Wood trusses 3 feet of center

[Todd Tuvell]

I inspected a metal building (garage) that had the roof trusses 3 ft on center. The roof was metal as well. The framing was basically a pole-barn. I have not inspected a lot of steel buildings, but don't recall ever seeing roof trusses spaced so far apart. Does anyone have any experience with these? Is 3 ft on center ok?

Thanks!

[Raymond Wand]

Looks like a typical installation to me.

[Rick Cantrell]

I inspected a metal building (garage) that had the roof trusses 3 ft off center. The roof was metal as well. The framing was basically a pole-barn. I have not inspected a lot of steel buildings, but don't recall ever seeing roof trusses spaced so far apart. Does anyone have any experience with these? Is 3 ft off center ok?

Thanks!

Of the buildings you have inspected how far off center were those?

[Bruce Breedlove]

I inspected a metal building (garage) that had the roof trusses 3 ft off center. . . . Is 3 ft off center ok?

Thanks!


Of the buildings you have inspected how far off center were those?

I think he means "3 feet ON center".

On center. Off center. What's the difference? :D

[Rick Cantrell]

I think he means "3 feet ON center".



I know that
But does he?

[Jerry Peck]

Trusses 3 feet on center 'could' work if the trusses were engineered for it and the roof sheathing was rated for it ... 'could' ... but not likely.

More likely is that they did not order enough trusses or decided to build the garage larger after ordering the trusses and said 'Git R Done' ... and did.

[Raymond Wand]

Pole Barn Construction Guide

http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&ved=0CHwQFjAG&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.coloradochaptericc.org%2Fpole-barn2k09.pdf&ei=cMuZT43DGJCK6QHl7LXCBg&usg=AFQjCNHaJU3yYPzGqtisalGNvWrgpHRN7A&sig2=qrLr8KMEJRIufrr3SP3qMQ

Last page shows 4' oc for trusses.

[Kerry Staudt]

The trusses could have any spacing desired. The pole buildings I erected had 10 foot on center spacing. Pole barn materials are typically sold as a n engineered package. I suspect 3 ft OC was selected because the steel panels are 3ft and the material packages are sold in 3 ft increments to maximize material usage.

[Jerry Peck]

The trusses could have any spacing desired.

That is what I said - as long as the trusses were engineered for that spacing, the installers is not allowed to just install the trusses at any spacing they desire.


The pole buildings I erected had 10 foot on center spacing. Pole barn materials are typically sold as a n engineered package. I suspect 3 ft OC was selected because the steel panels are 3ft and the material packages are sold in 3 ft increments to maximize material usage.


Trusses 3 feet on center 'could' work if the trusses were engineered for it and the roof sheathing was rated for it ... 'could' ... but not likely.

More likely is that they did not order enough trusses or decided to build the garage larger after ordering the trusses and said 'Git R Done' ... and did.

Okay, I will retract the part in italics. :o

But I stand by the first part in bold. :)

[Raymond Wand]

Todd

Given that you do not have the information available to ascertain if the spacing is within specifications its any ones guess as to whether its acceptable.

However just from my experience I can tell you its common to see this type of construction and spacing for utility buildings.

If this is a concern then it might be wise to throw it back on your client to seek further information from the vendor prior to close of title.

[Kerry Staudt]

The trusses could have any spacing desired. The pole buildings I erected had 10 foot on center spacing. Pole barn materials are typically sold as a n engineered package. I suspect 3 ft OC was selected because the steel panels are 3ft and the material packages are sold in 3 ft increments to maximize material usage.

[BridgeMan]

The picture looks like a common Morton garage building. Engineered as a unit, with trusses designed at the factory for the loading conditions and spacing used.

[John Kogel]

They are using horizontal 2 X 4 strapping to distribute the load, and they don't expect big snow loads.