So I was talking my dog yesterday as went past this construction site. They had a whole head of frames sitting on top of the installed frame. It was a ridiculously windy day and they were lifting from side to side, clearly unfixed. I'm no expert but seeing them visible lift in the wind seemed kinda dangerous.
You can see in one of the pictures that it could have easily fallen onto the house next door with one serious gust.
Am I overreacting? Is this normal (Safe and correct) practice?
I'm calling BS on this one.
Also, do you think that this is the first time they've done this?
"So I was talking my dog yesterday "
I wonder what OPs dog had to say about all this?
As for MS paints question…"Does your dog talk back?"
Yes of course it does.
The dog said "Woof woof"
Typical depth of analysis from Dr Phil here :)
The dog said "Woof woof"
What did the banana say to the dog?
Nothing, bananas can't talk.
You are referring to the prefabricated roof trusses?
They appear to be bound into a few sets, each with a large mass to exposed surface area ratio.
I assume your fears are not based on any calculations. Are you familiar with timber or structures on this scale?
A video clip of the movement may mean more to somebody. The stills look fine to me.
No need to be nasty. Its a good thing that people have some concern for their community. You sound a bit misanthropic.
Lets not make people afraid to speak out when they see a possible danger. Better to be wrong a hundred times than not speak out the one time it is needed.
Just Dr Dill doing Dr Dill things.
Also its none of OPs business really.
Safety is everyone's responsibility!
Im sure these trussses where stored there very temoprarily and securely
Yes. Builders always do everything properly, by the book and completely safe. No cutting corners!
And furthermore it is up to the neighbour to complain if they have an issue.
Not really. If the concern was legitimate, I don't think OP's building commission (the body I assume you would contact…) would care that OP is not directly connected to the works, assuming enough evidence was available.
It’s the old “see something, say something”
Obviously you’re familiar with this, you often see something here, and say something that embarrasses the whole community around you on your behalf.
Usually there’s a site manager contact number stuck
Up
It's been redacted…
If only the contract number wasn't redacted, then the OP could have called the site manager.
If you are overly worried there is usually the site manager's mobile number on the board thing you took a photo of. Send them a text. They can decide if they need to swing past to make sure all is ok.
It looks safe to me though from the photo. They would have been strapped down well.
Careful you don't trip 🙃
Nothing else to Karen today? I am sure there is an old man yelling at a cloud somewhere …
I am sure there is an old man yelling at a cloud somewhere …
He's only yelling at the cloud because his dog won't talk to him.
… clearly unfixed… Am I overreacting?
Yes. Do you know how much it costs to hire a crane. The crane drops in near where it's finally going to be fixed and then leaves. No one is paying for the crane to hang around waiting for the frame guys and then lifting it up one by one.
I’ve just reviewed both images. I can’t see any movement.
Scared the sh@t out of the OP. He saw movement.
if the weight of those truss bundles make the top floor move, then I'd be more worried about the house itself.
Saying that, from the pics it looks like it's braced fine and apart from maybe a few mm or cm of movement of the bundles in the wind I'd say nothing here to worry about.
If the wind is strong enough to lift those bundles off, you and your dog would be halfway to Oz by now.
op called and complained and the lads got to restacking —-> https://www.youtube.com/shorts/zkkpeGMBGDI
Ask an expert if it’s ok
Do the experts here think that the firewall panel between the duplexes looks ok (image 2)?
Not an expert on resi framing but have some experience. Can't clearly see detail from the photo but the central fire resistant board in conjunction with the air gap allows it to act as a firewall. Have a look at Siniat's standard details here on page 5, you'll see the stud framing either side with air gap and board down the centre like the photo.
Looks like a standard MgO board party wall system like FireZone or similar.
Fire resistant board is supported by each SOU stud wall fixed with aluminium brackets.
If it was lifting from side to side, wouldn't you record a video instead of taking still photos?
Your dog can smell the non compliant?
Any wind that is going to lift that bound stack off the roof is going to take the rest of the house, you, your dog and probably the neighbours house with it.
So I was talking my dog yesterday
But you were afraid to call the Site Manager and talk to him/her?
they were lifting from side to side
And you only took 2 still photos? A simple 10 seconds video would prove everything.
