Metal truss used as a ridge pole?

[cockeyedMFer]

I looked at a block building for sale and it appears at some point the flat roof was replaced with a shallow pitched metal roof over wooden rafters. The roof is probably a 1:12 slope at most.
However they used a metal z-truss as a ridge pole or center support.

What do you think of this? Is it as bad as it looks? Or is that a typical wood roof design, and someone has added the truss for extra support? The building is about 20' wide.

The other thing I didn't like is the support column for the truss isn't fixed to the floor very well. I could imagine someone (probably me, LOL) bumping a car into it and bringing down the whole roof!

 

[BHD]

It was more than likely self engineered, my guess is it is original as the rafters are spliced, the truss may have been the main design factor, they had the trusses and build a building that would work in it,

one could cut a plate to fit around the column and weld and bolt to the floor.

to me it looks old, looks like the roof as leaked some in the past, and it looks dirty, most likely if it has been standing along time there is little to worry about,

if you have hurricane winds or a tornado don't go to this build to shelter, IMO

 

[s219]

I wouldn't have a problem with the truss used as the ridge support, but that whole building looks like a train wreck. I saw a lot of questionable things, more than I have time to list and moan about!

 

[BeezFun]

If it were me, I'd find a civil or structural engineer to give you an opinion. I'm guessing they'd give you a verbal for $100, it would cost a lot more if you want anything in writing.

 

[cockeyedMFer]

I wouldn't have a problem with the truss used as the ridge support, but that whole building looks like a train wreck. I saw a lot of questionable things, more than I have time to list and moan about!

Sad to say that place is close to being a teardown. Its held up ok over the years but I bet once I'd start repairing one issue, the rest would fall apart.