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Carpenter Red Seal Exam Prep · Question

A carpenter is framing a floor system for a residential addition. The architectural drawings specify 38 mm x 235 mm (2x10 nominal) Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF No. 2 grade) floor joists, spaced at 400 mm on centre (o.c.), supporting a combined live and dead load of 2.4 kPa. What is the maximum clear span permissible for these joists according to typical Canadian wood frame construction span tables, assuming adequate bearing and joist bridging?

For 38 mm x 235 mm (2x10 nominal) SPF No. 2 joists at 400 mm o.c. and a total load of 2.4 kPa, typical span tables used in Canadian construction (such as those

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Question: A carpenter is framing a floor system for a residential addition. The architectural drawings specify 38 mm x 235 mm (2x10 nominal) Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF No. 2 grade) floor joists, spaced at 400 mm on centre (o.c.), supporting a combined live and dead load of 2.4 kPa. What is the maximum clear span permissible for these joists according to typical Canadian wood frame construction span tables, assuming adequate bearing and joist bridging?

Answer options:

  • 3.0 metres ✅ 3.6 metres
  • 4.2 metres
  • 4.8 metres

Correct answer: 3.6 metres

Explanation: For 38 mm x 235 mm (2x10 nominal) SPF No. 2 joists at 400 mm o.c. and a total load of 2.4 kPa, typical span tables used in Canadian construction (such as those referenced by the National Building Code of Canada) would allow a maximum clear span of approximately 3.6 metres. Options A, C, and D are either too short or exceed the typical allowable span for this specific joist size and loading.

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