Steel joist cable release rules at 60 feet

Key takeaways for steel joist erection checks before hoisting cables are released

• Verify joist design strength so one employee can release the hoisting cable without erection bridging where steel joists at or near columns span 60 feet (18.3 m) or less, according to GovRegs.
• Where steel joists at or near columns span more than 60 feet (18.3 m), place them in tandem with all bridging installed unless a qualified person designs an alternative method providing equivalent stability to the steel joist and includes that method in the site-specific erection plan, according to GovRegs.
• Position the edge of the bridging bundle within 1 foot (.30 m) of the secured end, according to GovRegs.
• Place a bundle of joist bridging on a minimum of 3 steel joists that are secured at one end, according to Washington State Legislature.
• Attach both sides of one end seat before cable release when Tables A and B require bridging; on joists over 60 feet, attach both ends and meet paragraph (d).

Check these steel joist erection rules before releasing hoisting cables

These checks ensure the structure is stable and compliant before workers step onto the joists or remove the lifting equipment. The first and most critical check is the prohibition against premature loading. According to GovRegs, except for specific exceptions in paragraph (e)(4) of the section, no construction loads are allowed on the steel joists until all bridging is installed and anchored and all joist-bearing ends are attached. You must confirm that the bridging is fully secured and the ends are attached before any additional weight is placed on the structure.

According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, no construction loads are allowed on the steel joists until all bridging is installed and anchored and all joist-bearing ends are attached. This rule applies except for specific exceptions noted in subsection (h)(5)(D).

The second check involves the lateral stability of the columns during the erection phase. According to Legal Information Institute, where steel joists are used and columns are not framed in at least two directions with solid web structural steel members, a steel joist shall be field-bolted at the column to provide lateral stability to the column during erection. This requirement is subject to the exception provided in paragraph (a)(2) of the section. If your site plan does not include solid web structural steel members framing the columns in two directions, you must verify that the field-bolting is complete and secure. This step is essential to prevent column movement while the joists are being positioned.

See Column anchor rods: minimum of 4 before setting.

Joist end attachment requirements for safe hoist release

The specific attachment requirements vary depending on the span length of the joist and whether it requires bridging. According to GovRegs, both sides of the seat of one end of each steel joist that requires bridging under Tables A and B shall be attached to the support structure before hoisting cables are released. This requirement applies to the joist ends that are being connected to the support structure. The attachment must be secure enough to hold the joist in place once the external support from the crane is removed.

See Log lifting sling inspections: 6 checks before the lift.

For longer joists, the requirements are more stringent. According to GovRegs, for joists over 60 feet, both ends of the joist shall be attached as specified in paragraph (b) of this section and the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section met before the hoisting cables are released. This means that for spans exceeding 60 feet, you cannot release the cables until both the near and far ends are fully attached. The attachment must meet the specific provisions outlined in the referenced paragraphs. This is a critical safety measure to prevent the joist from falling or shifting during the transition from crane support to structural support.

Washington State has similar but distinct rules for steel joist erection. According to Washington State Legislature, for joists over 60 feet, you must attach both ends of the joist as specified in subsections (2) and (4) of this section before the hoisting cables are released. This aligns with the federal requirement for long spans but cites different subsections. The key point is that both ends must be attached before cable release for spans over 60 feet.

For shorter spans, there is an alternative approach regarding design strength. According to Washington State Legislature, where steel joists at or near columns span 60 feet (18.3 m) or less, the joist must be designed with sufficient strength to allow one employee to release the hoisting cable without the need for erection bridging. This provision allows for a specific design condition where the joist itself is strong enough to support the release process without additional bridging. However, this applies only to joists spanning 60 feet or less. For any joist requiring bridging, the attachment rules still apply.

Employee presence on the joist is limited. According to GovRegs, where a steel joist does not require erection bridging under Tables A and B, only one employee is allowed on the joist until all bridging is installed and anchored. This restriction minimizes the risk of instability during the critical erection phase.

Bridging installation and anchoring rules before cable release

Bridging provides the lateral stability required to keep steel joists aligned during erection. Before you release the hoisting cables, verify that the bridging bundle meets the specific positioning and attachment standards for your jurisdiction.

Bundling minimums Washington State Legislature requires that you place a bundle of joist bridging on a minimum of 3 steel joists that are secured at one end, according to Washington State Legislature. This baseline ensures the initial group of joists remains stable while the rest of the span is being set.

Edge positioning The placement of the bridging bundle relative to the secured end is a critical safety check. GovRegs states that the edge of the bridging bundle shall be positioned within 1 foot (.30 m) of the secured end, according to GovRegs. Washington State Legislature mirrors this requirement, stating that the edge of the bridging bundle must be positioned within one foot (.30 m) of the secured end, according to Washington State Legislature. Measure this distance from the secured end to the nearest edge of the bridging material. If the gap exceeds 1 foot, the bundle is not positioned correctly under these sources.

