Light steel framed walls and floors

6.10.18Wall ties

Wall ties shall be suitable to connect the steel frame to the cladding.

Generally, wall ties should be:

  • fixed to the studs and not the sheathing
  • inclined away from light steel framing
  • austenitic stainless steel and of a type which accommodates the differential movement between the light steel frame and the cladding, or assessed in accordance with Technical Requirement R3.

Wall ties for masonry cladding should be:

  • installed at a minimum density of 3.7 ties/m2, e.g. spaced at a maximum of 600mm horizontally and 450mm vertically
  • spaced at jambs of openings, a maximum of 300mm vertically within 225mm of the masonry reveal (additional studs may be needed to achieve this)
  • kept clean and free from mortar droppings.