Protect Yourself by Understanding Design Responsibilities

ANSI/TPI 1 is the National Design Standard that establishes the minimum requirements for the design and construction of metal-plate-connected wood trusses. Chapter 2 defines the design responsibilities. As a truss technician or a component manufacturer, you are not responsible for specifying the materials or how products should be permanently incorporated into the structure. But what happens when the registered design professional (RDP) disregards the scope of work and requires you to assume responsibility for something that falls outside of the agreement and guidelines set by the building code?

There are a series of responsibilities required of key parties (owner, building designer, Registered Design Professional, etc.) for truss applications in the construction of a building. However, certain situations occur that can force component manufacturers outside their usual scope of work. So how do you position yourself to combat these situations but at the same time maintain good business relationships with contractors, framers, and registered design professionals?

1. Start by educating yourself and all pertinent employees on ANSI/TPI 1, Chapter 2. When RDPs reference building codes for their projects, they automatically reference ANSI/TPI 1, since it has been written in the language of the IBC/IRC code. This helps ensure there is language in the code that clearly defines specific responsibilities.
2. Educate building officials and RDPs about their respective responsibilities by holding classes and workshops on ANSI/TPI 1, Chapter 2.
3. Talk to all parties to the contracts you enter into to make sure they all understand the code and the extent of your responsibilities as a component manufacturer.
4. Use industry publications like the TTB document and others from the SBCA.
5. Write language into your contracts that protect you from potentially litigious situations and have them signed by your customer.
6. Review construction documents and note situations where the RDP is making demands or requests outside the component manufacturer’s responsibilities, and bring them to the attention of your customer. Note these exclusions in your contract.
7. When situations arise where you have to sign customers’ contracts, be sure to review, note, and line out any areas of the contract which may require you to exceed your scope of responsibilities, and obtain a final copy signed by both parties.
8. Work with your local chapter of the SBCA to unify your position with all the component manufacturers in your regions.
9. Speak with your insurance provider and your legal counsel to understand your liability and exposure.

As always, be proactive and do what you can to anticipate and prevent unfavorable situations before they arise so you don’t need to respond to them before you’ve had time to review all the possible liabilities. ANSI/TPI 1 can be purchased from their website. A free viewable pdf version may also be downloaded.

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