Separation between sheathing OK??

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Good catch on the nailed gangails, I don't remember seeing that before. They also look rolled though.

I must admit Marcel, I don't know what a BCSI-B3 Summary Sheet - Web member Permanent Bracing/Web Reinforcement is. I installed a lot of trusses over the years, and I think most of them called out for some kind of lateral and diagonal bracing, but then it seems like some didn't call out much.

Those other links say that the architect or engineer is responsible for spec'ing permanent bracing. I always saw it on the truss plans that came with the trusses, so I thought it was spec'ed by the truss company's engineer.

What it all says is that permanent bracing must be designed, and since bracing spec's vary with each project, how can inspector call what he sees a defective condition if he hasn't seen the engineering specs?

I'd like to get an SE's opinion on truss bracing in general.

[Marcel R. Cyr]

Originally Posted by kshepard

Good catch on the nailed gangails, I don't remember seeing that before. They also look rolled though.

I must admit Marcel, I don't know what a BCSI-B3 Summary Sheet - Web member Permanent Bracing/Web Reinforcement is. I installed a lot of trusses over the years, and I think most of them called out for some kind of lateral and diagonal bracing, but then it seems like some didn't call out much.

Those other links say that the architect or engineer is responsible for spec'ing permanent bracing. I always saw it on the truss plans that came with the trusses, so I thought it was spec'ed by the truss company's engineer.

What it all says is that permanent bracing must be designed, and since bracing spec's vary with each project, how can inspector call what he sees a defective condition if he hasn't seen the engineering specs?

I'd like to get an SE's opinion on truss bracing in general.

Your right Kenton;

Lateral bracing is usually specified by the Truss Manufacturer.
They are usually indicated on the truss by red tags by the Manufacturer, where permanent lateral bracing are required.

I see more so then not because I do a lot more Commercial Building than Residential.

Check out this link, it is very good.
http://www.alpeng.com/wood_truss_info.html

Click on Builders Guide to Trusses

Go to pages 28-33.

Enjoy.

Marcel

[Robert J. OConnor]

Marcel ... those are links that primarily talk about temporary bracing, which is different from permanent bracing. We are talking about an installed truss and therefore permanent bracing. From the first link you gave ...

The Truss Designer specifies on the Truss Design Drawings the members that are assumed to be sheathed and the assumed points of lateral support for members without sheathing, if support is required.

Permanent bracing is a function of the truss design. More heavily loaded compression webs may require permanent bracing, while less heavily loaded webs of the same length may not require permanent bracing.

Originally Posted by kshepard

... Diagonal and lateral bracing are called out by the engineer. I wouldn't call them out as missing just because I didn't see them. Not without a set of plans.

I agree ... BUT (there is always a "but" ) ... longer compression webs often have permanent bracing specified, in lieu of stepping up the member sizes. So for longer webs without any permanent bracing it might be a good idea to flag it as a concern.

JMO & 2-nickels ...

[Robert J. OConnor]

P.S. The following is a link to a pretty good article on inspection of wood trusses ... http://www.alpeng.com/Wood_Truss_Inspection.html

[Kenton H. Shepard, CMI]

Thanks, Robert!

[Marcel R. Cyr]

That link Robert is also under this one"

http://www.alpeng.com/wood_truss_info.html


Need to open link under Encycolpedia of Trusses pages 32 to 36.

Yours was under the tuss inspections link.

How do you copy PDF link. I can't. unless it is html. So I always have to go back one, just curious.
This whole site, I found quite educational.
And your right, in most all cases one would never know if permanent lateral bracing was required. One could only be able to express a concern.

Thanks

Marcel

[Robert J. OConnor]

Originally Posted by mcyr

... http://www.alpeng.com/wood_truss_info.html ...

I think the "Wood Truss Inspection" link from that page is the best one there for HI's. The other ones can be helpful, but are primarily for builders and designers.

Originally Posted by mcyr

... http://www.alpeng.com/wood_truss_info.html ...
Need to open link under Encycolpedia of Trusses pages 32 to 36 ... How do you copy PDF link.

On the webpage with the link, just right-click the link which brings up a pop-up menu, click "Copy Shortcut", then in the BB reply window right-click to get the pop-up window again and then click "Paste" (or you can just add the link to you Favorites as I did) ... viola ...

So the link to the one you mentioned would be ... http://www.alpeng.com/Builder_s_Guide_to_Trusses.html ... and on Page 32 under "Permanent Bracing System Checklist" it notes:

2. Web Bracing – be sure to reference sealed engineered truss designs for proper web bracing callouts...

I think for HI's the best thing for trusses is to look for manufacturer's tags/stamps, signs of movement, missing members, cut or notched members, missing or incorrectly located connectors, bearing points not directly over an outside wall (trusses too long), etc. ... and of course long web members without permanent bracing (careful there ... and it could be a longer tension web member that doesn't need bracing like a longer compression web member would).

JMO & 2-nickels ...

[Marcel R. Cyr]

I agree Robert and thanks for the link help.

Marcel

[Keith Swift, PhD.]

Wow, where else could one find such intelligence and such a willingness to share? This makes up for all the nasty negative stuff that one must first read in order to ignore. Thanks.