Crack control in brick masonry veneer relies on the accurate and code-compliant drafting of control joints, tailored for Alberta’s unique climate and building regulations. Control joints must be dimensioned, located, and specified to satisfy the Alberta Building Code, minimize plan review redlines, and pre-empt jobsite RFIs-all of which require close coordination between drawing sheets, material call-outs, and subtrade interfaces.

Horizontal Control Joint Spacing: Code Application and Sheet Dimensioning

Code Requirements and Dimensional Standards

Horizontal control joints-typically located in parapets, banding courses, shelf angles, and sometimes at wall plates-are required to accommodate cyclical thermal and structural movements. The Alberta Building Code (ABC 2023) mandates that construction documents indicate the number, size, and precise location of these joints. While the ABC does not prescribe universal maximum spacings for horizontal brick veneer control joints, regional industry standards referenced in plan reviews and by the Alberta Roofing Contractors Association (ARCA) fill this gap.

For roofing system interfaces, control joints are prescribed when a single area exceeds 61 meters (200 feet) in length or 1,394 m² (15,000 ft²) in surface area, with typical maximum membrane dimensions set at 46.0 meters (150 feet). For masonry veneers, standard practice-often flagged by plan reviewers-requires horizontal joints where vertical expansion is limited by shelf angles, at every floor line for multi-storey assemblies, and above window heads where required to limit panel size. The ARCA’s Roofing Practices Manual specifies control joint heights at a minimum 127 mm (5") above finished roof, or 101.6 mm (4") if metal cap flashing is omitted, and a 2% minimum slope on tops for drainage.

Sheet Conventions and Plan/Elevation Presentations

Control joints must be unambiguous on plan and elevation sheets. Standard convention dictates:

  • Symbols: Dashed lines or parallel diagonal ticks, labelled “CJ” or “Control Joint.”
  • Annotations: Notes such as “12mm (1/2”) Control Joint - See Detail 3/A5.2.”
  • Detail References: All plan/elevation call-outs must reference a specific detail section for assembly and sequencing clarification-e.g., "Control joint at shelf angle, see Detail 5/A8.1."

Dimensions from finished grades, adjacent windowsills/heads, and structural reference points (shelf angles, floor lines, parapet tops) must be included directly on the plans. For example, a typical call-out at an upper floor would state, "Control joint 60mm above shelf angle at 2nd floor - continuous across north elevation."

Redline Triggers and Code Review Comments

Alberta plan reviewers frequently issue the following redlines regarding horizontal joint dimensioning:

  • “Horizontal control joint missing above window head at gridline F-required for brick panel over 9m in length.”
  • “Dimension elevation from lowest joint to first shelf angle and between joints; show clearly on A6.1.”
  • “Expand note to indicate joint width and backer rod/sealant specification.”

Omissions or unclear dimensioning are not accepted in permit review and result in delays.

Material Specifications on Drawings

Typical section notes may read: “12mm min. vertical compressible joint filler (closed-cell polyethylene), with low-modulus elastomeric sealant, colour to match mortar; backer rod as per manufacturer.” Reference to applicable CSA or ASTM standards is recommended whenever possible; for example, “Sealant: ASTM C920, Type S, Grade NS, Class 25; Backer Rod: ASTM D5249.”

Vertical Control Joint Placement at Fenestration and Corners in Drawings

Critical Joint Locations: Fenestration and Wall Geometry

Vertical control joints in masonry veneer serve to isolate stresses caused by shrinkage, thermal movement, and substrate settlement-especially at high-risk locations. According to the National Building Code 2023 Alberta Edition (NBC(AE)), construction documents must “detail the type and location of all movement joints.” Best practice, reinforced through repeated plan review redlines in Alberta, requires vertical joints:

  • At each wall corner: Control joint should commence no more than 600mm (2') from both ends of a masonry run at outside corners.
  • Along continuous walls: Not more than 12 meters between vertical joints, or as limited by fenestrations, structural breaks, or changes in supporting conditions (Canada Masonry Design Centre).
  • At significant fenestration openings: Joints located at or within 500mm (20") of window and door openings, and within the shortest distance to the building corner relative to the opening.

Plan reviewers cite noncompliance with comments such as, “Vertical brick control joint missing between garage opening and corner-panel exceeds max spacing,” or, “Continuous bond beam reinforcement shown through control joint - Revise to allow slip.”

Drafting Sheet Presentation: Notation and Referencing

  • Standard Symbols: CJ symbol (short heavy dashed line) shown on plans/elevations at each vertical joint.
  • Mark-up: “CJ1” for primary wall joints, “CJ2” for secondary or special joints-linked to a control joint legend on the drawing index.
  • Detail Callout: Arrow or bubble referencing “Detail 6/A5.5 - Typical Vertical Brick Control Joint.”
  • Coordination: Vertical joint lines must align precisely with window/door jambs and parapet returns on both plan and elevations; discontinuities are flagged during shop drawing review.

