Cavity Wall Joint Reinforcement

​Could an contractor use a 12\" wide truss type horizontal joint reinforcement for a cavity wall (4\" Brick + 1.5\" air gap + 8\" CMU Block)?

​The 12" truss HJR will NOT meet the requirements of TMS 402/602-16 for cavity wall construction. Your wall system will have a total width of 13.5". The actual hjr width is 10". The wire/ rod in the veneer will only have 1 1/4" coverage which is not enough. The code also requires a rod in each face of the CMU. there are several options for anchoring the veneer, If you need seismic protection then you may need the rod in the veneer. I suspect not, The hjr  with a third rod is seriously labor intensive. The bricklayers have to lay brick under the outside rod without raising it. If they do bend it up slightly they will probably not get it to lay flat on the veneer and must take undue care to get the brick above to lay to the line as well as keeping the veneer below from being displaced. The best cavity wall reinforcing and anchoring system is one that utilizes what we call a hook and eye system. It has 8" HJR for the CMU with a double eye welded to it and separate hooks that  will connect to it and lay into the veneer horizontal joint. This is the best system for production and allows for vertical and horizontal movement of the veneer. Ladder type horizontal joint reinforcing is recommended in reinforced concrete masonry.
Be safe.
Jerry Painter, FASTM
[email protected]