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Since FRTW studs are allowed in wall assemblies that are otherwise defined as non-combustible, building and truss designers often confront the question does a joint between the wall and the roof or floor assembly mean that those elements of the building also require noncombustible material, like FRTW? To answer this, we need to study the IBC
Last June, Truss Components of Washington started doing something unconventional: holding regular meetings of production, design and office employees. General Manager Chad Johnson and Production Manager William Blankenship reflected on their six-month-old experiment, sharing why and how they brought these groups together and what the meetings have accomplished.
- The problem with advanced framing is there’s no mention of modern-day wall panels, raised heel roof trusses, floor trusses or the versatility of connections between the floor, wall and roof systems.
- Our products, and all the tools and materials that make our products possible, are the best way to meet the demand for efficiencies in structural performance, material use, labor and cost.
- As we look to the future, we know we can talk knowledgeably about innovative framing because we have a sure-fire way to back up our approach: the SBC Research Institute (SBCRI).
In an industry that requires competition and innovation, one man separated himself from all the others for over forty years: Dwight Hikel. Many in the industry know his story but some may not. Shelter Systems Limited started out as a small, 14,000-square-foot plant in 1976 and has grown into a cutting edge, 120,000-square-foot truss manufacturing facility. That kind of growth doesn’t happen by accident.
- Be proactive and develop a plan to strategize how you might deal with a truss collapse and the subsequent investigation.
- Information is critical; visit the site, take lots of photos and document as much as you can.
- Remember that the only company looking out for your company’s best interests is your own. Take action with this in mind, and ultimately, it will save everyone money and time.
- Today’s complex truss designs can present significant installation challenges to framers if there isn’t good communication between the framer and the manufacturer.
- From storage and lifting pick points to critical bearing conditions, safe handling and installation practices need to be effectively communicated to installers.
- During the design phase, manufacturers can help ensure smooth installation by considering the framing challenges a complex design may create and facilitate cross communication between parties.
If you knew Bob Halteman, founder of Wood Truss Systems, or ever interacted with him, you knew he wasn’t a salesman. Sure, his job (and the purpose of his company) was to sell fabrication equipment to the structural components industry, but he wasn’t in sales. He was in solutions.
- Examine each operational area for changes that could help improve overall economics.
- Make sure the design department is up to date on price changes of stock lengths of lumber, especially changes due to design value adjustments.
- Factor customer needs into optimization, along with producing a more efficient truss using less material and plant labor.
Long span trusses are 60' or greater in length. A long span truss can pose a greater risk to installers because the dimensions and weight of the truss itself can create instability, buckling and collapse of the truss if it is not handled, installed and braced properly. Long span trusses can be installed safely and efficiently but they require more detailed safety and handling measures than short span trusses.
Last summer, Superstorm Sandy caused an estimated $65 billion worth of damage in the U.S., a total surpassed only by Hurricane Katrina in American history. Sandy was the largest hurricane on record to hit the Atlantic Coast, at over 1,100 miles in diameter. So while it hit the New Jersey shores the hardest, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, its disastrous effects were felt as far inland as Wisconsin and Michigan.
While the chaos and destruction wrought by this powerful natural force is sobering, it’s hard not to simultaneously focus on the positive stories that came out of such events. One such story is that of Cussewago Truss LLC in Cambridge Springs, PA. It’s a tale of the marvels of wood, the value of engineering and the fruits of a well-executed plan.
- BCSI recommends using the Alternate Installation Method for lifting and setting truss assemblies.
- The top chord, bottom chord and webs should be braced prior to lifting the trusses.
- Always consult a Professional Engineer when setting an assembly with long-span trusses.
- Four areas of concern will help identify the hazards and reduce the risks associated with handling finished trusses: forklift limitations, truss limitations, storage and loading.
- Use a proper spreader bar to transport long span trusses.
- Trusses are not designed to carry significant amounts of lateral load which means that pressure placed on the "face" of a truss can cause damage.
- A massive custom home in the Florida panhandle called for long-span radius trusses that were designed and built by Builders FirstSource.
- The job was especially challenging because the 68-foot trusses were curved on both the bottom and top chords.
