BCSI - Guide to Good Truss Practices

The latest Building Components Safety Information (BCSI) book was published in October of 2006 and should be familiar to all contractors, builders, and designers using Metal Plate Connected (MPC) Wood Trusses. At the 2007 National Frame Builders Expo in Indianapolis, I gave a presentation with Brent Leatherman of TimberTech Engineering in which I stressed the importance of this document and the specific recommendations in BCSI-10 which are specific to Post Frame buildings.

The Subtitle is descriptive and accurate: "Guide to Good Practice for Handling, Installing, Restraining & Bracing of Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses." The BCSI offers many diagrams and photos to illustrate the concepts and guidelines outlined in the text.

The document is available for order ONLINE for $10.20/book or less, depending on quantity ordered and your membership status with the Truss Plate Institute (TPI) or Wood Truss Council Association (WTCA).

This document does not have the force of the building code behind it, but it does create an accepted level of care within the industry which could be used in the event of litigation when bracing, handling, installation or restraint of trusses are involved. Having said that, however, I have heard of some building officials enforcing this guide within their jurisdictions as if they were part of the enforceable code, all the more reason to be familiar with this document!

I have created a new post category ("Wood Trusses") for this entry since I intend to write more about different aspects of this topic, including lifting guidelines, temporary bracing requirements, and permanent bracing practices. If you have any subjects you'd like to see explored here, please let me know!