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Knowledge Is Power: Rules of Good Truss Design

  • The best eLearning courses present convenient and effective self-paced online training.
  • Live classes can be intimidating for students who can’t keep up. eLearning courses remedy the pressure to perform by allowing students to repeat modules as many times as necessary.
  • Tutorials, simulations and demos encourage eLearners to interact with each training module.

Publisher's Message: A Fresh Face on Workforce Development

  • Personnel and safety issues are central to your business strategy and can have a significant impact on the success or failure of your business.
  • In this issue, we explore alternative work force development strategies.
  • SBC readers’ top five safety concerns are revealed on page 52 of this issue.
  • The final installment of the Transporting Trusses series spotlights load securement.

WTCA Update:Application of Non-concurrent Attic Loads & Presentation on Truss Drawings

  • The IBC and IRC 10 psf attic live load is a non-concurrent live load applied as one of the load conditions that are checked when designing trusses.
  • The IBC and IRC 20 psf attic storage load shall be applied only in areas intended for storage as clearly identified on the truss design drawings.
  • A note will be placed on the truss design drawings identifying the storage load that was applied to the trusses.

How Much Is Your Broker Worth?

  • Traditional broker compensation is in the form of commission; is the broker compensation “fair”?
  • The answer depends on the amount of compensation relative to the value of the service provided.
  • If the income is a commission, only one thing can be said for certain: if the compensation is fair, it is purely by accident.

What Is eLearning?

  • The best eLearning courses present convenient and effective self-paced online training.
  • Live classes can be intimidating for students who can’t keep up. eLearning courses remedy the pressure to perform by allowing students to repeat modules as many times as necessary.
  • Tutorials, simulations and demos encourage eLearners to interact with each training module.

Plate Cuts & Back Strains & Mishaps, Oh My!

  • Splinters, cuts and lacerations topped the list of safety concerns, according to 51 percent of OMP respondents.
  • Holding steady as OMP respondent’s second most frequent safety issue was back and muscle strains, with 23 percent.

One Minute Poll Reveals Widespread/Common Personnel Pitfalls

  • SBC’s new One Minute Poll (OMP) is an exciting and efficient way to voice your challenges and triumphs in sixty seconds or less!
  • 40 percent of OMP respondents cited communications difficulties between departments.
  • Creating an environment that fosters teamwork is a proverbial challenge for component manufacturers.

The Road to Reentry: Fighting Recidivism by Preparing for Success (Part 1 of 3)

  • Many employers won’t hire ex-felons.
  • The industry has a chronic shortage of skilled truss technicians, so setting up a prison design department was the perfect solution for Stark Truss.
  • The truss industry has several success stories of helping former felons reintegrate into life.

Transporting Trusses: Load Securement & Driver Responsibility (Part 3 of 3)

  • WTCA is putting together a “Guide to Loading and Transporting Wood Trusses.”
  • The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Admin-istration recently established new guidelines for proper securement of cargo transported for commercial purposes.
  • Under these new guidelines, you may want to reevaluate the quantity and meth-od you currently use to secure trusses to the transporting vehicle.

Work Force Development - WTCA's Employment Portal

  • WTCA has been working diligently to partner with technical schools, community colleges and universities across the country.
  • Our goal is to provide potential employees with skills in AutoCAD drafting, computer aided design, engineering, programming, marketing and sales, accounting and information technology.

Adventures in Advocacy: Hitting Closer to Home

BCMC 2005 - Exhibitor Registration Marketing Made Easy Online

  • BCMC is the "must go to" show of the structural building components industry. 
  • It is the place to see the latest industry products, services and equipment.
  • New ideas, sure to benefit your business, are always created at this fast- paced show.

Builder Banter

Code Connection - Building Code Involvement at National & Chapter Levels

  • We have learned that collaboration with all interested parties usually results in code changes that are better and more easily implemented.
  • TPI and WTCA have developed a code change policy to guide industry code developments. 
  • The WTCA E&T Committee and TPI TAC are great resources of industry knowledge that can help to avoid pitfalls.

Publisher's Message - Association Teamwork Provides Grassroots Foundation

  • This issue of SBC brings you the latest grassroots activities from WTCA Chapters and staff, as well as the annual membership listing. 
  • One of the focal points of 2005 will be WTCA staff’s attendance at quarterly chapter meetings. We are here to support all of our members; there is no better way than with local involvement. 
  • The synergy between TPI and WTCA has set a foundation for even greater positive industry work. 
  • There is no doubt that our industry has played a pivotal role in cost-effective residential construction renovations.

WTCA Update - Building Momentum Through Advocacy

  • We can help to make your Washington, DC legislative visit an experience that will have an impact. 
  • If you do not think your voice is important, just think what would happen to the laws in this country if everyone felt that way.

Association Synergy Puts the "Root" in Grassroots

  • WTCA and TPI have proven that the "united we stand, divided we fall" cliché has solid merit.
  • When our collective focus is on serving the best interests of our industry, there are no losers in the process.

Behind the Scenes of ABC's Extreme Makeover: Home Edition

  • Woodinville Lumber Uses Components to Turn Dreams into Reality