- The BFS team took special precautions when building the trusses to prevent workers’ injuries and damage to the trusses.
This webinar provides an overview of important information contained in the BCSI booklet. Attend this SBCA Webinar and have a change to win a copy of the Building Component Safety Information Book.
- WTCA’s new Truss Technology Workshop (TTW) web site, ttw.woodtruss.com, offers a one-stop shop for continuing education (CEU) credits.
- The site is designed to serve as a year-round resource for those in professions who work with roof trusses, floor trusses, wall panels and related components.
- Users who purchase a year-long subscription also receive unlimited access to the site’s online resource library.
- The site offers component manufacturer members all the materials necessary to present their own live TTWs for free.
- Toe-nailing has long been recognized in building codes as an acceptable means of attaching wood members to wood bearing walls.
- WTCA has submitted a code change proposal to the IRC regarding the truss-to-wall connection requirements.
- The prescriptive method for designing snow load is more conservative than the engineered method.
- The IRC prescriptive method allows the ground snow load to be reduced to 0.7Pg as long as the conditions of this section are met for all truss types.
- The IBC engineered method allows certain reductions to the ground snow load per ASCE 7.
- 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.
- This issue of SBC contains the BCMC 2007 Show Guide starting on page 50.
- Learn about how to increase cold-formed steel truss market share with some tips from Cascade Mfg Co on page 24.
- Read "Record Retention—Reason & Risk" on page 28 for an update on how long you should keep important documents.
- New methods for determining bracing requirements for wood trusses are examined on page 94.
- The following Technical Q&A has been updated from the version that appeared in the 2006 June/July issue of SBC.
- Lateral restraints are installed to reduce the buckling length of the web(s), but must be restrained laterally to prevent the webs to which they are attached from buckling together in the same direction.
- BCSI-B3, Permanent Restraint/Bracing of Chords and Web Members, provides general industry recommendations and methods for restraining web members against buckling.
Communication is key to a successful construction project.
- The SBCRI will have the capacity to hold a 30 foot x 40 foot two-story structure for testing purposes.
- The maximum size structure we can test is 30 feet wide x 32 feet high x 90 feet long.
- A survey on testing topics yielded 464 member responses that provided very important feedback.
- The Truss Plate Institute entered a joint venture with WTCA that will yield TPI/WTCA test plans, data and a testing budget of $500,000 for 2007.
- A few seconds saved per truss can lead to substantial savings by the end of the year.
- It may only take an hour to fix the ma-chine, but you have lost 14,400 seconds of time for a crew of four assemblers.
- Weekly machine evaluations and scheduling breakdowns make it easy to keep track of your long-term maintenance plan and are an excellent way to keep production moving right along.
- The Wisconsin Truss Manufacturers Association (WTCA’s Wisconsin Chap-ter) presented two live TTWs to a local homebuilders association.
- The attendees earned CEUs for attending the day-long presentation.
- Chapter President Steve Johnson said that in addition to the information presented, the event highlighted the benefits of being a WTMA member.
- WTMA members held a meeting the following week at WTCA and toured the new SBCRI facility.
- Balloon wall framing applications are considered an archaic building method.
- CMs can build tall walls by laying out extra long studs on a table and placing truss plates on the joints. Then roll the gantry over them to secure the plates.
- If you are building balloon or “tall” walls, we want to hear from you! Email editor@sbcmag.info.
- WTCA President Bob Becht emphasizes bracing and long-span truss installation education.
- There was a time when short member temporary lateral restraint was not installed safely.
- BCSI and the B-Series documents have helped to provide direction and a consistent message on bracing and installation issues.
- Given the current state of housing, we need tools like BCSI to raise the level of professionalism in construction.
Mike Bugbee, part owner of Oregon Truss in Salem, Oregon, shares his perspectives on the evolution of the component manufacturing industry through the lens of his long career at Simpson Strong-Tie. He explains how his relationships with early pioneers in component manufacturing helped influence today’s industry, and how his sales approach can help component manufacturers expand their markets today.
SBCA’s latest testing promises value for all CM
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