Always thinking beyond the fastener

Continuously pushing the envelope through a holistic approach to fastener testing and close collaboration with OEMs and contractors.

The process of developing and manufacturing construction fasteners that not only meet but exceed expectations involves more than meets the eye. It requires a team of qualified and experienced individuals dedicated to staying ahead of the curve in terms of industry standards and legislation, and undertaking holistic testing that goes way beyond the product itself.

With a career in construction spanning more than 40 years that started in the joinery trade, Brian’s inquisitive nature, passion for solving problems and eagerness to continuously learn and develop his skills makes him ideally positioned for his role. Having spent time ‘working on the tools’, he knows how important it is for installers to have the right fasteners on-site to be able to perform their role.

Brian said: “I’m always conscious of the fact that if you’re doing a job on site, and you haven’t got the right back-up information or the right products, then you’re stuck and you can’t go anywhere. Even now when a contractor phones us with a query, I immediately want to be able to help them to carry on their working day so they can get the job done.”

“Long before the fasteners get to site, however, we have to determine whether the fastener design, and the materials from which it is manufactured, are fit for purpose and allow a secure attachment to be achieved. The testing that is needed to confirm this largely goes on under the radar – after all it should be a given that the fasteners we are using on site will do exactly what they say on the tin, so to speak. Despite this, it is a major part of our work.”
 

Responding to a constantly changing market

One of the most important dimensions to the testing and development work undertaken by Brian and his colleagues is that it is never static. Ensuring that EJOT fasteners perform in their respective applications requires a continuous review of how materials and substrates used throughout the construction of the building envelope are evolving.

Brian continues, “It’s easy to think, once you’ve got a product in place, that it is going to be there for 30-40 years, it doesn’t need to change and you don’t have to think about it. But the products that the fasteners go into change, and change dramatically, so we must always stay one step ahead.

“That’s why we can offer OEMs who are developing a new product or changing an existing product, a team that can work with them to identify the right fasteners that are going to work with their product. And, that someone will be able to install that product easily and simply on site.”

Where a solution is not available ‘off the shelf’ from EJOT’s extensive standard range, Brian can facilitate a solution by collaborating with the EJOT Group’s R&D team to develop one that is specific to the application. However, in many cases, this is not necessary after a holistic assessment of the application is undertaken.

Brian adds, “The solution might not be to use a completely new fastener or indeed an alternative to the one that is initially identified. It might just require a different way of doing things, which is why we take the view that we are not selling our customers a fastener – we are providing them with a design solution.”
 

Understanding ETAs and when to test further for compliance

One of Brian’s specialist areas is European Technical Assessments (ETAs). EJOT construction fasteners are backed with ETAs to provide customers with an assurance that the products will work as they intend, but, as Brian explains, it is crucial to understand their application-specific nature.

Brian continues, “ETAs are specific to an application. For example, we’ll have an ETA for fixing composite panels to timber, different grades of steel and aluminium, using specified types of composite panels.

“However, with so many variations and differences within the industry, it would be impossible to include every single test within the ETA. Hence why we have to test other applications that are not covered by the ETA to the same standards. This means we can feed into our customers’ system designs and ensure every single aspect is considered.”

But it is not only in-depth knowledge of ETAs that underpin Brian’s work. He and his colleagues must also stay ahead of the curve in relation to industry test standards, policies that could change how buildings are constructed in future and constantly changing Building Regulations.

Brian explains, “We’ll use existing technology that we’ve got within the company, taking on board and keeping up with standards. A major part of the Building Regulations is making sure that the right things go into the right places and work with each other, and that they are there for the duration of the building.”

Despite having a career of four decades already behind him, Brian has never lost sight of the value of continuous learning and development. He concludes:

“I don’t judge myself on what I know. I judge myself on what I need to know and what else I can add into a product. The more skills and knowledge you’ve got, the better assistance and support you can give the end-user, the customer.”