EJOT secures world first ETA for fastening façade brackets through sheathing boards
EJOT has secured the world’s first ETA (European Technical Approval) certification of its kind, confirming the performance of its fasteners when used for fixing helping hand rainscreen brackets
The ETA sets a new standard for the performance of self-drilling screws used in helping hand bracket systems designed to fix through a sheathing board into steel substructures with a thickness as low as 1.2mm. In addition, the certification also covers fixing through an intermediate layer into a timber substructure.
Until now, no fastener has been through the rigorous verification process of ETA, where it was independently tested and performance proven for both tension and, most importantly, shear (dead load) resistances with sheathing layers of up to 45.0mm. This is why, as steel framing with sheathing boards becomes an increasingly prominent method for construction within rear ventilated façades, EJOT’s technical team believed it was important to provide the industry with confirmation of its fastener’s performance capabilities.
The new ETA certification encompasses a variety of EJOT A2, 304 and A4, 316 grade stainless steel fasteners, in diameters ranging from 5.5mm to 6.8mm. It further strengthens the capabilities and scope of EJOT’s industrial lightweight and façade fastening solutions, expanding its proven range of ETA certified solutions, which already includes ETA approvals for metal-to-metal connections, sandwich panel connections and various other substructures.
Whilst the testing was completed using an EJOT CROSSFIX bracket, which comes pre-assembled with a thermal stop and pressure plate and can be used for both horizontal and vertical support profiles, equivalent performance is also achievable with other types of rainscreen support brackets, subject to some additional calculations.
Jon Knaggs, EJOT UK’s Technical Manager, said: “EJOT’s commitment to technical innovation has led to a significant milestone with the release of the world's first ETA specifically for fastening helping hand brackets through sheathing boards into steel sub-frames.
“The inclusion of the EJOT JT3-3 6.3 x length S16 within this approval for steel thicknesses of 1.2mm to 3.0mm is particularly significant to support the lightweight construction goals of architects and developers. It provides engineers and contractors with an unmatched high performing, reliable and compliant fastening solution.”
ETAs provide architects, façade designers and contractors with an important independent stamp of approval with respect to the structural reliability and durability of a rainscreen support system, as well as confirming its compliance to applicable European regulations. The approvals also signify that the manufacturer can offer clear traceability and technical transparency, given the extent of the assessment process and evidence required to satisfy the Technical Assessment Body (TAB).
