9.20.1.

(1) Except as provided in Article 9.20.1.2.v1, this Section applies to,

(a) unreinforced masonry and masonry veneer walls not in contact with the ground, where,

(i) the height of the walls constructed on the foundation walls does not exceed 11 m, and

(ii) the roof or floor assembly above the first storey is not of concrete construction, and

(b) flat insulating concrete form walls not in contact with the ground that,

(i) have a maximum floor to floor height of 3 m,

(ii) are erected in buildings not more than 2 storeys in building height and containing only a single dwelling unit, and

(iii) are erected in locations where the seismic spectral response acceleration, S_a(0.2) is not greater than 0.4.

(2) For walls other than those described in Sentence (1), or where the masonry walls or insulating concrete form walls not in contact with the ground are designed for specified loads on the basis of ultimate and serviceability limit states, Subsection 4.3.2. shall apply.

(1) In locations where the seismic spectral response acceleration, S_a(2.0), is greater than 0.55, loadbearing elements of masonry buildings more than 1 storey in building height shall be reinforced with not less than the minimum amount of reinforcement as required in Subsection 9.20.15.

(2) In locations where the seismic spectral response acceleration, S_a(2.0), is greater than 0.35, but less than or equal to 0.55, loadbearing elements of masonry buildings 3 storeys in building height shall be reinforced with not less than the minimum amount of reinforcement as required in Subsection 9.20.15.