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West Florida Truss Association (WFTA)

West Florida Truss Association (WFTA)
c/o Ralph Del Valle, Chapter President
41 Truss
13601 US Highway 41 • Spring Hill, FL  34610-4422
813/996-3981 • 813/996-6437 (fax)
Email Ralph

SBCA and Chapter Membership Application (699 KB)

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS APPEARING IN STRUCTURAL BUILDING COMPONENTS MAGAZINE:

September/October 2008
The West Florida Chapter continued to support the Give Kids the World charity this year. At the June membership meeting, it was reported that help was needed on five more villas. With an overall goal of 21 sets of trusses, they already had commitments of support (trusses, materials or monetary donations) from several chapter members: 41 Truss, Florida Forest Products, Kimal Lumber Company, Stock Building Supply, West Coast Truss, ITW Building Components Group, MiTek Industries and Simpson Strong-Tie Co.

The presentation at the June meeting was given by Kari Hebrank. With an update on everything to do with construction and Florida politics, Kari spoke on several topics. Regarding the Florida Building Code (FBC), she noted that the code language was changed under the “code plus” designation to no longer reference a 500-year storm event. She also commented on code changes for re-roofing, and noted that the effective date for the FBC had been moved to December 31, 2008. Kari also provided information on green building, specifically LEED and Green Globes. The members thanked her for her informative updates and interesting discussion.

Plans for the fall event were finalized at the July chapter board meeting. The 23rd Annual Building Officials Event will be held on November 7 at Robbins Engineering/MiTek Industries in Tampa. In addition to testing a field-repaired truss, the attendees will be able to earn continuing education credit for “Inspection of Installed Wood Trusses,” a Truss Technology Workshop (TTW) from WTCA. Engineers from MiTek and ITW will deliver the presentation along with Robert Wall, PE of Architectural Services & Engineering. Sponsors for the event include: iLevel by Weyerhaeuser, ITW Building Components Group, Robbins Engineering/MiTek Industries, Simpson Strong-Tie Co., Structural Connections, Inc. and USP Structural Connectors.

May 2008
At its first board meeting of the year, the West Florida Chapter voted to move its meetings back to the first Thursday of every other month. The general membership meetings for 2008 were set for February 7, April 3, June 5 and August 7, and the annual seminar for building officials held at Robbins Engineering was set for November 7.

The topic of the February chapter meeting was updated truss responsibilities in the 2007 Florida Building Code (FBC). Featuring a roundtable review with engineers Robert Wall, Tom Albani and Dave Rambali, the evening provided many pertinent updates on the latest version of the FBC. Attendees were able to review comparisons of the 2007 FBC to the 2004 edition as they relate to trusses. Sections of significance to component manufacturers, such as FBC Chapters 16 (Structural) and 23 (Wood) were highlighted, and attendees discussed the actions that should be taken to prepare for the pending code changes. Anyone who would like a copy of the files used at the meeting may contact WTCA staff.

January/February 2008
The West Florida Chapter held its annual Building Officials Seminar on November 2 inside the truss plant of 41 Truss in Springhill, FL. The inspectors were treated to a truss plant tour as well as a 2-hour continuing education course. It was the first time in recent memory that the association did not hold the event held at Robbins Engineering, where inspectors have enjoyed watching trusses put to the test, literally, on Robbins’ test racks. But this year Robbins was in the process of moving its test facility, so Dave Wood, the owner of 41 Truss, stepped up and provided the facility, and Simpson Strong-Tie sponsored the food so that the 63 attendees could spend a few hours learning a little more about our industry. WFTA’s chairman, John Goley of West Coast Truss, welcomed building inspectors, plans examiners and building officials to witness automated and laser gantry systems, as well as automated saws, and a state-of-the-art paperless truss plant. The chapter has been holding these training classes for building departments in the Tampa Bay area for more than 20 years.

April 2007
The West Florida Chapter held its first meeting of the year on February 8 in Tampa. This was also the first meeting run by newly appointed President John Goley of West Coast Truss, Inc. “Give Kids The World” was on the agenda (see article on page 44), and an update was provided on the chapter’s work with this charity. Another central item on the evening’s meeting agenda was the 2006 update of BCSI. Ryan Dexter of WTCA staff reported on the overall improvements to the document as well as the specific additions to B1-Guide for Handling, Installing, Restraining, & Bracing of Trusses, B2-Truss Installation & Temporary Restraint/Bracing, B3-Web Member Permanent Bracing/Web Reinforcement, and B8-Toe-Nailing for Uplift.

