Topping out
In building construction, topping out (sometimes referred to as topping off) is a builders' rite traditionally held when the last beam (or its equivalent) is placed atop a structure during its construction.
Nowadays the ceremony is often parlayed into a media event for public relations purposes.[1]
History
The practice of "topping out" a new building can be traced to the ancient Scandinavian religious rite of placing a tree atop a new building to appease the tree-dwelling spirits displaced in its construction.[2] Long an important component of timber frame building,[3] it migrated initially to England and Northern Europe, thence to the Americas.
A tree or leafy branch is placed on the topmost wood or iron beam, often with flags and streamers tied to it. A toast is usually drunk and sometimes workers are treated to a meal. In masonry construction the rite celebrates the bedding of the last block or brick.
In some cases a topping out event is held at an intermediate point, such as when the roof is dried in.[4]
The practice remains common in the United Kingdom, and assorted Commonwealth countries such as Australia [5] and Canada [6] as well as Germany, Austria, Iceland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary and the United States, where the last beam of a skyscraper is painted white and signed by all the workers involved,[citation needed]. In New Zealand, completion of the roof to a water-proof state is celebrated through a "roof shout", where workers are treated to cake and beer.[7]
The tradition of "pannenbier" (literally "(roof) tile beer" in Dutch) is popular in the Netherlands and Flanders, where a national, regional or city flag is hung once the highest point of a building is reached. It stays in place until the building's owner provides free beer to the workers, after which it is lowered.[citation needed] It is considered greedy if it remains flown for more than a few days.
Gallery
-
Topping out (Wiecha) in Poland -
The final section of the Warsaw radio mast (in foreground) is decorated and ready to raise -
Topping out in Norway (1959)
See also
Notes
- ^ The Hoary Tradition of Topping Out. The New York Times, 21 October 1984.
- ^ "CUSSW: News:: History of the 'Topping Out' Ceremony". Columbia University School of Social Work. Archived from the original on 11 June 2012. Retrieved 6 June 2012.
- ^ Topping Off the Frame, 26 November 2008.
- ^ Drying In, Part 2, 6 November 2009.
- ^ http://www.slate.com/blogs/the_eye/2013/12/19/why_do_construction_workers_top_building_sites_with_undecorated_christmas.html
- ^ http://www.thetelegram.com/Business/2013-05-16/article-3249598/Builders-top-off-new-downtown-office-tower/1
- ^ "Putting the cherry on top". Stuff. Retrieved 2016-08-10.
References
- John V. Robinson (2001). "The 'topping out' traditions of the high-steel ironworkers". Western Folklore, Fall 2001.
- Topping Off! at the Wayback Machine (archived 2 June 2006). Carpenter Magazine, Sep/Oct 2001.
- http://www.stp.uh.edu/vol68/160/news/news4.html Tree symbolizes campus' growth (tree is still a part of the ceremony); The Daily Cougar; Volume 68, Issue 160, Monday, 28 July 2003; accessed 11 February 2007.[dead link]
- Topping Off at the Wayback Machine (archived September 28, 2008). National Review, December 23, 2003
External links
- Richtfest.info A German language site about the topping out ceremonies.
- Topping out Roberts Pavilion Topping out the new athletic building at Claremont McKenna College.