Checkered Plate On Metal Deck in Penthouse Floor

[Eng_Struct]

Hi Group,

The client wants to use a metal deck with checkered plate in a penthouse floor. Note that the metal deck is the primiary structural element supporting the selfweight of the floor and and other live loads - the checkered plate on top will be only 1/4" thick plate with epoxy finish to provide a floor surface - the checkered plate is not intended to span the between main framing members.

My question is regarding attaching the checker plate to metal deck or framing to prevent it from move/sliding on the metal deck. I don't think I can weld the plate to the metal deck (metal deck is only 18 guauge) as the welding will burn the deck. I am thinking of specifying self-drilling screws from checkered palte into metal deck. I wonder if anyone on the group has done this before? Any concerns with using self-drilling screws? Should I be considered specifing screws that will go down the steel framing instead of just connecting to the metal deck?

Looking for cost effective and efficient solution advice.

Regads!

 

[human909]

It is standard practice for me and firms I work for to specify screws to hold down checker plate. Though we pre drill the plate and then drill and tap the streel member below on site. This is far faster than welding, especially if the drill and tap is done with a single drill/tap bit. We used M8 screws.

Regarding self tapping screws. It isn't clear to me they'll attain sufficient grip in the 18 gauge sheet after going through 1/4" plate to provide tension to hold the checker plate down. Self tapping screws from a thick material into a thin material don't behave in the same manner as thin to thick. I'd be predrilling the 1/4" plate.