Community Theater Green Room Discussion Board: elevated deck

Message

   I just bumped-in my set for our show.  I have an elevated deck that goes the full width of the upstage space (32'long x 8' deep x 2' high).  I had brand new platforms made for the show with the exception of one old 12' platform.  The new platforms are 4'x8' and made from 2'x4' frames with joists 2' apart. The guy who built these did a really nice job.  He had blue snap lines all over the top which told me he tried really hard to get them squared and correct.  The lid was 3/4" plywood.  We put 2'x4' legs on with diagonal bracing from leg to platform.

When we put the platforms together to make the deck, the producer's husband felt the structure might not be sound enough for a bunch of kids to be dancing on.  Admittedly, the seems between platforms have a few gaps, making a questionable trip hazard.

The producer's husband suggested we top the plywood deck with tongue and groove plywood across the entire deck.  

Does the deck seem safe to you guys?  yes, they are a little noisy when you jump around on them but I think with the construction ( to specs) and the bracing, these things are sound.  I would be willing to lay underneath them while 10 kids danced on them!

What about the seams?  If the structure is sound, is there a way to get the gaps between platforms smoothed out?  I suspect it might be the legs that are making the uneven seams.  

Should I go with the tongue and groove plywood across the deck?  Sure sounds like a lot of money to me.

We are a home school group with a cast of 53 kids in the show.

Author	Message
Kim L. Star Joined: 2/03/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 86	Topic: elevated deck Posted: 4/17/11 at 6:52pm
	I just bumped-in my set for our show. I have an elevated deck that goes the full width of the upstage space (32'long x 8' deep x 2' high). I had brand new platforms made for the show with the exception of one old 12' platform. The new platforms are 4'x8' and made from 2'x4' frames with joists 2' apart. The guy who built these did a really nice job. He had blue snap lines all over the top which told me he tried really hard to get them squared and correct. The lid was 3/4" plywood. We put 2'x4' legs on with diagonal bracing from leg to platform. When we put the platforms together to make the deck, the producer's husband felt the structure might not be sound enough for a bunch of kids to be dancing on. Admittedly, the seems between platforms have a few gaps, making a questionable trip hazard. The producer's husband suggested we top the plywood deck with tongue and groove plywood across the entire deck. Does the deck seem safe to you guys? yes, they are a little noisy when you jump around on them but I think with the construction ( to specs) and the bracing, these things are sound. I would be willing to lay underneath them while 10 kids danced on them! What about the seams? If the structure is sound, is there a way to get the gaps between platforms smoothed out? I suspect it might be the legs that are making the uneven seams. Should I go with the tongue and groove plywood across the deck? Sure sounds like a lot of money to me. We are a home school group with a cast of 53 kids in the show.
	Kim

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dboris Celebrity Joined: 2/10/04 Online Status: Offline Posts: 124	Posted: 4/18/11 at 12:45pm
	The construction you describe seems sound to me as long as you have legs in the middle of the 8 foot spans as well as the corners. I don't see a structural problem with the gaps between the platform, but if the if one platform is slightly higher then the other, then you will have a trip hazard in which case you can try shimming the left to get the platforms level. If you really want to cover the gaps I wouldn't bother with plywood. If the gaps aren't to big you could just tape over them with gaffers tape. Another option is to cover the platforms with hardboard/masonite so that they span the gaps.
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didj1028 Star Joined: 1/25/11 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 54	Posted: 4/18/11 at 1:08pm
	if you decide you need to cover it again to reduce gaps I'd use some 1/4" masonite or something similar. cheaper than more plywood and will serve just as well. might have to paint it to take out a little of the slickness factor depending on how you use it. your basic construction sounds like solid work though. as long as you have enough legs you'll be fine. if it feels wiggly add more crossbracing.
	Geoff Ehrendreich Waterloo Community Playhouse Waterloo IA
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didj1028 Star Joined: 1/25/11 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 54	Posted: 4/18/11 at 1:09pm
	you might be able to reduce noise with carpet (screwed down on the edges) if it wouldn't interfere with dance moves. would also cover gaps.
	Geoff Ehrendreich Waterloo Community Playhouse Waterloo IA
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Kim L. Star Joined: 2/03/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 86	Posted: 4/18/11 at 3:28pm
	Can you paint gaffer's tape? My deck is brown.
	Kim
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gelcat Celebrity Joined: 6/12/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 106	Posted: 4/18/11 at 5:01pm
	Gaff takes paint beautifully on floors - just get the edges down really really well - like pressing down with a hard edged something to seal the edges
	www.actorsguildonline.org Actors Guild of Parkersburg Parkersburg, WV
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Kim L. Star Joined: 2/03/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 86	Posted: 4/18/11 at 5:18pm
	ok thanks. I think I will try the gaffa and adding legs before investing in 256 sq. ft. of plywood.
	Kim
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Majicwrench Celebrity Joined: 2/07/07 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 178	Posted: 4/18/11 at 10:09pm
	Tongue and groove for that is serious overkill. If you really decide to lay something over top of it all, didj is right on, just get some cheap masonite or something.
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dwertz Walk-On Joined: 9/28/09 Online Status: Offline Posts: 0	Posted: 5/03/11 at 8:39pm
	Hey Kim L., Did you get your problems taken care of? For future reference, one of the best things to do when placing platforms side by side is to use small clamps while keeping your tops flush, then screwing the frames together. Also, it is also a mistake to mount legs without clamping and screwing. Lumber nowadays is a little inconsistent and if you don't pull the legs tight to the frame with a clamp, they tend to 'walk' on you. I like the carpet idea to quiet things down, but can be expensive as well. Sometimes using corrugated cardboard is just as easy but not real friendly to heels. For extra stability, mount to the floor if possible by toenailing with duplex head nails. I prefer not to use screws as the may break in a hardwood floor and then you need a vice grip to have them removed come strike time. I've been building sets for about 30 years and my #1 rule is safety first. Hope this helps! Edited by dwertz - 5/03/11 at 8:41pm
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Set Design and Construction
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