SS Hurricane Straps — All-Purpose Structural Tie Straps for Wind and Seismic Load Resistance
The SS12 Hurricane Strap is a 20-gauge galvanized steel tie strap engineered to provide a continuous load path in wood-frame construction, helping to resist uplift forces from high winds and seismic activity. Designed for contractors and builders working in wind-prone or seismically active regions, these straps connect critical structural members including studs to sills, rafters to plates and beams, and floor-to-floor wall assemblies. Manufactured to ASTM A653 steel standards and carrying both Florida Product Approval and ICC ESR listings, the SS12 meets the requirements of code officials and insurance companies for continuous load path construction. All nail holes must be filled to achieve published uplift values.
Technical Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Item ID | SS12 |
| Dimensions (Inches) | 1-1/4 x 12 |
| Steel Gauge | 20 |
| Materials | 20 ga. & 18 ga. galvanized steel |
| Steel Standard | ASTM A653 |
| Steel Yield Strength (Fy) | 33 ksi |
| Steel Tensile Strength (Fu) | 45 ksi |
| 10d Nails Quantity Each End | 3, 4, or 5 |
| Nail Type | 10d x 3 inch joist hanger nails (10d x 1-1/2" may be substituted) |
| Codes / Approvals | FL Approval #8283, ICC ESR-1347 |
| Load Duration Factor | 1.6 per NDS 2001 Section 2.3.2 |
| Wood Species Basis for Allowable Loads | Southern Pine (SYP) Sg=0.55; Douglas Fir-Larch (DFL) Sg=0.50; Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) or Hem-Fir (HF) Sg=0.42 |
| Special Lengths | Available per specification (not specifically code listed due to many length combinations) |
The SS12 carries both Florida Product Approval (#8283) and ICC ESR-1347, making it accepted by code officials and insurance companies as part of a verified continuous load path system. Unlike generic tie straps, the SS12 features four nail holes within 1-1/2" of one end to allow four nails to enter a bottom plate per TDI (Texas Department of Insurance) requirements, and special custom lengths are available for non-standard applications.
Key Features & Benefits
Dual Code Approval
The SS12 carries Florida Product Approval #8283 and ICC ESR-1347, satisfying the documentation requirements of code officials and insurance companies on wind and seismic projects. This reduces the risk of inspection delays or rejected installations on regulated job sites.
ASTM A653 Galvanized Steel Construction
Fabricated from galvanized steel meeting ASTM A653 with a yield strength of 33 ksi and tensile strength of 45 ksi, these straps deliver consistent, predictable structural performance. Galvanization provides corrosion resistance for long-term durability in exposed framing environments.
TDI-Compliant Nail Hole Layout
The SS9/12 series includes four nail holes within 1-1/2" of one end, enabling four nails to be driven into a bottom plate as required by the Texas Department of Insurance. This design detail ensures compliance without field modification.
Flexible Nail Quantity Options
Allowable tension loads can be achieved using 3, 4, or 5 10d nails at each end, giving contractors flexibility to match the required design load for a given connection. Both 10d x 3" and 10d x 1-1/2" joist hanger nails are permitted per ICC ESR-1347 Section 3.8.3, as both nail lengths provide equivalent shear capacity.
Multiple Wood Species Compatibility
Published allowable tension loads are tabulated for Southern Pine (Sg=0.55), Douglas Fir-Larch (Sg=0.50), and Spruce-Pine-Fir or Hem-Fir (Sg=0.42), covering the most common framing lumber species used across North American construction markets.
Custom Lengths Available
Special lengths can be ordered to meet project-specific specifications, accommodating non-standard framing conditions where off-the-shelf strap lengths are insufficient. Note that custom lengths are not specifically code listed due to the range of possible length combinations.
Common Applications
Stud-to-Sill Connections
Ties wall studs to the sill plate to resist uplift and lateral forces at the base of wall assemblies, a critical connection in high-wind construction.
Rafter-to-Plate and Rafter-to-Beam Connections
Secures rafters to top plates or beams to maintain the roof-to-wall load path under wind uplift conditions.
Wall Intersections
Connects intersecting wall framing members to maintain structural continuity at corners and partition junctions.
Ridge Connections
Used at ridge assemblies to tie opposing rafter pairs and resist spreading or uplift forces at the roof peak.
Upper Floor to Lower Floor Wall Stud Connections
Bridges the floor platform between stories to maintain a continuous vertical load path from roof to foundation across multi-story wood-frame structures.
Window Reinforcement
Applied at window rough openings to reinforce the framing and maintain structural integrity around wall penetrations subject to racking and uplift.
Product Documents
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What nail type and size is required for the SS12 hurricane strap?
A: The SS12 is designed for use with 10d x 3 inch joist hanger nails complying with ICC ESR-1347 Section 3.8.3. 10d x 1-1/2" nails may be substituted, as both nail lengths provide the same shear capacity per the report.
Q: How many nails are required at each end of the strap?
A: The SS12 supports 3, 4, or 5 10d nails at each end. Allowable tension loads are based on an equal number of nails on each side of the connection; where the nail count differs between sides, the allowable load must be based on the side with the fewest nails.
Q: What wood species are the published allowable tension loads based on?
A: Allowable loads are tabulated for Southern Pine (SYP) with specific gravity 0.55, Douglas Fir-Larch (DFL) with specific gravity 0.50, and Spruce-Pine-Fir (SPF) or Hem-Fir (HF) with specific gravity 0.42.
Q: What code approvals does the SS12 carry?
A: The SS12 holds Florida Product Approval #8283 and ICC ESR-1347, and is considered essential by code officials and insurance companies for maintaining a continuous load path against high winds and seismic activity.
Q: Do all nail holes need to be filled?
A: Yes. All nail holes must be filled to achieve the published uplift values stated in the load tables.
Q: Are custom lengths available for non-standard framing conditions?
A: Yes, special lengths are available based on project specifications. However, custom lengths are not specifically code listed due to the large number of possible length combinations.