Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

CSSBI

HOW TO SERIES

Contents
Page

What is Steel Deck? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Deck Types . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Preface
This How To Series publication is an
educational tool intended to give guidance to
anyone specifying sheet steel building
products. This particular publication deals
with sheet steel roof and floor deck.

Advantages of Steel Deck . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Sheet Steel Material Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Design and Specification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Fastening Systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Flashing and Reinforcement. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

This guide will go through the various stages

in the selection of steel deck product, describe
the different types of deck products, discuss
structural design issues and material
selection. The purpose is to promote quality
construction and effective design solutions.
This is a generic guide giving the basic details
and should only supplement the specific
recommendations or design guidance
published by the manufacturer appropriate to
their own products. The standard details
presented in the Appendix show only those
products normally supplied by the sheet steel
fabricator. Other suppliers and trades are
responsible for collateral material.
The material presented in this publication has
been prepared for the general information of
the reader. While the material is believed to be
technically correct and in accordance with
recognized good practice at the time of
publication, it should not be used without first
securing competent advice with respect to its
suitability for any specific application.
Neither the Canadian Sheet Steel Building
Institute nor its Members warrant or assume
liability for the suitability of the material for
any general or particular use.

Erection . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Related Information. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Appendix - Detail Drawings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Copyright June 2001

All rights reserved. This publication, nor any part
thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without
the written permission of the publisher.
S15-2001
ISBN 1-895535-19-0

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Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

What is Steel Deck ?

There are a wide variety of steel deck products on the
market today, basically divided into two categories: roof
deck and composite floor deck.
Steel deck is a structural panel element that acts as the
surface of a floor or roof. The deck is roll formed from
structural quality sheet steel and is engineered to span
over joist or purlins. Variations in the thickness, shape
and depth of the deck can be utilized to meet a variety
of loading conditions and spans. The deck can also be
fastened to the supporting structure to enable it act as a
diaphragm and provide lateral bracing for the structure.

Deck Types
Steel deck assemblies are divided into two categories:
roof deck and composite floor deck.
Roof Deck
Steel roof deck is the predominant structural component
used in virtually all flat roofs. The deck is a structural
panel that spans over roof joist or purlins to provide a flat
surface on which to apply the weatherproof roofing.
Steel deck is the substrate for most roofing materials such
as built-up roofing, membrane roofs or insulated sheet
steel roof assemblies. Roof deck has also been used in
more unusual configurations that may be sloped or
curved.
Composite Floor Deck
When steel floor deck was first introduced, it was
primarily used as a permanent, or "stay-in-place" form

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Typical Roof Deck Profiles

for a reinforced concrete poured in place slab. There
were certain advantages in cost and a shorter
construction time for this type of concrete formwork
over traditional removable formwork. There were some
situations, however, where the deck did not have a
concrete cover and was
the sole load carrying
element. The name for
this type of deck is floor
deck, or non-composite
deck. In the 1960s, floor
deck
products
were
developed that incorporated
mechanical means of
interlocking the concrete
and the steel deck. By
interlocking the steel deck
and the concrete slab, the
deck became the positive
moment reinforcement in
the reinforced concrete
slab. In addition, the deck
also acted as the formwork
for the concrete. The
resulting combined section

Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

Typical Composite Floor Slab

has become known as a composite slab and the steel
deck as a composite deck. The plain steel floor deck is
no longer produced in any significant quantity in favour
of the more efficient composite deck.

Advantages of Steel Deck

Versatility: Steel deck products are available from CSSBI
Fabricator member companies in a range of depths (38 to
76 mm, (1-1/2 to 3 in.)) and different rib spacing. Roof
deck can also be supplied as acoustical deck with
perforations in the web elements to attenuate sound.
Steel deck products are available in a variety of thickness
to meet most structural requirements. This extensive
choice of options makes steel deck applicable to a wide
range of projects and structural designs.
High Strength to Weight Ratio: The strength of steel is
used with maximum efficiency in the design and
fabrication of steel deck, resulting in products with a
high strength-to-weight ratio. Consequently, delivery,
erection and structural framing costs can be lower than
other systems.

