Thread: 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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Looks like a typical installation to me.

Originally Posted by Todd Tuvell

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?

Originally Posted by Todd Tuvell

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

Thanks!

Originally Posted by Rick Cantrell

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?

Originally Posted by Bruce Breedlove

I think he means "3 feet ON center".

I know that
But does he?

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.

Pole Barn Construction Guide

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

Last page shows 4' oc for trusses.

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.

Originally Posted by Kerry Staudt

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

Okay, I will retract the part in italics.

But I stand by the first part in bold.

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.

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.

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.

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