Welcome To The Truss Plate Institute

QUALITY ASSURANCE INSPECTION PROGRAM

PROSPECTIVE LICENSEES

Your participation in TPI’s third-party inspection program will help assure building official acceptance of metal plate connected wood trusses. Participation assures buyers that you are committed to quality control. Further, participation in the inspection program distinguishes you from non-participating fabricators and provides greater market opportunities. The TPI program is voluntary and it meets the requisites of the model building codes. It has two primary objectives:

1. To maintain the overall quality of metal plate connected wood trusses in the interest of public safety and welfare; and

2. To establish a quality industry image, thereby enhancing the market potential of your product.

All manufacturers of metal plate connected wood trusses may contract to participate in the inspection program, without regard to production level. TPI, upon receipt of the executed contract (Mark Licensee Agreement), will provide “Quality Assurance Procedures Manual for In-Plant Inspection, QAP-90” which is the basis for TPI’s model code approval as a certified quality assurance agency. QAP-90 is a controlled document; it is to be used by the licensee and returned by the licensee upon termination of the contract.

Once the truss manufacturer is accepted into the program, he is provided with the TPI Registered Mark (click here to see sample) to stamp on trusses that comply with a specified engineering design. The TPI quality stamp is the property of TPI. Use of the TPI Registered Mark indicates the manufacturer is subject to TPI inspections and maintains continuous in-plant quality control between TPI’s unannounced inspections. TPI will reclaim the stamp if the truss manufacturer fails to comply with the established criteria (QAP-90).

INSPECTION PROCEDURE

Truss Plate Institute retains independent contractual agents specializing in quality control, testing, and inspection to conduct plant inspections. Each participating fabricator is inspected a minimum four times a year. QAP-90 provides for monthly inspections should truss quality fall below accepted levels.

The announced/certification and unannounced/follow-up inspections are made to determine that the truss manufacturer complies with the specifications of an engineering design and the model codes. Adequacy of the design and compliance with building regulations are the responsibilities of the truss design engineer and truss manufacturer. Some of the items the inspector will look for in evaluating compliance are:

* Conformance of truss design & assembly to Registered Professional Engineer’s sealed drawing.

* Audit of in-plant quality assurance check lists per structural setup. A preferred method to keep track of in-plant quality observations may be found by using IN-PLANT WTCA QC (See endorsement letter).

* Size, species, grade & accuracy of the cuts of the lumber truss components.

* Size, thickness, placement, and embedment of plates.

* Moisture content of the truss lumber components at the time of plate embedment.

* General “housekeeping” of the truss fabricator’s facility including storage of lumber, plates and completed trusses.

The quality tolerances for plating and joint integrity are more thoroughly detailed in “ANSI/TPI 1-1995, Section 4" a referenced document found in QAP-90.

After completing the visual inspection, taking measurements, and comparing this information to an engineering design, the TPI inspector prepares a field report and reviews his findings with appropriate in-plant personnel. The field report is sent to TPI to verify that the fabricator has met all inspection criteria per QAP-90. If any production deficiencies exist, TPI Headquarters will issue a non-conforming report outlining the deficiencies to the fabricator, suggested corrections, and change in inspection rating (Alpha, Beta, or Theta).

If the truss manufacturer has consistently failed to correct production deficiencies, it may be subject to a special monthly inspection at additional cost. Continued no-conformance with QAP-90 will result in the removal of the TPI Registered Mark & the initiation of decertification proceedings.

PROGRAM RECOGNITION

The TPI Truss Inspection Program is recognized by the National Evaluation Services, Inc. (BOCA and SBCCI) via a National Evaluation Report NER QA-430, and the International Conference of Building Officials (ICBO) via a Certificate of Accreditation as a Quality Control Agency for metal plate connected wood trusses (Report AA-648).

PROGRAM FEES

Single Plant Participation: $325 billed quarterly ($1300 per year). Multiple Plant Participation: $325 billed quarterly for the primary plant location and $285 billed quarterly for additional plant locations ($1300 & $1140 per year respectively).

PARTICIPATION

A quality assurance application form must be completed prior to the initial (i.e., certification) inspection. Once the application is received, the Truss Plate Institute will appoint a contractual agent to conduct the initial inspection. The TPI Registered Mark, which denotes the plant name and location, is issued upon satisfactory certification and receipt of a signed TPI Mark License Agreement. This quality mark alerts building officials and specifiers that your truss design and manufacturing meets the requirements of the model building codes and the specific provisions of the NER QA-430 and ICBO AA-648.

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For additional information on TPI's Quality Assurance Inspection Program, e-mail charlie@tpinst.org.