I RECENTLY STARTED BUILDIN A HOME AND I HAVE USED A PIER SYSTEM WITH I-JOIST NO MORE THAN A 8 1/2 FOOT SPAN. I NOTICED THAT THE FRAMER HAS USED SHIMS IN SEVERAL PLACES BETWEEN THE PIER AND THE I-BEAM. THERE ARE NO CODES IN MY COUNTY TO GO BY SO I NEED SOMEONE TO TELL ME IF THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE PRACTICE???

quote:

THERE ARE NO CODES IN MY COUNTY TO GO BY SO I NEED SOMEONE TO TELL ME IF THIS IS AN ACCEPTABLE PRACTICE???

Depends.

1) Most US states now use some form of the International Residential Code for all new residential construction nationwide.

There may indeed be codes for your state and county. You might just not know it or your builder my be trying to confuse you.

If you tell us what state and what county, we can probably determine whether or not 'codes' are actually enforced where you live.

2)Codes as well as accepted practice for light framed wood construction require that all wood framing members be positively connected to masonry foundations, piers, and columns.

What this means is that an approved connector should normally be required to connect the masonry pier to the I-joist.

This is normally done by grouting a steel connector into the masonry pier, then fasteing the wood framing member to the connector.

Just laying and I joist on top of a masonry beam and making up any gaps with shims is not an accepted practice.

I AM IN MOORE COUNTY TENNESSEE

If your talking about TGI wood joists get another contractor. You cannot shim them to level.
If your talking about steel I beam as a support girder. Unless the shims are steel, No can do with wood. Again get another person that knows what he or she is doing.

TJI beams have nothing about shims in the warnings of their product. All I-beams are different, so you'd need to get the manufacturer on the phone before you decide anything. I've never heard of anyone not being able to shim a joist, but you didn't say how much you would need to shim. Also the pier should not be in direct contact with the I-joist, they are not treated or rated for concrete contact.

TJI info