Timber Trussed Rafters - an Introduction

Excessive caution The point has been made in several contributions to this column that recent legal decisions concerning negligence on the part of approving authorities have led to excess of caution and unnecessary expense. Mr. S. B. Tietz takes up the issue in respect of foundations when he writes: There has been considerable discussion at different times regarding the effect of Anns v. Merton and the requests by local authorities to deepen foundations. One main factor missing in such discussions has normally been hard evidence. Verulam

The purpose of this paper is to outline some users' problems and matters of concern with regard to timber trussed rafters in the United Kingdom at the present time, and to discuss points relating to design, materials, fabrication, handling and fixing, and durability. J.R. Watson

The use of timber roof trusses has, during the past few years, become widespread in housing construction in Ireland. This paper discusses the position of timber in the building industry, and sets out the criteria used in drafting the Irish Standard for trusses. Also discussed is the approach adopted for controlling manufacture to the requirements of the standard. N.V. Torpey