Live ACG restaurant and folding-wall content notes that top-hung systems need structural header support. This article turns that note into an engineer-facing deliverables list. It is not a sealed calculation and does not publish generic allowable loads.
Why the engineer needs this early
Top-hung folding walls hang from a head track. The structure above must carry dead load from the panels, operating / stacking loads, and any manufacturer-required deflection limits so the panels still seal and roll. If the header is designed as a light storefront opening, the system selection may fail in the field or force a late redesign.
Floor-supported systems put more demand into the sill. Top-hung systems put more demand into the head. Confirm which configuration is in the basis of design before the structural package freezes.
Inputs to collect before design
- Manufacturer system name and configuration (panel count, stacking side, pocket vs end-stack)
- Clear opening width and height intent
- Manufacturer reaction loads and deflection criteria for that configuration (from current product engineering docs)
- Track / head detail and anchorage concept from manufacturer drawings
- Interior / exterior finish package that affects head soffit clearance
- Seismic, wind, and occupancy assumptions already on the structural narrative
Attach current manufacturer drawings (for example Euro-Wall DWG support files when that family is proposed) rather than sketching loads from memory.
RFI package outline
When the design team needs clarification, a useful RFI asks for:
- Confirmed system and stacking layout for the opening mark
- Published reaction / load tables for that layout from the manufacturer (dated)
- Maximum allowable head deflection for operation and weather seal
- Anchor pattern assumptions and edge-distance notes
- Whether a pocket or soffit condition changes the reactions
Do not treat a salesperson email as a sealed reaction. Route manufacturer engineering documents into the structural package.
Structural engineer input checklist
TEMPLATE ONLY. Not a sealed calc. Not published allowable loads.
| Input | Have it? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| System + stacking layout | Y / N | Architect / manufacturer layout |
| Opening width / height intent | Y / N | Elevations + schedule |
| Manufacturer reactions (dated) | Y / N | Manufacturer engineering docs |
| Head deflection criteria | Y / N | Manufacturer + EOR judgment |
| Anchor / edge distance notes | Y / N | Manufacturer details |
| Pocket / soffit condition | Y / N / N/A | Enlarged head section |
| Wind / occupancy narrative aligned | Y / N | Project structural criteria |
What this article will not publish
- No generic allowable load tables
- No sample header beam sizes
- No invented deflection limits
- No claim that top-hung always reduces sill waterproofing coordination (sill still needs a weather detail)
How to ask for the right scope
Send elevations, the opening schedule, and the proposed stacking layout. Ask the glazing bidder to include manufacturer reaction documents for the exact configuration. Mark material-only or furnish-and-install.
ACG works from West Palm Beach, Naples, and Tampa. Call (772) 486-7711. FL CGC #1531993.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do top-hung folding walls need a structural header?
Yes in the sense that the structure above the opening must be designed for the system reactions and deflection criteria. Exact member design belongs to the project structural engineer using manufacturer inputs.
Can ACG publish allowable loads for my opening?
No. This article is a checklist. Loads come from current manufacturer engineering documents for the exact configuration, then the EOR designs the structure.
Is top-hung the same as floor-supported?
No. Load path and sill/head detailing differ. Confirm the configuration before structural design freezes.
What should the architect send with the RFQ?
Elevations, opening schedule, stacking intent, and a request for manufacturer reactions tied to that layout. State material-only or furnish-and-install.