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Decks by Alter Eagle Santa Rosa and Sebastopol, California

Decks dash CA dot com - Decks and decking in the N. SF Bay area Northern California

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Minimum Built-up Beam Sizes Pressure Treated H/fir #2 or better (group x Douglas Fir & S. Pine)
Joist Span	Space between Posts in Ft
	4 ft	5 ft	6 ft	7 ft	8 ft	9 ft	10 ft
6 ft	2-2x8	2-2x8	2-2x8	2-2x10	2-2x10	2-2x10	2-2x12
7 ft	2-2x10	2-2x10	2-2x10	2-2x10	2-2x10	2-2x12	2-2x12
8 ft	2-2x10	2-2x10	2-2x10	2-2x12	2-2x12	2-2x12	3-2x12
9 ft	2-2x10	2-2x10	2-2x12	2-2x12	2-2x12	3-2x12	----
10 ft	2-2x10	2-2x12	2-2x12	3-2x12	3-2x12	----	----
11 ft	2-2x12	2-2x12	3-2x12	3-2x12	----	----	----
12 ft	2-2x12	3-2x12	3-2x12	3-2x12	----	----	----
---- Denotes Beams Larger than x12

Minimum Solid Beam Sizes Pressure Treated H/fir #2 or better (group x Douglas Fir & S. Pine) 40#L.L. 10#D.L.
Joist Span	Space between Posts in Feet
	5 ft	6 ft	7 ft	8 ft	9 ft	10 ft	11 ft	12 ft
5 ft	4x6	4x6	4x6	4x8	4x8	4x10	4x10	4x10
6 ft	4x6	4x6	4x8	4x8	4x8	4x10	4x10	4x12
7 ft	4x6	4x6	4x8	4x8	4x10	4x10	4x12	4x12
8 ft	4x6	4x8	4x8	4x10	4x10	4x12	4x12	4x12
9 ft	4x6	4x8	4x8	4x10	4x10	4x12	4x12	6x10
10 ft	4x6	4x8	4x8	4x10	4x10	4x12	6x10	6x12
11 ft	4x6	4x8	4x10	4x10	4x12	4x12	6x10	6x12
12 ft	4x8	4x8	4x10	4x10	4x12	6x10	6x12	6x12
13 ft	6x10	6x10	6x10	6x12	6x12	6x12	----	----
14 ft	6x12	6x12	6x12	6x12	6x12	6x12	----	----

Splice Beams over posts &
use the PC series Simson connector when over 30" high in CA

Use solid p.t. beams when you can, a 4x8 rather than built up beams ofr example.
I find build ups collect water and soils in the joints and premotes decay.
Even pressure treat will decay over time.

On Designing Decks: Joist & Beam Sizes - Please consult UBC span tables on page 8.3

Note: In California live and dead loads can vary. For example some more northern areas may require an additional 10 psf D.L. you can get that info from your local building department

Balconies require 60 p.s.f.
Guard & cap rail for 20# per lineal foot over 30" deck height

These tables serve as guides only, always consult an engineer.

Check the live & dead loads then select the species for your area,
in Northern California it's typically doug fir.

Framing & Foundation designed for 40 psf L.L. and D.L.

NAILING SCHEDULE - 1994 UBC TABLE 23-I-Q
International Conference of Building Officials
Built-up girder and beams 20d @ 32" o.c. at top and bottom and staggered, 2-20d at ends and at each splice.

Simpson Beam Connectors

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Beam Connector over 30"

Beam Spans