ABSTRACT
Most permanent theatre companies use stock decking units to decrease the cost of using platforms. It's best to take a global approach when considering stock decking, so that all the parts are interchangeable. The most common size for a stock platform is 48 because that also the standard size of a sheet of plywood, and there is little waste in construction. Coffin locks are cam-operated fasteners attached to the sides of decking and used to join the platforms together. Coffin locks allow you to lock platforms together quickly and easily, using a hex key. Hard shoes pounding against the plywood top of a platform can make a most distracting and drum-like noise. The clomping and thudding of feet in a blackout removes much of the magic of the moment. Here is a method of deadening sound with insulation and hardboard that works quite well and has the added bonus of also improving the appearance of the deck.
