High-wind veneer anchors
NCMA/CMHA TEK 3-6C (based on TMS 402-11; the same figures are in TMS 402-16/22 §12.2.2.10) sets anchor spacing for brick veneer in high-wind areas. Where the velocity pressure qz is 40 to 55 psf and the mean roof height is 60 ft or less, anchors go at no more than 18 in. (457 mm) both vertically and horizontally.
Check both conditions against the question. A building with qz of 48 psf and a 50 ft mean roof height falls inside both limits, so 18 in. each way applies.
Anchors at openings
Around openings larger than 16 in., TEK 3-6C requires anchors:
- within 12 in. (305 mm) of the opening, and
- at 24 in. (610 mm) o.c. or less.
A 36 in. window is larger than 16 in., so the rule applies. The traps: using the 18 in. field spacing at the opening, swapping the two figures (within 24 in. at 12 in. o.c.), and inventing a 48 in. threshold. The trigger is 16 in.
Limited access zone
OSHA 29 CFR 1926.706 (Subpart Q) requires a limited access zone before wall construction starts:
- Size: the height of the wall to be built plus 4 ft.
- Length: the entire length of the wall.
- Side: the unscaffolded side.
- Entry: only employees actively building the wall.
For a 14 ft 6 in. wall with scaffolding on the north side: 14.5 + 4 = 18.5 ft, so the zone is 18 ft 6 in. wide on the south side, full length. Sizing it at wall height alone drops the 4 ft; putting it on the scaffolded side or covering only the middle of the wall also fails.
Bracing
1926.706(b): masonry walls over 8 ft high must be adequately braced against overturning and collapse unless otherwise adequately supported. The bracing stays until the permanent supporting elements are in place, not until the wall tops out. The trigger is over 8 ft, so a 14 ft 6 in. wall can never go unbraced.