Section 408.42634. Open web joists; field-bolted joists.

(1) Except as provided in subrule (2) of this rule, where steel joists are used and columns are not framed in at least 2 directions with solid web structural steel members, a steel joist shall be field-bolted at the column to provide lateral stability to the column during erection. For the installation of this joist all of the following provisions apply:

(a)   A vertical stabilizer plate shall be provided on each column for steel joists. The plate shall be a minimum of 6 inches by 6 inches (152 mm by 152 mm) and shall extend not less than 3 inches (76 mm) below the bottom chord of the joist with a 13/16-inch (21 mm) hole to provide an attachment point for guying or plumbing cables.

(b)    The bottom chords of steel joists at columns shall be stabilized to prevent rotation during erection.

(c)   Hoisting cables shall not be released until the seat at each end of the steel joist is field-bolted, and each end of the bottom chord is restrained by the column stabilizer plate.

(2)   If constructability does not allow a steel joist to be installed at the column, then both of the following provisions apply:

(a)   An alternate means of stabilizing joists shall be installed on both sides near the column and the  alternate  means  shall  satisfy all of the following provisions:

(i)   Provide stability equivalent to subrule (1) of this rule.

(ii)   Be designed by a qualified person.

(iii)   Be shop-installed.

(iv)   Be included in the erection drawings.

(b)   Hoisting cables shall not be released until the seat at each end of the steel joist is field-bolted and the joist is stabilized.

(3)   If steel joists at or near columns span 60 feet (18.3 m) or less, then the joist shall be designed with sufficient strength to allow 1 employee to release the hoisting cable without the need for erection bridging.

(4)   If steel joists at or near columns span more than 60 feet (18.3 m), then the joists shall be set in tandem with all bridging installed, unless an alternative method of erection, which provides equivalent stability to the steel joist, is designed by a qualified person and is included  in the site-specific erection plan.

(5)    A steel joist or steel joist girder shall not be placed on any support structure unless the structure is stabilized.

(6)   If steel joists are landed on a structure, then they shall be secured to prevent unintentional displacement before installation.

(7)   A modification that affects the strength of a steel joist or steel joist girder shall not be made without the approval of the project structural engineer of record.

(8)   Both of the following provisions apply to field-bolted joists:

(a)   Except for steel joists that  have  been  preassembled  into   panels, connections of individual steel joists to steel structures in bays of 40 feet (12.2 m) or more shall be fabricated  to allow for field-bolting during erection.

(b)   The connections specified in subdivision (a) of this subrule shall be field-bolted unless constructability does not allow.

(9)   Steel joists and steel joist girders shall not be used as anchorage points for a fall arrest system unless written approval to do so is  obtained from a qualified person.

(10)   A bridging terminus point shall be established before bridging is installed. (See appendix C)

History: 2002 AACS; 2007 AACS.