decking height

[talegatejames]

How high can you put decking before it needs bracing/ railings.

 

I want to put deck up to about 8 foot. It will e flat against a wall on one side. Does it need railings and bracing?

 

James

[maxjones2000]

I would say that it definitely needs hand rails at that height, as someone could fall and seriously injure themselves http://www.blue-room.org.uk/public/style_emoticons/default/smile.gif

[Ynot]

I want to put deck up to about 8 foot. It will e flat against a wall on one side. Does it need railings and bracing?

You will DEFINITELY need to brace the legs properly.

 

The easy answer to rails is again, definitely, BUT that can depend on what you'll be using the deck for and how it works into the set and the show needs.

IF there is an artistic need for there not to be rails in view, and IF you can compile a satisfactory risk assessment (taking into consideration the number of bodies up there, plus what they're doing and how trustworthy they will be to follow the instructions) that shows the risk is acceptable, then MAYBE you can manage the option of not using a rail - that goes pretty much for any height, but of course as the height grows, so do the associated risk levels.

 

But if it's just a general 8 x 4 platform being used by 20 fidgety kids as a choir or some such, then a rail is a MUST.

[brainwave-generator]

Whether you need bracing or not can be found out by asking the manufacturer or reading the manual. Steeldeck and Litedeck both recommend that their products are braced once you go above 4 feet. But I am sure that a Layher frame with event deck can be built much higher without the need for bracing. So the bracing required generally comes down to what kit you are using, and how much weight you will have at the top.

 

As for handrails, depends what you're putting on it. If you're using it as a riser for some speakers then no, handrails aren't needed. But if it's for use as a platform for people, then yes they most likely will be. You may also need to consider other edge protection measures such as a toe board. Ultimately the need for edge protection should come down to your risk assessment which should be completed by a competent person. You can use the risk assessment to help you decide what levels of safety precautions are required in the build.

[brainwave-generator]

Just to confirm in addition - when I say "a Layher frame with event deck can be built much higher without the need for bracing" that does however assume that it includes one or two sets of intermediate ledgers / transoms, not legs straight to the floor. But no 'braces' as such - which are the diagonals.

 

A common method used to brace steeldeck / litedeck without the need for scaffold braces is to put another deck upside down on the floor, and put the legs of your upright deck into the holes on the bottom (now the top) of the inverted deck. It holds the legs in place. This isn't manufacturer sponsored as such, and according to the manufacturer you should use conventional scaffold bracing. In the event of an accident you would be expected to prove that you worked to the manufacturer's instructions, not to other common practices.

[indyld]

A common method used to brace steeldeck / litedeck without the need for scaffold braces is to put another deck upside down on the floor, and put the legs of your upright deck into the holes on the bottom (now the top) of the inverted deck. It holds the legs in place. This isn't manufacturer sponsored as such, and according to the manufacturer you should use conventional scaffold bracing. In the event of an accident you would be expected to prove that you worked to the manufacturer's instructions, not to other common practices.

 

To clarify for anyone that wanders across this thread. The method described is not a substitute for decent triangulation as it only actually holds the floating leg ends in place (similar to, but not the same as base level ledgers etc.) and adds a relatively small amount of actual bracing. This all assumes that the floor is flat and the deck is flat and doesn't introduce additional rocking on a ridge or something.

 

I can well believe that the technique isn't manufacturer sponsored as they have their own advice on adequate triangulation.

 

Regarding the bracing of the legs, scaffolders often refer the to sway / facade and ledger bracing but basically we are talking about diagonals. I don't see how an 8ft platform based on traditional stage deck and legs is vastly different to a single bay, single lift of pipe and fitting (with the exception of the pipe socket and deck trussing) and all the "usual" tubes that that involves, minus the deck part. I don't have any information to hand relevant to the issue of plan bracing, but with larger systems this can also be a consideration.

 

The issue of safe erection in this case is the method of getting the structure up, complete with reasonable heavy bit of deck at 8ft. Plan for a proper system for doing this, possibly by building hop up decks or similar.

[tom w]

Your best bet (always) is to discuss this directly with the supplier of the deck you are using. At 8 foot high you would need diagonals on all 4 faces. Handrail is essential unless this is a performance platform - in which case a white line is needed. If this is platform for tech then you should have toeboards in place also - a small lid accidentally kicked off the edge could cause someone serious injury - even from 8 ft