MONOPITCH ROOFS BRACING REQUIREMENTS

Bracing for
monopitch roofs

DESIGN

RIGHT

JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF CALLS TO THE BRANZ HELPLINE, THERES

SOME CONFUSION AROUND BRACING REQUIREMENTS FOR MONOPITCH
ROOFS. HERE, WE SORT OUT THE ISSUE.

BY ALIDE ELKINK,
FREELANCE TECHNICAL
WRITER, WELLINGTON

THE BRACING REQUIREMENT for monopitch roofs

is addressed in NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed

buildings paragraph 10.3.4.

Simply stated, it requires that bracing for

the wall frames extend and are braced up to

bracing is required in accordance with para-

the underside of the rafters, and

graphs 10.3.2 and 10.3.3 for light and heavy roofs

the ceiling lining is attached directly to the

(see Figure 2).

underside of the rafters.

In this case, the highest end of the trusses is

monopitch roofs must comply with paragraphs

This will only apply where the wall frames are

considered the ridge line and requires at least

10.3.2 (for light roofs) or 10.3.3 (for heavy roofs),

raked (see Figure 1).

two braces over its length. Figure 2 shows both

but it also includes an exemption.

roof plane bracing and roof space bracing as

Level top plates and trusses

alternatives.

Raked wall frames

Where the wall frames have level top plates

Paragraph 10.3.4 does not require roof plane

and the roof framing consists of trusses or a

diagonal bracing if:

strutted roof, either roof plane or roof space

bracing required to full

height of high back wall

fascia board
top plate

rafters with ceiling attached to their underside

roof plan bracing not required

outrigger

flying rafter

raked wall frame

wall bracing

fascia board

wall bracing

raked top plate

bottom plate

Figure 1

Monopitch roof with full-height braced walls.

Notes:
1. Ceiling support framing and dwangs omitted
for clarity.
2. The high back wall below the ridge of the
monopitch roof must be braced to the full
height of the wall (not shown).

Build 139
145 December 2014/January
2013/January 2014
2015 41

fascia board

roof plane bracing (alternative 1)

monopitch roof trusses

lateral support for trusses

roof space bracing

desirable (alternative 2)
fascia board
sheet wall bracing to top plate

braced wall framing

with level top plate

Figure 2

Monopitch truss roof with level top plate.

42 Build 145
139 December 2014/January
2013/January 2015
2014

sheet wall bracing to

top plate