16" oc.

2x studs spaced 24" o.c. max. End nail stud

to top plate with 2-16d nails. Nail stud to sill
plate with 4-8d toenails or 2-16d end nails.

Wood structural panel sheathing

minimum 5/16" thick for studs 16" oc.
and minimum 3/8" thick for studs 24" oc.
Sheath one side for single story, or
both sides if on the first of two stories.

2x Blocking installed against sheathing and

nailed to studs with 16d nails. Nail sheathing
to blocking and all panel edes at 6" on center.
10'-0" Max
Approved steel hold down device.
Install and fasten per manufacturer's
instructions. 1800# capacity required for
one story and the second of two stories,
3000# capacity required for first of two
stories.

2x sill plate nailed to joist or blocking

with 3-16d nails in every 16 inches of plate.

1/2" diameter anchor bolts with min. 7"

embedment and 3"x 3"x 1/4" galvanized
square plate washers required. Two bolts
required at quarter points for single
story, three bolts required at fifth points
for two story construction.
Approved floor system

Approved Foundation System

Nail sheathing with 8d common or galvanized box nails spaced 6" on center
* at sheathing panel edges and 12" oc. in the field.

#62—BRACED WALL PANELS

Page 6
 FIGURE 7:
PRESCRIPTIVE LATERAL RESTRAINT PANEL

2 - 2x Top plates.
2'-0" min. Stagger joints 4'-0" min.
Nail 16d at 16" oc.

4x12 Header min. Nail sheathing to header

at 3" on center each way.

Double 2x studs spaced 24" o.c. max.

End nail stud to top plate with 2-16d nails.
Nail each stud to sole plate with
4-8d toenails or 2-16d end nails.

Minimum 3/8" sheathing, ( APA rated 24/0,

exposure 1- contact material supplier for
details. Shown cut away for clarity).
Nailed to all studs, headers and plates
with 8d nails at 3" on center.
10'-0" Max
Approved hooked-end wood to concrete
connector (hold-down) installed on each end
of panel. Fasten connectors per manufacture
specifications to develop min. 2400# capacity

1/2" dia. anchor bolts with minimum 7"

embedment, and 3"x3"x1/4" galvanized
square plate washers.

Approved Foundation System

For use only in garage and shed end walls.

* If a floor intervenes between foundation and braced panel, the plywood shall overlap
the rim joist and sill plate. Provide holddowns, bolts and plywood nailing as shown.

#62—BRACED WALL PANELS

Page 7
 Lateral Restraint Panels are for use only in single story
Group U occupancies only,
Or, portal frames in accordance with IRC Figure 602.10.6.2

Interior Braced Wall

Panel Support
In one-story buildings located in
Seismic Design Category D2, interior
braced wall lines shall be supported on
continuous foundations at intervals not
exceeding 50 feet. In two story
buildings, all interior braced wall panels
shall be supported on continuous
foundations with the following
exception:
Two-story buildings may have
interior braced wall lines
supported on continuous
foundations at intervals not
exceeding 50 feet provided that:
1. The height of cripple walls
does not exceed 4 feet and the
cripple wall nailing pattern is
increased to 4 inches on center.
2. Interior braced wall panels
are supported on doubled floor
joists, continuous blocking or
floor beams.
3. The distance between bracing
lines does not exceed twice the
building width measured
parallel to the braced wall line.

#62—BRACED WALL PANELS

Page 8
Exceptions to the General Rules:
Please keep in mind that when using
these exceptions and options, such
information must be clearly
and accurately shown on
the construction plans!!!
o Rule: Every roof and floor must be
supported on all sides by braced wall lines.
o Exception: Covered porches and roof
extensions may extend up to 6 feet beyond a
braced wall line provided there are no walls or floors
supported by such roof extension.
o Excepton: Covered porches in accordance with
may extend up to a maximum of 16’ under certain
conditions.
o Rule: Braced wall lines must be placed across the
building at least every 25 feet.
o Exception: One room can extend up to a maximum
of 35 feet without an interior braced wall line
provided the room is no more than 900 square feet in
area and bracing of the remaining walls at that level
must have the minimum percentage of wall bracing
adjusted by the values shown in Table R602.10.11
below.
TABLE R602.10.11
ADJUSTMENT OF BRACING AMOUNTS FOR INTERIOR
BRACED WALL LINES ACCORDING TO BRACED WALL
SPACING
Braced Wall Line Spacing Multiply Bracing Amounts
(feet) In Table R602.10.1 By:
o Rule: Braced wall panels must be
located at least every 25 feet on center
along every braced wall line.
o Exception: Don’t forget… For
typical bracing (Method 3) there
needs to also be 25% of wall area on
single-story, or the top walls of two-
story buildings, and 55% of wall area
as bracing on the first floor of two-
story buildings (unless modified by
the Table R602.10.11 exception at
left). This provision usually means
far more bracing than 25 feet on
center will be required.
o Rule: Braced Wall panels must be at least 48 inches
long (plywood or OSB).
o Exceptions: The Alternate Braced Wall Panels and
Lateral Braced Wall Panels as described above may
be 2’8” and 2’0” respectively, though for percentage
purposes, may both be considered as 4 feet of wall
bracing.
There are also a few other conditional exceptions based
on policies utilizing specific products or specific
methods that have been approved for particular uses.
Contact a Building Plans examiner for additional details.

15 or less .6
20 .8
25 1.0
30 1.2
35 1.4
The adjustment is limited to the larger spacing between braced
wall lines to either side of an interior braced wall line

Notice that when interior braced wall line spacing is

greater than 25 feet the amount of bracing is increased,
however, when all interior braced wall line spacing is
less than 25 feet on center, the amount of bracing is
allowed to be reduced.

#62—BRACED WALL PANELS

Page 9
o Rule: Braced wall panels must be located at the ends of every braced wall line as shown below.
Minimum 48"
8d nails at 6" o.c. at BWP
panel edges, 12" o.c.
in panel field

Minimum 48" wide wood

16d at 24" o.c. structural panel BWP
located at end of wall

R602.10.11, Braced Wall Panel at End of Braced Wall Line

o Exception: IRC Section R602.10.11 allows braced wall panels to be located up to 8 feet from the end of the braced
wall line provided that either one of the two following conditions are satisfied:

1. A minimum 24-inch-wide panel is applied to each side of the building corner and the two 24-inch-wide panels at
the corner shall be attached to the framing in accordance with the figure below; Or,
Maximum 8' 0"

Min. 24" Minimum 48"

8d nails at 6" o.c. at BWP
panel edges, 12" o.c.
in panel field

16d at 24" o.c. Minimum 48" wide wood

structural panel BWP
starting within 8' of corner
Minimum 24" panels
at both sides of corner
R602.10.11, Exception Condition #1
o 2. The end of each braced wall panel closest to the corner shall have a tie-down device connecting the foundation to
the stud at the edge of the braced wall panel closest to the corner, as shown in the figure below. The tie-down device
shall be capable of providing an uplift allowable design value of at least 1,800 pounds. The tie-down device shall be
installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s directions.
Maximum 8' 0" Minimum 48"
BWP

Minimum 1800# capacity Minimum 48" wide BWP

hold-down device located starting within 8" of corner
at the end of BWP 8d nails at 6" o.c. at
nearest the end of the panel edges, 12" o.c.
braced wall line in panel field
R602.10.11, Exception Condition #2

#62—BRACED WALL PANELS

Page 10