How Does Type B Metal Deck Hold Up in Florida Hurricanes?
Type B deck holds up in hurricanes when the gauge, span and fastening match the design uplift. Our catalog lists ASD upward loads for every gauge and span, and failures usually start at connections rather than in the deck panel. Repeated gusts load fasteners again and again, so fastener type, edge distance and pattern matter most. We supply Type B in 22 to 16 gauge with Tek screws.
Uplift: where capacity comes from
Uplift capacity rises with gauge and falls with span. At 8'-0", for example, the catalog's single-span upward loads go from 54 psf at 22 gauge to 123 psf at 16 gauge. Edges and corners see the highest pressures, so drawings often use denser fastener patterns there.
Fatigue and repeated gusts
A hurricane loads the roof in cycles, not once. Steel deck panels are rarely the weak link under that cycling; the concern is the connections, where fasteners can loosen or tear through thin material if under-designed. The catalog does not publish fatigue data, so the engineer relies on the code's wind design and fastener standards.
- Use the fastener type and pattern on the drawings without substitutions.
- Keep sidelap fasteners at the specified spacing.
- Inspect roof edges after a storm for lifted sheets or loose fasteners.
Build it for the storm
Send your deck schedule by roof zone and we will quote the gauges and fasteners it calls for.
1.5" Type B ASD uniform upward load at 8'-0" span, psf (catalog)
| Gauge | Single | Double | Triple |
|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 54 | 51 | 64 |
| 20 | 69 | 69 | 86 |
| 18 | 97 | 93 | 117 |
| 16 | 123 | 120 | 150 |
Related Questions
What usually fails first on a steel deck roof in a hurricane?
Damage typically starts at the roof edge: flashing, membrane and insulation attachment, then deck fasteners where they were undersized or missing. Properly fastened steel deck rarely fails in the panel itself. That is why wind design puts heavier fastening in edge and corner zones.
Should I check a Type B roof after a hurricane?
Yes. Look for lifted edges, damaged flashing, wet insulation and loose or missing fasteners visible from below. Water that got in can corrode the deck over time. Have damaged areas assessed by an engineer before repair, and replace damaged sheets with matching gauge and profile, which we can supply cut to length.