MECKLENBURG COUNTY
CODE DEFECT LIBRARY
DEFECT INFORMATION SHEET
North Carolina State Building Code
Residential Building Code Volume VII
CODE DEFECT:
Header missing.
Improper size of header.
Header not supported per code (jack studs).
Applicable Code Sections:
Section 602.6.3 Header Studs:
“A wall stud shall be at each side of the opening with the
ends of the header supported as follows:
1) For openings 3 feet or less wide, each end of the
header shall rest on s single header (jack) stud
or may be supported by framing anchors
attached to the wall stud.
2) For openings more than 3 feet but not more than
6 feet wide, each end or the header shall rest on
a single header (jack) stud.
3) For openings more than 6 feet wide, each end of
the header shall rest on two header (jack) studs.”
Section 602.6.4 Non-bearing walls:
“Load-bearing headers are not required in interior or
exterior nonbearing walls. A single flat 2-inch-by-4-inch
member may be used as a header in interior or exterior
nonbearing walls for openings up to 8 feet in width if the
vertical distance to the parallel nailing surface above is not
more than 24 inches. For such nonbearing headers, no
cripples or blocking are required above the header.”
Proper Installation and Materials:
Framing over openings such as doors or windows within bearing walls must be
accomplished through the installation of headers of sufficient size to span the opening
and transfer loads to jamb studs (header studs).
NOTE: For header sizing, see attached Tables 602.6(a), 602.6(b), 602.6(c) of the code
for intended use for headers only. They cannot be used to size beams, girders or other
bending elements. (Please view attached examples of header use.)