Understanding the Truss Submittal Workflow

Per ANSI/TPI 1-2014, Chapter 2, Section 2.3 — from construction documents to field installation.

Roof trusses involve three distinct parties, and confusion about who does what — especially the difference between the Engineer of Record and the truss manufacturer’s designer — is one of the most common sources of trouble on residential jobs. The truss manufacturer is not your building engineer. Here is the actual workflow, step by step, with the code citations.

Step 1 — Engineer of Record: Issue Construction Documents

Prepare and seal structural construction documents showing all truss locations, profiles, orientations, and load criteria — including framing plans, specifications, details, and structural notes. Any deferred submittals (including trusses) must be listed per §2.3.2.1–2.3.2.4.

Deliverable: Signed & sealed construction documents (ANSI/TPI §2.3.2)

Step 2 — General Contractor: Transmit Documents to Truss Manufacturer

Provide the truss manufacturer with all construction documents pertinent to the building structural system — framing plans, specs, details, structural notes — along with the name of the Engineer of Record per §2.3.4.1.

Deliverable: Formal transmittal to truss manufacturer (ANSI/TPI §2.3.4.1)

Step 3 — Manufacturer + Truss Designer: Prepare the Truss Submittal Package

The manufacturer communicates all design criteria to the Truss Designer (§2.3.6.1–6.2), who then prepares individual Truss Design Drawings, a Truss Placement Diagram, and Lateral Restraint/Diagonal Bracing details. Drawings are sealed and signed by the Truss Designer per §2.3.5.3. These documents together form the Truss Submittal Package.

Deliverable: Sealed Truss Submittal Package (ANSI/TPI §2.3.5–2.3.6)

Step 4 — General Contractor: Review Package & Forward to Engineer of Record

The GC reviews and approves the Truss Submittal Package for general project coordination, then formally forwards the package to the EOR for engineering review per §2.3.4.2.

Deliverable: GC-reviewed package transmitted to EOR (ANSI/TPI §2.3.4.2–2.3.4.3)

Step 5 — Engineer of Record: Review Submittal for Conformance with Structural Design

The EOR reviews the Truss Submittal Package for compatibility with the building design and notates the submittal indicating whether it is in general conformance with the structural design per §2.3.2.3, then returns the stamped, notated package to the GC.

⚑ Construction Hold Point — §2.3.4.3: The GC shall not proceed with truss installation until the EOR’s review is complete and returned.

Deliverable: EOR-reviewed & notated submittal package (ANSI/TPI §2.3.2.3)

Step 6 — General Contractor: Pre-Installation Check, Install & Post-Installation Verify

Before erection, inspect all delivered trusses for dislodged connectors, cracked or broken members, or any damage per §2.3.4.6. Install per the approved construction documents and Truss Submittal Package — including all temporary and permanent restraint/bracing. Perform a post-installation check for the same damage criteria per §2.3.4.7.

Deliverable: Installed, braced & field-verified truss system (ANSI/TPI §2.3.4.5–2.3.4.7)

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The takeaway: the truss designer engineers the trusses. The Engineer of Record engineers the building — including the loads the trusses must carry, the walls and beams that support them, and the review that confirms the package fits the structure. Skip the EOR and you have sealed trusses sitting on an unverified building.

Building with trusses and want an engineer who knows this workflow cold? Submit your plans or get in touch.