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Article
2006 August
- The immensity of the devastation from Hurricane Katrina is something you have to witness first-hand to understand its scope and the complexity.
- Post-Katrina New Orleans is not going to be a quick fix; the damage to the city and its infrastructure is too dramatic to be repaired in even a few years.
- Many Gulf Coast residents were waiting for the release of updated flood advisories to begin rebuilding or repairing their homes.
- The Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 is federal legislation that was passed in order to encourage economic development in
Article
2006 August
- Relationships with high schools are great because they can bring in new blood into a company.
- Bruce Bain of Richco Structures gives presentations at the local technical college that he graduated from.
- Keith Azlin has been working with WTCA-Arizona to set up an internship program between the two ITT Technical Institutes and component manufacturers.
Article
2006 June/July
- WTCA-NE President John Goodrich and other chapter members found volunteers to attend a hearing where legislation about building labeling was to be proposed.
- WTCA-NE chapter members attended the hearing to making sure that our industry’s voice and policies would be heard in the midst of this legislative process.
- The myths surrounding labeling on truss construction can provide the fire service with a false sense of security and has many negative implications on the truss industry.
- Local chapter members need to monitor their local issues so
Article
2007 Jan/Feb
- Start small—before launching a wall panel line, consider adding subcomponent product lines as a low-cost way to feel out the market demand.
- Increase your chances for success by turning framing contractors and builders into wall component advocates.
- Value engineering your walls may help you find the competitive advantage needed to create a niche in your market.
Article
2007 Jan/Feb
- Toe-nailed connections are a common means of attaching wood joists, rafters and trusses to the top of a supporting wood wall or beam.
- Many applications go beyond the scope of the Conventional Light-Frame Con-struction provisions of the code.
- The resistance provided by a toe-nailed connection is governed by several factors including proper installation, lumber species, length of penetration, and type of nail.
Article
2006 December
- Some builders may choose to conventionally frame a valley (i.e., over-frame) instead of using valley set truss frames.
- Requirements in the IRC and the ANSI/AF&PA WFCM-2001 indicate it is not acceptable to bear the ends of valley rafters on top of roof sheathing without structural framing below.
- Valley rafters must be adequately connected at their supports to resist lateral and uplift forces caused by gravity and wind loads.
Article
2006 December
- There are opportunities for improvement when we find ourselves a little less busy than usual.
- When using time and motion studies to improve efficiency, the key is to apply the data to all processes.
- A great book on the topic of lean manufacturing is called The Toyota Way by Jeffrey Liker.
- One way to capitalize on R&D is to challenge your management team and production staff to think outside the box.
Article
2006 December
- Even though a hammer is a basic tool, it can be dangerous if not used properly.
- For heavier hitting, hold the hammer toward the bottom of the handle. For lighter hitting, grip the middle of the handle.
- Keep your wrist straight and use your whole arm to create the force behind hammering.
Article
2006 November
- Indications that the market is cooling down may temper some people’s enthusiasm, but I see it as an amazing opportunity for our industry.
- During the strong economic growth of the last decade, I believe our industry has forgotten to find new ways to market ourselves.
- To market our industry, the value we provide as manufacturers needs to be understood and effectively communicated to the customer.
- Use WTCA’s work in creating a support system for component manufacturers to convert it into a unique approach to marketing your company to b
Article
2006 November
- If knee braces are shown, the trusses must be designed for them using the loads provided by the RDP.
- In the Midwest knee braces are used in many post frame buildings for which an RDP is neither required nor involved.
- This rapidly forces the Truss Designer into the position of designing building elements that ought to be specified by the person responsible for the overall building design.
Article
2006 November
- Influenza (flu), much like the common cold, is a respiratory illness, and its primary symptoms do not involve nausea and vomiting.
- Symptoms like fever, aches, excessive fatigue, and cough are more common and intense with the flu whereas colds, in general, carry milder symptoms.
Article
2006 Sept/Oct
- The relatively short spans and light end reactions associated with most jack trusses makes toe-nailing an efficient and effective attachment method.
