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Adventures In Advocacy: Bye, Bye Byrd-ie

Builder Banter

Economic Environment: Housing Bubbles - No National Bubble, Some Regions Vulnerable

  • Twenty-three percent of all home sales in 2004 were for investments (not owner occupied).
  • Today, U.S. interest rates depend as much on the global economy as national conditions.
  • If interest rates remain low, house prices will continue to appreciate until they surpass "ability to pay" by prospective buyers.

In Memoriam: J. Calvin Juriet

  • Cal Juriet

Publisher's Message: Components Industry Makes "Extreme" Impression; Quality Control Makes Waves

  • Our cover story features another WTCA member who volunteered on ABC’s Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. 
  • This issue focuses on quality control and In-Plant WTCA QC.
  • A new Truss Technology Workshop (TTW) web site has been rolled out, making continuing education and general knowledge about the building components industry easily accessible for professionals.
  • This issue features new WTCA President Don Groom’s first Editor’s Message.

WTCA Update: Open Quarterly Meeting Minutes - August 19, 2005, Denver, CO

  • The August OQM was held in Denver, CO.
  • The Executive Committee reported on a joint relationship with NLBMDA, the current state of the discussion about the future of WTCA’s name and a number of recommendations from TPI.
  • A subcommittee was appointed to work out the details of the construction of a new testing facility at WTCA Headquar-ters in Madison, WI.
  • The Board unanimously approved a policy that the annual WTCA budget will in-clude funding for staff travel to up to four chapter meetings per chapter per year.

Extreme Measures: 11 1/2 Hours in the Life of Capital Structures

  • Capital Structures of Fort Smith, AR was selected to provide materials, component design, fabrication and framing labor for an Extreme Makeover: Home Edition project in June.
  • Ninety-two degrees, 97 percent humidity, and no breeze caused Team Capital framers to endure brutal conditions for much of the day.
  • The framers set a framing record of eleven hours and 30 minutes.
  • The crew encountered one set-back: the foundation slab was off almost two inches in some areas, making the wall panels difficult to get level.

2004 North American Machine Stress Related Lumber Production Tops Two Billion Board Feet!

  • Annual production of machine stress rated (MSR) and machine evaluated lumber (MEL) has exceeded two billion board feet for the second year in a row. 
  • Stress rating equipment is capable of keeping up with production in excess of 3,200 lineal feet per minute.
  • The grades with the largest production volume are 1650Fb 1.5E and 2100Fb 1.8E.

Quality Control as a Data Management Tool

  • Use this short quiz to help you determine how well you use your plant’s production data to manage your operation.
  • A quality control program that aids in measuring this data can help you make decisions based on more tangible information.
  • Using the data from In-Plant WTCA QC inspections can give you the ability to analyze data based on the specific plant performance issue you would like to consider.

Truss Technology Workshops: Year-Round Education & Training Is Just a Click Away

  • WTCA’s new Truss Technology Workshop (TTW) web site, ttw.woodtruss.com, offers a one-stop shop for continuing education (CEU) credits.
  • The site is designed to serve as a year-round resource for those in professions who work with roof trusses, floor trusses, wall panels and related components. 
  • Users who purchase a year-long subscription also receive unlimited access to the site’s online resource library. 
  • The site offers component manufacturer members all the materials necessary to present their own live TTWs for free.

WTCA Recognized for Work on NAHB-RC Quality Program

  • WTCA helped NAHB-RC develop the Certified Trade Contractor Program, the first such program to develop quality assurance standards for the framing industry.
  • WTCA’s goal in contributing to the Certified Trade Contractor program was to be able to ensure that reliable construction begins at a home’s foundation.

Is Your Plant Complying with IBC & IRC QC Building Code Requirements?

  • The approach that has been taken by the truss industry to comply with the building code requirements for the last fifty years still applies today.
  • Special inspections may be required for a given constriction project.
  • The International Accreditation Service (IAS) has developed an accreditation program for agencies providing the special inspections that are required for specific construction projects under Chapter 17 of IBC.
  • The third party inspection agencies in our industry have IAS accreditation.

Adventures In Advocacy: Saw-Dusty Trails

Builder Banter

Code Connection: 40-Foot Truss Span Limitation in IBC Section 2308

  • Structures designed to the IBC often use the broadly written code requirements that provide greater engineering design flexibility.
  • Structures may also be designed using a combination of both prescriptive and engineered methods as indicated in IBC Section 2308.1.
  • Structures may be designed within the prescriptive requirements of Section 2308. Limitations can be found in the sidebar on page 25.

Publisher's Message: From Raw Materials to Delivery: Manufacturing Issues in Our Midst

  • This issue of SBC Magazine covers manufacturing issues and houses the BCMC 2005 Recap, complete with exhibitor photos, a summary of the educational sessions and other highlights.
  • This issue’s cover story features Bama Truss & Components, a wood and steel component manufacturer in Shelby, AL that services the multi-family and commercial building industry.
  • Other feature articles highlight combined U.S. and Canadian lumber species groups, proper crane hoisting and rigging guidelines, and a new Truss Technician Training recertification process.

WTCA Update: Texas Sweeps Annual WTCA Membership Drive, Arizona Comes in Second

  • A new Truss Technology in Building document developed by WTCA due to members’ requests demonstrates proper truss hoisting techniques on the jobsite.
  • Although the document gives recommendations for the handling of trusses, it is important to note that the general operation of any mobile crane must comply with OSHA standards.
  • The TTB’s section on Load Positions, Movement & Rigging presents techniques that are likely to reduce crane damage to trusses.

Bama Truss Does It All

  • Bama Truss & Components manufactures both wood and steel trusses for the commercial and multi-family building construction industry.
  • When they first introduced their steel line in 2002, they made drastic changes in their design and manufacturing departments to separate the functions of the wood and steel divisions.
  • The company has experienced more benefits than drawbacks as a result of ex-panding their operations to include steel trusses.