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Building Designers need to account for the dead and live loads of fire sprinkler systems, in addition to the other load requirements imposed under the model building codes. Truss Designers are responsible for incorporating the additional load from the fire sprinkler systems into the truss design. The information in this Research Report is applicable to both floor and roof systems. Only vertical loads from fire sprinkler systems are discussed; lateral loads, where required, should be evaluated separately by a Registered Design Professional.
This Research Report provides construction details for residential deck ledger attachment to metal plate connected wood truss floor systems. Proper attachment of the deck ledger to the house is critical for ensuring that an “attached” deck is safely and securely supported at this location.
The repair and modification of metal plate connected wood trusses can be a very complicated subject, because each situation must be analyzed individually. This Research Report will give an overview of the fundamental principles behind truss repair that inform the truss designer’s approach in all truss scenarios.
The prescriptive residential energy code requirements found in the 2009, 2012 and 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) include requirements for continuous insulation at foundations in several climate zones. This Research Report discusses the issue of cantilevered sill plates supporting metal plate connected wood trusses installed parallel and perpendicular to the foundation walls where there is a potential for discontinuous planes between the exterior wall above the sill plate and the foundation insulation planes.
This Research Report provides a clear perspective on truss plant quality assurance and third party inspections as they relate to the requirements developed by the International Code Council (ICC) within the International Building Code (IBC) and the International Residential Code (IRC). The same perspective outlined in this Research Report should be applied when discussing how all structural building component third party inspections relate to Chapter 17 special inspection requirements.
A lay-on gable frame is typically connected from the top during truss placement, but after sheathing is installed, this connection is no longer visible for the building inspector to verify. This creates a need for an alternate connection that is visible from below. The goal of this Research Report is to analyze a simple, cost-effective, toe nail connection between the lay-on gable frames and supporting truss system that is visible after sheathing is installed.
A fire endurance rating may be mandated by code for many of the applications where trusses could be used in floor/ceiling, roof/ceiling or in attic separation applications. This Research Report discusses 5 different methods for determining fire resistance.
ASCE/SEI 7-10, Minimum Design Loads of Buildings and Other Structures, lists two methods for calculating wind pressures: Main Wind Force Resisting System (MWFRS) and Components & Cladding (C&C). This report will provide information to assist the building designer in deciding upon the appropriate analysis method for uplift due to wind loading.
It can be often misunderstood whether Truss Designers have the responsibility to seal a Truss Placement Diagram (TPD). The purpose of this Research Report is to provide the relevant code sections from the International Building Code (IBC) and the California Building Code for a thorough analysis and interpretation.
It can be often misunderstood whether a Truss Design Engineer has the responsibility to seal a Truss Placement Diagram (TPD). The purpose of this Research Report is to provide the relevant code sections from the latest editions of the International Building Code (IBC) for thorough analysis and interpretation.
The goal of this Research Report is to assist in designing safe buildings economically, especially when sprinkler systems are required or desired in the design.
It can be often misunderstood whether a Truss Design Engineer has the responsibility to seal a Truss Placement Diagram (TPD). The purpose of this Research Report is to provide the relevant code sections from the latest editions of the International Residential Code (IRC) for thorough analysis and interpretation.
It can be often misunderstood whether a Truss Design Engineer has the responsibility to seal a Truss Placement Diagram (TPD). The purpose of this Research Report is to provide the relevant code sections from the latest editions of the International Building Code (IBC) for thorough analysis and interpretation, as they relate to the state of Texas.
All building codes provide provisions for the attachment of structural sheathing to wall and roof framing members. In almost every case, the published capacity of the sheathing and fasteners assume the head of the fastener is flush with the surface of the sheathing. This Research Report discusses guidance when fasteners are overdriven.
Both the International Residential Code (IRC) and the International Building Code (IBC) require that the top plates of exterior braced wall panels be attached to the rafters or roof trusses above. This report will discuss the code requirements and provide alternate engineered designs and capacities, including heel/bird blocking, partial height blocking and blocking panels.
This Research Report reviews pertinent sections of the 2006, 2009 and 2012 International Residential Code (IRC), the 2012 IRC Commentary, and additional sources in an effort to compile the related data and identify discrepancies or omissions. The focus is catered toward meeting and better understanding the requirements for conventionally framed roofs and roof truss construction per IRC Section R802.
This report will explore some special floor loading issues that are not specifically mentioned in the building codes and require special attention to ensure that the floor system is properly designed with no serviceability issues. The following are the major issues that will be discussed: stone/ceramic tiles, large concentrated loads and floor vibrations.
Fire endurance ratings may be mandated by code for many assemblies in both floor and roof framing systems. This Research Report discusses methodologies to calculate 2-hour fire endurances of a given assembly.
This Research Report aims to enhance fire performance and fire safety characteristics through the application of a gypsum wallboard membrane.
This report discusses ways of increasing the energy efficiency requirements of the building envelope within the context of the requirements of the 2009, 2012 and 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) and IECC for ceiling insulation and truss heel heights.
Minimum top and bottom chord permanent lateral restraint/bracing of structural roof or floor trusses is assumed to be adequate when using code-compliant roof and/or ceiling diaphragms. This lateral restraint/bracing is typically accomplished with code-compliant roof /floor sheathing and fastener spacing and/or code-compliant gypsum ceiling material and fastener spacing or purlins at a given on-center spacing.
Depending on the type of fire-retardant treatment (FRT) used, materials may require a change in design values and reduction in connector capacity. This report intends on providing a clear perspective of interiror FRT wood used in Truss designs.
In order to promote the safe installation of building components including trusses, manufacturers send out a Jobsite Package to the construction site with the truss delivery. These Jobsite Packages include the Truss Submittal Package. The Truss Submittal Package includes the information that if required will be submitted to the Contractor/Building Designer, who if required will submit it to the local building official.
While the perception of floor vibrations is subjective from one person to the next, overall floor systems which exhibit lower deflections and less acceleration from vibration sources tend to be perceived better than other designs. To accomplish this, the designer may elect to do one or a combination of things, covered in this report.
Many factors go into classifying buildings. Each type will have different allowable height, allowable number of stories and allowable area limitations based on the classification. This report will focus on Type III-A building construction using fire retardant treated wood (FRTW).
Code compliant use of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses (MPCWT) to support brick veneer can be accomplished by both individual designs and by adhering to the recommendations that follow within this report. This discussion focuses on a common use of MPCWT’s; the gable end at the transition from a wider section of a building to a narrower section.
There are circumstances when the deflection requirements for a specific structure that utilizes floor trusses as structural members are questioned. The current residential and commercial building codes provide minimum design requirements for loads and for deflection of structural floor members, which also apply to floor trusses. The building designer may specify more stringent requirements. This research report will focus on manufacturer or trade association deflection requirements for a number of floor topping/covering related products
The capacity of a ribbon board and its system through the composite of the ribbon board, floor sheathing and bottom plate of the wall has not been ascertained. In order to provide better guidance, a series of tests were conducted in order to determine the capacity of the ribbon board system.
The truss industry is currently employing ASCE as its source for the loading of live loads to the bottom chord of trusses for uninhabitable attics, in accordance with the International Residential Code and the International Building Code. However, there currently is a discrepancy between ASCE 7, the IBC and the IRC. This report examines the discrepancy and the correct loading for proper truss design.
Controlling sound transmission in buildings through wall, floor and ceiling assemblies is important for the comfort level and enjoyment of building occupants as they live, work and play in these buildings. This report aims to explore the methods one can use to reduce sound transmission in assemblies constructed with wood trusses.