The next meeting that members were encouraged to attend was the Joint FBMA/WTCA Legislative Conference in March. The dates of this year’s chapter meetings were noted as well. The meeting on April 12 will focus on legislative and political issues and welcome as guest speaker Kari Hebrank; connector member companies are invited to display new products and literature at the meeting. The June 14 meeting will focus on insurance issues with guest speaker Earl Horton, and EWP member companies will be invited to display new products and literature. On August 9, the topic is TBD and the speaker will be Ryan Dexter, the products on display will be from plate and machinery members. The date for the annual building officials seminar and truss testing demonstration at Robbins Engineering in November is not yet set.

January/February 2007
The turnout was unprecedented for the 21st Annual West Florida Chapter Building Officials Event in November at Robbins Engineering’s truss testing facility. Exceeding all expectations, nearly 140 building officials, architects, engineers and chapter members gathered for two Truss Technology Workshop presentations (on Jobsite Inspections and Design Responsibilities) and the annual testing of a truss to the limit, this year comparing a braced and unbraced truss to demonstrate the effect of bracing. With lunch courtesy of Simpson Strong-Tie Co., the event, though crowded, was a resounding success!

At its December membership meeting, the chapter voted on its 2007 officers. John Goley of West Coast Truss was elected President and Ralph DelValle of 41 Truss was confirmed as President-Elect. Remaining in their positions were Robert Wall of Architectural Services and Engineering as Vice President, Ron Gaines of Simpson Strong-Tie Co. as Secretary and Stephen Santos of Builders FirstSource as Treasurer.

WFTA enjoyed incredible attendance at the 21st Annual West Florida Chapter Building Officials Event. Ryan Dexter of WTCA staff presented the TTWs.

November 2006
The news was positive at the August West Florida Chapter meeting. First off, the members were pleased to report that Manatee County agreed to change its Policy Statement with respect to its interpretation of truss system engineering. This is a terrific example of a fruitful chapter and staff team effort. It was in April that WTCA and the West Florida Chapter sent a letter to Manatee County requesting clearer wording in its draft Policy Statement (effective May 1) to confirm that the Engineer of Record has reviewed the work of the Truss Design Engineer and the work of the Truss System Engineer, if so delegated, for compliance with the design of his/her structure. The following has now been added to the Policy Statement 06-52: “If the Engineer of Record does not delegate the Truss Systems Design to a specialty Engineer, it shall be assumed that the Engineer of Record is the Truss System Engineer.” This Policy Statement may be viewed online at: www.co.manatee.fl.us. The WTCA Tech Note, “Florida Projects Constucted Without a Truss System Engineer (No Contract in Place for Truss System Engineering Duties),” is posted on the WTCA website at www.sbcindustry.com/technotes.php.

The second item of good news was the joint agreement being put in place between WTCA and the Florida Building Materials Association (FBMA). In addition to defining specific areas of responsibility for both organizations, WTCA and FBMA will be hosting a joint Florida Legislative Conference in 2007.

Ralph Del Valle delivered an update on Give Kids the World. Chapter members met with GKTW and pledged even more truss packages for an expansion beginning soon. Four truss sets will be needed in 2006 and 21 more in 2007. Donations of trusses, lumber and cash are appreciated.

April 2006 SBC Magazine
The West Florida Chapter held its officer elections at its December meeting: Rick Cashman of Florida Forest Products as Chapter President, John Goley of West Coast Truss as President-Elect, Robert Wall of Architectural Services & Engineering as Vice President, Ron Gaines of Simpson Strong-Tie Co. as Secretary and Stephen Santos of Builders FirstSource as Treasurer. Rounding out the Chapter Board of Directors were Ralph DelValle of 41 Truss, Bill Jotham of Structural Connections, Doug LaChapelle of West Coast Truss, Jim Nick of Dansco Engineering, Sean O’Connor of Robbins Engineering, Dave Rambali of Alpine Engineered Products and Amador Rojas of ESS.

