Code and cutting studs

[Billy_Bob]

I see in my handy plumbing code book that is some situations, you can cut away up to 40% of a wood stud for a pipe...

But can I cut away more than that and then reinforce the stud in some way?

Like maybe install a metal bracket over the end which is cut to give the stud back its structural strength?

Or sister a length of stud next to the cut out stud?

[hj]

They make stud shoes to reinforce the cut area. A sistered stud would have to be cut away just like the subject stud.

[srdenny]

Billy Bob
I don't know where you are, but if your jurisdiction is governed by the UBC, you can't notch or drill more than it says you can, even if you use stud shoes. See chapter 23 UBC. It does allow you to drill up to 60% of non bearing walls, "or in any wall where each stud is doubled, provided not more than two such successive doubled studs are so bored."

[hj]

In a bearing wall, I can drill a 2" pipe through a 2x4 as long as I use the stud shoes. In a non-bearing wall, I don't need the shoes.