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Article
2008 December
- Making sound business decisions in this business cycle provides no guarantee of business success.
- We must recast the notion of diversification and find creative new ways to serve customers.
- Beyond evaluating sales and product lines, defining clear objectives and consulting with industry peers for ideas are important exercises.
Article
2008 December
- Heart attacks and sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) are not necessarily synonymous.
- SCA is often caused by an arrhythmia, and occurs when the heart stops pumping and starts to quiver rapidly.
- An AED is an electronic device that administers electric shock to an SCA victim.
- If no AED is available, CPR can be performed on an SCA victim to maintain blood flow to the brain.
Article
2008 December
- Lumber design values, not loads, are adjusted by the load duration factor (LDF).
- The application of LDFs is separate from load combining reduction factors, although both may be used in truss design calculations.
- In areas where snow load controls the design, code allows an LDF of 1.15, not 1.00.
Article
2008 November
- The new president of SBCA is Ben Hershey of Alliance TruTrus.
- Our industry is unique in that we work together to make builders more efficient.
- The decision to change the association’s name from WTCA to SBCA is a reflection on the products we now market.
- The spread of BCSI in our markets will help build our industry.
Article
2008 November
- Partition separation is often blamed on a condition known as truss arching.
- Wood may expand or shrink depending on its moisture content.
- The example given in Figure 2 shows that a 28-ft truss with 19% moisture content that dries to 7% may cause an upward deflection of about 0.7 inches.
- Many factors lead to partition separation; the only way to prove truss arching is to use a laser level to assess all the areas of potential movement in the structure.
Article
2008 November
- Before developing a first aid kit for your operation, analyze work spaces and review your OSHA Form 300: Log of Work-Related Injuries and Illnesses to note potential hazards.
- Remember that where you place the kits can be as important as what you put inside.
- The most important thing is to put them in places that are centrally located that people will remember.
Article
2008 Sept/Oct
- In our current business environment, we’ve got to get creative, explore new markets and consider ways to differentiate.
- If there’s one benefit of your membership in WTCA, it’s staying connected and learning from each other.
- BCMC is the place to keep your finger on the pulse of the industry and make adjustments to your business.
Article
2008 Sept/Oct
- Any lumber that is graded to assign design properties is considered stress-graded, no matter if it was visually or mechanically graded.
- Material with design properties listed in the NDS Supplement or in individual lumber use guides is considered stress-graded.
Article
2008 Sept/Oct
- Many of us do not get enough sleep, which can lead to mistakes and poor job performance.
- Tips for dealing with fatigue at work include hydration, taking a quick break to refocus and napping.
Article
2008 August
- A project featuring long-span radius trusses is on page 32.
- Environmental Components on page 24 explains nine reasons building components have been green since 1952.
- Don’t miss the BCMC Early Bird deadline on August 25! Check out the main events on page 16.
Article
2008 August
- The IBC does not prohibit the use of exposed truss bottom chords.
- Since interior grade OSB is allowed on the underside of an exposed truss, it follows that there would not be a more stringent requirement for exposed trusses.
- The USDA Forest Products Laboratory’s Wood Handbook provides the average equilibrium moisture content of wood exposed to the outdoor atmosphere for various cities in the United States.
Article
2008 August
- For manufacturers sharing shop workers between steel and wood plants, it is prudent to cross-train them on eye protection.
- When drilling metal screws into steel components, employees are exposed to metal shavings and fragments.
- If metal shards get caught in the eye, rust rings can occur.
- Beyond enforcement of PPE, the best thing you can do to encourage the use of eye protection is to find comfortable options for all shop workers.
Article
2008 June/July
- Florida Representative Mark Foley visited Chambers Truss for a plant tour in 2006.
- Bob Becht got to know Foley’s top aide after attending several WTCA Legislative Conferences.
- Foley’s visit was very helpful for one of Chambers’ employees whose wife was facing deportation.
Article
2008 June/July
- This issue is devoted to Legal and Legis-lative topics. View a recap of the 2008 SBC Legislative Conference on page 42.
- Turn to page 30 for The Big Picture on “cap and trade” climate legislation.
- Don’t miss the seven most important contract provisions to look for when reviewing your customer’s contract forms on page 24.
Article
2008 June/July
- Conditions like deflection and vibration can occur in metal plate connected wood trusses even if they meet the building code and adequately transfer loads.
- When stone flooring is installed over wood frame construction, deflections not exceeding L/720 are recommended.
- The Building Designer is responsible for providing the deflection criteria and on-center spacing requirements to limit deflections.
- If no building design information is given, truss technicians should not assume deflection criteria of L/360.
Article
2008 May
- In 2008, WTCA has made some difficult budgetary and staffing choices to weather the housing downturn.
- Qualtim, Inc.’s fiscal management of WTCA has allowed the association to stay within budget.
- A WTCA “sales committee” has been formed to raise the sales associated with BCMC exhibiting and attendance, WTCA products and services and SBC advertising.
Article
2008 May
- Cataracts are the most common eye disorder associated with excessive sun exposure.
- Sun over-exposure and damage accumulates over time.
- If possible, limit employees’ sun exposure at your facility.
- Use safe sun practices to keep you and your employees on the right track for preventing sun-related health risks.
Article
2008 May
- Two common conditions that impact drywall are known as cracking and ridging.
- These conditions can be caused by temperature and humidity changes or insufficient framing techniques.
- The Gypsum Association and the Drywall Finishing Council have provided guidelines for trades working with gypsum board.
Article
2008 April
- SBCRI is a one of a kind world-class testing lab located in Madison, WI dedicated to testing building components.
- TPI and WTCA have committed to investing almost $2 million in the next several years for industry testing projects.
- Take advantage of your WTCA membership by using the products and services developed for component manufacturers.
Article
2008 April
- Going to see and learn something first hand from an expert is an effective way to learn about a topic.
- Plant tour attendees at an Illinois manufacturer’s TTW event were awed by the custom engineering and code compliance involved in component design and manufacturing.
- A plant tour in New Hampshire led to an invitation for one manufacturer to present further component education for a local fire department.
- WTCA staff can assist manufacturers setting up a plant tour in many ways: compiling targeted handouts, providing signage
Article
2008 April
- A written HazCom plan is the first step to creating a safeguard against chemical hazards.
- Each hazardous material in the plant must have a current Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) accessible to all employees.
- Educating employees and contractors about dangerous substances will prevent chemical related injuries and illnesses.
Article
2008 April
- To add insulation into a tested assembly, an equivalent or greater plenum space should be maintained and the insulation held up and away from the gypsum surface.
- Increasing the depth of an assembly does not adversely affect its fire endurance rating.
Article
2008 March
- An effective leader empowers people to do things because they want to do it.
- It’s difficult to maintain a solid safety awareness culture if management doesn’t believe safety should be a priority.
- Most leaders exhibit five characteristics: Openness, Conscientiousness, Extroversion, Agreeableness and Neuroticism.
Article
2008 March
- While walking though the shop, take digital pictures of safety hazards to show at the next safety meeting.
- Component manufacturers will save time and money with WTCA’s Operation Safety program.
- Chambers Truss created an educational program for builders about proper installation and bracing techniques.