IBS2000®

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IBS: Frequently Asked Questions


Q. Why do I need IBS in a floor system?
There are many reasons to use IBS in a floor system. The most common reason is saving money by utilizing IBS's extraordinary stiffness to provide the same floor performance using less joists. Another popular choice is to improve floor performance in specific areas such as long spans, active living area, floors with tile and stone toppings, under kitchen islands and in dining areas that are prone to rattling china and glassware. In each of these cases, IBS provides the lowest cost alternative to achieve the desired level of floor performance.

Q. Do I need code approval to use IBS?
IBS is approved for use with dimension lumber and engineer wood joists by CCMC and OMH in Canada and ICC in the US.

Q. Isn't your IBS connector the same as bridging and blocking?
No, the IBS connector has superior attachment and configuration properties that allow it to reduce deflection and acceleration and dampen vibration for the life of the floor.

Q. What happens if I cannot put the row of IBS at mid span?
IBS can be installed within 12" of the center line with no appreciable change in floor performance.

Q. What happens if I stagger the IBS units? Will this effect floor performance?
There is no need to stagger the IBS units. The installation guide calls for a continuous line for maximum contribution to floor performance. However, staggering some units by up to 6" to avoid mechanical elements in the floor will not result in a perceptible change in floor performance.

Q. IBS is too expensive. Why should I pay 25 times the price of bridging?
As a designer's tool, IBS is used for different reasons than bridging. IBS's stiffer approved values allow longer spans which solve a designer's problem area cheaper than the alternatives that may require changing the depth or spacing of the whole house. In this way, IBS could be 50 times more expensive than bridging but still save the builder money on his floor system by doing a job that bridging cannot do.

Q. At what stage of framing should I install IBS?
IBS should be installed before the subfloor is laid and before the floor is carrying any loads.

Q. Does IBS have to be put in as a spacer when framing?
No, but it is an approach used by some framers to maintain spacing and alignment of joists during nstallation.

Q. I have double 2x10's in my floor. Can I still use IBS?
Yes, IBS units are made for every joist series, depth and spacing and are available for most speciality joist installations.

Q. Do I have to glue the IBS unit to the joists?
No, only the specified number and placement of nails are required.

Q. I forgot to install the IBS units. I have to install it after the subfloor is installed. Is this OK? How will the floor feel?
It is a difficult task to install standard IBS units once the subfloor is installed because the joists cannot be moved to standard spacing. A better option is to use IBS Retrofit units and shim the units to fit the individual joist cavities. When IBS are installed tight to the joists no difference in floor performance will be perceived by the user.

Q. I have had to shim several spaces in a row. Will this affect the performance of the floor?
No, if the IBS units are tight to the joists there will be no performance difference.

Q. What happens if I forgot the shims and left gaps up to 1/4"? 
Gaps between the IBS units and the joists eliminate the system benefits gained by adding IBS and the performance will be only marginally increased.

Q. What happens when all 5 nails are placed at the top of the IBS unit. Is this OK?
The benefits will be significantly reduced if the IBS units are not attached per the installation guide and would nullify any span increases beyond the building code.

Q. Can IBS be used with floor trusses or open web joists?
Yes, IBS can be used with any wood frame floor joist.

Q. How does a strongback compare to IBS?
As a manufactured product, IBS delivers consistent and reliable performance and has up to 12 times the stiffness increase compared to strongbacks. Strongbacks rely on continuity and attachment, both of which vary significantly with the builder. The nails attaching the strongback tend to work loose when loaded causing the system to lose effectiveness.

Q. Double conventional blocks are specified in certain conditions. Does this mean that double blocks have the same stiffness contribution as IBS?
Double blocks are specified as the best alternative in odd spaces at end walls to provide a tight fitting termination for the row of IBS. The lack of deflection at this end wall condition allows the blocks to maintain attachment and provide the stiffest and most consistent alternative for this condition.

Q. Can I use lumber joist IBS for engineered wood I-joist applications and vice versa?
No. IBS units are manufactured to exact sizes for each material and on-center spacing to insure a tight fit. Use only the IBS unit manufactured for your specific application. Note: one I-joist is made to the same size as dimension lumber joists. Lumber joist IBS may be used with this brand of joist only.

Q. I have issues with HVAC lines. What do I need to do?
For every seven joist spaces, you can put in one or two HVAC lines with installation details as per the installation guide. If there are three or more HVAC lines within the seven joist run, contact Luxor for installation details.

Q. How much better is the IBS than i-joist blocking?
IBS is significantly better. IBS provides up to 25% increased span. There are no squeaks caused by IBS, which is not the case with blocking due to rapid connection degradation to the joist's flange. The IBS is manufactured precisely to standard on-centre spacing widths in contrast to I-joist blocks, which are generally cut on site with skill saws. IBS does not lose connection to the joist's flange and has been tested to 1.2 million cycles (mirroring the lifespan of a residence).

Q. Your span tables reflect OSB subfloor for wood i-joist use? What if I want to use plywood?
The building code allows OSB or plywood with the specified thickness. Douglas Fir plywood is stiffer then OSB and the code allows a span increase of approximately 2" - 6". CSW Plywood is softer then OSB and the code reduces allowable span by approximately 2" - 4".

Q. You mention that the subfloor must be laid down first before the IBS is installed for new construction. What happens in a retrofit use when the subfloor is already installed?
The IBS units are installed from the underside of the floor. They are ordered and installed in accordance with our retrofit installation guide.