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- Joe Hikel from Shelter Systems Limited (Westminster, MD) is this year’s SBCA President.
- Hikel worked up through the ranks in the family business, doing everything from component assembly to truss design to sales.
- SBCA plays a very important role in Shelter’s pursuit of running a state-of-the-art operation.
- The wall panel business is completely different than trusses and has a learning curve.
- Before you start a panel operation, talk to panel manufacturers for specific tips.
- Make sure you compare the cost of labor for stick framed walls in your market to your own labor and overhead costs.
- 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.
- This issue focuses on Design & Engineering.
- Our companies would be better positioned for success if we charged for our truss designs, details and placement diagrams at the time they are complete.
- BCMC 2009 will take place September 30-October 2 in Phoenix. See you there!
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- While walking though the shop, take digital pictures of safety hazards to show at the next safety meeting.
- Component manufacturers will save time and money with WTCA’s Operation Safety program.
- Chambers Truss created an educational program for builders about proper installation and bracing techniques.
- Fire safety can be broken down into the main topics of causes and prevention.
- Truss plants often contain one or more ignition sources.
- Keep spark resistant jackets handy to prevent incidents where flammable chemicals and welding sparks may exist.
- These are Don Groom’s last few weeks as WTCA President.
- WTCA’s transformation from the "Wood Truss Council of America" to "WTCA—Representing the Structural Building Components Industry" occurred this year.
- Groom thanks each member of the WTCA Board of Directors for their significant commitment to the association.
- Phone lines, network cables and electrical cords can pose tripping hazards in aisles and walkways.
- Like nail guns and metal banding in the truss plant, some office related "tools" also pose a safety hazard.
- Using good old-fashioned common sense is the best way to be safe in any work environment.
- The founders of our industry are probably asking, "Where’s my truss industry?"
- We must continue to sell value in order to keep this industry strong.
- One of the only possible negatives to selling more engineering and integrated services is if component manufacturers begin to dilute the value of components by not "up-selling" the value provided.
- Generally, wall girders cannot be used in second story framing because it is nearly impossible to brace the compression top chord of a girder when it is placed in a wall.
- The top chord(s) of girder trusses can experience very high compressive forces, which can cause the chord to buckle out of plane.
- Hot weather combined with working in a truss plant means you should drink as much water as possible.
- Heat exhaustion is a common ailment and is easily treated. If ignored, it could be a precursor to heat stroke.
- Heat stroke is very serious and can lead to death.
- Attention to posture, conditioning, avoiding obesity, alcohol, drugs, smoking, and minimizing stress will take help you in maintaining a healthy back!
- Truss plants have many awkward loads to lift and carry, so lifting care is very important.
- Differential deflection is not a structural problem, but can be a significant appearance issue.
- Designing the roof or floor system to account for dead and live load deflections of adjacent trusses is critical to providing sound solutions.
- Strongback bridging can help distribute loads and reduce deflection issues.
When it comes to getting the right structural building components for a project, cost isn’t everything, but how do you convince the building designer? Communication is key.
Framing the American Dream data suggests that installing roof trusses completes the task of framing a building’s roof in less time, requires less framer skill and experience, and ultimately results in a roof that enables more open and flexible floor plans. Reach builder customers in your networks with these social media posts.
Framing the American Dream data suggests that installing roof trusses completes the task of framing a building’s roof in less time, allowing the same framing crew to complete more roof projects over time. Reach framer customers in your networks with these social media posts.
This webinar is a first in a series that will discuss the minimum load requirements for the design of trusses that are subject to building code requirements. Part 1 will review some of the common definitions often used when describing loads. It will also cover the basic load combinations prescribed by the building code as well as dead loads and live loads.
Selling trusses shouldn’t always be about the cost. Structural building components turn a building’s plans into reality, providing more value than just the wood. In this preview to a BCMC educational session, Chris Lambert discusses ways to build relationships with existing and potential customers so that cost isn’t the only thing you’re selling.
SBCA provides an Approved Broker Program to a select group of insurance brokers who have experience and qualification in providing property and casualty insurance to companies that manufacture structural building components (trusses, wall panels and related components). If you are a broker interested in being part of this program, please review the program requirements and submit the following application.
SBCA president Greg Griggs, Builders FirstSource, and SBCA board member Larry Dix, Apex Truss, discuss the value they receive from face-to-face meetings. Both Greg and Larry share similar thoughts on how important relationship building and networking has been for their companies and their careers.
BJ Louws, president of Louws Truss in Ferndale, Washington, discusses the family business and how structural components became part of their operations. He also digs into lean concepts and how they have proved a cost-effective way to be more competitive and innovative.
Mike Ruede and Scott Ward discuss the various challenges the COVID-19 Coronavirus has created for their businesses and what they are doing to overcome them. Mike is the COO of A-1 Roof Trusses in Fort Pierce, Florida, and Scott is an owner at Southern Components located in Shreveport, Louisiana. Listen as they share insights, best practices and their outlook beyond this pandemic.
Ever have one of those component jobs where everything went exactly to plan, only to have a hiccup at the last moment?
- As component manufacturers’ scope of work changes to meet varying customer demands, should the association’s name also evolve to reflect that change?
- Some component manufacturers believe that in order to represent the varying interests of the membership, the name of the association should change accordingly.
Training Programs
SBCA offers a variety of safety and training programs that are industry-specific to help component manufacturers train employees.