This document is aimed at providing clear guidance on what testing should be carried out to anchors and importantly, which anchor types and applications should be tested.

This guidance document for "Fasteners and Fixings" is designed to give an overview of construction fasteners designed to secure elements and components to a building structure or to each other.

The document will look at primarily screw fasteners covering self-tapping, self-drilling and self-piercing fasteners, looking at their varying forms, characteristics and performance requirements. We will discuss primary and secondary fasteners as well as general guidance on choice of fasteners with respect of the application and the material and performance criteria required to, make an effective connection.

Powder Actuated Fixing Systems have been a well proven and trusted fixing technique for many decades and have been manufactured by members of the Construction Fixings Association since well before the CFA came into existence.

Now that the CFA is broadening the scope of the products it covers to encompass more than just fixings drilled into concrete, masonry and plasterboard, these systems are an obvious addition to the portfolio.

They provide fast and economic fastening solutions for a wide range of applications in base materials that include steel, concrete and masonry. This Guidance Note sets out industry agreed guidance on application parameters, the correct selection of fasteners and cartridges, the factors influencing fastener strength, correct installation procedures and the vital aspect - common to all fixing systems - certified operator training

The British Standard BS 8539:2012 Code of practice for the selection and installation of post-installed anchors in concrete and masonry, effectively recommends that where ever possible only anchors with ETA (European Technical Approvals/Assessments) should be used in safety critical applications.  As the BS cannot be seen to overtly endorse third party recommendations the amount of detail it contains about ETAs is limited so this Guidance Note sets out to fill that gap. It also includes some details of the Design Methods used with ETAs. The implementation of the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) on 1 July 2013 saw changes to the ETA system which have been incorporated into this Guidance Note.

A revised British Standard is now available from BSI - BS 8539:2012+A1:2021 'Code of practice for the selection and installation of post-installed anchors in concrete and masonry'. This sets out all aspects of how anchors for construction should be used. For situations where anchors need testing on site the BS spells out the test regimes (number of tests, test load and assessment of results) but refers to this Guidance Note as a Normative reference, i.e. it is "indispensible to the application of the BS", for details of how tests should be carried out, equipment, application of load, monitoring of movement etc. Preliminary Tests used to determine Allowable Loads when no manufacturer data is available (previously detailed in an Article) have been incorporated. This GN is a comprehensive revision of the GN under the same name first published in 2012.

The terminology used in talking about anchors, and especially the loading of anchors has become, progressively more confusing as different bodies adopt different terms for the same thing. There are, for instance, at least four terms for what the fixings industry traditionally referred to as the "Applied load" - you may also see it referred to as the "Working load"  (Scaffolding industry - TG20 and TG4), "Unfactored load" (traditional among engineers), "Characteristic action" (ETAs; CEN standard on design of fastenings TS 1992-4; BS 8539:2012 and now in CFA Guidance Notes). One simple distinction is that the load coming from the fixture is now called the "action" and the capacity of the fixing to resist the action is called the "resistance". If only it were that "simples".

There is even confusion within the industry surrounding the different names used for certain types of anchor.  This guidance note includes a definition of each of the terms used in BS 8539 with cross references to other terms used with the same meaning. It includes all notation used in the code and also has a section explaining the different names used for the same type of anchor.

A critical stage in the business of utilising fixings the selection process is becoming more and more complex with a wide variety of anchoring solutions to choose from and ever more sophisticated design methods being demanded by the Approvals systems. Although many manufacturers offer comprehensive software to make the whole job much easier an understanding of the influencing factors involved will help no end in arriving at the right solution. This Guidance Note aims to do just that. In some respects it summarises subjects covered in more detail in other guidance notes such as corrosion and installation but other factors are only dealt with here. The emphasis is on the heavier duty anchors for critical applications so the base material suitability and other application parameters of seven of these are summarised in a table.

