On high-spec federal work, placement tolerances aren’t flexible — and neither are the conditions.
At Kennedy Space Center, an elevated structural deck was constructed to support an explosion-proof chamber used for product testing under extreme conditions. The slab measured 24 inches thick and was placed 33 feet above grade. Both the thickness and elevation narrowed available screed options immediately.
Machine-based screeds — ride-on or walk-behind — were not practical at that height. The project required a stable, adjustable screed rail system that could be installed efficiently and perform predictably without specialty hardware.
Hensel Phelps Construction evaluated multiple systems before selecting MAKO’s FinStand and FinCap configuration.
As Project Superintendent David Harrison explained:
“The main challenges associated with this placement were the slab thickness and elevation. At 24 inches thick the options for setting screed systems become more limited. Due to the slab being 33 feet in the air machine based screed systems were not as feasible as screed rails of some type and a vibrant screed.
MAKO was selected due to being the easiest/fastest system based on the comparison study.”
On structural decks of this thickness, setup efficiency compounds quickly. Adjustability becomes critical. The FinCap and FinStand system provides 1-3/4 inches of built-in fine height adjustment, allowing precise elevation control without field modification or shimming.
The system delivered on several key performance requirements:
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Stable screed rail support at 33 feet elevation
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Mechanical fine adjustment for elevation control
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Factory-created mounting holes for faster installation
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Compatibility with off-the-shelf ½-inch all thread
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Short learning curve for rapid crew adoption
Harrison added:
“The built-in fine height adjustments created using the FinCap and FinStand makes installation a snap. The factory-created mounting holes in the FinStand also greatly assisted installation. I like the fact that the system is designed to work with off-the-shelf ½ inch all thread — availability is never an issue.
The learning curve associated with installation of this system is also very short so not so much of the crew's time is wasted.”
On elevated decks, labor efficiency and predictability matter as much as structural capacity. The MAKO system allowed for a repeatable screed rail setup across a thick structural placement without custom fabrication or specialty components.
The completed deck now supports an explosion-proof testing chamber — an environment where structural integrity and placement accuracy are non-negotiable.
For elevated structural slabs exceeding 20 inches in thickness — particularly where machine screeds are not feasible — FinStand and FinCap provide a mechanically adjustable, field-proven solution built for high-spec work.
Engineered for structural placement.
Designed for speed.
Proven under federal-grade conditions.
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