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Ric Thompson, a senior truss designer with Millard Lumber, is used to taking on a challenge. “I don’t do small jobs,” he said. “I only do monsters.” Still, some monsters are more monstrous than others. Ask him about BLUEBARN Theatre, and it’s clear that this project stands out.
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.
On October 7, 2013, the Truss Manufacturers of Texas (TMAT) hosted a golf tournament at the Quarry Golf Club in San Antonio to raise money for Operation Finally Home and BCMC Build, who constructed a home for Pfc. Cody Nusbaum. This charity event raised $10,000 for the project.
Truss in-plant QC and third party quality assurance is necessary to ensure that the finished product leaving the plant meets all building code requirements. The typical process, as it functions today, takes time and can slow down production. This webinar will discuss the development of SBCA’s Digital QC tool and much more.
SBCA desires to promote the safe, economic, and structurally sound use of structural building components. Through this, SBCA is committed to providing the construction industry and fire service with accurate information regarding the use of metal plate connected wood trusses.
SBCA provides an Approved Broker Program to a select group of insurance brokers who have expertise in providing 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.
The component industry is full of complex documentation, from blueprints and truss design drawings to bids and contracts. Reading these documents effectively and knowing what to look for can make the difference between a profitable job and a huge headache. This article will discuss some of the easy mistakes that can be made and advise on processes that can help reduce the chance they occur.
- The truss industry’s innovative products and software form the link between new science-based discoveries and their application.
- The mission of any professional engineering endeavor is to deploy innovative materials, designs or methods of construction that meet or exceed all regulations, protect the consumer and preserve free and unfettered competition as the rule of trade.
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
Jared Dix wears a lot of hats at Apex Truss, just one of which is Safety Coordinator. One of the things he’s been focused on lately is getting the production employees to be consistent about wearing their personal protective equipment (PPE), specifically their safety glasses.
During a recent SBCA Webinar, my friend Larry Dix (Apex Truss) and I were sharing examples of times when component manufacturers (CMs) have shared experiences during SBCA meetings that had an immediate impact on how almost everyone in the room did business.
For decades, SBCA Jobsite Packages have helped component manufacturers (CMs) provide handling and installation guidance to their customers with every order. These pre-assembled packages of instruction documents, attached to truss deliveries in a zippered plastic bag, are now available in a digital format.
- The entrepreneurs who started this industry faced a big challenge getting trusses accepted in the market; we should be glad they didn’t give up.
- Even today, there is resistance in the construction industry to innovation.
- SBC and SBCRI foster innovation by thinking through how a building reacts to loads and then employing engineering fundamentals and common sense.
If you’ve been on the fence about hiring remote truss designers because you’re not ready to spend $30,000 on a new server, hire two additional IT people and lock down your entire network, take a deep breath, and keep reading. It doesn’t need to be that extreme.
Annandale Millwork & Allied Systems ventured into the components industry differently from most manufacturers as our original business centered on doors and millwork. We diversified into wall panels in the early 1980s and eventually into roof trusses. From the beginning, we’ve always looked to use innovative processes to solve common construction problems.
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.
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.
Most holiday trees have probably been taken down by now, but when we received these photos from Sun State Components, we just had to run them. A few years ago, a production manager at the Surprise, AZ, facility created these ingenious truss ornaments from balsa wood and silver gum wrappers. “We wanted to add something unique to our tree and customize it for the truss industry,” said Davi-Ann Farmer, Engineering Department Manager at Sun State. She added that these ornaments are a favorite every year, and always receive comments from customers.
- 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).
- 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.
This article will briefly explore how these calls can impact a CM’s bottom line and a few ways in which CMs can proactively work with tradespeople to avoid such issues. Truss repairs can very easily turn a profitable job into a money losing project. The cost incurred with this type of repair goes beyond the price of the materials. Costs for determining the issue for repair, designing the repair, and implementing a repair solution shouldn’t get lost in your accounting books.
Fairbanks Truss Company in Fairbanks, AK, held a plant tour last month for 20 students in the Fire Science Building Construction class at the University of Alaska at Fairbanks. Afterward, the instructor (who is also a Captain at nearby Steese Fire Dept.) said he found it informative and a worthwhile experience for his students by giving them a unique hands-on exposure to modern roof construction.
Advantage Truss Company in Hollister, California, had a record year in 2018. They supply exclusively to custom home builders in their market and bid over 1,000 homes last year for the first time in their company’s history (they completed 625 homes). As part of their outreach to the surrounding community, they participate in a local “Lights on Christmas Parade.” Their 2018 entry got a lot of attention.
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.
Two years have passed since we covered Integra Steel Truss (“Men of Steel,” August 2012). At that time, they were just starting out, leasing a portion of a warehouse to produce their first big job with a handful of part-time employees. Today, they lease the entirety of that original warehouse, have opened a second facility, grew their workforce to over 20 full-time employees and expanded their workload tenfold.
- A repair may not be needed if, after adding the holes, visually graded lumber still meets an adequate grade according to the appropriate grading criteria.
- The Combined Stress Index (CSI) is the summation of axial and bending stresses divided by their respective allowable stresses, which represents the structural “efficiency” of the member; the CSI shall not exceed 1.00.
- Coordinating with trades before construction is a good way to avoid holes and notches in trusses, and the costly repairs associated with them.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
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.