Holes bored in joists should not be within what distance from the top or bottom of the joist?

Holes bored in joists are critical for maintaining the structural integrity of the joist while allowing for the passage of utilities like plumbing and electrical lines. The distance that holes must be set from the top or bottom of the joist is established to prevent weakening the joist and potentially leading to structural failure.

The requirement of maintaining a distance of 2 inches from the top or bottom of the joist ensures that the structural capacity remains intact. Setting holes too close to the edges can create stress points that could compromise the strength of the joist, especially under load. This practice is crucial, particularly in ensuring that shear and bending forces are appropriately handled by the material.

Adhering to this guideline helps prevent issues such as cracking or splitting, which could occur if a hole is placed too near to the surface of the joist. Thus, the correct answer of 2 inches supports the overall stability and longevity of the structure being built or maintained.