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  1. #1
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    Default Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    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!

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  2. #2
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    Looks like a typical installation to me.


  3. #3
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    Quote Originally Posted by Todd Tuvell View Post
    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?

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  4. #4
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    Quote Originally Posted by Todd Tuvell View Post
    I inspected a metal building (garage) that had the roof trusses 3 ft off center. . . . Is 3 ft off center ok?

    Thanks!
    Quote Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell View Post
    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?

    "Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." Leo Durocher
    Bruce Breedlove
    www.avaloninspection.com

  5. #5
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    Quote Originally Posted by Bruce Breedlove View Post
    I think he means "3 feet ON center".
    I know that
    But does he?

    ' correct a wise man and you gain a friend... correct a fool and he'll bloody your nose'.

  6. #6
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    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.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  7. #7
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    Pole Barn Construction Guide

    http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&...JRIufrr3SP3qMQ

    Last page shows 4' oc for trusses.


  8. #8
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    Sep 2010
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    Berks County PA
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    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.


  9. #9
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    Quote Originally Posted by Kerry Staudt View Post
    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.
    Quote Originally Posted by Jerry Peck View Post
    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.

    But I stand by the first part in bold.

    Jerry Peck
    Construction/Litigation/Code Consultant - Retired
    www.AskCodeMan.com

  10. #10
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    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.

    Last edited by Raymond Wand; 04-26-2012 at 05:52 PM.

  11. #11
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    Berks County PA
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    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.


  12. #12
    Join Date
    Nov 2011
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    Oregon, USA
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    333

    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

    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.


  13. #13
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    Default Re: Wood trusses 3 feet of center

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

    John Kogel, RHI, BC HI Lic #47455
    www.allsafehome.ca

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