Technical Specifications

P. 3
P3 JOIST (continued)
Storage and Handling Guidelines
1� Store, stack, and handle P3 Joists in a vertical and level position only�
2� Do not store P3 Joists in direct contact with the ground; do not store P3 Joist
flatwise�
3� Protect P3 Joists from weather, and use stickers to separate bundles�
4� To protect P3 Joists further from dirt and weather, do not open bundles until
time of installation�
5� When lifting P3 Joists with a crane on the job site, take a few simple precautions
to prevent damage to the P3 Joists and to prevent injury to yourwork crew�
• Lift P3 Joists in bundles as shipped by the supplier�
• Orient the bundles so that the webs of the P3 Joists are vertical�
• Lift the bundles at the 5th points, using a spreader bar if necessary�
6� Do not twist or apply loads to the P3 Joists when horizontal�
7� Never use or try to repair a damaged P3 Joists�
Safety Precautions
WARNING P3 Joists are not stable until completely installed and will not carry any
load until fully braced and sheathed�
Avoid Accidents by Following These Important Guidelines.
1� Brace and nail each P3 Joist as it is installed, using hangers, blocking panels, rim
board, and/or cross-bridging at joist ends� When P3 Joists are applied continuously
over interior supports and a load-bearing wall is planned at the location, blocking
will be required at the interior supports�
2� When the building is completed, the floor sheathing will provide lateral support
for the top flanges of the P3 Joists� Until this sheathing is applied, temporary
bracing, often called struts, or temporary sheathing must be applied to prevent
P3 Joist rollover or buckling�
• Temporary bracing or struts must be 1x 4” minimum, at least 8’ long,
spaced no more than 8’ on center, and secured with a minimum of two8d
nails fastened to the top surface of each P3 Joist� Nail bracing to alateral
restraint at the end of each bay� Lap ends of adjoining bracing over at
least two P3 Joists�
• Or, sheathing (temporary or permanent) can be nailed to the top flange
of the first 4’ of the P3 Joist at the end of the bay�
3� For cantilevered P3 Joists, brace top and bottom flanges, and brace ends with
closure panels, rim board, or cross-bridging�
4� Install and nail permanent sheathing to each P3 Joist before placing loads on the
floor system� Then, stack building materials over beams or walls only�
5� For temporary construction loads such as dry wall stacking, see APA Publication
J735A (Temporary Construction Loads Over I-Joist Roofs)�
Failure to follow applicable building codes and span ratings, failure to use
allowable hole sizes and locations, or failure to use web stiffeners when required
can result in serious accidents. Follow these installation guidelines carefully.
01 02
03 05
Do not allow workers to walk
on P3 Joists until joists are
fully installed and braced, or
serious injuries can result�
Never stack building
materials over unsheathed
P3 Joists� Stack only over
beams or walls