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Parting Shots

Installing Insulation in Truss Fire Endurance Assemblies

  • Gypsum board is the most critical element in the fire endurance performance of cold-formed steel and wood truss assemblies.
  • When adding insulation to a tested assembly, plan for an equivalent or greater plenum space.

Tales of Living in the Stick Frame Zone of America

  • The wall panel business is completely different than trusses and has a learning curve.
  • Before you start a panel operation, talk to panel manufacturers for specific tips.
  • Make sure you compare the cost of labor for stick framed walls in your market to your own labor and overhead costs.

An Association's Coming of Age

  • The Component Manufacturers Division voted to split from the Truss Plate Insti-tute in 1983 to establish itself as the association we know today as the Wood Truss Council of America.
  • Throughout their history, WTCA Presi-dents have faced adversity, worked to improve the association’s financial outlook, struggled to increase membership, and fought to secure credibility.
  • WTCA is now a well-respected and influential organization, thanks to the direction and leadership of Past Presidents.

Building Wall Panels: 5 Points You Should Know

SBC Legislative Conference Recap: The Do-Everything Congress

  • The current Congress is addressing many issues including labor laws, energy policy, health care and immigration reforms. 
  • In May, SBCA members held 78 meetings with lawmakers from 17 states about our industry’s positions on these issues. 
  • For more information, go to additional online content for the June/July issue at www.sbcmag.info.

Warning: This Is an Explosive Topic!

  • OSHA and Congress are pursuing greater enforcement of existing regulations on the clean up and disposal of “combustible dusts,” including sawdust. 
  • Component manufacturers in several states—including FL, IL, TX and WI—have reported OSHA inspectors conducting combustible dust inspections in addition to their original inspections. 
  • SBCA has created a formal housekeeping plan and online training program to prepare you for that surprise OSHA combustible dust inspection.

BONUS FEATURE: Preserving Employer/Employee Relationships

David (and his friends) Versus Goliath

  • A bill was repealed in 1997 that allowed Caltrans to issue permits for transporting wall panels stacked horizontally.
  • A coalition of CalESCA members, building contractors and homebuilders rallied to restore the bill that would allow wall panels to be hauled horizontally.
  • In October 2007, AB 1612 was signed into law by Governor Schwarzenegger.

Record Retention — Reason & Risk

  • There is no single statute of limitations for the many categories of records component manufacturers hang on to.
  • The federal requirements vary tremendously, do not apply to all types of records, and may even contradict themselves from agency to agency. 
  • It is possible to strike a balance between saving too much and keeping too little.

System Stability in Wood Truss Assemblies during Construction

  • Euler’s buckling formula dates back to 1757; we still use it today to determine bracing.
  • With the creation of an analysis program that more accurately predicts the behavior of a truss system, bracing designs can be examined.
  • Given that relatively few material properties were measured, the SAWFT predictions are surprisingly close to the instability loads obtained from the tests.
  • This work shows promise as a first step toward development of robust structural analysis algorithms for developing new design procedures for wood structural system s

See Ya, 2009. No Really, You Can Leave Now!

  • The nine people from my company took nine different things away from BCMC 2009.
  • Stay connected with free Business Solutions Groups courtesy of SBCA.
  • SBCA’s Component Technology Work-shops are a great way for design professionals and building/fire officials to get the most current information about our industry.

Ripping Lumber Will Likely Change the Grade

  • All softwood lumber used for structural applications in the United States today is produced in accordance with U.S. Department of Commerce Voluntary Product Standard PS 20-05.
  • Grading rules for lumber consider the extent, location and number of various characteristics that determine the quality of piece of lumber.
  • If it appears that ripping lumber is the only alternative, hire a certified lumber grader to re-grade the material.

Parting Shots

Parting Shots

Greetings from Arkansas. It's Time to Reconnect

  • New SBCA President Steven Spradlin owns Capital Structures in Fort Smith, AR.
  • Spradlin started going to SBCA meetings at the advice of a past president and found it helpful to interact with follow manufacturers.
  • An important goal for this year is to test stick frame performance in SBCRI.
  • Thanks to all of our loyal SBC Magazine advertisers and those who supported this year’s BCMC Show.

Blocking for Trusses at Braced Wall Panel Locations

  • The 2009 IRC contains new provisions in Section R602.10.6 to use blocking for connecting braced wall panels to floor truss and roof framing applications.
  • Lateral load can be transferred from bottom chord bearing floor trusses is by attaching wood structural panel wall sheathing to the ends of the trusses, ribbon board, and the top plate of the wall below.
  • Section R602.10.6 also includes prescriptive blocking provisions for roof trusses of varying heel heights for seismic design categories and wind speeds.
  • Component manufacturers can reduce waste

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