Adjustable Support Column

[Bedrock]

OK all you FHA wizards out there. I know I read somewhere that Adjustable support columns were not allowed. Had to be a permanent column. Can't seem to find it anywhere.

 

[Mr Rex]

Report back when you find the source where you read this.

 

[VegasWayne]

They are called lally columns if you want to try to search.

 

[Mike Boyd]

If it is "adjustable," it needs to be engineered and if it has been, it will have a stamp pressed into the metal.

 

[Peter LeQuire]

If by "adjustable column" you mean what are commonly referred to around here as "jack posts" or "adjustable steel posts," they are acceptable to HUD if they are properly installed. (By jack posts I mean relatively heavy-walled metal columns having a steel plate at one end and another steel plate, mounted on a screw, at the other end. Its bottom plate and top plates typically have holes for installing bolts with which to secure the plates to a proper footer and to the structural member being supported.)

When properly/permanently installed, they will be on a poured concrete footer of the proper thickness with bolts set in the concrete: the top plate will be bolted or lag screwed to the the structural member above (typically a joist or support beam) and the screw mechanism will be welded so that it cannot be moved or further adjusted.

 

[Mike Boyd]

If by "adjustable column" you mean what are commonly referred to around here as "jack posts" or "adjustable steel posts," they are acceptable to HUD if they are properly installed. (By jack posts I mean relatively heavy-walled metal columns having a steel plate at one end and another steel plate, mounted on a screw, at the other end. Its bottom plate and top plates typically have holes for installing bolts with which to secure the plates to a proper footer and to the structural member being supported.)

When properly/permanently installed, they will be on a poured concrete footer of the proper thickness with bolts set in the concrete: the top plate will be bolted or lag screwed to the the structural member above (typically a joist or support beam) and the screw mechanism will be welded so that it cannot be moved or further adjusted.

Peter's description is correct. BUT, they would still need to have been engineered for the site and design. It is possible that the building department might have the engineered plans on file.