Fabricated roof trusses and space frames for open-plan buildings
Roof trusses and space frames need different member and node arrangements. We fabricate chords, webs, nodes, bracing and connecting steel to the approved roof drawings, delivering marked shop assemblies or prepared members for the selected erection sequence.
Our quote covers roof members, bracing and connection steel by drawing mark. Roof coverings, foundations and site erection are outside this roof-steel fabrication package.
| Component | Fabricated items | Order definition |
|---|---|---|
| Roof trusses | Chords, web members, gussets and shop assemblies | Truss elevation, member marks and assembly drawings |
| Space frames | Tubular members, nodes and connecting steel | Grid layout, node details and member-end connections |
| Roof bracing | Drawing-listed horizontal and vertical bracing | Brace position, member section and end connection |
| Support interfaces | Seats, end plates, stiffeners and attachment steel | Support coordinates, elevations and connection details |
| Field connections | Splice plates and specified bolting assemblies | Joint schedule, hardware quantities and installation requirements |
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A support span gives the distance the roof must cross. The truss section also sets chord depth, roof profile and the lowest steel elevation. Show the required clearance above the finished floor and equipment so the fabricated outline matches the usable space.
Grid spacing, upper and lower layer elevations, node coordinates and the roof perimeter define a space-frame parts schedule. Those coordinates identify each member length and end arrangement, including the pieces around openings.
Support coordinates and seat elevations establish where the roof meets the supporting structure. Changes in roof slope or support level affect end geometry and the member outline. The released drawings carry these datums, together with any specified camber ordinates.
Chords and webs retain the section type, product standard and grade on the member schedule. Hollow members are ordered by their outside dimensions and wall thickness. Gusset, splice and seat plates carry their own thickness and material callouts, even when they belong to the same truss.
| Plate specification | Reference thickness (in.) | Minimum yield (ksi) | Tensile strength (ksi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTM A36 | 0.100–6.00 | 36 | 58–80 |
| ASTM A572 Grade 50 | 0.100–4.00 | 50 | 65 minimum |
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These are plate material properties. The roof design sets the member sections, plate thicknesses and connection sizes; the material list preserves the specification assigned to each part.
Steel visible from the occupied space needs an agreed appearance as well as a coating system. Identify the exposed faces, weld finish and surface preparation on the drawings. Shop primer, finish coats and any site touch-up are separate parts of the finish schedule.
Galvanizing is planned around the fabrication unit before its enclosed members are welded. Vent and drain openings, thickness changes and handling points enter that plan. The fabricator, designer and galvanizer coordinate the assembly geometry and coating sequence.
The joint detail fixes the shipping break and the connection between truss segments. Bolted splices need the specified hole pattern, contact faces and room for installation tools. Welded field joints retain their weld preparation and site examination requirements on the fabrication documents.
A member mark links each tube to its end connection and node position. Node orientation and mating ends stay paired with the assembly detail, including handed or angled parts. Similar-looking pieces retain different marks when their connection geometry differs.
For loose tubular members, review our hollow structural section shapes and sizes separately from the fabricated roof assembly.
Purlin seats, deck supports and hangers for lighting or ducts occupy defined positions on the roof steel. Engineer-approved attachment details carry the connection geometry and applied loads. Incorporating those details before fabrication keeps the roof and service packages aligned.
| Bolt grade | Style | Reference diameter (in.) | Minimum tensile strength (ksi) |
|---|---|---|---|
| A325 | Heavy hex | 1/2–1-1/2 | 120 |
| A490 | Heavy hex | 1/2–1-1/2 | 150 |
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Bolt tensile strength is a fastener property, not a roof-joint capacity. The connection schedule specifies grade, diameter, length, finish, matching nuts and washers, and tightening requirements. Joint contact-surface treatment follows the specified connection type.
The playing area needs a continuous open space while the roof meets its perimeter supports. The fabrication lot identifies the main trusses or space-frame zones, perimeter members and bracing that complete that roof layout. Suspended sports equipment enters the approved roof attachment schedule.
A large hall can contain repeated roof bays alongside entrances, rooflights and service openings. Each bay keeps its own assembly mark when those features alter the steel geometry. The bill of materials distinguishes repeated pieces from the special members around openings.
Terminal roof packages often follow a roof line across different support elevations. Shop assemblies are defined around that profile and the connection to each supporting frame. Visible member faces and the planned installation zones remain identified in the fabrication and shipment documents.
Dimensional checks use the drawing datum to record support-seat positions, chord alignment and node or splice interfaces. The inspection record identifies the assembly checked, so its dimensions can be matched to the roof layout and the mating connection.
A camber record states the measurement setup and the specified ordinates. Shop inspection checks the specified unstressed shop condition, with the drawing datum and acceptance requirement recorded alongside the measurements.
Chord-to-web welds, gusset welds and space-frame node connections retain their own examination requirements. The project contract identifies the welding standard and qualification records; where AWS D1.1 applies, the fabrication documents follow that adopted requirement. Inspection locations and results remain traceable to the member or assembly mark.
Splice holes, member-end orientation and mating plates or nodes are checked against the assembly drawings. Material and hardware records accompany the corresponding member and part marks.
Our quote itemizes roof assemblies, loose members, connecting steel and field hardware from the same drawing revision. The finish system, required records and shipping terms are stated alongside those quantities.
Each shipping unit has a scheduled length, depth and handling weight. Approved field joints set the segment breaks, with transport access and lifting arrangements reviewed before dispatch.
Truss segments are grouped with their mating splice parts. Space-frame members and nodes are grouped against the roof grid and assembly list. Marked shipment groups, protected contact faces and a part-count packing list help the site receive the roof lot in its intended installation sequence.
Yes. A roof plan and sections, the intended structural system, quantities and project destination give us a basis for an initial quotation. Include the available support and design criteria. The quote identifies its drawing basis; released fabrication drawings and connection details are required before production.
An SJI joist schedule retains its designation, loading and supplier requirements. Our custom truss quotation follows the member and connection drawings supplied for that truss.
Changes go back to the structural designer for the attachment location, load and connection detail. We incorporate the released revision into the affected members and update the fabrication scope. For steel already produced, the revised detail also defines the required modification work.
Yes. Camber follows the released truss drawing and its measurement requirements. The inspection record identifies the assembly and acceptance condition; it is not assigned from a universal span-to-camber ratio.
Share the roof plan and truss elevations or space-frame layout, with assembly quantities and the destination. A preliminary layout can start a budget quote. We itemize the roof steel, connection parts, finish and required records against the drawing basis and agreed shipping pieces.