I'm no expert
Exactly.
it could have easily fallen onto the house next door
Why didn't you go knock on the door of the house next door and alert the residents in it?
Off topic I know, but just out of interest, does anyone know anything about that boarding that they use between the two units being built? Is it meant to provide a soundproof barrier between the units? I have noticed it used a lot on building sites around my area and have my doubts about just how soundproof it would be. I very much doubt I would risk buying a unit built with this stuff. Mind you, I would not risk buying any new build these days. The quality of workmanship, particularly at the foundations and framing stage that I see on my daily walks just appals me.
The board is to prevent fire spreading from one unit to the next. It won't last forever but it's supposed to slow things down for a bit.
Just keep walking and mind your own business.
I wonder how many of these types of issues OP would find if they could go back in time and view the build process for their (own) house.
Very easy to pick holes in what happens at other building sites where the same or some other similar safety(?) likely happened for their house.
dont listen to online structural engineers telling you whats safe or not, theyve got no idea on the design loads and design requirements. to answer your question, call the foreman but we all know hes going to brush it away. Call safe work australia. What youre doing is actually the right thing. report unsafe practices even if they end up to be safe. u might just save lives.
Thanks for the info folks.
As I said in the initial message, I'm no expert. I'm not an engineer. I'm simply stating what I saw and was curious.
If there was the consensus that it WAS dangerous, it would be nice to know where to report it to.
If knowledgeable people think its safe…cool. Move on.
The wind definitely can cause havoc to frames in extreme circumstances. About 10-15 years ago I saw a frame leaning against the house next to it after a major wind event.
If it looks unsafe, then call the site manager as listed. They may not be aware of the issue amd may be thankful you called preventing an issue.
Otherwise, local council or your state's work safe authority. Only resort to this after calling the listed number on the job site AND if the issue is obviously dangerous to the public, not just potnentially dangerous.
Thankfully they aren't going anywhere, and in news of other construction going nowhere, is there a way to retest the feasibility of a planning permit if the permit is almost 3-4 years old, and all we see is vacant land.
Had they built it in the time they told council they would, their placement of the driveway may not be an issue, but now other site have been approved and built, and traffic has increased significantly, it may only be feasible for that lot to have it's carpark entry on the main road, not the side street.
Cheers.
No way to re-test :\
Valid point and occurs quite often.
Completely safe.
OP relax mate
Thanks OP for posting such an entertaining message….
Is your dog named Toto?
Have you called Crimestoppers?
Easy folks…. Op may have no knowledge of construction or just be a bit nervous walking past a construction site… I think it's fine to question even though from the images everything looks completely safe …. Was there any movement during winds (video) that could be a concern however given our heavy those trusses are i don't think the wind would budge them. As someone who is currently building. I visit my site every 2nd day as the tradies keep leaving the temporary fencing gates untied and the wind blow them open on to the foot path. even though to date we have supplied up to 5 ocky straps…. they are getting better though.
Having built recently and dealing with passerbys - in every instance, age 50+ white men and women - provide their inputs with Trump-like disregard for any facts of the matter, these guys can and should get roasted. They never change anything, add any value, improve any safety outcome, or result in any fine, just waste everybodies time so they can be an ignorant stickybeak with their self-righteous 'concerns'.
FairWorks NSW
That's completely normal and it's fine. It's not going to fall onto the house next door. When a roof is on, it's a lot heavier.
Those walls are designed to take loads. I have been to hundreds of sites and have never seen a frame that's done properly fail from having the trusses loaded on.
They are put there because there is how they are taken up by crane, otherwise the chippies need to take it up one by one, which on that site would be a nightmare.
The double top plates and the temp bracing is on so those walls are able to take the max load they are designed for.
There is a reason they are also further down and not right at the front, there would be several smaller walls underneath like a bathrom or ensuite when those truss weights are spread over 4+ walls at least.
Developer here. Also c4 building and construction.
Best to go ask a tiktok engineer though.
FYI that site is also VERY clean.
They know what they are doing. RELAX
Does your dog talk back?
Yes. Those trusses aren't going anywhere. Someone paid a small fortune to get them craned up there so that's where they will stay.
I'm calling BS on this one.