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BS 8539 is arguably the most significant development in the use of construction fixings since the
advent of European Technical Approvals (ETA)1 in 1997. Its introduction was prompted by a
series of failures involving fixings, some resulting in injury or death and many resulting from
failures on the part of contractors or installers.
Causes include;
the changing of specifications without the proposed alternative being subject to a proper
selection process by the specifier and
bad installation practices arising from
o untrained installers
o manufacturers instructions not being followed
o use of the wrong equipment
o criminal negligence such as anchor rods being cut short when rebar is struck.
The BS sets out to address this by setting out all stakeholders roles and responsibilities.
This How to guide summarises the responsibilities of contractors and installers, who will
between them be responsible for getting the right anchors correctly installed, and provides a
degree of additional commentary. It is apart of the CFA 8539 Toolkit available from www.the-
cfa.co.uk. All stakeholders should acquire a copy of the code2. For more advice on anchor
installation see CFA Guidance Note: Anchor installation3 and installation procedures for the most
common generic anchor types CFA Sample Method Statements3.
1.2 Terminology
Terminology used in the code is based largely on that used in ETA, in ETAGs (the Guidelines
used to award ETA) and CEN Technical Specifications4 for anchors. This has resulted in the
adoption of terms and notation not previously used in the industry especially for loads . This issue
is less significant for contractors and installers. For a detailed explanation of the differences
between the new and old terminology see5.
CFA How to install anchors in accordance with BS 8539. (Issue 2. Jan 2014) 1 of 4
Ensuring best fixings practice www.the-cfa.co.uk
They are trained in anchor installation and familiar with the correct installation
procedure.
They have the correct anchor, as specified, and the correct drilling & setting tools.
They comply with the manufacturers installation instructions.
If rebar is struck during drilling they do not proceed with the installation but refer
back to the specifier for instructions.
The anchors are installed in the correct locations for the project itself or for site
tests.
CFA How to install anchors in accordance with BS 8539. (Issue 2. Jan 2014) 2 of 4
Ensuring best fixings practice www.the-cfa.co.uk
CFA How to install anchors in accordance with BS 8539. (Issue 2. Jan 2014) 3 of 4
Ensuring best fixings practice www.the-cfa.co.uk
Hitting rebar.
If, or rather, when rebar is struck during drilling the specifier should be contacted to get his
instructions as to what should be done if he/she has not already specified it in the anchor
specification. One thing which should never be done is to cut anchor rods short.
Possible options may include:
drilling through the rebar with the permission of the responsible engineer i.e.
specifier or designer.
moving the hole by a suitable distance and filling the aborted hole with a strong
non-shrink grout.
The latter option will usually involve redesign of brackets or base plates and reconsideration
of anchor strength and performance taking account of the different anchor spacings etc. It is
not to be undertaken lightly. Either option should only be undertaken following instruction
from the specifier.
The sometimes soft nature of some bricks or stones and their relatively small unit size brings the
following possible problems:
Holes may drill oversize in very soft bricks or be subject to spalling within perforated bricks
and hollow blocks. Using a less powerful drill, drilling a pilot hole and drilling on rotary only
may reduce these effects. Some anchors, such as resin anchors, are less affected by
oversized holes.
Some bricks shake loose in the mortar. Drilling on rotary setting may eliminate this.
Certain anchors with high expansion ratios, especially in larger diameters, may crack weaker
bricks.
Always inspect brickwork closely after drilling, after setting anchors and after testing them for
cracks in bricks and in mortar joints. Report any problems to supervision.
A supervisor employed by the contractor is expected to monitor every stage of the installation
and, once all aspects of the installation have been completed and any proof tests satisfactorily
carried out, to certify that the specified anchors have been correctly installed in accordance with
the manufacturers instructions and in the specified locations such that they can be put into
service. A form for this purpose, CFA Form 8539/03 Installation Certificate, is available from the
CFA website go to Guidance Notes and downloads CFA 8539 Forms.
1
For more information on ETAs see CFA Guidance Note: ETAs and design methods for anchors used in
construction. www.the-cfa.co.uk go to section Guidance Notes and downloads.
2
For copies of British Standards relating to construction fixings, at a discount of 15%, contact the CFA via
our website www.the-cfa.co.uk.
3
Go to www.the-cfa.co.uk section Guidance notes and downloads. Specifically Guidance Notes and
Sample Method Statements.
4
Design methods for anchors with ETA may be contained in CEN Technical Specifications in the series
CEN TS 1992-4 Parts 1 5. (Otherwise they are as the relevant ETAG.)
5
CFA Guidance Note: Anchor terminology and notation
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