TPI 3 Standard Development PROJECT - IN Progress

The Truss Plate Institute has officially initiated the ANSI-accredited consensus process to develop a new American National Standard titled TPI 3 – National Design Standard for Bracing Metal Plate Connected Wood Trusses. Notice of the project was published in ANSI’s Standards Action on July 25, 2025.

For a more detailed understanding of the update process, please refer to the information provided below.

TPI 3 Scope

TPI 3 is a structural design standard developed specifically for engineers, focusing on the design of both temporary and permanent bracing for metal plate connected wood trusses. The standard includes general bracing concepts, critical loads to consider during the design process, and effective methods to resolve bracing forces. It also includes guidance on ground bracing for temporary applications, a method to determine bracing forces, and provisions for designing bracing members and their connections.

TPI 3 Project Phases

COMPLETED PHASE 1: Project Initiation (see below for more information)

STARTED PHASE 2: Project Committee Formation (see below for more information)

FUTURE PHASE 3: Project Committee Work and Balloting (see below for more information)

FUTURE PHASE 4: Public Review (see below for more information)

FUTURE PHASE 5: Final Approval (see below for more information)

PHASE 1: Project Initiation - COMPLETED

The initiation phase for TPI 3 involves the formal steps required to begin the development of a new American National Standard. As an ANSI-accredited standards developer, TPI must complete the following actions during this phase in accordance with ANSI’s Essential Requirements, and TPI’s Project Committee Method for Achieving Consensus (PCMAC):

  • Obtain approval from the TPI Board of Directors to initiate the development of a new standard. - COMPLETED

  • Submit a Project Initiation Notification (PINS) to ANSI to formally announce the intent to develop TPI 3 in ANSI Standards Action. - COMPLETED

  • Publicly announce the project and call for participation on the Project Committee (TPI Press Release). - COMPLETED

PHASE 2: Project Committee Formation - STARTED

A consensus body (or Project Committee) is selected by TPI from a list of qualified applicants to hear, discuss, and vote on any proposed provisions in the TPI 3 standard. The Project Committee is carefully appointed to ensure that it is appropriately balanced with parties that are materially affected by the standard. For the TPI 3 standard, this includes the following categories of members:

  • Users: Any engineer, building designer, or truss designer whose job function includes the design or design verification of bracing systems for metal plate connected (MPC) wood trusses. This individual bears responsibility for the bracing design and uses the TPI 3 standard as a technical basis for that work.

  • Producers: Any representative from a company that manufactures MPC wood trusses or supplies raw materials, components, equipment, or software used in the design, manufacturing, or installation of MPC wood trusses (e.g., lumber, engineered wood, steel, truss plates, hangers, bracing products, design software, etc.). These individuals may interact with bracing systems but typically are not responsible for designing truss bracing as a primary job function.

  • General Interest: Any individual or representative from a trade association, code development body, regulatory agency, academic institution, or other organization whose primary interest is contributing to the development of a standard that supports innovation, structural safety, and public interest. This category includes those who do not directly use the TPI 3 standard for the purpose of designing bracing systems.

The application period to join the TPI 3 Project Committee is now open and will close on August 31, 2025. Participation will be limited to a manageable number of members to support effective collaboration throughout the standard development process.

Any interested party or stakeholder who is directly and materially affected by the proposed standard is encouraged to apply for membership on the Project Committee.
You may either submit an application online or download the paper application and return the completed form to TPI for consideration.

PHASE 3: Project Committee Work and Balloting - FUTURE

During this phase, the TPI 3 Project Committee (Consensus Body) will review and refine the draft standard through structured discussion and collaboration. Each provision in the draft will be carefully evaluated, with revisions made as needed to address technical concerns, stakeholder input, and consensus feedback.

The final stage of this phase involves formal balloting by the Project Committee. Voting will continue until consensus is achieved, in accordance with the procedures outlined in TPI’s Project Committee Method for Achieving Consensus (PCMAC).

PHASE 4: Public Review - FUTURE

Once the Project Committee reaches consensus on the draft TPI 3 standard, the document will be released for public review and comment in accordance with ANSI procedures. During this period, any interested party may review the draft and submit formal comments or suggestions for consideration.

All public comments will be reviewed by the Project Committee. Comments deemed persuasive by a majority vote of the Committee will be incorporated into the draft. If any revisions are determined to be substantive, the Committee will conduct a recirculation ballot on the updated draft.

All individuals who submit comments will receive a response indicating the final disposition of their input, along with the Committee’s rationale for its decision.

PHASE 5: Approval - FUTURE

Once the final draft of the TPI 3 standard is complete and the TPI Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) confirms that the consensus process has been properly followed, TAC will recommend that the TPI Board of Directors authorize submission of the required BSR-9 form to ANSI.

ANSI will then review the BSR-9 submission to determine whether the consensus process has been conducted in accordance with its Essential Requirements. If approved, ANSI will notify TPI that the standard has been accepted as an American National Standard.

TPI will then proceed to publish the new TPI 3 standard and make it available to the public.

Documents/Downloads/Links