A best-practice legend note reads, “CJ: 12mm wide, full height, brick expansion joint, filled with specified backer rod and elastomeric sealant; refer to Detail 6/A5.5. No horizontal reinforcement to pass through unless noted otherwise.”

Material and Dimension Standards

Joint width is typically 10-12mm (3/8"-1/2")-never less than 6mm-allowing for effective movement accommodation. The backer rod must match joint width, with sealant depth equal to the width for up to 12mm, per industry standards. If explicit coordination with structural or envelope elements is needed, such as at shelf angles, note on section details: “Term. CJ at shelf angle-see Detail 2/S4.3.” All material call-outs reference CSA or ASTM specs where applicable.

Local Amendments and Plan Review Redlines

STANDATA clarifies that, “Construction documents must detail the exact placement of masonry movement joints as part of permit review.” Omission of these notes, or unclear joint references, frequently results in: “Movement joint location unclear-revise sheets A4.2, A4.3 to show full height and dimensioned from gridlines and openings.” Repeat offenders for noncompliance include allowing reinforcement to extend through joints without slip cover details, or using generic, non-specific material notations.

Control Joint Section Detailing and Full Material Call-Outs

Assembly Components in Section Details

Control joint function depends on precision in sectional drawing and specification. Key components and their conventions on architectural sheets include:

  • Joint Width/Depth: 10-12mm at brick face, carried vertically or horizontally as specified, filled with closed-cell polyethylene backer rod, depth matching width up to 12mm.
  • Sealant: Polyurethane or silicone, elastomeric (low or medium modulus), indicated as “Sealant: ASTM C920, Col. to Architect’s Selection.”
  • Base/Jamb Reinforcement: Do not run ladder-type horizontal truss mesh through control joint; break at joint and provide slip cover if structural slip is required. A typical note: “Discontinue horizontal reinforcement 25mm (1”) from each side of joint.”
  • Substrate Separation: Detail as “1.5mm polyethylene bond breaker tape at backs, to prevent excess sealant adhesion.”
  • Flashing and Weeps: Full dimensioned step in brick wythe for through-wall flashing at shelf angles or lintels, annotated “Continuous stainless steel (0.4mm min.) flashing, turned up min. 100mm; end-dam as per Detail 7/A8.2; weep vents at 800mm o.c.”

Example Section Call-Out

  • “12mm CJ - Brick veneer gap, full height, filled with closed-cell backer rod and polyurethane sealant (see Detail 6/A5.5). Terminate veneer ties spray-foam compatible at line of joint, align vertical cavity, dovetail anchor within 75mm of joint both sides. Horizontal brick ties to be ‘slip’ type within 200mm of joint.”

Detail enlargement (e.g., 3/A7.2) must shows all components in correct sequence, with adjacent works cross-referenced: “Flashing lap under WRB min. 100mm. Joint offset from window jamb 200mm.”

Canadian and Alberta Material Specification References

Section notes reference both CSA masonry unit standards and ASTM control joint/sealant standards. Project specifications must repeat: “Backer rod: Closed-cell polyethylene, to ASTM D5249; Sealant: Elastomeric, low modulus, to ASTM C920, colour coordinated with mortar.” Adherence to NBC(AE) Part 9, Section 9.20.13 and Section 9.27.4 is mandatory for environmental separation and bulk water management.

Plan Review and Redline Issues

Redlines most commonly cite missing dimensions (“Specify joint depth-cannot verify compliance with ABC 9.20.13(2)(h)”), missing or generic material specs (“Provide sealant/backer rod type and standard; do not use ‘by others’”), and missing flashing/weep details at shelf angle breaks. Proactive inclusion of note blocks and assembly legends eliminates these issues before permit submission.

Coordinating Control Joints with Envelope and Structural Interfaces

Control Joints, Shelf Angles, and Structural Breaks

Joints must align with shelf angles, relieving angles, or other structural interfaces to ensure differential movement is not inadvertently restrained. Drawings must illustrate the following:

  • Full-height joints aligned above shelf angles/floor lines as shown in detail sections (e.g., Detail 9/A8.4: “CJ at shelf angle transition; continuous through brick veneer, aligned with slip connection to steel angle”).
  • Discontinuity at foundation and parapet: Joints shown stopping at brick shelf or wall plate, with movement joint detail call-out to STRUCT sheets for base coordination.

Failure to tie vertical joints to these locations results in repetitive field RFIs such as, “CJ on arch. elevation not aligned with structural steel angle-clarify alignment.”

Flashing, Weeps, and Parapet Integration

Flashing and weep systems are code-required at all control joints that interface with horizontal supporting elements. Per ABC 2023 Section 9.27.3, minimum flashing thicknesses must be explicitly annotated:

  • Galvanized Steel: 0.33 mm
  • Copper: 0.46 mm
  • Zinc: 0.46 mm
  • Aluminum: 0.48 mm
  • Sheet Lead: 1.73 mm
  • Vinyl: 1.02 mm

Standard detail example: “Continuous 0.33 mm min. galv steel flashing, end-dammed 20mm beyond CJ, extend min. 50 mm under sheathing membrane, and project min. 6% slope to face of brick; cavity vent at 800mm o.c.”