Diagonal bridging for bottom chord bearing If your project uses bottom chord bearing joists, additional diagonal bridging is required near the supports. GovRegs specifies that where any steel joist specified in paragraphs (c)(2) and (d)(1), (d)(2), and (d)(3) of this section is a bottom chord bearing joist, a row of bolted diagonal bridging shall be provided near the support(s), according to GovRegs. Washington State Legislature requires that where any steel joist specified in subsections (3)(b), (4)(a), (b), and (c) of this section is a bottom chord bearing joist, you must provide a row of bolted diagonal bridging near the support(s), according to Washington State Legislature.

Special rules for long-span joists over 60 feet

Joists spanning more than 60 feet (18.3 m) trigger specific stability requirements before hoisting cables can be released. The primary rule mandates that steel joists at or near columns with spans exceeding this length must be placed in tandem with all bridging installed. According to GovRegs, this tandem setup is required unless an alternative method of erection is used. The Washington State Legislature states the same requirement in WAC 296-155-709, noting that joists at or near columns spanning more than 60 feet (18.3 m) must be placed in tandem with all bridging installed unless the qualified-person alternative is in the site-specific erection plan.

If you cannot use tandem setting, an alternative method is permitted. However, this alternative method must provide equivalent stability to the steel joist. It must be designed by a qualified person and included in the site-specific erection plan. This documentation requirement is consistent across sources. According to GovRegs, the alternative method must be designed by a qualified person and included in the site-specific erection plan. The Washington State Legislature also requires that the alternative method be designed by a qualified person and included in the site-specific erection plan.

California has additional specific requirements for joists over 60 feet. According to the California Department of Industrial Relations, both ends of the joist must be attached as specified in subsection (h)(2) and the provisions of subsection (h)(4) must be met before the hoisting cables are released. This ensures the joist is fully secured at both ends before relying on its own stability.

For bottom chord bearing joists, specific bridging is required. The California Department of Industrial Relations states that where any steel joist specified in subsections (h)(3)(B) and (h)(4)(A), (h)(4)(B), and (h)(4)(C) of this section is a bottom chord bearing joist, a row of bolted diagonal bridging shall be provided near the support(s).

GovRegs reference table for steel joist cable release

The following table compares specific steel joist erection rules from GovRegs. Each row details the requirements for joist end attachment, bridging edge position, and long-span setup as stated by that publisher.

For joists over 60 feet, both ends of the joist shall be attached as specified in paragraph (b) of this section and the provisions of paragraph (d) of this section met before the hoisting cables are released, according to GovRegs. Where steel joists at or near columns span 60 feet (18.3 m) or less, the joist shall be designed with sufficient strength to allow one employee to release the hoisting cable without the need for erection bridging, according to GovRegs. Except for paragraph (e)(4) of this section, no construction loads are allowed on the steel joists until all bridging is installed and anchored and all joist-bearing ends are attached, according to GovRegs. Verify your site-specific erection plan to confirm these attachment and bridging requirements match your span lengths before the next hoist operation.

See Construction Daily Log Checklist for Supervisors.

Illustrative example of cable release on a 60-foot joist

Picture a pair of joists at a column line. The first spans 60 feet and was designed with enough strength for one employee to release the hoisting cable without erection bridging. The second spans more than 60 feet, so it is placed in tandem with all bridging installed before the cables come off. A bridging bundle rests on 3 joists already secured at one end, and the bundle edge sits within 1 foot of that secured end. On the first joist, both sides of the seat at one end are attached before release. On the second, both ends are attached before release. No construction load goes on either joist until the bridging is installed and anchored and the bearing ends are attached. These figures are round and illustrative.

Check one bay before the next cable release

Walk one bay and note the span, the attached end seats, and whether the bridging bundle edge is within 1 foot of the secured end.

FAQ: steel joist erection checks before hoisting cables are released

When can construction loads be placed on steel joists during erection?

Except for paragraph (e)(4), no construction loads are allowed on the steel joists until all bridging is installed and anchored and all joist-bearing ends are attached, according to GovRegs.

What is required for steel joists over 60 feet before hoisting cables are released?

Confirm that both ends are attached and the provisions of paragraph (d) are met before releasing the hoisting cables.

Where must the edge of the bridging bundle be positioned relative to the secured end?

The edge of the bridging bundle shall be positioned within 1 foot (.30 m) of the secured end, according to GovRegs. Measure the distance from the secured end to the edge of the bridging bundle to confirm it is within 1 foot (.30 m).

What alternative is allowed for joists over 60 feet if tandem setting with bridging is not used?

The allowed alternative is an erection method, designed by a qualified person and included in the site-specific erection plan, that provides equivalent stability to the steel joist. Where steel joists at or near columns span more than 60 feet (18.3 m), the joists shall be placed in tandem with all bridging installed unless an alternative method of erection, which provides equivalent stability to the steel joist, is designed by a qualified person and is included in the site-specific erection plan, according to GovRegs.