What Determines the Bracing of Tall-Wall Headers?

1. Openings greater than 8ft will be considered unbraced. (Braced at ends.)
   • Top and bottom both braced at ends.
2. Openings 8ft or less.
   • top: fully supported.
   • bottom: braced at ends.

 
Header Plate Rules:
The header braced by plates for openings 8ft or smaller.
 

1.  For plate above, the header will be
   • top: fully braced.
   • bottom: braced at ends.
2. Plate below, the header will be
   • top: braced at ends.
   • bottom: fully braced.
3. Plate above and below, the header will be
   • top & Bottom: fully braced.
4. No plate above or below, the header will be
   • top: fully braced if the header total width = stud depth, braced at ends otherwise.
   • bottom: braced at ends.
5. If the opening is larger than 8ft:
   • top and bottom: braced at ends.