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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.
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.