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Under the IBC, when is separation of occupancies required vs. not required? For the former, what criteria (i.e., fire ratings, construction) exist for the assemblies that form the separation?
Can dead loads be used to resist shear wall overturning? Can any dead loads be used or do they need to occur directly over the hold downs?
Does a diaphragm or shear wall constructed with tongue and groove sheathing qualify as a blocked diaphragm or shear wall?
Does shear wall blocking need to match the depth of the studs to which it is attached? Can it be oriented flat-wise with the wide face against the sheathing joint?
For a Type III or Type IV building, can non-treated studs and sheathing in a fire-tested assembly for exterior walls be replaced with fire retardant-treated studs and sheathing?