Protect Yourself by Understanding Design Responsibilities

Issue #10216 - July 2017 | Page #92

By Simpson Strong-Tie Staff

ANSI/TPI 1, Chapter 2

As a truss technician or component manufacturer, have you ever been asked to perform duties that fall outside of ANSI/TPI 1, Chapter 2 guidelines? We know in our previous roles as truss technicians and component manufacturers, we were often requested to perform a task that fell well outside of our scope of work. In some situations, it was not an issue and our plate and software supplier could assist us in achieving the desired results. 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? In many situations you can look like the villain by being unwilling to perform a task that is incorrectly perceived to be your responsibility.

Take for example permanent continuous lateral restraint (CLR). As a component manufacturer, the truss design drawings you supply are responsible for specifying the webs under compression which are subject to buckling. You are not responsible for specifying the material or determining how CLRs should be permanently incorporated into the structure. It is the ultimate responsibility of the RDP, who has designed the structure, to ensure that the permanent CLR is attached to the structure in order to transfer the forces.

Another scenario encountered more often today is the request for sealed placement diagrams. First and foremost, it is important to define exactly what a Truss Placement Diagram (TPD) is and what it is not. The TPD is a document to be used by the installer as a reference for locating trusses. It is not an engineering document and is not intended to supersede the Construction Documents. The confusion comes when the RDP believes their responsibility ends at the top plate. There is a common misconception by RDPs in the industry that the component manufacturer is designing trusses as a system. As manufacturers, you know all too well that you are in fact not designing systems, but rather individual components. This is important to understand because liability increases when sealed placement diagrams are provided.

Although requests for providing bracing plans and stamped layouts are the most common, there are certainly other situations that force component manufacturers outside of their comfort zone. Some additional examples include requests for designing trusses to resist out of plane forces or specifying truss to plate connections.

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?

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.
Don’t hesitate to inform building officials and RDPs by holding educational classes and workshops on ANSI/TPI 1, Chapter 2.
Talk to those you contract with and make sure they understand the code and the extent of your responsibilities as a component manufacturer.
Use industry publications like the TTB document (sbcindustry.com/images/publication_images/ttbdresp.pdf) and others from the SBCA.
Write language into your contracts that protect you from potentially litigious situations and have them signed by your customer.
Review construction documents and note situations where the RDP is exceeding the component manufacturer’s responsibilities and bring it to the attention of your customer. Note these exclusions in your contract.
When situations arise where you have to sign customer’s contracts, be sure to review, note, and line out any areas of the contract which may be contrary to your scope of responsibilities and obtain a final copy signed by both parties.
Work with your local chapter of the SBCA to unify your position through all of the manufacturers in your regions.
Speak with your insurance provider and/or legal counsel to understand your liability and exposure.

As always, be proactive and do what you can to prevent unfavorable situations before they occur and need to be reacted on in haste.

ANSI/TPI 1 can be purchased from their website (tpinst.org/tpi-store/ansitpi-1-2014) or a free viewable pdf version may also be downloaded (tpinst.org/technical-downloads).