At the January Board meeting, the chapter’s slate of 2006 general membership meetings was set:

• February 9 with a presentation by Kirk Grundahl of WTCA on “Truss System Engineer vs. Truss Design Engineer” as defined by FBPE Regulation.
• April 13 with a speaker TBD and displays of products and literature by engineered wood products manufacturers.
• June 8 with Kari Hebrank speaking on current legislative issues and displays of products and literature by hanger manufacturers.

September/October 2005
In June, the West Florida Chapter met at its usual location, the Rusty Pelican Restaurant in Tampa. High on the agenda was the pending Florida Building Code, FBC 2004. Members reviewed copies of the latest Florida Executive Committee Updates and discussed pertinent issues including the reference to ANSI/TPI 1-2002, bottom chord live loads and the implementation date. The controversy in Hernando County on sealed placement diagrams was recounted. Upon closer examination, the real issue was the sealing of truss-to-truss connections on the placement diagram. It was agreed that a separate connection schedule should be used and sealed, or the connections should appear on the truss design drawing, to avoid sealing placement diagrams. The chapter’s educational efforts were discussed and it was suggested that contractors be targeted for educational programs. Members were also reminded of the educational program for building officials hosted by Robbins Engineering that will be held in November.

January/February 2005 Chapter Spotlight
An Educational Tradition by Ron Gaines, Simpson Strong-Tie

The West Florida Chapter's Annual Building Official's education class was held November 16 and was hosted by Robbins Engineering. WFTA has sponsored this class and Bar-B-Que since the mid 1980s and Robbins Engineering has been the host site for the majority of those years. Six Tampa Bay area building jurisdictions where represented and there were over 60 people in attendance. There were 3 guest speakers, a truss breaking demonstration, and the most delicious baked beans featuring smoked bar-b-que flavoring and tiny bacon pieces. Robert Wall P.E., of Architectural Services, spent at least an hour discussing truss bracing; Bill Jotham P.E., of SCI EWP, followed with an update on changes in the engineered wood industry; and Ron Gaines, of Simpson Strong-Tie, concluded the evening with a presentation on inspection of structural connectors. As always, the night's highlight was Robbin's truss testing rack, where the inspectors were shown what happens to a truss when temporary bracing is missing. The simulation was performed on a 4X2 floor truss. The inspectors were given a detailed drawing of the truss and were asked to submit an ultimate load on the truss, as well as mark on the drawing where the truss would eventually break. The engineers at Robbins proceeded to simulate a load on the truss; thankfully, and not surprisingly, the truss ultimate load far exceeded the design load. The prize winner was then given a pair of tickets to see an upcoming Tampa Bay Buccaneers football game. WFTA thanks Robbins Engineering for the use of their facility and engineering expertise and we look forward to next year's event.

May 2001
The West Florida Chapter held its winter meeting on March 1. Copies of the new standard Florida building code scheduled for acceptance on October 1 were distributed. Particular attention was paid to the section on trussed rafters. The perspective of code and plans examiners was also discussed. In addition, the chapter anticipated the success of the Southeastern Truss Manufacturers Association conference in April.

January/February 2001
More than two years ago, the West Florida Truss Association, a Chapter of WTCA, formed a committee to work on getting approval for truss engineers to sign and seal a cover sheet that indexes the truss specification sheets instead of having to sign and seal each individual specification sheet. This group, consisting primarily of Doug LaChapelle of West Coast Truss, Tom Albani of Robbins Engineering, Terry Burcaw of 41 Truss, Ralph Delvalle of Builders FirstSource and Joe Heidenrich of Florida Forest Products, began their initiative by contacting a handful of major building departments in West Florida. Positive response to the proposal led the committee to pitch the idea to the Suncoast Chapter of Building Inspectors, which covers the West Coast of Florida. This group was also accepting of the proposal, so truss manufacturers in western Florida began using this single-sheet approach. [Read More]

August 1999
At the chapter meeting on June 3, Charlie Moore, Chapter President, read the WTCA update on fire issues. There was a discussion about home inspections. The chapter will be organizing a Truss Technology Workshop for superintendents in August. There was a discussion about the format. Doug LaChappelle will head up the committee. The cost will be $25 per person, with a goal of 100 attendees.

June/July 1999
The chapter actively participated in the Southeastern Truss Manufacturers Association Conference on April 28-30. The program was well attended, and included several informative educational programs.