Purlin plates are beams which support the mid span of rafters and are supported by posts.
													
																	Construction purlin flat roof. 
									
	
		
	
																	A purlin plate in wood construction is also called an arcade plate in european english under purlin and principal purlin. 
																	The common 4 on center design is suitable for snow loads up to 60 for most applications. 
																	Or less x 1 1 cfu the flat use factor for applying the load to the wide face of a member. 
																	The higher the snow load the closer the purlin spacing required. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Also known as sheeting rails purlins create the roofing members of the secondary framing of a steel building. 
																	Metal roof purlins are installed horizontally under metal roofs. 
																	By supporting the rafters they allow longer spans than the rafters alone. 
																	Purlins are 2 by 4 feet and are installed much like metal roofing. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	Purlin plates in wooden construction. 
																	Purlins are an important component in a pre engineered steel structural kit. 
																	8 x section modulus of a 4 2 of 1 3125 x fb fiberstress in bending x 1 15 duration of load x 1 15 cr repetitive member factor as the purlins are spaced 24 o c. 
																	Too high a snow load means the purlins fail regardless of how close together you put them because a 2 4 or 2 6 flat can only span a certain distance between trusses as snow loads increase. 
															
													
									
	
		
	
																	The term plate means a major horizontal supporting timber. 
																	They are installed on top of the roof rafters with a felt underlayment or vapor barrier installed on top. 
																	Roof live load roof dead load x spacing x span of purlin 2. 
																	Metal building roof purlins provide three structural functions.