Proven Durability: Steel deck has a successful service

history of over 60 years, which is indicative of the
products durability.
Economy and Value: Value is determined by combining
initial costs, life-cycle costs, and overall performance.
Steel deck assemblies are the best value in roof and floor
designs. They combine low cost with top performance.

Sheet Steel Material Selection

All steel deck products have one thing in common: they
are fabricated from metallic coated, high quality
controlled, sheet steel. Each component of the steel
sheet (steel core and coatings) is important to the service
life of the finished product. There are a range of steel
properties and coatings available that provide flexibility
in specifying the appropriate material. It is important to
select the coatings to suit the anticipated environmental
conditions.

Aesthetics: Although steel deck is primarily a structural

component, it is visually attractive when left exposed to
the interior of the building. With the properly specified
prefinished coating, steel deck is easy to maintain,
durable and aesthetically pleasing.
All-Weather Construction: Steel deck can be erected in
most weather conditions, eliminating the costly delays
that can occur with other types of roof systems.
Required Fire Resistance Ratings: ULC and UL fire
resistance ratings are available for many standard roof
and floor assemblies incorporating steel deck.
Uniform Quality: Through engineering and continuously
refined production techniques, CSSBI fabricators
produce deck that conforms to explicit industry
standards.

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Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

Table 1 - Sheet Steel Thickness Table
Design Base
Steel Thickness

Base Steel plus Metallic

Coating Thickness

CSA-S136-94 Under-Tolerance
on Metallic Coated Thickness

Minimum Allowable Coated

Thickness

mm

G90
inches

Z275
mm

0.0045

0.115

0.1020

2.595

0.0040

0.105

0.0725

1.845

1.56

0.0030

0.075

0.0585

1.485

0.0495

1.26

0.0025

0.065

0.0470

1.195

0.91

0.0375

0.95

0.0020

0.050

0.0355

0.900

0.76

0.0315

0.80

0.0020

0.050

0.0295

0.750

inches

mm

G90
(0.0015")

Z275
(0.040 mm)

inches

0.105

2.67

0.1065

2.71

0.075

1.91

0.0765

1.95

0.060

1.52

0.0615

0.048

1.22

0.036
0.030

Steel Core: A steel deck is an engineered product and

must be manufactured from sheet steel with certified
structural properties. The data sheets available from the
manufacturer will list the relevant material specifications
and engineering properties.
The thickness of the steel core is selected to
accommodate the structural requirements. When
specifying a product thickness, the decimal thickness
must be used. The use of gauge numbers to specify
thickness is not recommended since there is no
universally accepted relationship between gauge
number and minimum thickness.
All manufacturing is subject to variations, and quality
control procedures are in place that specify the tolerance
limits. For cold formed steel structural members
designed for use in Canada, the CSA S136 Standard for
Cold Formed Steel Members governs. This standard
specifies the maximum allowable under-tolerance based
on the design thickness. Table 1 shows the minimum
allowable thicknesses of Z275 (G90) galvanized sheet
for the common thicknesses available for steel deck.
Minimum thickness for deck with other metallic or paint
coatings must take into account the coating thicknesses.
Table 2 lists the thickness of common alternative
coatings.

Table 2 - Metallic Coating Thicknesses

Coating
Designation
(Metric)

Thickness
(mm)

Coating
Designation
(Imperial)

Thickness
(in)

