When Should you Contact a Structural Engineer?

When it comes to putting together the proper materials for any sort of truss system, there is an exceptional amount of planning and execution that goes into the whole process.  With this in mind, how do you know when it’s the right time to call your structural engineer and let him know that you are planning a new event?

As a professional truss manufacturing company, James Thomas Engineering would suggest giving at least six weeks’ notice before any event. This allows your engineer and his team to get the necessary amount of time on their side so that each piece of the puzzle can come together seamlessly for you at the end of the day. Additionally, if it just so happens that all of the pieces don’t come together in just the right way, there will be enough time to work out the kinks before show time.

What’s even more, you’ll notice that if you wait until the last minute, you will be paying at least double of what you would normally be asked to pay for the same structure. This should come as no surprise, as you’ll find this to be the case with any product that you would order and expect to have in hand soon after.

Giving your structural engineer that extra bit of time will not only save you the extra money, but it’s also going to save you the additional headache as you work towards pulling the rest of the event together.

(Post by Tray Allen of James Thomas Engineering)

Do You Need a Stamped Structural Report, Regardless of Which State you take a Structure to?

When you do business throughout various regions of the country, you’ll find that each individual state has its own specifications when it comes to the stamping requirements of an engineer. However, it seems that when it comes to structural reports, the overall consensus is that there is very little wiggle room.

For those who are unfamiliar, these structural reports that we refer to consist of the plans and drawings for any of the structures or projects that are being constructed by an engineering firm. By stamping the final report, you are stating that you are the professional in charge, have reviewed the plans and thereby claim responsibility for it.

When constructing large commercial structures that are intended for an area that is accessible to the general public, it’s extremely important to ensure that a licensed professional engineer has reviewed the plans and made any of the necessary adjustments. This is why, regardless of which state the structure may be taken to, the structural report should be stamped.

At a truss manufacturing company like James Thomas Engineering, it’s extremely important that all products are constructed with the safety of the public in mind. Most of our truss systems are used for concerts, grand productions and arena events – obviously locations that see a large turn-out. So regardless of whether we are making plans for a venue here in Tennessee, or for one in the state of California, you’ll always find that our structural reports are stamped by a license professional engineer.

(Post by Tray Allen of James Thomas Engineering)

When Do You Know That a Structural Engineer is Needed?

When you’re putting an event together, you have so many different things on your mind that constructing to a set code of standards may be the last thing you think of. Often times, outdoor events in particular require a report to prove that the standards have been met and that each structure is safe for the general public. But who do you call for something like this?

When it comes to determining the quality of a structure, a structural engineer is the right person to contact. In situations such as this, the engineer serves an authority having jurisdiction (AHJ).  For those who are unfamiliar, an AHJ is an official who possesses authority in their field and thorough knowledge of standard materials and work practices used in the structural design and construction process.

The AHJ is held responsible for interpreting different codes, regulations and standards to the event coordinators, as well as approving the equipment and materials. If a structure does not measure up to the proper standards, it is imperative for the AHJ to point out the problem and insist on alterations.

For a structural engineer to be deemed as an authority having jurisdiction, it means that they are viewed as an expert in their field. If you have an upcoming outdoor event, be sure to contact an experienced structural engineer and protect yourself and your guests from any unforeseen mishaps.

(Post by Tray Allen of James Thomas Engineering)

What is a Wind Action Plan?

Having built quite a few structures for outdoor events, the professionals at James Thomas Engineering know how important good weather conditions can be for the success of an event. However, it is imperative that, when dealing with structures of this magnitude, you have certain procedures in place, in the off-chance that a storm comes barreling in. That’s what a wind action plan is for.

A wind action plan is a set strategy for how to handle certain wind-speed actions during an event. An example of this could be that an engineer has determined that all fabrics must begin to be taken down from the temporary structure once wind-speed has hit 30 miles per hour.

Before the event begins, the wind action plan should be discussed with all members involved. This way, it can be established just how long each procedure will take and a timeline can be drawn up. Then in the event that a severe storm does begin to make its way towards your venue, each component of the wind action plan can be completed in a timely manner, well before the storm actually hits.

Plans such as this help to ensure, not only that your event goes off without a hitch, but also that your guests are safe from the bending, twisting or collapsing of any loose structures. Be sure that your engineer has a wind action plan set in place before beginning any event and rest easy knowing that if the weather does take a turn of the worse, you’ll know what to do!

(Post by: Tray Allen of James Thomas Engineering)

What is a Structural Engineer?

Simply put, a structural engineer is an individual who sets out to design public works that can withstand any of the forces that they may be exposed to.  Such structures could include, but are not limited to, bridges, buildings, stadiums or theatres. When it comes to the construction of any of the aforementioned, it is the responsibility of the structural engineer to ensure that each is designed with the safety of the public in mind.

During the initial designing stages, the structural engineer begins by determining the structural integrity of the project.  It is absolutely imperative to make certain that external influences, such as weather changes and human force will not compromise the stability of the structure. The engineer will use theoretical concepts and advanced technologies to do so, drawing out the final set of plans once that has been completed.

As with any project, a team of trained individuals from various professional backgrounds will then work together to bring the structure to life. A structural engineer in particular will work alongside others of his field, (mechanical, electrical and/or civil engineers) as well as contractors and architects, also hired by for the job. At this point, it is expected of the structural engineer to serve as a site inspector, supervising the execution of the blueprints and implementation of their own designs.

If you are in search of a structural engineer for your next project, call James Thomas Engineering today and we would be glad to help you find one that deals with our structures.

(Post by: Tray Allen of James Thomas Engineering)

E1.22 – An ANSI Standard

These days, if you ask someone what a fire curtain is, they probably wouldn’t be able to give you an answer. Past results have shown that most of these curtains do not work, causing many people to disregard the fact that they actually exist. That is until a new set of standards from the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) was adopted in April 2009, known as E1.22, or the Standard for Entertainment Technology Fire Safety Curtain Systems.

Fire curtains are most often found in theatres and provide a fire-rated barrier between the stage and audience that is to be dropped in the event of a fire on the stage. Its purpose is to confine the fire to one side of the wall and protect audience members from the flames. However, because the International Building Code (IBC) was often vague on fire safety systems for stages in previous years, these fire curtains did not work properly. 

Once the stage rigging industry took on the E1.22 standard set by ANSI, it became mandatory for theatre runners to have their fire curtains inspected by a qualified professional each year. So who falls into this “qualified” category? A professional from a well-regarded rigging company will usually suffice – like James Thomas Engineering.

 James ThomasEngineering is a leading choice for lighting, and truss rigging accessories and truss rentals. All of our rigging equipment and hoisting accessories are proven to meet the standards demanded of the entertainment industry, making us experts in the field. Give us a call to see how our professionals can help you today!