Michigan Residential Builders License Practice Test

What is the acceptable spacing tolerance for trusses?

1. 1/8 inch

2. 1/4 inch

3. 1/2 inch

4. 1 inch

The correct answer is: 1/4 inch

The acceptable spacing tolerance for trusses is 1/4 inch because this measurement provides a balance between structural integrity and practicality in construction. Trusses are critical components that support roof loads, and maintaining precise spacing is essential for ensuring the trusses function correctly together. A tolerance of 1/4 inch allows for minor variations that might occur during installation, while still ensuring that the structural performance is not compromised. Using a more stringent tolerance, like 1/8 inch, would lead to challenges on-site, where perfect alignment is often difficult to achieve due to various factors, including material imperfections and environmental conditions. On the other hand, tolerances of 1/2 inch or 1 inch would be excessive and could lead to potential structural failures because they would allow gaps that could weaken the connections and load distribution across the trusses. Therefore, a 1/4 inch tolerance is recognized as a standard that maintains both quality and feasibility in construction practices.