Trussed Rafter Association member Triad Timber Components has supplied trussed rafters and metal-web joists for roof construction at a new school building in Luton, Bedfordshire.
The Meads Primary School is being redeveloped with construction of a new reception unit, administration building, library and classrooms. The project, which started in late 2009, is now in its second phase, comprising the library and classrooms and Triad has supplied 14.53m-span trusses for the pyramid roof of the new library.
Topped with a proprietary standing-seam metal roof covering, the structure has wide cantilevered eaves.
“With the supporting columns set back 1,600mm, the trusses had to be specially engineered to strengthen the load point,” said Kevin Wagstaffe of architect NPS Group.
Triad general manager Les Fuller said that following the request to supply the large-span trusses, the company was asked to propose a solution for the roofs of the six new classrooms.
“We suggested Posistrut metal-web joists to support the shallow monopitch roofs. The original specification was for timber I-joists, but we felt metal-web joists provided the greater lateral stiffness needed for the long spans, which are more than 10m,” he said.
