ICC-ES AC138
Full Name
ICC-ES AC138 – Acceptance Criteria for Prefabricated Wall Panels Using Wood I-studs
Scope
ICC-ES AC138 establishes the acceptance criteria for prefabricated wall panels using wood I-studs. These panels are commonly used in residential and light commercial construction for exterior and interior walls. The criteria cover various aspects of the panels, including materials, design, fabrication, and performance requirements.
Materials:
- Wood I-studs: species, grade, and moisture content of the wood used for the studs.
- Sheathing: types of sheathing materials and their attachment methods.
- Insulation: types of insulation materials and their installation.
Design and fabrication:
- Panel dimensions and tolerances: maximum allowable deviations in panel size.
- Stud spacing and orientation: requirements for stud spacing and orientation within the panel.
- Framing connections: methods for connecting panels to each other and to the building structure.
Performance requirements:
- Structural performance: load-bearing capacity, racking resistance, and shear strength of the panels.
- Fire resistance: minimum fire resistance rating for the panels.
- Thermal performance: insulation values and air leakage requirements.
Testing procedures:
- Structural testing: methods for testing the structural performance of the panels under various loads.
- Fire testing: methods for testing the fire resistance of the panels.
- Thermal testing: methods for testing the thermal performance of the panels.
By adhering to ICC-ES AC138, manufacturers can ensure that their prefabricated wall panels using wood I-studs meet the necessary safety and performance standards for use in construction projects. This helps to ensure the structural integrity, fire safety, and energy efficiency of buildings.
ICC-ES AC138 Accredited Inspection Agency
Applied Testing & Geosciences, LLC is accredited for performing inspections using the ICC-ES AC138 acceptance criteria.
Contact us for more information.
Resources
Keywords
wood I-studs; prefabricated wall panels; shear strength; racking resistance; fire resistance; thermal performance; structural performance