OBC DIVISION B · PART 9 — HOUSING AND SMALL BUILDINGSUpdated for the 2024 Ontario Building Code
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Section 9.38 — Log Construction
Full text of Section 9.38 (Log Construction) — Division B, Part 9 (Housing and Small Buildings) of the 2024 Ontario Building Code, with every article reproduced below.
On this page:
9.38.1.1.9.38.1.2.9.38.1.3.9.38.2.1.9.38.2.2.9.38.2.3.9.38.2.4.9.38.2.5.9.38.3.1.9.38.3.2.
9.38.1.1.9.38.1.2.9.38.1.3.9.38.2.1.9.38.2.2.9.38.2.3.9.38.2.4.9.38.2.5.9.38.3.1.9.38.3.2.
9.38.1.General
9.38.1.1.Material Requirements permalink →
(1) Logs that are sound and free of fractures may be used for foundations, beams, posts and similar members, provided
it can be shown by a structural analysis or tests or previous experience that the strength of the member is adequate for its
intended purposes.
9.38.1.2.Requirement for Wood Preservative permalink →
(1) The portion of any log coming in contact with masonry or concrete at or below grade shall be treated with a wood
preservative to prevent decay.
9.38.1.3.Exterior Joints permalink →
(1) All exterior joints between logs shall be rendered water-tight by methods such as machined joints, oakum packing,
cement parging, chinking, caulking or a combination of these.
9.38.2.Walls
9.38.2.1.Logs permalink →
(1) Walls may be built of natural or manufactured logs.
9.38.2.2.Attachment of Logs permalink →
(1) Walls made of logs in a horizontal position shall have interlocking intersections that will prevent the collection of
water in the joints, or the horizontal logs shall butt to a vertical corner post to which the horizontal logs shall be firmly
attached.
9.38.2.3.Joining Logs permalink →
(1) Each log in a horizontal position shall be scribed as close as possible to its bearer and fastened to the bearer in at
least three places throughout its length, by dowels, continuous machined joints, vertical framing members or interlocking
intersections or any combination of these, but in no case shall the distance between fastenings exceed 1 800 mm.
9.38.2.4.Vertical Logs permalink →
(1) Each log in a wall built of vertical logs shall be scribed to fit as closely as possible to the adjacent logs.
9.38.2.5.Plates permalink →
(1) Logs used in a vertical position shall have a plate at the top and a plate at the bottom and the plates shall be at least
as wide as the largest end diameter of any of the logs.
9.38.3.Lintels
9.38.3.1.Support Over Openings permalink →
(1) Logs placed in vertical position shall be supported over window and door openings by lintels meeting the
requirements of Tables 9.23.4.2.-L and 9.23.12.3.-A to 9.23.12.3.-D.
9.38.3.2.Clearance permalink →
(1) At every opening in a wall made of logs in a horizontal position where shrinkage can occur there shall be a clearance
between the rough buck header and the lintel log of not less than 13 mm in width for each 300 mm of height to allow for
settlement.
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Code text is reproduced for reference from the Ontario Building Code (O. Reg. 163/24, 2024 Building Code Compendium). This page is provided for general information and is not an official copy. Always verify requirements against the official Ontario Building Code and confirm with your local building department.