SBCA Creates Sample Best Practice Language for CMs to Further Define Their Scope of Work

The SBCA Truss Plate Council, Executive Committee and Board of Directors have been working on individual sample best practice language for component manufacturers. They are as follows:

Given the American Lumber Standards Committee (ALSC) has finalized, and the U.S. Department of Commerce has recently published DOC PS 20-15 American Softwood Lumber Standard, this best practice information is being published. The goal of this best practice language is to provide a standardize approach with respect to defining a component manufacturer’s scope of work. Without these good definitions, should a contractual issue arise it is easily conceivable the component manufacturer may be taking on more responsibility than expected.

In summary, the key aspects of this standardized language are as follows:

ALSC has defined lumber design values as; “Published design data that are representative of the strength and stiffness of specific grades and species/species groups of lumber.” Obviously, this definition is imprecise and open to wide interpretation. The sample language being shared through these articles by SBCA provide greater scope of work depth.

The truss design process that our industry undertakes uses Metal Connector Plate (“MCP”) manufacturer and lumber industry published design values (mechanically or visually graded as indicated), which have been incorporated into the referenced MCP manufacturer’s design software program.

The MCP manufacturer’s design software program used both the National Design Specification® (NDS®) for Wood Construction and ANSI/TPI 1, the National Design Standard for Metal Plate Connected Wood Truss Construction (“TPI-1”).

Per TPI-1 The requirements of the Truss Designer include:

  • Preparation of the Truss Design Drawings based on the criteria and requirements set forth in the Construction Documents or as otherwise set forth in writing by the Building Designer as supplied to the Truss Designer by the Contractor through the Truss Manufacturer.
  • Being responsible for the design, in accordance with TPI-1, for each singular Truss depicted on each Truss Design Drawing.
  • Each individual Truss Design Drawing bearing the seal and signature of the Truss Designer, where the Legal Requirements mandate a Registered Design Professional for buildings.

The requirements of the Truss Manufacturer include:

  • Obtaining the Truss design criteria and requirements from the Construction Documents.
  • Communicating the Truss de­sign criteria and requirements to the Truss Designer.
  • Preparing the Truss Placement Diagram that identifies the assumed location for each individually designated Truss and references the corresponding Truss Design Drawing, where required by the Construction Documents or Con­tract.
  • Supplying to the Contractor the Truss Submittal Package, including the Truss Design Drawing, a Truss Placement Diagram, if required by the Construction Documents or Contract, and the required Permanent Individual Truss Member Restraint location and the method to be used.
  • Providing the appropriate Truss Submittal Package to one or more of the following: Building Official; Building Designer and/or Contractor for review and/or approval, where required by the Construction Documents or Con­tract, Legal Requirements or the Building Official.
  • Reliance upon the accuracy and completeness of information furnished in the Construction Documents or otherwise furnished in writing by the Building Designer and/or Contractor.
  • Manufacturing the Trusses in accordance with the final Truss Design Drawings, using the quality criteria required by TPI-1 unless more stringent quality criteria is provided by the Owner in writing or through the Construction Documents.
  • Providing truss inspections, as required by the Jurisdiction, which are performed at the manufacturer’s facility using the manufacturer’s In-Plant Quality Assurance Program monitored by an inspection agency approved by the Jurisdiction.