maximum steel span

[otto man]

I have built a deck on an existing roof and it's too noisy below because the roof is too bouncy. I want to run a span of steel over the roof without touching it and put my deck on the steel span. The steel will span 28' and support only itself and the floorboards with max 4 people. The railings are already sitting on the roof so the steel won't support them. Can I do this with an 8" high 4" wide I-beam of 1/4" flange and 1/8" web? I don't think safety is an issue because there is a fairly strong roof right underneath it. What does a beam like that weigh?

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[hawgeye]

There other factors that you need to consider like snow, wind, seismic and other dead loads. What is going to support the beam?

There are a few beam sizes that come close, but nothing exact. A W8x10. and W8x13 are close. The last number is lbs/ft so you are looking at least 280#.

[PeterD]

How are you going to limit it to four people? Even if the deck is only

2 foot wide, the length of 28 ft will allow many more than 4 people!

Is this me? HUH? The roof underneath is not a factor WRT safety.

[willshak]

on 7/21/2008 3:10 AM otto man said the following:

[willshak]

on 7/21/2008 3:10 AM otto man said the following:

Only one beam? Is the deck going to be balanced on this one beam? Will the walls holding up the roof support a beam of that size?

Hire an architect that can come out and take measurements, calculations, and make recommendations. You may need to have the architect draw up plans and sign off for a building permit.