Wood Wall & General Framing — Quick Reference

Wall Framing Specs

Item	Value
Exterior studs	2×6 (38×140) at 400 mm o.c.
Interior partitions	2×4 (38×89) at 400 mm o.c.
Max stud height (2×6 @ 400)	3660 mm (OBC Table 9.23.4.1.A)
Lumber grade	Min. No. 2 SPF (OBC 9.23.4.2)
Top plate	Double; joints staggered ≥1200 mm
Anchor bolt spacing	1200 mm o.c. max
Bottom plate moisture barrier	Sill gasket or poly (OBC 9.23.2.2)
Nails per stud-to-plate	3 nails (OBC Table 9.23.3.4)
Fireblocking	Each floor + 3 m vert. (OBC 9.10.16)

Overdriven nails (head breaks surface) do not count for shear capacity.

Location	Backing For
Sanctuary	Cross mount, projector, speakers, screens
Kitchen	Upper cabinets (900–1200 AFF, 19mm ply)
Washrooms	Grab bars (OBC 3.8.3), accessories
Corridors	Handrails 865–965 mm AFF
Fellowship Hall	Room divider track, basketball hoops
Stage	Curtain track, lighting bars, AV
Baptistry	Handrails, tile backer
Mech./Elec.	Panel boards (19mm ply, painted)

Complete blocking checklist BEFORE drywall. Photo all walls with tape measure for future reference.

Scaffold required for framing above 3 m — guardrails on all open sides, daily inspection (O. Reg. 213/91 s. 73).
Never cut I-joist flanges. A notched flange = broken joist.
Tall walls (6–10 m): Diagonal kickers at 2400 mm o.c. until sheathing complete. Check plumb from two axes with rotary laser.
Crane lifts (glulam): Lift plan, exclusion zone, signal person. 300×600 beam @ 6 m ≈ 350 kg.
Shear wall nailing: Verify spacing with ruler. Deficiency triggers P.Eng. re-analysis at contractor cost.

Check anchor bolts before framing — finding a bolt 50 mm off now saves hours with a rotary hammer later.
Set nailer pressure so nail heads are flush, not overdriven. Overdriven = no shear credit.
3-4-5 triangle (or 6-8-10, 9-12-15) to verify 90° corners. Check diagonals of every room (≤3 mm difference).
Photo every wall before drywall with tape measure in frame. Save by grid ref for future fixture mounting.
Stage framing: Run 100 mm PVC sleeves at corners and every 3 m along front edge for future AV access.