CM Toolkit Search

Chapter Corner

Participating in Your Own Revolution

  • A new booklet for handling, installing, restraining and bracing of cold-formed steel trusses is now available. \
  • CFSBCSI is organized into six chapters, each of which exists separately as a Summary Sheets 
  • The CFS Jobsite Package is a graphical presentation of CFSBCSI concepts for ease of use in the field.

Environmental Components: Q&A: FSC Certified Wood for Non-LEED Project

  • A manufacturer was asked to build “green” components though there was no intention for the project to be green certified. 
  • If this happens to you, ask the specifier and builder why “green” wood is desired. 
  • Consider supplying two bids for the job: one with regular components and one with “green” components.

Chapter Corner

BCMC 2008 Recap: The Show Must Go On!

Quality Control, not Quantity Constraint

  • Balancing quality control and efficiency in the shop is more important than ever before. 
  • In-Plant WTCA QC program is one tool that manufacturers are using to manage quality, efficiency and cost at the same time. 
  • One of the greatest benefits the program is the information available to managers that helps them make informed business decisions.

The Path to Chain of Custody Certification

  • When pursuing CoC certification, your first step is to choose a certifying body. 
  • You will work with a third-party auditor appointed by the certifying body. 
  • Plan to spend between $2,500 and $5,000 to become certified. 
  • Submit documentation of CoC inventory and staff procedures to the auditor.

Jim Gilleran Awarded Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland

BCMC 2008 Full Recap with Exhibitor List

Chapter Corner

Could Balloon Frame Wall Systems Make a Comeback?

  • Balloon wall framing applications are considered an archaic building method. 
  • CMs can build tall walls by laying out extra long studs on a table and placing truss plates on the joints. Then roll the gantry over them to secure the plates. 
  • If you are building balloon or “tall” walls, we want to hear from you! Email editor@sbcmag.info.

Designing a Cone Roof

  • Andrews Truss designed and built the trusses for a cone-shaped tower measuring 75' tall and 21' across. 
  • The tower was part of a 4,000 sq. ft. vacation home in northwestern North Carolina located near the “Tail of the Dragon” highway. 
  • This was technician Phil Close’s first experience designing trusses for a tower this shape. 
  • The key, he said, was a lot of careful thought before beginning the design.

BCMC: Your Business Lifeline: Saddle Up! It is BCMC Time Again!

  • BCMC is the one time each year exhibitors have the attention of component manufacturers from around the world in one place! 
  • Don’t miss BCMC this year; 2009 is one of the most pivotal years in our history. 
  • Exhibitors’ goals should be to have attendees thinking about your product or service long after they have returned home.

Chapter Corner

Resolved to Be Safe: Tri-County Truss Secures VPP Distinction

  • Tri-County Truss decided to seek a special OSHA safety status by teaming up with a Washington state agency to make its operations safer. 
  • The company earned the VPP award in 2008 by empowering its workers. 
  • As part of the process, inspectors interviewed 45 employees at random behind closed doors about the company’s safety practices.

Playing the Green Building Game

  • FSC-certified lumber is not worth the two points available for its use since it isn’t a requirement that must be met for certification in LEED for Homes. 
  • Typically, homes that qualify for green certifications tend to be high performance, design-driven projects. 
  • LEED credits can be divided into “direct” credits and “indirect” credits, and components contribute to both.

Chapter Corner

SBCRI Reveals Data from Wall Bracing Tests

  • The performance of shear walls under lateral loads was recently tested in a full-scale assembly in SBCRI. 
  • The tests yielded results that are consistent with similar testing done by NAHB RC and APA. 
  • The test data calls into question prescriptive requirements of braced wall lines in the IRC.