This is the aspect of anchoring that receives the least attention from contractors and supervising authorities on site. If ever there is an anchor failure - and happily these are few and far between - it is frequently incorrect installation that is the root of the problem. There are several ways in which the conscientious contractor can ensure his operators get it right. Reading this Guidance Note can point you in the right direction. Downloading the relevant Sample Method Statement from the downloads section and ensuring the installer works to it is another; getting training from the manufacturer or distributor yet another; ensuring the installation is supervised will help and telling the installer that a sample of installations are going to be proof tested will focus his mind wonderfully. He may then read the instructions! If you need peace of mind then  getting those proof tests done should provide it - see Approved Tester scheme for companies who can provide this service and the Guidance Note on Procedure for Site Testing which is what they will work to.

This technique has been with us since 1970 and is now well recognised as the ultimate problem solver with a dramatic rate of innovation in both formulations and delivery systems. The growth in use for all manner of applications in both concrete and masonry has made it a favourite among specifiers, users and distributors alike. It is also the category of anchors that has now been awarded the most ETAs and the type of fixing most prone to poor installation. This Guidance Note provides a good overview for both specifiers and installers but for more background go to the articles page where there are two feature articles explaining the recent developments in formulations and delivery systems.

For serious loads in safety critical applications where both shear and tensile loads are involved there is little to touch the "Thick walled sleeve anchor" as these fixings are sometimes known. High grade bolts cater for the tensile loads while and thick sleeves transmit high shear loads into the concrete. Most have well developed cone geometry to ensure they function in the onerous testing regime of the ETA system at high loads while collapse features are usually built in to enable gaps under the fixture to be pulled down. The usual Guidance Note approach is applied to this stalwart of the fixings industry.

The ability to be installed through the fixture, using a drill of the same nominal diameter as the bolt, makes the Throughbolt (sometimes known as a stud anchor) one of the most commonly used anchor types there is. Value for money accrues from the speed and ease of installation together with low unit costs derived from high volume production methods used in their manufacture. No wonder that more ETAs have been awarded for this configuration than any other expanding anchor type and more ETAs for use in cracked concrete have been awarded for throughbolts than any other anchoring system. This Guidance Note includes practical guidance on the selection and installation of these well proven anchors.

Self-tapping screws, commonly referred to as "Concrete screws"  have established a rightful place in the range of fixings available for use in concrete and strong masonry units. A wide range ofhead styles  is offered with sizes from 5mm upward some in stainless steel and many with ETA. There are limits to their use and installation must be handled carefully. This guidance notes explores all these aspects.

The shield anchor is the earliest type of anchor and is still popular today by virtue of its many configurations, its easy setting and versatility, being useable in brickwork as well as concrete. This guidance note describes the different configurations - hex bolt type, projecting stud type, basic shield, hook and eye types. Their applications are outlined along with detailed notes on selection and installation.

Frequently known by the name "Drop-in" anchors these hammer set socket anchors provide the basis by which most services are suspended from concrete ceilings. Simple in design, reliable and easy to install they have the added advantage that smaller diameters may be installed in the cover above reinforcement. Despite having been  around for decades new features have been developed recently with lipped versions to ensure they are set flush with the surface and setting indicators to show they have been correctly set. This Guidance Note covers all you need to know. Well, nearly.

Undercut anchors provide a clever solution to one of the awkward problems presented by the nature of concrete: cracking -  which most concrete does, albeit in a manner controlled by the reinforcement. Many anchors are now awarded ETAs for use in cracked concrete. There are several types of Undercut anchor - the approach that is common to all is the feature which enables them to form an interlock with the concrete and thus develop the full capacity available from the concrete without exerting expansion stresses. This Guidance Note describes the different systems and how to go about selecting and installing them.

There are several different forms of corrosion but the one thing they have in common is the high cost of ignoring them. This guidance note describes the different types including oxidation (of course), galvanic (bi-metallic), pitting, crevice, stress corrosion cracking, and gives practical guidance on measures that can be taken to avoid or minimise their insidious effects. The various grades of stainless steel are covered along with their usage.

