Which statement below correctly identifies one floor below the damaged level for shoring in wood or lightweight steel frame structures?

• A. One floor below the damaged level
• B. Two floors below the damaged level
• C. Three floors below the damaged level
• D. Four floors below the damaged level

Answer: (A)

In wood or lightweight frame structures, the load path from the damaged floor must be intercepted as close to the failure point as practical to prevent further movement and to create a stable working area. Placing shoring one floor below the damaged level achieves this by directly supporting the floor above the damaged zone, catching any sag or collapse before it travels to lower levels. This location provides a solid bearing for cribbing and stabilizes the structure around the damaged area, which helps protect rescuers and maintains a usable gap for operations.

Placing shoring farther below—two, three, or four floors—reduces the effectiveness of the load transfer, increases the risk of progressive collapse spreading downward, and can create instability as the lower levels are subjected to loads they weren’t meant to bear.