INDEPENDENT ADVANCED ANCHOR TIE TESTING

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The code of practice for the selection and installation of post-installed anchors in concrete and masonry is BS 8539 which has provided guidance since 2012.

However, the new Building Safety Act which came into effect in April 2022 now puts much of BS 8539 code of practice into legislation with a key focus on the competency of duty holders and the collation / archiving of information regarding building safety. Therefore it is an increasing demand to employ an adequate testing method for these ties.

At S D Services Group we highly recommend that all anchor tie tests should be carried out by a totally independent company to the contractor that installed the ties initially. There are a number reasons for this recommendation. Firstly, to eliminate any conflicts of interest of any parties involved. Secondly, to ensure diligence is prioritised resulting in any potential actionable issues are not overlooked. Thirdly, to ensure the responsibility of testing an anchor ties is taken on by a company other than the sub-contractor or the main contractor, providing peace of mind and ensuring an unbiased service.

As CFA Approved Advanced Tie Testers, we provide anchor tie testing for scaffolding contractors and main contractor alike, although scaffolding anchor tie testing is mainly only proof testing, due to the Advanced Level Qualification, we can also provide preliminary tests giving maximum tensile load values for proposed ties into various substrate material.

There are many different industries that utilise anchor ties including Mechanical Electrical and Plumbing (MEP), Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) as well as many others. We can provide testing for all applications and all industries if required.

The Construction Fixings Association, (CFA), is the recognised governing body for anchor tie installation and testing of anchor ties. With a vast library of literature, regular courses and up to date guidance of the current regulations and legislation, the CFA provides an invaluable insight into the anchor tie industry.

All of our operatives that carry out any requested tie tests are CFA verified and approved, giving our customers reassurance that they are highly competent and trained to the guidelines and procedures recommended by the CFA. There are 2 levels of tester qualification, Proof Tester and Advanced Tester. The difference between these two is Proof Testers can provide values of existing ties and Advanced Testers can provide preliminary tie testing providing a value for different anchor tie types into different substrate materials.

Once any preliminary or proof tests are carried out, a comprehensive professional report is issued, providing all the relevant information and acts as an official certificate for our customers file, providing confirmation that the required tie tests have been carried out.

Our preferred tensile test apparatus is a Hydrajaws 2000, this provides an accurate tensile strength to a maximum of 25kN. If higher values are required, this can also be requested. All of our test equipment we employ is annually calibrated and the certification for each machine used is included in the report provided for each test.

Although primarily based in the South Coast of the UK, we can provide these services to customers nationwide, either travelling to each location ourselves or by recommending or utilising another CFA Approved Tester more local, providing reassurance of approved testing methods and providing us with photographic evidence. Using the data we compile ourselves or receive, all will be included in our own reports we issue.