When verifying ladder blocking, what should the Green Rater be looking for?

When verifying ladder blocking, the Green Rater should focus on the connections between the exterior wall and interior walls, as this is critical for ensuring proper structural integrity and performance of the building envelope. Ladder blocking refers to the placement of blocking materials that provide lateral support and stability for walls, especially at junctions where interior walls intersect with exterior walls. Proper connections help in transferring loads and can prevent potential structural issues during construction and in the future.

Additionally, these connections have implications for energy efficiency and air sealing. If these areas are not properly verified and constructed, it could result in thermal bridging or air leakage, which would negatively impact the overall performance of the building. This aspect is essential in LEED certification, which emphasizes energy efficiency and sustainable building practices.

In contrast, while internal load balancing, material quality, and structural beam alignment are important in construction, they do not directly relate to the verification of ladder blocking. Understanding how elements connect at the wall is crucial for achieving the desired performance outcomes that LEED promotes.