Parapet details should include slope (2% min.), with control joint, cap flashing, and coordination note: “CJ to terminate under parapet cap; flashing to extend to weather lap; see Parapet Detail 12/A9.6.” For shelf angle interfaces, refer material specs to both architectural and structural schedules: “Shelf angle, 10mm air gap, bituminous coating as per Note 8/S6.1.”

Supplying Full Envelope Integration on Sheets

A typical set of building envelope details for an Alberta home with brick masonry veneer will include (on A8 or A9 sheets):

  • Full vertical section, CJ referenced at every shelf angle and wall plate
  • Plan detail with wall tie and brick tie slip joint note adjacent to all CJs
  • Flashing, weep, and air/vapour barrier transitions called out by both ABC and STANDATA references and by proprietary system spec (e.g., “CCMC 14096-R” for tested through-wall barriers)

All details must provide “do not scale” dimensions and full descriptive notes-missing or incomplete integrations are common sources of both plan review comment and jobsite RFI.

Mitigating Redlines and RFIs Through Proactive Drafting

Pattern Redlines and RFI Triggers

  • Missing or ambiguous joint spacing and location annotations on plans or elevations
  • Generic, non-specific control joint material notes
  • Omitted reinforcement discontinuity at vertical joints
  • Absence of separate detail sheets for roof-wall, parapet, and shelf angle CJ integrations

Sample recurring comments issued by Alberta permit reviewers:

  • “Clarify control joint elevation from grade at each facade-too vague for inspection.”
  • “Show flashing material, thickness, and seam type-do not substitute with ‘as required’.”
  • “Demonstrate movement isolation at wall-window interface-sketch/detail required.”

Proactive Drafting Strategies

To pre-empt these review and jobsite issues, drafting must:

  • Dimension all control joints from fixed architectural gridlines and finished grade, with explicit offsets from structural or fenestration elements shown.
  • Annotate all materials by type, standard, and manufacturer’s color/finish (e.g., “Sealant: Tremco Dymonic FC, Color to Match Tyndall Stone Mortar”).
  • Provide legible, referenced section details for every unique joint condition on the project.
  • Include in the “Drawing General Notes” schedule:
    • “All movement joints to be detailed as shown and coordinated with structure and envelope; do not interrupt shelf angle continuity.”
    • “Reinforcement to be discontinued at CJs except as detailed.”
    • “Contractor to notify consultant of any conflicts between joint location and structural supports prior to installation.”
    • “Flashing to be lapped under sheathing membrane and extended across cavity per ABC 9.27.3.”
  • Coordinate with structural notes: “CJ at L2 shelf angle to align with structural slip connection at gridline C/5; see S5.2 and A5.3.”

The result is not only a smoother permit review-often with zero plan review redlines with respect to control joints-but also a significant reduction in “clouded” jobsite RFIs around ambiguous details.

Standard Sheet Call-Out and Detail Convention

Consistent terminology and legend usage is imperative. Typical call-outs include:

  • Section Call-Out: “CJ, see 5/A8.2” at all control joints
  • Elevation Key: Numbered markers showing “CJ1, CJ2…” keyed to plan notes
  • Schedule/Legend: “CJ: Control Joint, 12mm, backer rod & low-modulus elastomeric sealant per spec; see detail.”

Material specs are never left to contractor discretion-a source of major delays for Alberta projects-and should reference both ABC, CSA, and ASTM where applicable, e.g., “All sealants and expansion joint materials to conform to ASTM C920 and be installed under manufacturer’s recommendations.”

Dimensions must be explicit at all control joint call-outs, with minimum and maximum spacing shown as direct dimensions or in tabular schedules for larger or multi-elevation projects (e.g., “West Elevation: 12mm CJ at every 9.0m max, staggered at window heads-see notes”).

Integration of STANDATA and Local Amendments

STANDATA bulletins must be cross-referenced in project specs and drawing notes. For example, in the “Project-Specific Code Matrix” on the cover sheet, include: “Control joint locations and assemblies per NBC(AE) 2023 & STANDATA 19-BCI-013.” Drawing notes should indicate, “CJ specification per Alberta Building Code Sec. 9.20.13 and 9.27.4 as amended.”

Reducing Field & Permit Delays: The Result of Detailed Drafting

Explicit, code-referenced, and fully detailed control joints on architectural working drawings dramatically improve plan review turnaround and eliminate most field RFIs related to masonry veneer movement. Permit reviewers routinely acknowledge, “All movement joints shown and detailed-no further comment,” while trades reduce field queries thanks to clear, cross-referenced drawing notes and enumerated material standards.

Through careful integration of ABC-mandated locations, coordinated sheet symbols, tight material specifications, and comprehensive section details, Kingsway Drafting & Design delivers Alberta residential projects with minimal code review friction and robust, durable building envelopes.