ZF075

A25

Z001

G01

Z180

0.025

G60

0.0010

Z275

0.040

G90

0.0015

AZM150

0.040

AZ50

0.0015

AZM165

0.045

AZ55

0.0018

AZM180

0.050

AZ60

0.0020

Metallic Coatings: It is important that the potential for

corrosion of the steel be controlled and not allowed to
affect the integrity and strength of the product; therefore,
the steel core must be protected from the environment.
The first line of protection for the steel is supplied by the
metallic coating, one of the most effective methods of
protecting bare steel from corrosion. Both 55%
aluminum-zinc alloy (Galvalume and Galvalume
Plus), zinc (galvanized) and zinc-iron alloy
(galvanneal) coatings provide a tough, non-porous
barrier that does not allow moisture to come in contact
with the steel.
Besides acting as a protective barrier, the zinc in the
coating overlay is able to "sacrifice" itself to protect the
underlying sheet steel if it is exposed, like at a cut edge
or a scratch. Sacrificial protection occurs when two
dissimilar metals are in electrical contact and are
coupled with water and oxygen.
Under most
conditions, a Z275 (G90) zinc coating can typically
protect gaps of bare steel or edges up to 1 mm (1/16

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Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

inch) in width. A more in-depth description of the
cathodic protection process can be found in many
engineering materials handbooks.
The aluminum-zinc alloy coating also provides a similar
sacrificial and barrier type protection of the steel, as
described above. Aluminum-zinc alloy coatings are not
recommended for use in contact with fresh concrete,
such as in composite deck.
Metallic coatings are applied to steel sheet by the hotdip process and are offered in a range of coating weights.
The most common coating specified for roof and
composite deck products is ZF075 (A25) zinc-iron alloy
coating. Heavier coatings may be appropriate depending
on the environmental conditions.
Metallic coatings are susceptible to staining if they
become wet in a nested condition. This is caused when
moisture is trapped between bundled sheets from rain,
snow or condensation. Storage stain will change the
appearance of zinc/iron coatings to a dark grey colour
and after prolonged wet exposure the surface could turn
to a reddish brown colour as moisture reacts with the
surface iron. The surface of zinc coatings will turn to a
white rust appearance. The stain is the result of a surface
reaction and does not impede the protective properties
of the coating. The stain is only cosmetic and superficial
and the metallic coating can be painted if required.
Storage stain can be prevented if the bundles are kept
dry, such as by covering the bundles with a tarp to
protect the panels from the elements. If bundles should
become wet from condensation or rain, separate the
panels to promote drying.
The CSSBI publishes information on recommended
coatings that can be used as a selection guide. Refer to
the CSSBI web site at www.cssbi.ca for an up-to-date list
of publications and order form.

There is a wide selection of paint systems and colours to

suit all applications including commercial, industrial
and more prestigious architectural applications, as well
as aggressive industrial or marine environments. The
fabricator should be consulted for details of the products
and colours available.
Post painting involves painting the deck after erection
and is common in structures where the deck is visible.
The deck and supporting joists can be post-painted all
one colour. It is very important to select the proper paint
systems for this application to ensure a good bond
between the metallic coated deck and the paint.
Sheet steel painted with a primer alone is not
recommended for deck applications without a metallic
coating

Paint Coatings: There are situations where a paint

coating is also added to the sheet steel. For example,
roof deck applications that are exposed to the interior
and are post-painted, or applications in corrosive
industrial environments where extra corrosion
protection is needed. Sheet steel is available prefinished
or it can be post-painted after erection.
Prefinished means the sheet steel has been painted
before it is roll formed into the final shape. Prefinishing
is done in a coil-coating process where paint is applied
in a precise, multi-step process. The resulting baked-on
paint coatings can meet very severe corrosion protection
requirements and aesthetic demands.

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Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

