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Floor trusses are the solution to many floor framing challenges presented in today's complex and sophisticated building designs. In addition to the space allowed for mechanical and plumbing runs, floor trusses can reduce framing time, material waste and callbacks.
See the resources below for more information on how to specify, install and brace floor trusses.
BCSI Canada includes Canadian references, installation tolerances aligned with local practices, and design related tables consistent with the Canadian design standard.
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This new program gives the next generation of leaders an opportunity to meet, build lasting relationships, learn from mentors, and gain a greater depth of knowledge of SBCA and trends shaping the industry’s future.
Use this handy new resource to quickly find more information about your state's building codes.
How long does it take to frame a house? It depends. The 2015 BCMC Build project is making it possible to answer that question by framing two identical houses side by side. Watch the project's progress via live webcams on the jobsite.
Recent ASTM E119 testing (using 100% design load conditions as required by that standard), conducted independently by Underwriters Laboratory (UL) and NGC Testing Services (NGC), confirm that an unprotected floor assembly constructed of 2x10s or Flak Jacket coated I-joists do not provide “equivalent performance” to a floor assembly that has a ½” gypsum wallboard membrane ceiling as prescribed by
General Design Information
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National Design Specification for Wood Construction (NDS) 2015 Wood Design Package brings together all required elements for design of wood structures in one comprehensive set, including NDS for Wood Construction, 2015 Edition; NDS Supplement: Design Values for Wood Construction, 2015 Edition; and 2015 Special Design Provisions for Wind and Seismic (SDPWS) Standard.
After the two homes were fully framed and dried-in, the thousands of images collected were analyzed to determine the man-hours it took to complete each discreet framing task and how much waste was generated in the process. The results of the Framing the American Dream study are conclusive: The component-framed house required 152.1 man-hours to complete, whereas the stick-framed house required 373.5 hours. It took two and half-times longer to construct the stick-framed version of the floorplan.
Background:
R501.3 (IRC-12) or R302.13 (IRC-15) states the following – “Floor assemblies….shall be provided with a 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard membrane…… or equivalent…….
SBCA has compiled the articles below to provide a comprehensive guide to the information it has published on R501.3 (from the 2012 IRC) and R302.12 (the same language incorporated in the 2015 IRC). The goal in organizing the information in this way is to enable the reader to fully understand this issue and SBCA’s position.
Question: Why was the IRC changed to provide a 2x10 exclusion from the requirement in R501.3/R302.13 that states, “Floor assemblies….shall be provided with a 1/2-inch (12.7 mm) gypsum wallboard membrane”?
The following provides SBCA's proposed best practice contract language for CMs to use as a standardize approach with respect to defining their scope of work. The grey highlighted text ties most directly to the commentary provided after the proposed sample language.
Proposed Sample Contract Language
The following provides SBCA's proposed best practice truss submittal package language for CMs to use as a standardize approach with respect to defining their scope of work. The grey highlighted text ties most directly to the commentary provided after the proposed sample language.
Proposed Sample TDD and TPD Submittal Transmittal Language
The following article provides SBCA's proposed best practice Truss Design Drawing (TDD) Cover Sheet language for CMs to use as a standardize approach with respect to defining their scope of work. The grey highlighted text ties most directly to the commentary provided after the proposed sample language.
Proposed Sample TDD Cover Sheet Language
The following article provides SBCA's proposed best practice Truss Design Drawing (TDD) warning note language for CMs to use as a standardize approach with respect to defining their scope of work.
Proposed Sample TDD Warning Note Language
The following article provides SBCA's proposed best practice Truss Placement Diagram note language for CMsto use as a standardize approach with respect to defining their scope of work.
Proposed Sample TPD Note Language
At the recent July SBCA Open Quarterly Meeting (OQM) in Madison, WI, the membership discussed the importance of raw material design values and their impact on component manufacturers (CM).
As noted in the following three articles:
The SBCA Truss Plate Council, Executive Committee and Board of Directors have been working on individual sample best practice language for component manufacturers. They are as follows:
SBCA's Design Software policy makes it clear the software and intellectual property should reside in the hands of the CM. Originally passed in 2002, the plate suppliers in attendance (Eagle, Alpine, MiTek and Simpson) all reiterated their unequivocal support for this policy and pledged to continue monitoring the use of its software and resolving instances where the software may be used contrary to this policy.
Addressing Product Innovation, Code Approval and Professional Engineering
The “alternative materials, designs or methods of construction,” found in the building code are often misunderstood, leading to the statement: “I need an ICC report.”
2015 International Building Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, Section 104 Duties and Powers of Building Official
[A] 104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment.
2015 International Building Code, Chapter 1 Scope and Administration, Section 104 Duties and Powers of Building Official
[A] 104.11 Alternative materials, design and methods of construction and equipment.
Chapter 17 Special Inspections and Tests, SECTION 1703 APPROVALS
SECTION 1703 APPROVALS
1703.1 Approved agency. An approved agency shall provide all information as necessary for the building official to determine that the agency meets the applicable requirements specified in Sections 1703.1.1 through 1703.1.3.
Chapter 17 Special Inspections and Tests, SECTION 1703 APPROVALS
1703.4.2 Research reports.
Supporting data, where necessary to assist in the approval of products, materials or assemblies not specifically provided for in this code, shall consist of valid research reports from approved sources.
Addressing Product Innovation, Code Approval and Professional Engineering
The “alternative materials, designs or methods of construction,” found in the building code are often misunderstood, leading to the statement: “I need an ICC report.”
Investing in continuing education can be a powerful way to communicate to your existing employees their value to your organization, as well as improve their existing skills.
Learn about component manufacturers taking a proactive approach to their workforce development needs in past SBC Magazine articles and SBCA webinars.
2012 International Residential Code
Chapter 5 Floors (search for R501.3)