the last day of tafe today its friday
yesterday we managed to finish our truss roof exercise. we cut the valley boards into position over the joists we i think i started to explain previously then we we erected all the ceiling batons. we made them 150 off the ridges and hips and at a span of 900 centres with them also running alongside the valley boards. after this was complete we had the teacher check or work then in the 40 degree heat we stripped the structure. now as there is valuable study time missing i must do just that. test is coming.

the first picture is of chris working safely offf scaffold preparing to set and brace the first common truss. using levels and clamps screwing off the bottoms with triple grips.

the second picture is of the wall plates only on the external walls being measuerd and placed in exactly the right spot for the trusses to sit on

the third picture is of me screwing off the creeper truss into the correct postion as marked on the wall plates

the fourth and final picture is of the jack truss positioned over the truncated girder truss waiting for the hip and valley trusses to be inserted into final position

wednesday 11 feb 2 double 0 nine

this week we are learning about truss roofing. this has its advantages over stick roofing as there is less time on site and less larger timber sizes. on monday we spent the first have of the day on the computers and hearing from graeme about the basic principles of truss roofing and about how it evovled. saying that triangles are the strongest structure as they are unmoveable. we also ran through and made up a step by step structure of how we where to go about building the timber roof truss, the project construction plan. we also had to highlight the possible hazards such as slips and trips and measures to avoid these problems occurring. the safe work method statement.
We then went onto to site for the second half first of all building out scaffolds with moveable scaffold and also more permenant variety. in this session we where teamed up in groups of 3 with matt chris and i in a team. we proceded to attach the wall plates on. but only on the outside perimeter in the oppisite direction of the common trusses as we had two flush gable ends. we had to read of plans and get the sizes spot on as the trusses are made off site to suit.
on the tuesday we were back out on site and spent the whole day there. we first erected the front and back gables bracing it off with clamps and metal already attached using clamps. at the ends we attached with triple crips and screws. we then strang a line and pitched the rest of the gables off this. we then used the crown end trusses to mark out where the trunicated girder truss would sit. we then attached the trunicated girder and slotted in the crown end trusses to this using girder clips. it was then time to fit the jack trusses and hip trusses making sure that the valley truss all line up correctly. we then fixed this off. this followed by adding the creeper trusses making sure the hip truss is straight. using a straight line we then fixed off the second valley truss using trimmers to stabilise the structure. we then repeated the process on the other side. then as every day we packed up the very hot scaffold.
That brings us to today were for the morning we braced the bottom to stabilise then braced in an X shape over the two sides of the roof as X orV are the strongest as there always in tension and clout nailed these on every truss twice and when bent over on end 3 nails. then adding the valley boards we made a mistake with this however and did a 500 spread and its meant to be a 400 spread. then we started to add the batons doing the hip ones first then doing 900 centres all the way up. as it was hot very hot work was slow hopefully tommorrow we will finish the project. this will be followed by knocking it down then onto a test in the afternoon. i will include some pictures of some of the stages of work.

back again, first day first assesent on explosive powered tools. i feel i went ok however the wording on some questions was a touch ambiguous. the basic theory goes like this. there are two types direct and indirect explosive power tools(ept). of which in both there is a firing pin a cartridge and a drive pin. the indirect however has piston which seperartes the drive pin from the cartridge. EPT are used to fix steel and timber to concrete bricks and steel. they should not be used to fix timbers to brittle materials such as tiles and fibre cement. most drive pins are made from hardened steel and those to be fixed into concrete have a smooth finish and should penetrate22 ,32mm deep whethers those to be fixed to steel have a knurled finish ortwisting appearance, so as to hold firmer. they should also protrude 5mm out the back of the steel. the min thickness to fire into is 4mm ror steel. there is also a threaded stud there is also a threaded stud that is similiar to a dyna bolt. or there is the option of adding on special fittings eg conduit clip. for ept that are loaded through the barrell a cap is placed on the tip of the drive pin to guide it straight down the barrell. there are different colours that code strenghts of chargers in this order brown green yellow red purple white black. or to remember; beer gets you really pissed with bourban. if however the change is only slight ,most modern epts have a power control so change of colour may not be neccessary. just turn the dial. charges can be in single rotary tube or strip but should always be stored in a locked container. safety is also important here are some requirements. will not fire without force direct epts have a guard, must not fire if tilted over 6 degrees, safety signs should be erected, eye and ear protection worn and every 12 months service the tools. there is also safety rules these include never point at someone dont load until ready to fire never use on brittle substances dont fire within 75mm to concrete edge or 15 mm to steel edge never fire in air or near flammable materials. make sure 6m clearance warn other people do not leave unattended and if fails to discharge wait 10 seconds before removing.

bearers= 6.3/1.75= 4+1=5 @(7.85+4.4=12.25)
10@5.4x100x75
5@1.8x1oox75

3.15/1.75=
2@ 4.5m


stump= 12.25/1.3+ 1 = 11x5=55
4.4/1.3+1=5x2=10
55+10=65 stumps

joists= 7.85/0.45= 18 4.4/.45=10+1=11
18+11+2
18 joists@6.3x100x50
12@5.4x100x50
12@4.2x100x50
(6.3+3.15=9.45)

s0le plate= 65/3=22
22@0.9x150x50

sheeting= 12.25/3.6= 3.4 6.3/1.2=5.25
19 sheets

4.4/3.6=1.25 3.15/1.2=2.625

3 sheets total
21 sheets total

order list=sheets 21 @3.6x1.2x0.0019
bearers 10 @5.4x100x75
5@1.8x100x75
2@4.5x1oox75
joists 19@6.3x100x50
12@5.4x100x50
12@4.2x100x50
stumps 65@0.9x100x100
sole plates 22@0.9x150x50

osh

today we had a test on all we went through in the previous 2 weeks of the course. then we started book 1 on occupational health and safety or osh. we learn t that on site it is every bodies responsibility to make sure there are no hazards on site. and for the employees to take responsible care of themselves and others. and for the employers to provide numerous specifics including safety gear toilets and fresh water. as well as that the regulation places the onus on the employer. if they do not provide this there is a a body that governs them called worksafe who can inspect hazards and get the employer to variety these or even shut the site down.
we learnt that the way of distinguishing hazards is by using sam, that is spot the hazard access the risk make the change. for example a hazard is wire fraying in a skill saw. the risk is great as shock of electricity could kill you or a co worker. so the change to make is unplug it and cut the lead up then give to an electrician to fix together.
if you are unable to directly fix a problem you may have to take measures to reduce the exposure by wearing ppe or introducing dust extractors for example. o r by implementing simple things like bending the back when lifting. or asking someone to help you lift.
as the building trades are the highest at risk it is very important to treat your safety and the safety of others in high regard if you think and use common sense you will go a long way to insuring a safer and happier worksite.

over the past few days we've been stuck in the classroom doing theory. some of the worksheets we have been through include carpentry materials which was the last of our ttt studies as well as setting out buildings and the last worksheet we started this morning was subterranean flooring. these last two worksheets are the start of our job specific studies. we will have a test on them tomorrow.
as for practical work we have finished off learning how to use maintain and safely handle power tools. the last three we did were electric belt sander router and a jigsaw. as all have been used extensively on site this was no problem. something that was reasonable new to me on the practical side was setting out for a residential building. this included marking out the set back followed by erecting profiles which has been dumpy to correct height of the joists. followed by marking the front measurement using th side boundary then working out the back wall by measuring of front. then using 3 4 5 check for square then do the diagonals. if wrong divide the difference in half then move it over that distance. and keep moving till correct remembering to double check all lengths are correct.