Joist are designed for wind net-uplift loads when these loads are specified by the project’s Engineer of Record on the structural drawings. If they are not specified on the structural drawings, the joist manufacturer’s detailers may request that the EOR confirm that wind uplift is not required for the joist design. The joist manufacturer does not determine the wind uplift loads. These must be provided by the EOR based on the building dimensions, site design criteria, and ASCE7.

The joist self-weight should have been included by the project’s Engineer of Record in the joist dead load for the specified joist. There are instances where the EOR has removed the assumed joist self-weight from the dead load used for the joist designation and required the joist manufacturer to include the joist and/or joist girder self-weight in the design. This will be clearly noted on the structural drawings. Attempting to reduce the design dead load by considering the actual joist or joist girder self-weight is not recommended.