Steeldeck set

[J Pearce]

Right ladies and gents,

For our upcoming production of Rent we're looking to build a large balcony wrapped around the stage in a C shape, housing the band, the attic and an U/S walkway. Much of it will be clad in vacuuform brick to create wings (our space is a studio space).

 

I'd prefer to do this with deck rather than scaffold as it will be easier to build and I think should look smarter in the end.

We'd like the deck to be at least 7' off the deck to allow good clearance underneath it for moving set and for sightlines under the U/S walkway.

 

If I go to 8' high on standard scaff legs how much bracing do I need to add? I'd like bracing on only the U/S side of the deck to allow sightlines under the walkway and a clear walking path under it too. I've worked on sets from Scenic projects which were of a similar height with fairly minimal bracing, but I can't remember the details too well.

 

I have a good working relationship with a local supplier who has plentiful supplies of Litedeck but my research shows litedeck needs more bracing than steeldeck.

 

Lastly, who is a good supplier for Steeldeck and theatrical accessories like subtle handrails and staircases?

[madorangepanda]

Are you able to fix into the floor? If so putting bases on the legs and fixing into the floor will simplify your bracing requirements.

 

I know of a few deck hire companies that can make drawings and calculate the bracing requirements for you.

[the kid]

#1 you have PM

 

#2 I have had various issues (I think discussed on here) with our resident "expert" on the height of deck and other thing he fussed over.

 

But on investigation metrodeck is happy at 2m(what we use MAX). Depending how it is built we brace the back and outer sides leaving a 1m gap at the back for entrance.

 

I found calling Maltbury to be the best way to get any info and they may even had a local freelancer who can talk and come in etc.

[J Pearce]

I had planned on giving Maltbury a call at somepoint.

Alas we can't screw into the floor as its concrete with underfloor heating running through it.

 

We could attach ajacent legs together at the base which should tighten the structure up a lot, and we can do whatever we want with the rear (which would be the long side). The sides and front would ideally be left clear. The fact that it would be multiple decks bolted together should also provide significant bracing.

[Peter Tovey]

We could attach ajacent legs together at the base which should tighten the structure up a lot, and we can do whatever we want with the rear (which would be the long side). The sides and front would ideally be left clear. The fact that it would be multiple decks bolted together should also provide significant bracing.

 

At that height you will certainly need some bracing in all 3 planes, which means you'll definitely require some diagonalisation going front/back (e.g. on the 2 sides and perhaps also intermediate positions). If you can't bolt the legs to the floor you need to tie the base of the legs together at low level, either with scaffold or perhaps by building the whole structure on 18mm ply and using kee clamps to secure the legs to that.

 

You could investigate tension bracing on the sides if scaff is too obvious - but then you require both diagonals and the bases of the legs really really have to be firmly fixed.

[J Pearce]

A ply base is a possibility, or a second deck upside down which is then boarded over.

 

Would scaffolding it be easier?

[paulears]

The same issues apply to scaff - whatever bracing needs doing for decking needs to be repeated in a scaff only structure - PLUS extra to cope with the planking. The rigidity of proper decking adds to the structure strength. Scenic Projects have incorporated decking into their larger sets for a while now, and rigidity from what I've seen is pretty good.

[Roderick]

or a second deck upside down which is then boarded over.

That would have been my suggestion. This will give you a good solid base for the structure, also spreading the point load of the legs.

And, as many have already suggested, get an engineer to work out the bracing. Make sure you clearly explain what clearances you need for the show and I am sure they'll work out something smart. And stable!

[kerry davies]

Check out the method statement for Steeldeck at: http://www.steeldeck.com/assets/dl/steelde...afetymanual.pdf

Litestructures demand framework plus diagonals above 950mm http://www.litestructures.co.uk/litedeck_a...slegsystems.htm

and Alistage have struts from 600mm to 1200 mm and then braced frameworks, http://www.alistage.co.uk/alistage_stage_s...struction.shtml

General IStructE guidance is 900mm max for aluminium and 1200mm max for steel legs before bracing is required.

http://shop.istructe.org/temporary-demount...structures.html

 

I am unsurprised that "resident expert" is fussy about two metre high, light duty staging with less than full bracing, it is almost certainly uninsurable as being counter to the associated method statement. He doesn't happen to also be "responsible person" does he, Kid?

 

As Roderick says, the inverted decks to secure/brace the feet are a good idea but will not suffice alone. I also would strongly advise getting some engineering advice.

You could clad off and diagonally brace every other bay using the inverted decks as lateral bracing. Sort of box-bridge-box-bridge arrangement but this all feels a bit "sticking plaster" and a redesign might be optimal.

[the kid]

Actually it was less with bracing more the fact we were using scaff for legs and did we have a scafholder who would ticket it.

 

We had everything in place to have it safe and all the papers.

[Andrew C]

Can you tie the upstage stage to the wall? Would make the whole thing much more stable without intrusive bracing.

[J Pearce]

The upstage wall has several pillars on it and would mean moving the set upstage and derigging a permanently hung cyc and trash all my lighting positions...

 

I think we'll surrender a walkway underneath and fully brace all but two decks of the upstage walkway, just giving two upstage bridges/tunnels (these could still be braced on the short side). The braced boxes would then be clad in vacuuform brick, and provide useful props storage holes.

 

The two squares would ideally be clad fully on all the outside edges, apart from two short sides to create entrances, leaving the underside clear as wing space.

 

I'll still be getting someone in to design it and assist with the build, as whilst I can lift steeldeck to 8ft, I can't do it alone and can't ask kids to be lifting a weight that heavy that high.

I'll be giving Maltbury a call and also Point Source Productions who have some photos of a very similar set on their site. Anyone else worth calling?