Weatherproofing a new-build home is essential as winter sets in and applying good practice when it comes to working with trussed rafters will help make the process run smoothly.
Housebuilders can also keep safe through this process by accessing health and safety information and safe ways of working provided by the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA) and its members.
Here, the TRA offers ten tips to safely install a simple domestic roof.
Step 1
Make sure wall plates are level and secured to load-bearing walls. Mark the position of the trusses on both wall plates.
Step 2
Mechanically (this is the preferred method) or manually lift the first truss onto the roof in the vertical plane. Install the first truss so that it coincides with the position of the end of the rafter diagonal bracing when fitted. Checking the temporary works plan, brace the first truss to both wall plates using the correct size of bracing and fixings.
Step 3
Install the second truss ensuring its production face matches the first truss by checking the labels or markings on the truss. Brace back to the first truss with temporary horizontal bracing along the rafters and ceiling tie members. Make sure both trusses are vertical.
Step 4
Install the third truss towards the gable end in the correct orientation by checking the details described in step 3. Check it is vertical and fix it to the temporary bracing along the rafters and ceiling ties to create a stable unit. Install further trusses with temporary bracing back to this stable unit.
Step 5
Fix the permanent diagonal braces to the inner face of the rafters at 45º. This will be nailed to the wall plate at the lower end and then fixed as high up on the first truss as possible but leaving space for the apex brace. All permanent braces should be a minimum 22 x 97mm timber, dry and defect free. Each truss should be fixed with 2 no. 3.1mm x 65mm long mechanically driven gun nails or 3.35mm dia. x 75mm long galvanised nails. Bracing may be jointed provided it spans at least two trussed rafters.
Step 6
Fix all remaining longitudinal bracing to rafters, struts and ceiling ties. Remember all bracing is repeated on both sides of the roof.
Step 7
The temporary bracing can now be removed allowing any outstanding trusses to be installed using the completed section of the roof as a means to temporarily brace them.
Step 8
At this stage all remaining longitudinal, diagonal and chevron bracing specified should be fixed, along with the metal restraining straps, to the gable end. If using ‘top hat’ trusses, the upper section can now be connected.
Step 9
Once installed but before felting and battening the roof, double check that all trusses are aligned vertically and are restrained from bowing out of the vertical plane.
Step 10
If access to high level bracing or ‘top hat’ trusses is required, this must be considered during the site-specific risk assessment. Access can be safely achieved using proprietary equipment such as ‘DTE Safe Step’ or ‘STA access system.’ Or additional timber members can be incorporated within the design to form a support for a temporary access platform. This needs to be requested during the design stage.
Finally, trusses should never be cut or adjusted in any way. Change should only be made with the prior knowledge and consent of the trussed rafter designer.
For further advice on trusses and their applications please visit www.tra.org.
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