To Beam or not to Beam

[bigmig]

I am working on a project that includes some rather large wood framed trusses. The trusses are not structural, but 100% decorative. My contract states that I don't deal with architectural finish items, yet I can see a look of terror on the Architects face when the thought crosses his mind that he will have to detail them.

I don't want to work for free, but on the same hand, if it is my responsibility I want to address it. One side of me says these things are just overgrown trim. The other side of me can see a couple of sheet rock guys on a scaffold trying to hang a 600 lb truss with a nail gun and a sawz-all at which point I want to address the issue now, before it gets to that point.

Any advice would be great.

 

[MikeHalloran]

If they weigh 600 lb, they are structural.
They have to support their own weight, after all.
... plus a couple of sheetrockers, who will certainly use the trusses to support their scaffolding.
... plus a couple of nailguns and maybe a small compressor on the scaffolding.



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[MikeHalloran]

I thought of a related problem.
If the trusses don't _look_ flimsy, then in a couple of years you will find ceiling fans and such hung from them. ... and inevitably, some rigger is going to throw a strap over a chord and try to lift a piano, or a machine tool, or something else that's really heavy. ... and your phone will ring...



Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA

 

[ztengguy]

Is it your responsibility to design the supports for them? As for the truss, if its out of your scope, write a change order.
DONE

 

[IRstuff]

The architect could sub that out to you. I've been in programs where our sub subbed stuff to us, because we were actually more qualified to do those lower level tasks.

TTFN
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