- An open end jack truss (see Figure 1) meeting the same design parameters would perform in a similar manner as a rafter and ceiling joist and generate comparable reactions. The top chord and bottom chord of the jack truss should correspond to the rafter and ceiling joist tables provided in the code. For these situations, the nail connections specified by the code are also applicable to jack trusses.
Article
2006 Sept/Oct
- 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.
Article
2006 Sept/Oct
- There is one largely untapped resource where manufacturers can make huge improvements in material handling— their suppliers.
- Follow the journey lumber takes through your plant from when it’s unloaded from the truck and proceeds to the saw to the press to the staging area. Every second counts.
- Talk to your peers to see how they address material flow at their plants.
Article
2006 August
- There are a host of insects and spiders that can unexpectedly attack and leave you itchy, sore or even worse.
- Insects and arachnids inflicted 36,100 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses on workers from 1992 to 1997.
- Anaphylaxis is an extremely dangerous reaction to a bug bite or sting, can be fatal and MUST be treated immediately.
Article
2006 August
- Pre-start checklists can be likened to regular maintenance on your car at a “quick lube place”—fast and necessary.
- Having all of the safety hazards in order while managing your maintenance scheduling means that pre-start checklists will actually save you time in the long-run, and they may even save one of your employees from a possible injury, too!
Article
2006 August
- Deferred submittals are permitted by the model IRC code.
- The building official, at his or her discretion, may or may not require the submission of TDDs at the time the permit for the structure is requested.
Article
2006 August
- Attending BCMC allows attendees to see the latest technology that could be incorporated into their equipment replacement programs.
- Manufacturers indicated that BCMC was the best place for an exclusive look at how they can gain the benefit of having all exhibitors in one place as a resource when creating a maintenance program or weekly, monthly or quarterly checks.
Article
2006 June/July
- Our industry supports immigration reform that emphasizes security while also recognizing manufacturers’ workforce needs.
- Immigrant populations play a vital role in helping meet our workforce demand.
- There is a lot we can do on the local legislative front. Get involved on the state and local district level by making contacts with your lawmakers.
Article
2006 June/July
- Without the diagonal brace, the only thing the lateral member(s) ensures is that the webs to which they are attached will be-have as a unit and buckle together in the same direction if and/or when the buckling load is reached.
- The single diagonal brace and web reinforcement options satisfy the need for bracing individual trusses and truss members, but not the stability bracing of the entire building system.
- BCSI-B3 Web Member Permanent Bra-cing/Web Reinforcement provides indus-try recommendations and methods for restraining web members against buckling.
Article
2006 June/July
- There are a host of insects and spiders that can unexpectedly attack and leave you itchy, sore or even worse.
- Insects and arachnids inflicted 36,100 nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses on workers from 1992 to 1997.
- Anaphylaxis is an extremely dangerous reaction to a bug bite or sting, can be fatal and MUST be treated immediately.
Article
2006 May
- Back in the ‘80s, truss technicians had to input the lengths, bearing locations and any concentrated loads on a truss other than a standard truss.
- Today’s truss design software helps streamline truss technicians’ work, but fundamental design, engineering and building code concepts are still important.
- Design technology gives us the capability to take designs to the next level and spec in a wide range of products from wall panels to steel trusses.
- The time has come to embrace all structural building component materials.
Article
2006 May
- Chainsaws are powerful; according to Lowe’s, "you won’t find a tool with more power per inch."
- Chainsaws were designed to cut only wood, so make sure that all other objects are cleared from the area before using them.
Article
2006 May
- BCSI-B2 provides temporary bracing guidance for trusses spaced up to 24 inches on-center.
- BCSI-B10 offers temporary bracing guidance for wide on-center trusses such as those used in post frame buildings.
- Truss Designers note on Truss Design Drawings that truss top chords must be laterally braced by the roof sheathing to prevent the top chord from buckling.
- When purlins are specified, check with the Truss Designer to determine the maximum unbraced length of the top chord between purlins to avoid top chord buckling.
Article
2006 April
- WTCA chapters offer an excellent venue to get to know your competition and even work together.
- Local chapters provide an environment where relationships and friendly rivalries develop.
- Working together and focusing on making the structural building components industry stronger increases its stature, and everyone reaps the benefits.