Commercial
Calamities
by William Lotz
Commercial calamities can happen
to anyone. Here are a few I've run
into.
Sugar-Cane Deck
The New Hampshire school was
built in 1965 with a Tectum or Insul-
Rock type structural deck on bar
joists. The BUR (built-up roof) was
applied directly to the deck. The deck
is made from compressed bagasse
(sugar-cane stalks) mixed with a
cement-type binder. The deck is approximately
2½ inches thick and in
addition to its structural properties,
has accoustical properties and an
R-value of about 4.5. This product is
made by at least two manufacturers
and has been especially popular for use
in schools and motels.
This type of deck is frequently left
exposed on the interior as it makes a
nice looking