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Article
2009 May
- SBCA’s Cold-Formed Steel BCSI booklet recommends using material that is a minimum of 33 mil for permanent restraint/bracing applications.
- Framers should verify that they are getting structural grade hat channel (150F125-33) to be in conformance with the industry governing documents.
- If the preference is to use non-structural hat channel, the truss design engineer should evaluate the structural capabilities of the material.
Article
2009 May
- Component manufacturers are not often compensated for the costs they incur for their design services.
- A recent One Minute Poll suggests that although an overwhelming majority of CMs believe they should be compensated for these costs, most are not.
- A way to address it is to provide contract language that details separate charges for the completion of design services and the delivery of products to the jobsite.
Article
2009 May
- There are plenty of free and inexpensive ways to provide positive, reputable information to your employees.
- Use a website like Google to search for interesting tips and articles using phrases like “benefits of exercise,” “fitness tricks” and “health tips.”
- Contact a local fitness center and ask if they have any corporate programs.
Article
2009 April
- Finding faster, safer ways to install our products and discovering new applications is a benefit of component testing.
- SBCRI in Madison, WI affords us the opportunity to work with TPI and others to push the boundaries of component knowledge.
- Everyone is welcome to visit SBCRI and see what our industry has developed!
Article
2009 April
- Truss placement diagrams (TPD) are intended to assist in positioning trusses and related components supplied by the component manufacturer.
- On residential projects, the truss design engineer is responsible for the single truss design depicted on each truss design drawing.
- Since the TPD is not typically prepared under the truss designer engineer’s supervision, it is not considered an engineered document.
- It is not legal in most states for a truss design engineer to seal a non-registered person’s work for which he has
Article
2009 April
- History shows that decision makers continue to attend BCMC; the opportunity to launch a new product or capture more market share is as strong as ever.
- BCMC 2009, as always, will bring in attendees that can make the call and make a difference.
- Decision makers and key influencers are precisely the people exhibitors want to target.
Article
2009 April
- Symptoms of depression include persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety and worthlessness to fatigue, difficulty concentrating and insomnia.
- Depression can result in absenteeism, lost workdays or increased health care claims.
- Depression is a delicate but serious subject, and many people fear they will be judged for admitting their condition.
Article
2009 March
- We have had to get creative in how we attack what little business is out there, while maintaining a quality team.
- It is at times like these that companies that continue to train and prepare their staff for the upturn will be successful on the other side.
- Turn to page 18 to read how Tri-County Truss earned the VPP (Voluntary Protection Program) award from OSHA.
Article
2009 March
- The building designer should specify permanent building stability bracing on the construction documents.
- If the building designer does not provide this bracing on the construction documents, the IRC 2006 specifies that BCSI must be followed.
- Wind and seismic loads applied to the gable frame laterally need to be resisted as shown in Figure 4.
Article
2009 March
- When delivering components, understand the limitations of the vehicle and properly load and secure the cargo.
- Gather as much information as you can from accident scene.
- Take pictures with a digital camera or camera phone, and get names and contact information from eyewitnesses.
Article
2009 Jan/Feb
- Businesses that emerge from these challenging times will be well-positioned if they take advantage of opportunities to improve.
- We cannot change the world overnight, but we can make a difference by encouraging those around us to be positive.
- Our company buys only from vendors that support our industry through SBC Magazine and the BCMC Show.
- Meeting with them to discuss your needs at this time may be very valuable to your company.
Article
2009 Jan/Feb
- Continuous studs are required to eliminate hinge points in gable end walls per the 2009 IRC.
- The “all walls” language has been clarified by allowing mixing of braced wall methods.
- The wall bracing section of the 2009 IRC has been extensively rewritten and reorganized.
Article
2009 Jan/Feb
- Screw guns are not inherently dangerous, but if not used properly, they can cause musculoskeletal injuries.
- Weight, balance, handle shape and diameter, trigger position and size are factors that contribute to their comfort and efficiency.
- One Midwestern manufacturing company uses a screw “machine” in its steel component manufacturing area.
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.