There are plenty of myths surrounding the behaviour of fixings in fire, many to do with resin anchors. Will they burn? Do they melt? This Guidance Note will put these issues into context and give you practical advice on how to go about specifying fixings, including resin anchors, for safety critical applications when a fire rating is required. Anchors are now gaining European Technical Approvals with details of fire exposure included.

Masonry presents some of the most awkward problems for fixings to cope with and there is a bewildering array of solutions available. This Guidance Note outlines the influencing factors with notes on selection and installation together with a table which details the base material suitability and application parameters for twelve different fixing types from resin anchors to universal plugs.

This Guidance Note sets out to make the selection of fixings for this relatively weak cavity material as simple as possible. The various points to watch out for are described and a two page table gives the application suitability of twelve different types from the earliest solutions of spring and gravity toggles to the modern self-drilling and tapping systems.

This Guidance Note is published jointly by the Construction Fixings Association and the National Access and Scaffolding Confederation (NASC) and was revised in 2011 to take account of changes in various practices since first published in 2004. This Guidance Note is the only reference for anchors used in tieing tube and fitting scaffold structures and is referred to in TG20. All aspects of the selection, installation and testing of anchors used in tieing scaffolds are outlined. Anchor types discussed in detail are: drop-in anchors for ringbolts, nylon plugs with screw-in eyes, self-tapping screws and resin anchors. Load transfer from the scaffold to the anchor is clarified. The testing of anchors, which is a vital aspect of ensuring scaffold structures are safe, is set out in detail and complies with the recommendations made in BS 8539:2012 Code of practice for the selection and installation of post-installed anchors in concrete and masonry.

Steeplejacking requires anchors for a variety of safety critical applications from laddering to the support and restraint of scaffold frames. This Guidance Note, published jointly by the CFA and ATLAS (Association of Technical Lightning Specialists),  revised in 2008 and again in 2013, covers all aspects of the selection, installation and testing of anchors used in steeplejacking of which the most common types - nylon anchors with screw-in eyes for laddering, self-tapping concrete screws for frames and drop-in anchors for ring bolts, are covered. The GN refers to several Annexes containing examples of spreadsheets available to ATLAS members for calculating loading conditions, they are not available here.

Seasonal Decorations are frequently strung across streets on catenary wires attached to opposing buildings. Sadly this is another area where "accidents" have occurred in which sections of buildings have pulled away and passers by have been injured.  The constraints that govern how this should be done to avoid such incidents are many and varied and are covered, in the widest sense, by a new guide to be published by the Institution of Lighting Professionals as Professional Lighting Guide No. 6 Attachments and seasonal decorations. Within this the subject of exactly how catenaries should be attached is handled by this CFA Guidance Note: Anchorage systems for seasonal decorations which sets out which types of fixings are recommended, how they should be installed and how they should be tested.   The ILP Guide contains an extract from the CFA Guidance Note.

A worringly large series of failures of suspended ceilings was been uncovered by CROSS - the system of Confidential Reporting on Structural Safety -  set up by the Institution of Structural Engineers, the Institution of Civil Engineers and the HSE. A number of different causes was identified including the selection of inappropriate fixings, poor installation, insufficient fixings being used, additional loads applied, substitution of specified components and more. As a result of concerns raised an ad hoc drafting panel was established to develop industry wide guidance to avoid such problems. This project was lead by the Association of Interior Specialists (AIS) while the majority of the text was supplied by the CFA and other members of the panel. The resulting best practice guide is published jointly by the CFA and AIS. Key among the recommendations made is the benefit to be gained from specifying anchors with ETA to ETAG 001 Part 6 - Anchors for multiple use in non-structural applications.

This Guidance Note is an extract from "Retention of masonry facades - best practice guide - (2003)" published by CIRIA. The Construction Fixings Association had a major input to the sections replicated here which give useful and practical guidance on the design of fixings for façade retention systems. All relevant anchor types are discussed including shield, throughbolt, sleeve and deformation type expansion anchors along with resin and cementitious type bonded anchors and undercut anchors. Particular aspects of selection, installation and testing are also covered.