R604 Overview

Section R604 is titled 'Wood Structural Panels' and covers the requirements for the construction and installation of wood structural panels which are sheets of manufactured wood or composite materials installed across framing members, such as floor joists, wall studs, and rafters, which work together with those members as a structural assembly. Within the subsections, identification and grade, allowable spans, and installation requirements is established. The purpose of this section is to prevent structural failure.

The model shows two of the most common type of wood structrual panels - plywood (which is an assembly of glued, heated, and pressed together plies of wood veneer); and oriented strand board (commonly referenced by its acronym, 'OSB', which is an assembly of glued, heated, and pressed together small chips or flakes of wood with the grain pattern altered in different layers which adds strength to the panel.) These panels are commonly sold in 4' x 8' sheets with varying thicknesses, span ratings, and glue bond classifications. Sheets are also manufactured with flat edges or tongue-and-groove edges which fit together to add additional strength to the panels (not shown in this model).