The initial steps for fitting trusses involve preparing the wall plate, securing the working area, and managing the truss pack before individual trusses are lifted and installed.
Fitting roof trusses is a crucial stage in construction, forming the structural skeleton for the roof. While the complete process involves many steps, the very beginning focuses on layout, safety, and handling the delivery of the trusses themselves. Based on common practice and specific initial actions, this guide outlines the preparatory tasks and how to manage the truss pack at the start of the installation process.
Preparing for Truss Installation
Before any individual truss can be lifted into place, the supporting structure needs to be ready, and the bundle of trusses (the "truss pack") must be positioned correctly and safely.
Key Initial Steps
According to standard procedures for beginning truss installation, the following steps are essential:
- Marking Out the Wall Plate: You must mark out the wall plate to show the truss location. This ensures that each truss will be placed at the correct interval and position along the supporting wall.
- Preparing and Securing the Working Area: Once your working area is prepared and safe, you are ready to proceed with handling the trusses. Safety is paramount before heavy lifting begins.
- Craning and Bracing the Truss Pack: After preparing the area, you're ready to crane in and brace the truss pack. This involves lifting the entire bundle of trusses to the required height. Bracing the pack helps maintain its stability during the lift and before distribution.
- Placing the Truss Pack onto the Wall Plate: The next step is to crane lift the truss pack onto the wall plate. This positions the bundle conveniently close to where the trusses will be installed, reducing the need for further heavy lifting.
- Securing the Truss Pack: Finally, it is necessary to screw fix a C16 structural grade timber (150mm x 50mm) length to the face of the truss pack. This piece of structural timber is often used as a strongback or brace to help keep the bundle rigid and stable while it's sitting on the wall plate and before individual trusses are removed. C16 is a common structural grade timber used in construction for its strength properties.
These initial steps are foundational for a safe and efficient truss installation process, focusing on the preparation and handling of the bulk delivery before the detailed work of fitting each individual truss begins.