Design and Specification

Design of Steel Roof Deck
The manufacturer and design of steel roof deck is
covered by CSSBI Standard 10M Standard for Steel Roof
Deck. This standard specifies the minimum material
properties, manufacturing tolerances, erection and
structural design. This standard can be called up by
reference in job specifications.
Design of the Composite Deck as a Form
The manufacturer and design of composite steel deck is
covered by CSSBI Standard 12M Standard for Composite
Deck. This standard specifies the minimum material
properties, manufacturing tolerances, erection and
structural design. This standard can be called up by
reference in job specifications.
Testing of Composite Slabs
A composite slab behaves like a reinforced concrete
slab, but the nature of the bond between the steel deck
and the concrete can only be determined by test. Every
manufacturer of a composite deck product will have
carried out a series of tests to develop the design
parameters for their product. Tests must be conducted on
each deck profile, concrete type, concrete thickness and
metallic coating type, covering the available range of
steel thicknesses and shear spans. The test method and
the method of analysing the data is specified in the
CSSBI publication S2 Criteria for the Testing Composite
Slabs.
Design of Composite Slabs
The composite slab test program will provide the
manufacturer with the ultimate strength of the particular
deck profiles. The design of the composite slab as part of
a structure must consider additional limits states such as
shear and deflection. How these varied limits states are
handled is covered in the CSSBI publication S3 Criteria
for the Design of Composite Slabs.

Structural Loads
The structural design of the roof or floor deck is done by
the manufacturer who will publish data sheets for their
profiles. These data sheets will specify the maximum
spans or loads that the deck is designed to carry, as well
as other parameters like web crippling capacity and
deflection limit states.
Wind Uplift
Wind across the roof will cause some areas of uplift, or
suction. Designing for wind uplift is important. There are
a number of test standards in use today, the most
common being UL (Underwriters Laboratories), FM
(Factory Mutual) and ASTM (American Society for
Testing and Materials). If the project requires the roof
assembly to meet one of these standards, check with the
manufacturer for additional information.
Diaphragm Design
One of the benefits of a steel deck is its capacity to act
as a structural diaphragm. If the deck is adequately
attached to the supporting structure and adjacent sheets
are attached together, the combined unit can carry
significant in-plane shear forces. The steel deck shear
diaphragm can be incorporated into the structure to
transfer lateral loads (wind, earthquake) to the vertical
shear walls or braced bays. Utilizing this capacity of the
deck can in many cases eliminate the need, and cost, of
discrete horizontal bracing. Information on the design of
the steel deck diaphragms can be found in CSSBI B13
Design of Steel Deck Diaphragms.
Guide Specifications
Guide specifications are provided in CSSBI 10M and
CSSBI 12M for roof deck and composite deck products.
These specifications can be adopted by reference or
modified as appropriate for a particular job.

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Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

Fastening Systems
The connection of the deck to the structure can be made
using a number of structural fastening systems. The most
common fastening methods are arc spot welding, sheet
metal screws and pneumatic or powder actuated pins.
The design of these connections is governed by the
applicable design standard (i.e. CSA-S136) and is an
important consideration if the deck is required to act as
a shear diaphragm or is expected to resist significant
uplift loads. The CSSBI standards S10 and S12 specify
the following minimum fastening:

Steel roof deck units shall be adequately fastened to

structural supports. The maximum spacing of
fastenings along bearing supports shall be 400 mm
or 2 flute spacings, whichever is the lesser. Arc spot
welds shall have a 20 mm nominal top diameter. At
side lap locations, welds to the structural supports
can be adjusted in shape to fit the available space.
Welders shall be qualified for deck welding by the
Canadian Welding Bureau.
End laps shall be not less than 50 mm and shall be
formed over supports.
Side laps of adjacent units shall be mechanically
fastened, or for thicknesses greater than 0.91 mm
may be welded using 25 mm welds. The fastener
spacing shall not exceed 900 mm for roof deck or
600 mm for composite deck. Closer spacing may be
required for diaphragm action, as determined by
design.
Where steel roof deck is welded in place, the steel
deck surface shall be immediately inspected, and all
topside areas where the metallic coating has been
burned by welding shall be covered by a suitable
primer, applied according to the primer
manufacturer's instructions.

The requirements for other types of fasteners (i.e. pins,

button punching) must be provided by the fastener
manufacturer. Welding should not be used to attach steel

deck that is made from prefinished material, since this

will damage the paint coating around the weld area.
Other types of mechanical fasteners should be used.
Consult the deck manufacturer.

