Roof Truss Storage and Lifting
Roof Trusses should be inspected on arrival at site. Any damaged roof trusses should be reported immediately and not site repaired without approval of the roof truss fabricator.
Where it is anticipated that roof trusses will be stored on site for an extended period of time before use, adequate provision should be made to protect roof trusses against the effects of weather.
Once roof trusses are installed they should not be left exposed to weather for long periods. Repeated wetting and drying has a detrimental effect on the strength of both timber and connection.
Protective covering, where used, should allow free air circulation around roof trusses.
roof trusses when stored on the job site should be on timber fillets clear off the ground and in a flat position to avoid distortion.
When lifting, care must be taken to avoid damaging of joints and timber. Spreader bars with attachment to the panel points should be used where span exceeds 9000 mm. Never lift by the apex joint only.
The roof trusses may also be placed on the top plates by pulling them up on skids, spread at 3000 mm, while taking the same precaution as described above.
Ensure that roof trusses are not distorted or allowed to sag between supports.
The recommended method of lifting roof trusses will depend on a number of factors, including roof truss length and shape.
In general sling truss from top chord panel points. Slings should be located at equal distance from truss centreline and be approximately 1/3 to ½ truss length apart.
The angle between sling legs should be 60 degrees or less and where truss spans are greater than 9000 mm a spreader bar or strongback should be used.
