TRIFORCE at a glance
TRIFORCE® is an open web joist built entirely of wood and made for faster, easier MEP installation. Its 100% robotic construction ensures precision and reliability. TRIFORCE® is adjustable on site and complies with 2018/2015 IRC R302.13 fire-rating.
Features
In addition to its finger-jointed webbed construction, the open joist TRIFORCE® has a 31 5/8” OSB panel at one end, which is trimmable up to 24’’. This means a precise fit onsite, no joist replacements, and no waiting for engineer approval.
The design of TRIFORCE® open joist allows professionals to quickly install plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems during or after construction — a great way to keep labor costs down!
TRIFORCE® open joist is mass produced, which helps us to keep a significant inventory so that order turnaround times can be measured in days instead of weeks or months.
Barrette Structural Distribution has installed state-of-the-art robotic manufacturing equipment to produce TRIFORCE® open joist, which leads to an extremely precise product. TRIFORCE® open joists are individually tested. Moreover, a third-party inspection body regularly tests TRIFORCE® open joists, ensuring that the manufacturing process consistently delivers quality joists to the construction market.
Adding strongbacks at midspan increases floor system performance by distributing loads to adjacent joists. The resulting rigidity effectively dampens vibration. Strongback installation is quick and easy.
TRIFORCE® open joists avoid the use of metal plates and employ stronger finger-joint connections and structural adhesives. Having no metal plates means that joists are lighter and avoid squeaking, framer injuries and damage to mechanical and wiring systems.
The TRIFORCE® open joist manfacturing facility was built according to standards of Canada’s forward-thinking Environmentally Conscious Manufacturing Model. The product’s design and assembly processes reduce the use of wood fiber and avoid energy expenses involved in steel plate production.
TRIFORCE® open joist has been certified for equivalent fire performance to 2X10 nominal dimension lumber, qualifying as an exception to 2018 / 2015 IRC fire performance requirements for an unfinished basement ceiling (Section R302.13 – Exception 4). See Detail A.
Moreover, TRIFORCE® open joists are rigorously tested by INTERTEK, an independent third-party offering Total Quality Assurance to industries worldwide (SpecID 35685). With certified durations of 45, 60, 90 and 120 minutes, assemblies have been engineered and are available through our fire-resistant solutions brochure.
TRIFORCE®’s strength comes from the combination of technology used for the finger-joint and the triangular design. The result is exceptional strength and stiffness. Moreover, an all-wood joist, with no metal plates, is naturally an ecological choice of construction material.
No metal plates to cover the openings means maximized through-web clearance and no concern about wires or ductwork getting hung up on plates. Finally, the joist is lighter in weight and safer for framers.
In order to transfer concentrated side loads, TRIFORCE® open joists can be
easily connected to each other!
Fire Performance
for Residential Buildings with Unfinished Ceilings
In accordance with Exception 4 of Section R302.13 of the 2018/2015 International Residential Code® , TRIFORCE®’s fire-resistance is equivalent to or greater than that of 2-inch by 10-inch nominal dimension lumber.
TRIFORCE® testing was conducted by an independent laboratory and Evaluated by Uniform ES, a respected evaluation service accredited by both the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and Standards Council of Canada (SCC).
Now builders can again enjoy the benefits of a high quality engineered floor system without costs additions like drywall ceilings or sprinkler systems. Open joist TRIFORCE® is constructed of 100% uncoated natural solid-sawn wood. It also uses fire resistant resorcinol adhesive that is NES and CCMC approved. So, builders don’t have to worry about altering the protection when manipulating the joist.
Have a look at TRIFORCE® fire performance for Multifamily Buildings
Joist sizes
The TRIFORCE® open joist is readily available from your local dealers, in different depths and lenghts to fit your needs. Lengths are offered in two foot increments due to their 24″ trimmability. No more delays waiting for custom orders!
| Depth | Series | Weight (lbs/ft) | Stock Lengths (feet) |
| 11 7/8 in | OJ314 | 2.8 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 |
| OJ315 | 2.8 | 18 | |
| OJ415 | 3.35 | 20 | |
| OJ418 | 3.35 | 18(S)*, 20(S)*, 22 |
| Depth | Series | Weight (lbs/ft) | Stock Lengths (feet) |
| 14 in | OJ314 | 2.85 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 |
| OJ315 | 2.85 | 18, 20 | |
| OJ415 | 3.45 | 22 | |
| OJ418 | 3.45 | 20(S)*, 24, 26 |
| Depth | Series | Weight (lbs/ft) | Stock Lengths (feet) |
| 16 in | OJ314 | 2.95 | 8, 10, 12, 14, 16 |
| OJ315 | 2.95 | 18, 20 | |
| OJ418 | 3.55 | 20(S)*, 22, 24, 26 | |
| OJ420 | 3.55 | 28, 30 |
(S)* = Limited Inventory. Please contact your TRIFORCE reprensentative to determine quantities.