What is the minimum distance allowed between holes in steel studs?

What is the minimum distance allowed between holes in steel studs?

• A. 18 inches
• B. 36 inches
• C. 24 inches
• D. 12 inches

Answer: (C)

Holes in steel studs weaken the member, so spacing them apart keeps enough metal between openings to carry loads and keep the stud stiff. The minimum distance between holes is twenty-four inches. This two-foot spacing helps maintain structural capacity, supports routing multiple services without creating concentration of weak points, and simplifies fire stopping and insulation around the stud. If holes were placed closer together, the remaining material could be too limited to resist bending and shear. Choices that place holes much closer or much farther apart would either compromise strength or add unnecessary spacing, so twenty-four inches is the standard minimum.

Holes in steel studs weaken the member, so spacing them apart keeps enough metal between openings to carry loads and keep the stud stiff. The minimum distance between holes is twenty-four inches. This two-foot spacing helps maintain structural capacity, supports routing multiple services without creating concentration of weak points, and simplifies fire stopping and insulation around the stud. If holes were placed closer together, the remaining material could be too limited to resist bending and shear. Choices that place holes much closer or much farther apart would either compromise strength or add unnecessary spacing, so twenty-four inches is the standard minimum.