tom.walford Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 So here is the thing... I have to build some seating tiers out of 8' x 3' Steel Deck. The problem is that I have to be able to clamp the legs together to stop the blocks moving back and forth (side to side is no problem as the rostra can be bolted together) Standard scaff clamps are no good as the thickness of the clamp is bigger than the gap between the two scaffold tube. Cable ties are my weapon of choice, but I have been told my the theatre owners that they want a scaffold product rather than plastic holding if all together. Who am I to argue? Thanks Tom. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
J Pearce Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Extended 51mm U bolt and a metal spreader plate. The U bolts are 90p each from Flints (plus nuts), they don't list a suitable plate but I'm sure they'd have a solution. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
themadhippy Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Or shelley clamps ,simeler to above,just a different name and bar arrangement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shez Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Ratchet straps are better than cable ties - they can be rated. Not unusual to see them used in this scenario. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Not sure I follow but surely the dreaded "minge clips" would fit? Apparently the PC name is now "oyster couplers". Shelley or aerial mast clamps would do but definitely use ratchet/load straps with ratings rather than cable ties. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomHoward Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 Band and plate coupler will join two poles in parallel with no gap. They're designed to be used at right angles but will join in parallel too. For this application though we use 8x4 decks and just put short legs on the front and rest them on the row in front.. Then only 8x3 at the back row. Deck is easier to find as it's more standard. We bolt them together and don't worry about it walking (it doesn't) Wait a minute - I think I've got this wrong - I though you meant it spread it too much but you might be it fouls the leg of the next deck on the same row?Band and plate couple might still fit especially if you take away the inside little bolt that clamps onto the first leg. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted January 20, 2017 Share Posted January 20, 2017 allow me to be the party-pooper and ask why you're attempting to bodge a grandstand solution, using non-standard parts and not following the manufacturer's recommendations? There are plenty of off-the-shelf grandstand systems available to do what you're trying to do. Steeldeck also do brackets, seats and widgets to properly convert their kit in to seating terraces if you're adamant about using that product. There are a whole host of regulations you have to comply with when creating grandstands that you're probably not aware of and note #1 in your RA for this project will have to be explaining why "asking strangers on the internet how to do a bodged fix instead of proper seating system or properly designed steeldeck adaption system" was the decision made. //gets off grumpy soapbox// Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 The bit you need to take from Tom's post (apart from the "do it properly" sentiment) is that Steeldeck have a clamp they have developed for doing just that quickly and easily. Give them a shout. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 We used to run bracing front to back clamped on to the back of each row, and then at some point I think after 5 rows deep start a second row of bracing. Our build's were designed and built by steeldeck, but maybe the leg product is new? Either way give them a call im sure they can help out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomHoward Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 Our of interested with the builds designed by Steeldeck, did they use 3' decks or deeper and stack the legs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ImagineerTom Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I don't know about historically but their current method is to stack so that everything can be built with standard units and it eliminates the movement problem the OP is trying to overcome. They also fit front-to-back tie beams and have special seats which fix directly to the deck (because you can't have "loose" seating on grandstands) which also provide additional side-to-side locking of the decks. Finally they have handrails and side rails to fit to the deck which are completely different rails to the ones used for regular staging jobs because the regulations are completely different. Obviously I'm a big fan of properly designed grandstand systems but the official steel deck solution is a good half-way house if you're adamant about using deck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the kid Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 I THINK we used standard 8x4 and had a 1ft overlap (it was roughly to the 1st screw not on the corner) I think 15cm/30cm risers, with the 30cm a step in the middle. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomHoward Posted January 21, 2017 Share Posted January 21, 2017 We use Steeldeck for temporay risers but it's because we already have a ready supply of deck and over 300 locking seats. The seats lock together and we screw them down ever 3-4 seats.The problem is our available seats don't fold up like a properly designed system so we have to make the rows deeper to account and it's not space efficient. (We also hire a proper system sometimes, usually when space / compacting maximum number of seats in is important.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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