You are preparing to set roof trusses. Check the delivered package and bearing walls against the crew’s drawings first.
Get the reviewed truss documents to the framing lead before delivery. Resolve handling, bearing, bracing, and field-change authority before lifting begins. SBCA’s design-responsibility guidance distinguishes the building designer’s system role from individual truss design.
Resolve mismatches before the set. A supplier’s placement document does not authorize improvised structural changes.
Give the framer the reviewed drawings and revisions
Ask the builder and truss supplier to identify the current approved construction documents and truss submittal revision. Confirm who reviewed the package and which questions remain open. Have the framing lead acknowledge receipt before scheduling the set.
Keep these documents and records together:
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| Document or record | What the framing lead needs to establish |
|---|---|
| Building structural drawings | Current roof geometry, supports, connections, and design requirements |
| Individual truss design drawings | Correct truss identifiers and design-specific notes |
| Placement information | Intended location and orientation of the supplied components |
| Bracing and restraint information | Temporary installation plan and permanent system responsibilities |
| Connection details | Specified bearings, anchors, hangers, and fastening information |
| Revision and repair records | Which earlier documents are superseded and which components are affected |
| Delivery record | Received components, shortages, damage, and package identity |
Use the current documents for this roof. If a required design or review is missing, take the question to the builder and responsible designer before installation.
SBCA’s terminology reference distinguishes truss design drawings, the truss designer, bracing, and anchorage. Use the same terms in document requests so the supplier knows what the crew needs.
The roof-truss guide explains the component in context. Keep the jobsite packet specific to the delivered roof.
Confirm who checks the trusses against the building design
SBCA describes the building designer as responsible for the building structural system. The truss designer supplies individual component design within the delegated scope. Roles and coordination. Ask who checks the proposed components against the building’s intended loads, supports, and overall structural design.
Before the set, meet with the builder, framing foreman, supplier contact, and responsible designer to resolve remaining questions. Bring the same drawing revision to the meeting. Write the unresolved question next to the affected location or truss identifier.
Before delivery, ask the framing lead to compare field conditions with the reviewed documents. Discuss wall locations, support elevations, openings, bearing surfaces, and connection access. Send mismatches to the designer for review before the set.
Confirm each required review even when the supplier has reviewed its own work. Identify who releases production, who accepts field readiness, and who authorizes a changed condition. The ordering guide covers the earlier procurement handoff.
Plan delivery as part of installation
Agree delivery timing, site access, unloading, storage, and handling with the supplier and installation lead. Ask which party supplies each service and which conditions can postpone the drop.
SBCA’s Building Component Safety Information guide addresses handling, installation, restraint, and bracing of metal-plate-connected wood trusses. Use the applicable guidance and the lifting plan for this job.
For delivery documentation, ask the supplier what records it provides. Builders FirstSource’s delivery page gives one example of delivery notifications and photographed confirmations, with location-specific availability. Confirm the selected supplier’s actual process rather than assuming every order includes it.
Check the delivered package against the list of truss identifiers. Record shortages, visible damage, and documents received. Label damage photos with the affected truss identifier. Record receipt separately from approval to install a truss.
Separate temporary and permanent bracing
Plan temporary installation bracing and permanent restraint separately. SBCA’s BCSI overview covers both temporary and permanent lateral restraint and diagonal bracing. Have the responsible parties identify the applicable documents and who supplies and installs the required work.
Use these questions before the set:
- Who prepares and supervises the installation sequence?
- Where are the temporary restraint and bracing instructions?
- Who defines permanent system bracing beyond individual component notes?
- Which materials and connections must be ready before lifting?
- Who checks the completed work before subsequent loading or concealment?
- Who authorizes a change when the intended detail does not fit?
Use this list to assign responsibilities. Get bracing details from the applicable documents and responsible professionals.
SBCA’s jobsite packages put handling, installation, bracing, and safety information with the components. Ask the supplier which package accompanies this order and make it accessible to the crew.
Stop a mismatch before it becomes a field repair
If a truss arrives damaged, appears wrong for its intended location, or conflicts with another system, identify it and contact the builder and supplier. Have the installation lead maintain safe conditions while the issue is evaluated.
SBCA’s truss-repair guidance directs contractors to seek help from the building designer, truss designer, or manufacturer when components are damaged or altered. Each repair needs evaluation of its actual condition.
Send the following with the repair request:
- Project and truss identifiers from the current documents.
- Wide and close photographs with the affected location marked.
- Description and measurements requested by the designer.
- What differs from the reviewed drawings and supplied components.
- An accurate account of work already performed.
- The site contact who can answer follow-up questions.
Wait for the applicable written direction before the crew performs a repair. Retain the repair document with the original drawing, then record who completed and checked it. Use the roof-truss repair guide to frame the communication, not to select a repair detail.
Close the handoff with records and safe access
Agree the inspection and acceptance plan before covering connections or moving into the next phase. Confirm which local inspections and design reviews apply to the permit. Keep open corrections identified by location.
The contractor must also plan fall protection for the work. OSHA’s fall-protection rule includes residential construction requirements. Have the installation lead establish the applicable protection and procedures. Do not request hazardous access merely to obtain a portfolio photograph.
Before the framing lead leaves, gather the current drawings, delivery discrepancies, repair directions, completed correction records, and required approvals. Give the next trade a clear release with exceptions. The framing trade page helps define the wider incoming and outgoing scope.
Keep one current revision list for shared documents. List the file, revision identifier, reviewer, distribution date, and affected components. Give the framing lead a readable jobsite copy and a direct contact for urgent questions.
When repair instructions arrive, add them to the list and identify the affected truss. Ask the lead to withdraw the superseded detail from the active packet before work resumes. Keep earlier versions archived in the project record, clearly marked as superseded.
Where Cercha fits
Cercha’s portfolios and supplier Brands listings help framers and builders begin conversations with component suppliers. Use Messages to identify the supplier’s services and the relevant project contact. Keep engineering review, production release, installation documents, and repair approvals in the project’s established processes.