What anchor installer training should cover

Anchor training for M&E work should cover selection and installation, with practical instruction for the anchor types used on brackets supporting pipework, ductwork and cable containment. Contractors should check that installers know the product instructions, required tools and what to do when site conditions differ from the information provided.

It’s common for them to be expected to carry out competent anchor installations with little to no training. And while the onus does fall on some of them for simply not caring enough to train, for most, it’s only because they are unaware that they have access to training or that they even need it in the first place. Therefore M&E contractors are responsible for letting the installers know that they need to be competently trained and verifying that they are before starting a project. 

• Why is it important?
• What does the BS 8539 say about installer training?
• What should an anchor installer training course cover?
  
• Conclusion

Why is it important? 

By now, you will have heard of the Hackitt report - an independent review of building regulations and safety that followed the Grenfell Tower fire and was written by Dame Judith Hackitt. It subsequently prompted an updated Building Safety Act 2022 which recently received Royal Assent this past April. 

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s important to look at the bigger picture here, which is the growing movement towards a safer, more compliant, and traceable future. This will be a drastic but much-needed shift from the sector’s current old-fashioned habits. Rather than trying to do things (in this case, anchor installations) as quickly and cost-effectively as possible, the goal should be to deliver quality support systems, brackets, homes, etc. that are safe for people to live in and/or be around, through safety-conscious procedures. 

The next reason is: that anchors are a fundamental part of support systems in that they could result in the failure of the entire system. This happens because when one anchor fails, the other anchors follow as they need to carry more weight, causing a domino effect.  

Anchors are also prone to deterioration over long periods, especially if overloaded, and tend to be the weak link in support services (first point of failure). They usually aren’t visible after installation (being covered by the concrete, other services, suspended ceilings, etc.); so if there is potential for it to fail, sometimes there’s no way to predict or see that until it has already happened. 

It’s also common in M&E to fix additional supports on a bracket after it has already been installed, adding extra weight to it. This is called piggybacking, or parasitic loading, and is detrimental because it deems the calculated load-bearing capacity of the signed-off original bracket null and void. When this happens, there is added stress on the anchors which, once again, can lead to suspension failure. Instead, a new bracket should be made with a separate load calculation that takes into account the extra load. 

I’m sure you’re aware that in this line of work, most installations are overhead and classed as ‘critical applications’ i.e. the failure of anchors can cause risk to human life and/or considerable economic loss. So not only could this lead to injury, and in extreme cases, loss of life - as if this isn’t a big enough risk - it will lead to a damaged reputation and financial loss, regardless of whether there truly was physical harm. Why take the chance? You don’t have anything to lose; certainly nothing as important. The only way to mitigate these risks is by guaranteeing safe, competent, and low-risk installations. Not to mention, feeling confident in your installations and knowing you’re doing your best to combat risks is a great bonus. 

What does the BS 8539 say about installer training? 

The BS 8539:2012+A1:2021 ‘Code of practice for the selection and installation of post-installed anchors in concrete and masonry’ defines ‘competent’ as “suitably trained and qualified by knowledge and practical experience, and provided with the necessary instructions, to enable the required task(s) to be carried out correctly”. 

It says: “The installer should familiarise themselves with the correct installation procedures. Installation of anchors should be undertaken only by installers who have received adequate training from a competent trainer”. 

The contractor should verify that the installer is competent, as well as possibly provide training on-site in the setting of the specific anchor used. This could alternatively be done by the supplier/manufacturer. You can’t rely on training from other projects because the installation requirements differ from anchor to anchor. The British Standard also acknowledges that trade associations and some manufacturers offer accessible competent installer training schemes.

Along with competence, the installer needs to have knowledge of the function of the anchor and the consequences of not adhering to installation procedures, i.e., how they work, how they’re installed, and how they’re likely to fail. They must also have adequate experience in installing the particular anchor type. If he doesn’t, he can still install the anchor, provided there is close supervision by the contractor to ensure it’s being done correctly. 

Someone who’s competent should also know what to do if something goes wrong e.g. if they strike rebar. Should any conflict arise, they’d refer back to the specifier. They’re also responsible for making sure the correct drilling and setting tools are used during the install, and complying with the manufacturer’s installation instructions and material safety data sheets.  

What should an anchor installer training course cover? 

Whilst the BS 8539 doesn’t directly indicate what should be included in a training course, the logical conclusion would be that it should at minimum cover the core principles of the standard from a theoretical perspective. It needs to also include application demonstrations (whether it be videos or face-to-face) on how to install different types of anchors such as concrete screws, deformation controlled anchors, and so on, and how it should affect you overall as a contractor/installer/etc. 

It should also talk about how to select the right anchor, the responsibilities of the installer, anchor testing, anchor supply, and more. Most importantly, there needs to be some sort of assignment or self-assessment that the user needs to pass in order to obtain the certificate of completion and to prove that they now have the knowledge and experience to be a qualified installer.