Yep, but as JJ posted above, many AHJs’ will overlook the upside down placement if the threads are made unusable. I see it upside down more often than the right way, lol.
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Here’s what’s kinda funny though. I don’t know how many posts are installed in the OP’s case. Maybe there are pictures from multiple posts and some are the right way. But the labels on the posts seem to almost encourage upside down placement if they read correctly in the orientation of having the threads up. It’s not an excuse for a contractor not knowing the correct way to install them, but it would definitely confuse your typical homeowner.
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Right! And who wants to lie on their belly to make the screw adjustments or weld the threads?
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Larry, that is not true in every case. Some jurisdictions allow the telescoping units as well. Mainly in Canada, but they are approved for permanent installation. I see them quite a bit up here. Granted though with more and more new construction using longer spanning engineered floor trusses I see less of them except in older construction.
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I believe the code requires a 3" steel column but part of this pictured post is not 3 inches…it’s the screw part at the top and that means the entire weight of the home is resting on screw threads…which can and do rust off causing failure, especially if they’re in a crawlspace. So yes I write them up…
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To meet today’s building standards you shouldn’t use a 2 pc telescopic column. The column cannot be less than 3" in diameter. The screw should be on the bottom and encased in concrete and secure the cap plate to the column and beam. There should be a positive connection between your columns and beam to restrain from both lateral displacement and uplift. Telescoping adjustable columns are regularly used in construction to adjust or level a structure before installing a permanent column or they’re used as temporary supports during the course of a building repair. They can be used as secondary support. If the additional floor support is considered necessary or desired, replacement of the metal posts is recommended.
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Ray, for what joist span is 3" required? Is there a 3" minimum, even for short spans?
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Brian, even if the diameter is less than 4"?
“A permanent steel column must be larger than 3 inches in diameter, according to the international residential code (IRC).”
Not less than 3 inches
Leaves some things up to local AHJ interpretation I suppose. I do not see these jacks here in new construction.
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This topic is pretty much beat to death, but one more thing…know what your local AHJ allows. Around here, the threaded adjusting bolt is almost never permanently secured/welded/inoperative and our city inspectors sign them off every time. In 23 years, I think I’ve seen the columns installed with the threaded end down half a dozen times.
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Morning Ray.
Hope this post finds you well.
3" round post or cercomfrance. The steel wall thickness is typically ½" inch.
As for the theaded section. It is solid corrosion resistant steel.
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It’s worth noting that R407.3 ends with “or approved equivalent.”
Tel-O-Post specifically states in their engineering report that their adjustable post fully complies with R407.3.
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IDK…it’s been a while since I’ve researched this…That’s a good question…I would imagine calculating loads on a particular portion of the home would require an engineer…but someone mentioned the screw threads being corrosion resistant…The one’s I’ve seen have always been pretty rusty, especially if they’re under the home. Nobody paints them. And they’re almost never secure at the top or bottom.
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Thanks for the info…I have trust issues with manufacturer’s approving their own products…LOL…I remember I bought this torque wrench once that said guaranteed forever (it wasn’t)…and then there’s the volkswagen story, and then there was this time several manufacturers got together with others to “deceive the nations with their sorcery”…But I guess if it says so it’s ok…I never see a label on the one’s I see however…but if I see a label maybe I’ll take a picture of it for the report…
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