What suppliers need to send with an M&E anchor

The specified anchor, its product reference, installation instructions and required tools should be available on site before work starts. If the specified product cannot be supplied, ask the original specifier to review a proposed alternative before it reaches the installer.

How is an anchor supplied in accordance with BS 8539? 

BS 8539 is quite clear: the specified anchor must arrive on-site. Within the M&E industry anchors are usually left to the last minute and resulting in a higher risk of the specified anchor not arriving on-site.

According to BS 8539 what information should be supplied to the supplier?

To supply the specified anchor on-site, the manufacturer and their agents should provide: 

• All information for the specifier to select the correct anchor, having followed the correct selection criteria. 
• Technical catalogues and software 
• Installation instructions for the installer 

Under BS 8539 what are the suppliers responsibilities?

• Must provide the anchor as specified unless a specific change management procedure has been followed. 
• They should take the opportunity to ensure all associated setting equipment is offered to the contractor such as drill bits, hole cleaning equipment, setting tools, torque wrench etc., in order that the installer can install anchors correctly 
• Provide installation training or facilitate this being provided by the manufacturer. 
• Provide guidance in anchor selection. 
• Ensure the change management procedure is adhered to if asked for alternatives. 

Why would the specified anchor not arrive?

Issues can often crop up between selecting the anchor and supplying that anchor on-site. Often a third party has been involved in the process and due to commercial reasons or supply issues (due to not enough time being allocated to follow the correct selection procedure) another anchor arrives on-site.  

If the new anchor has similar characteristics, then what is the issue?

We need to ensure that the anchor that has been specified (that product code) reaches the site. Breaking the spec of an achor can be a serious issue, for one the installer on-site may not know how to install the new anchor correctly. It is important to know that not all anchors are the same, a few typical differences between one anchor and another include: 

• Different manufacturing references 

• Unique performance characteristics 

• Manufactured differently with specific load characteristics 

• Installation instructions 

• Approvals may differ 

How does BS 8539 guide us if the specified anchor is not supplied on-site?

If the specified anchor is unavailable, raise the proposed alternative with the original specifier and assess it for the application before use.

 If the contractor is aware of the anchor change, then they must inform the original specifier and ensure it is installed on-site to the manufacturer’s specification. 

Conclusion

To conclude supplying the correct anchor on-site reduces the risk of on-site anchor installation failure causing an increase in costs and potential missing project deadlines.

Here is an example of anchor installation failure. It reminds us of the importance of ensuring that all anchors specified are taken through the correct selection procedure as outlined in BS 8539.

Our technical experts at MIDFIX can meet all anchor/fixing requirements for construction projects. 

Illustrated below is the MIDFIX roadmap highlighting all of the anchor services.

For anchor certainty on-site:

0115 922 1585
sales@midfix.co.uk 

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