Has anyone who is in Rhode Island seen the crumpled pile of trusses that recently collapsed in the Cranston Area? This was new construction, looked like the roof trusses had just been installed, but no roof sheathing had been put on.
This was near the cloverleaf from 37 West to 95 South, close to TF Green Airport. It looked like someone set up all the roof trusses without securing them, and one blew over and took the rest with it. If I am down there again soon, I’ll try to take a picture of it. Hope no one got hurt when it all came crashing down.
Anyone know the details of what happened?
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I haven't seen anything on that particular case yet. But I've heard all the stories many times. And been out to see too many of these.
There are 2 basic stories. First is that the trusses weren't braced well enough while guys are still on the roof. They're trying to rush to get the trusses set to save on crane time. Before they're all set, the trusses simply fall over. Guys have gotten killed that way.
The second scenario is that the trusses are left overnight without adequate bracing. And overnight they all go over together. While this is still a big problem, at least no one gets hurt.
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And so it happens over and over. Trusses fall over and the finger pointing begins.
Can't tell you how many times I've gotten that phone call - "Was something wrong with those trusses? We came into work this morning and they were all laying down in a pile."
The contractors are often upset when they find out that we won't replace the trusses for free. Others want us to come out and show them how to patch the broken trusses back together, but we won't. It generally sets the framer/GC/HO back several days and several thousand dollars.
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But try to talk to a framer about bracing, and they don't want to hear it. They quickly change the subject - No one needs to tell them how to do their job.
So I guess there's no end to it. Framers won't listen. So the truss accidents are going to happen over and over. More guys are going to get hurt or killed. Doesn't seem like anyone gives a crap until it happens to them.
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Sorry to belabor the point. You just hit a hot button for me...
Only a life lived for others is worth living [Albert Einstein]
Although the roof framing wasn't trusses, I had something similar happen to me about 25 years ago. I had framed the second floor side walls and the roof with what I thought was adequate bracing and went home for the day. We had a 90 mph wind blow up that night. The pressure against the 2 x 8 rafters transferred to a joint in the top plates downwind, which caused the 2 x 6 top plate to shear off. The whole thing came tumbling down.
If I had sheathed more than the corners of the second floor, it might have saved it; but, I don't know, it was a heckuva wind to have to survive.
There's probably an opportunity here for someone to come up with a quick, effective bracing mechanism that will be good enough to make folks WANT to use it to save time.
I haven't seen that one, but I saw it on a barn a few years ago. I drove by in the morning and they were installing trusses. Drove by on the way home and there was a pile of sticks on the floor.