Flashing and Reinforcement

Flashing details around penetrations and along the
perimeter should be clearly shown on the drawings.
Manufacturers have standard methods and accessories
for handling penetrations and transitions that should be
followed. The type and location of flashings and
accessories should also be clearly shown on the
drawings. The drawings in the Appendix illustrate some
typical flashings.
Penetrations may be required by other trades (e.g. the
mechanical contractor) but should be co-ordinated with
the deck erector to ensure that these penetrations do not
compromise the integrity of the deck.
Reinforcement of the deck openings around penetrations
may be necessary to maintain the structural integrity of
the deck. Where reinforcement is required, it should be
clearly shown on the drawings.
For openings up to 150 mm across the flutes, no
reinforcement is necessary provided that not more
than two vertical webs are removed.
For openings over 150 mm to 300 mm across the
flutes, provide not less than a 50 x 50 x 6 mm angle
reinforcement to frame across each side of the
opening in a direction perpendicular to the flutes.
The angles shall be welded to at least two flutes on
each side of the opening. Alternatively, reinforcing

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Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

wire rope and using a choker type sling or multi-lift
beams. All bundles shall be tag lined during the ascent
of the hoisting operation. Bundles shall be placed so as
to avoid overloading the supporting structure.
All steel deck sheets, after being laid and aligned, shall
be properly secured in place prior to leaving the jobsite
at the end of a working day. All steel deck cuttings,
strapping, packaging material, and other debris
pertaining to steel deck shall be removed from the roof
area and lowered to the ground at the completion of
each working day.

shall be provided based on a structural analysis of

the loads involved.
For openings over 300 mm to 450 mm across the
flutes, provide suitable reinforcement based on a
structural analysis of the loads involved.

Any damage or alterations by others to the steel deck,

including that due to construction loads applied at any
time, shall not be the responsibility of the Erector or the
Fabricator.

Erection
All erection work, including field welding, shall be the
responsibility of the Erector. Erectors shall be qualified in
accordance with CSA Standard W47.1 Certification of
Companies for Fusion Welding of Steel Structures.
Welders shall be qualified for deck welding by the
Canadian Welding Bureau.
Steel deck units shall be placed, and adjusted to final
position, on the supporting structure before being
permanently fastened thereto. If structural supports are
not in proper alignment, the problem shall be reported
to the General Contractor in order that the necessary
correction can be made before proceeding with the
work. The width of the bearing supports must be at least
equal to the depth of the deck. Steel deck units shall be
adequately fastened to structural supports.
All steel deck being hoisted to the working level shall be
adequately banded and carefully slung employing steel

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Related Information
The CSSBI has a number of publications on various
topics related to sheet steel building products. For
complete list, contact the CSSBI or visit our web site at
www.cssbi.ca.

Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

Appendix
Detail Drawings
The following sections and details are representative of the basic components of insulated sheet steel roof and floor
deck assemblies. Every CSSBI steel deck Fabricator Member may provide you with details slightly different than those
shown in this document that recognizes their particular products or practice. The function of each detail is to provide
an assembly that is structurally sufficient, and practical. In all cases good building science practices should be
followed. These are representative details and not the only correct way of installing insulated sheet steel deck. For
additional information on details not shown, consult a CSSBI Fabricator Member.
Detail 1: Typical Lap Joint

Detail 2: Change in Direction

Detail 3: Side Condition Beam at Lower Level Than Girder

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Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

Detail 4: Standard Side Conditions

Detail 5: Retaining Angles at Perpendicular and Parallel Conditions

Detail 6: Framing Around Interior Columns

10

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Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

Detail 7: Expansion Joints

Detail 8: Roof Deck Meeting Masonry Wall

Detail 9: Roof Deck at Insulated Sheet Steel Wall

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Steel Roof Deck and Floor Deck

Detail 10: Roof Deck at Eave

Detail 11: Composite Beam Connections

Shear studs

Shear studs

Shear studs

Top flange of beam

should not be painted
where studs are located.

Deck parallel to beam

12

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Deck perpendicular to beam