Replacement Truss Spec sheets? Need Help..

[ket-tek]

I have a set of 9 scissor trusses I am now getting my final framing inspection on. The county said I needed the individual truss specs showing the strapping/bracing requirements, and it should detail each truss in order even though they are all the same.

Problem is I do not have any paperwork from the Truss manufacture, (I suspect it is long gone after the day they were set and braced by the framer, and probably dissapeared with other trash on the site since then.) They have been braced and strapped together seemingly ok according to the inspector, but he wants the prints from the manufacturing plant.

No big deal just call the plant give them the order # from my receipt which I do have, but they have since closed the doors and are out of business along with 2 of the biggest lumber/builder suppliers in my area because of the dead new homes market.

So how can I go about getting some engineered specs/drawings for existing trusses that are already installed? I am not sure what type of company or service can do this for me?

They are 30+1+1 2x4 Scissors (30ft span 1ft soffit overhang on each side), they seem to a pretty standard layout from images on google I pull up, I wondered if there is some generic bracing information I can find that is for the type of truss I have, and maybe I can take them to the county and get them approved by their engineer to apply to my job.

They look like this:

I appreciate any help with this fellas!

 

[ket-tek]

Anyone???

I really need to find out what I can do to get some engineered drawings for existing trusses.

I'm dead in the water on this as they won't issue my final framing inspection until I produce some specs sheets for them before I can sheetrock.

 

[larry_g]

Here I had to turn that information in to get a permit before even starting the build. Did you have to submit plans for approval with the information?

lg
no neat sig line

 

[ket-tek]

Here I had to turn that information in to get a permit before even starting the build. Did you have to submit plans for approval with the information?

lg
no neat sig line

In my county as a homeowner you don't have to have engineered plans approved (to build on your own primary residence that you live in, not income properties or non-primary residence), I submitted not-to-scale plans I drew in sketchup and they approved them, and in the approval notes it says that 'engineered truss plans required at time of inspection' to show that the bracing is done to what the manufacture requested.

But if a contractor was doing the job for me then he would have to submit engineered scale drawings for the structure and the truss specs up front before the permit is issued.

It's unfortunate because if they did require it, then I would be able to go get copies from the county on file. Now I kinda wish they weren't as easy on homeowner built improvements..

Thanks for the reply, I just don't know what to do in this situation.

 

[Red Goat]

hire a structural engineer to take a look and do new drawings based on what was built. It shouldn't cost too much unless it's a complicated roof.

 

[LowKat]

I'd take a drawing to an engineer. Should cost about an hour of his time.

 

[ket-tek]

hire a structural engineer to take a look and do new drawings based on what was built. It shouldn't cost too much unless it's a complicated roof.

It's not a complicated roof at all.

I'd take a drawing to an engineer. Should cost about an hour of his time.

I understand, but not sure how to go about finding someone? I was kinda hoping I someone here might have a link to an online firm that does hourly work. Where I can just send them pics, measurements, and pitch and they could do the drawings remotely and just email them back to me..

I'm obviously ok with paying for the service, although the trusses built, delivered, and detailed drawing was only like $600 to begin with, it would kinda **** to pay like $400+ or something for duplicate drawings..

I suppose I could just order a new set of identical trusses from somewhere and burn them in a bonfire after delivery and just keep the drawings.

 

[LowKat]

Inot sure how to go about finding someone?

yellow pages

I'd make the drawing of a single truss, then take it in to the engineer

 

[ed_v]

To be honest, I'd just let it go. Let them ask for specs. Chances are they won't. If they do, then you'll have to get them. Either that, or can you just grab some specs from another truss company?

Ed

 

[Matt_G]

As a truss designer I get this issue a lot, contractor doesn't have the drawings, etc etc, your situation is a little trickier because you can't call your supplier.
I would try calling another local plant and seeing if they would help you out. (they may not because it's not their truss but you never know). Or you could talk to the plate manufacturer (they supply the software that the plants use to design the trusses and their engineers often seal the drawings). Their name is stamped on the plates. Otherwise you will have to hire your own structural engineer.

If you just need some bracing information, it's pretty simple. The top chord is either braced by the sheathing or purlins at 24" o/c. The bottom chord is also braced by rigid sheathing (depending on who you talk to dry wall may or may not count) or brace at a max spacing of 10' o/c. Now the webs are a little trickier, from looking at your sketch I wouldn't think you would need any web bracing but you might on the 2 angled webs on either side of the king post.

This being said I design trusses in Canada so codes are a different so this is only general information. If you want to do some "light reading" check out the bracing information our truss manufacturers association has on their website http://www.wwtams.com/information.php