Still like to see column to build-up beam cross bracing for horizontal loading.
Just to help out here. The way I understand it is that your photo illustrates diagonal bracing which is generally used to prevent lateral movement vs horizontal loading. In fact, the center diagonal bracing pictured is not good practice and can actually overload the center posts.
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I meant to say diagonal bracing. Ops.
The DJT14Z is specifically made to attach JOISTS to a post. It was not designed for supporting a BEAM which has much different structural support issues. The brackets won’t help this installation meet modern safety standards.
Next is the “beam”. That is improper as well. If you look at page 10 of the DCA, Figure 9, this type of attachment is prohibited. There has to be some “bearing” of the beam on the post. Back in 2003 they allowed this type of “beam” attachment but they were limited by the tributary load of the bolts. The deck live load is normally 40 lb. but some states have increased that. Check your area. For a 2x6 or 2x8 “beam” like this, attached to a 4x4 or 6x6 post, utilizing two 1/2" bolts, the tributary load is only 30 lb so this fails. If it was on a 4x4 or 6x6 post with 2x10 or 2x12 with three 1/2" bolts, the load is 44 lb so it would pass. If it was on a 6x6 or 8x8 beam, using 2x8 or 2x10 with two 5/8" bolts, the tributary load would be 42lb so that would pass. If it was a 2x12 with three 5/8" bolts, the load would be 63 lb so it would pass. But that was 2003. And if the deck was built then, at 20 years old it should be close to replacement anyway. I can’t find my 2006 DCA6 but the 2009 shows this type of “beam” is prohibited with no exceptions for tributary loads as noted above.
Next are the improper diagonal braces. No longer should they be toenailed to the post. They should be attached to the side of the post and the side of the beam with 1/2 lags w/washers.
Then there is the railing. Spacing too wide. Posts not properly attached.
Was the decking a 2x6 or a 5/4x6? 2x can have that joist spacing on the diagonal but 5/4 cannot.
Overall that deck should be rebuilt. My standard wording when I found this many deficiencies was: "Serious deck failures are becoming more and more common due to aging materials or poor construction methods and materials, mostly installed by homeowners or contractors cutting corners, or not knowing the standards have changed numerous times through the years. Due to the possibility of deck failure in some areas due to the current construction, it is recommended that the deck not be used until it is brought to modern building and safety standards. Failure to make the recommended changes relieves “company name” of any liability should damage, injury, or death result by use of this deck. A lot of used house sales people didn’t like this wording. Fuck em.
Of all the things in an inspection, I made sure that poorly built or maintained decks got extra attention. None of this refer to a structural engineer. Rebuild the sucker.
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And look at the loading capacity. That is the use limitation.
Putting my contractor hat back on, I’d not hesitate to use these on a beam or rim joist retrofit, so long as the loading met specifications of the bracket. Wearing my contractor hat still, my bet would be that an engineer agrees. If use on a beam came to question, I’d have my lumber supplier salesman call the manufacturer for clarification.
As an edit: Back to @sstanczyk: It’s your call, if you make retrofit recommendations. Yes, a notched 6 x 6 post is the correct method per IRC. However, realize that products like the DJT14Z bracket have gone through a process to receive special code approval, thus just as legitimate as the notched 6 x 6. This bracket, however, is not listed in your code book. You have to look at the manufacturer documents.
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