Originally Posted by
Darren Miller
Actually in NJ it does:
"Where ceiling joists or rafter ties are not provided at the top plate, the ridge formed by these rafters shall be supported by a wall or girder designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice."
The words "at the top plate" are in our code books.
Darren
No, that does not "define" "rafter ties", besides, you mis-quoted the section you provided, see below. (bold is mine)
"Where
ceiling joists are not connected to the rafters
at the top wall plate, joists connected higher in the attic shall be installed as rafter ties, or rafter ties shall be installed to provide a continuous tie. Where ceiling joists are not parallel to rafters, rafter ties shall be installed. Rafter ties shall be a minimum of 2-inch by 4-inch (51 mm by 102 mm) (nominal), installed in accordance with the connection requirements in Table R802.5.1(9), or connections of equivalent capacities shall be provided.
Where ceiling joists or rafter ties are not provided,
the ridge formed by these rafters shall be supported by a wall or girder designed in accordance with accepted engineering practice."
Darren, it's your code, but it does not say what you say it does, you are mixing parts of sentences with other parts of other sentences.
*IS* there "definition" for "rafter ties"?
Look in the definitions section. If your code is based on the ICC codes, that will be chapter 2, and Section 2 of other chapters.