Program Building

In order to successfully pass an audit the plant must achieve a passing score of 80% by an approved auditor using an approved audit instrument. 

There are 5 elements to the audit including:

QC Manual-Mandatory

The Q.C. manual is mandatory and the audit will not pass if there is not a manual that includes:

1. A production flowchart or description of manufacturing process.
2. The manufacturer's org. chart including a description of the duties and responsibilities assigned to key positions.
3. Quality control procedures including sampling criteria and how processes are monitored to ensure that the product is consistently manufactured within permitted tolerances. 
4. A document retention policy.
5. Provisions for keeping the manual current including revisions.
6. A clear delineation of what constitutes major and minor defects.
7. Corrective measures for minor and major defects. 
8. A list of main production equipment.
9. A list of the manufacturer's specifications and control arrangements for raw materials.
10. Measuring equipment and calibration for Q.C. devices.
11. Methods of disposition of non-conforming product. 

Internal Inspections-40%

The plant must be able to prove that they are conduction a minimum of 3 truss inspections per operational set-up per week. There must be a minimum of 6 months of records to review and the plant must provide an adequate summary of internal inspections. There must be documentation for:

• ​•Who does them and how are they trained
• •The frequency of the inspections
• •What trusses are inspected
• •Instructions on how to do an inspection
• •Tolerances and what is acceptable
• •What happens if a truss does not pass the inspection
• •Information required to do an inspection
• •Forms to be filled out
• •A method to confirm that inspections have been completed
• •What is the process for the paper flow, who reviews the inspections

Design-10%

If the Quality Control Manager is not familiar with producing Truss Design Drawings, they may assign this requirement to the Design Manager, but the Q.C. manager is still responsible to ensure that requirements are met.
The company must ensure that trusses are designed in accordance with the current TPIC guidelines and procedures.
The auditor will:

• Review designs with current TPIC criteria and ensure that all information is correct including building code and software versions. 

Handling and Storage-10%

It is important that both the input and finished products are stored in a way to protect them from the elements and ensure that they are not damaged prior to delivery.
The auditor will observe:

• How lumber and plates are stored.
• How finished trusses are stored and if there is any damage due to moving trusses.
• Any weathered finished materials.
• If trusses are marked correctly and if marks of certification are used correctly.
• Review job-site packages to ensure that they meet local requirements. 

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External Inspected Trusses-40%

The auditor will inspect a sample of trusses off of the production line to ensure that they meet the specified tolerances for:

• Dimensions.
• Lumber grade and species.
• Plate placement tolerance.
• Correct plate size and gauge.
• Effective teeth.
• ​Joint Gaps.

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Program Building Training

In order to build your Quality Control System resources and training may be available though your Regional Truss Association.