Prescriptive vs. Engineered

PRESCRIPTIVE APPROACH( also called "conventional light frame construction") :
The building codes provide details and specifications to build without involving a professionally licensed engineeror architect, if within certain dimensional and building shape limits, for conventional light wood frame construction. Wall framing, nailing, sheathing, foundation details, lumber spans and many other elements of construction are "prescribed" by the codes, so engineering calculations are not required (except for the truss package, which is automatically engineered as part of their manufacture). Most of our plans meet the prescriptive requirements of the Uniform and International Building Codes.

Roof construction with roof trusses, however, is not a prescriptive method and many of our plans utilize trusses, due to economy and efficiency. The truss package is fabricated according to your state's laws and is engineered as part of their manufacture. As this is an industry wide accepted practice, it is not necessary to to have the plans for the garage stamped by an engineer - just the truss roof system, which is treated as a distinct, pre-engineered component of the whole building structure. And that is all handled by the truss manufacturer. Trusses are typically ordered by your building materials supplier as part of your package of materials.

ENGINEERED APPROACH:
We have a few plans in our collection which exceed dimension and shape limits for the prescriptive approach and they have been engineered by our consulting engineer. The engineering calculations are required to demonstrate structural soundness of the building design for roof structure, floor beams, and/or wind load & seismic (earthquake) lateral calculations. Our consulting engineers are registered in certain states. Because engineering licensing is state-by-state the engineer's calculations are provided for reference only and are not stamped and signed. These plans may or may not require review and wet stamp by a professional engineer

or architect licensed in your state. You can call your local building department or inspector to find out what is required in your jurisdiction. For example, rural or agricultural zones in many states often accept these plans without stamp and signature.