I am installing some 18″ parrallel chord trusses, 24′ long, in a detached garage. When installing the decking, is it safe to stand on the bottom chord? I have a problem with heights, and I would be much more comfortable standing on the bottom chord as opposed to on the top.
Thanks for your help,
John
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Replies
Not a problem. Unless you weigh over 400# and are doing jumping jacks on them, you can feel certain the trusses will hold you.
i dunno....how much do you weigh?
I'm a lightwieght carpenter, and I often crawl into and onto a lot of spots that the "bigger" guys wouldn't. so how much do you weigh is legitimate question.
however...when you say "decking" are you refering to plywood?
simply lay a couple sheets down if you need to make a path to wear you need to start.
What kind of Parallel chord trusses are they? Floor trusses, or roof trusses?
If these are floor trusses, absolutely do NOT stand on the bottom chord. It's just a 2X4 laid flat, and the panels are sometimes 5' long. No way will that hold up a grown man.
If they're roof trusses, you may get away with it. But it depends on the panel length. If you're not sure, stand near a joint.
Thanks to all that replied. These are floor trusses, so I guess I won't be standing on the bottom chord.
John
What are you going to do? Are you going to get your first row down and then stand on that and work your way foward? If so, how will you get your first row down, ladder, scaffold?Joe Carola
I'll get the first row down from ladders, then my wife will work from that row while I work from ladders on the inside (luckily she is fine with heights). It's going to be a couple weeks before I am able to work on it again, but when I do I will try to post pictures.
John
Just one more thought to add - Don't stand on the top chord either, unless the trusses are braced so they don't fall over.And add some 2X6 strongbacks while you're at it. You may or may not need 'em. But it's a heck of a lot easier to do now than later.
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Thanks for the help. The trusses are up and braced, and the specs call for 2X6 strongbacks no further apart than 10 ft.
John
That comment got me to wondering if these are bottom chord bearaing or top chord hanging
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Bottom chord bearing.
John
Wether it's for rafters or floor trusses, your only talking about the first row, right? Once you get that down then you stand on the deck and continue. I doubt that it's rafters because you would be standing on an angle and working backwards. Since your afraid of heights, that the worst thing to do.
Also, since your afraid of heights, standing on floor trusses is not a good way to put the first row down at all. Either set up a scaffold outside and put the first row down or put a ladder on the outside wall and do the same thing. A ladder you probably wont feel comfortable with either