Expansion Joints

​Expansion Joints (Article dated Nov 11, 2015)  states:
\"According to the Building Code, specifying the location of the expansion joints is the responsibility of the designer (usually the Architect) ,,,,,,,\"
The architect is requiring TMC to provide Expansion Joint layout, after reviewing the documents we are not comfortable providing this information and we're hoping we could get the Building Code number so we can reference it in our response to the design team.

Since you are asking about expansion joints you must be talking about brick veneer. Expansion joints are located in clay masonry and control joints are located in cmu masonry. The only reference to expansion joints in brick veneers in TMS 402-16 is on page C-188 in Chapter 12 on Veneers. Section 12.2.2.11 states that in Seismic Design Categories C & D veneers should be isolated at the top and sides but doesn't give any dimensions.
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Before you enter into a discussion you SHOULD read the Forward to Specification Checklists on page S-83 of TMS602-16. These Checklists are no longer a part of TMS 602 but are provided to assist the Architect/Engineer in their decision making process to make sure nothing is left out of the project documents. In the Mandatory Requirements Checklist in Part 3 section3.3 D.6 the A/E is required to "indicate the type and location of movement joints on the project drawings. There is additional information available for the A/E in BIA Tech Notes on the subject.

Expansion joints have specific  reasons for being located properly. Do not allow the locations of these joints to be put upon the masonry contractor. sometime an A/E will put in something like "expansion joints shall not be located more than 25' apart". What that tells me is they do not understand the reasons and proper locations of expansion joints. :-) if they say something like that tell them then you will put them where ever you choose whether they work or not.. Do not let it get into your subcontract because you will be responsible for any cracks that show up.
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Jerry Painter, FASTM
[email protected]