I'm looking for some input on the proper way to handle the deck connections to the supporting structural steel where the deck endlaps are not staggered. In this condition you will have four layers of deck that need to be welded down to the steel. I found a statement in the 1996 AISI code under Arc Spot Welds that indicates the maximum thickness of the connected material shall be 0.15 inches or less. This limits the deck to 20 gauge maximum. I have since begun requiring the deck endlaps to be staggered when the roof deck exceeds 20 gauge. I've gotten some negative feedback on this from the deck supplier indicating that staggered endlaps haven't been used in a long time.

Would it be better to require the installer to pre-drill a hole through the multiple layers of deck and plug weld them down to the structural steel? Has anyone ever seen this addressed before? Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.