Interior Detailing for Fire, Acoustics, and Structural in Light-Frame Wood Construction

Designing interior wall and floor-ceiling assemblies in mid-rise multi-family wood buildings means balancing fire-resistance, acoustics, constructability, and structural performance—requirements that are sometimes at odds with each other. This course takes a practical, detail-driven approach to the design of common interior wood assemblies, including unit demising walls, corridor walls, shaft walls, fire walls, and floor/ceiling assemblies in Types III and V construction. Through step-by-step discussions and real-world examples, participants will evaluate economical assembly options, explore strategies for maintaining fire-resistance continuity at wall and floor intersections, and understand ways to minimize acoustical flanking. The course also addresses structural considerations such as wood-sheathed shear walls and options for analyzing light-frame wood floor vibrations. Attendees will leave with a clearer understanding of tested assemblies, permitted modifications, and practical tools for selecting and detailing compliant solutions in mid-rise, multi-family projects.

By the end of the course, you will be able to do the following:

• Apply building code provisions governing fire-resistance ratings and acoustical performance for interior wall and floor-ceiling assemblies in Types III and V construction.
• Evaluate and select appropriate assemblies for unit demising walls, corridor walls, shaft walls, and wood floor systems, for use in multi-family construction.
• Discuss design and detailing strategies to achieve required fire resistance and acoustical and vibration performance of floor assemblies in light-frame wood structures.
• Understand permitted modifications to tested assemblies and alternative code paths to tested assemblies in order to achieve code-compliant wall and floor-ceiling assemblies.

Recorded courses are available on The Wood Institute. You must create a free account to take these on-demand courses.