Bracing for steps in floors or ceilings

Readers have asked about bracing requirements in two extra situations, so tom edhouse outlines the rules. First up are discontinuous floors or ceilings.

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Bracing
By
Tom Edhouse
Last updated 19 May 2026
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NZS 3604:2011 clause 5.15 has the bracing requirements for buildings with a step or break greater than 100 mm in the finished levels. This requires:

  • a bracing line in the storey below, directly under the discontinuity, and
  • the bracing elements in the storey below must be continuous from floor level to the underside of the highest ceiling level (see Figures 1 and 2).
A diagram of wooden framing showing bracing design where floor is discontinuous
Figure 1 Bracing design where floor is discontinuous.
A diagram of wooden framing showing a bracing design where ceiling is discontinuous
Figure 2 Bracing design where ceiling is discontinuous.