Information on the installation

of anchor fastening

October 2010
Table of Contents

Foreword 3
1 General 3
2 Planning specifications for the installation 4
3 Installation instructions 5
3.1 Installation instructions for anchors 5
3.2 Additional installation conditions 6
4 Competence requirements for installers of anchors 7
4.1 Basic knowledge (fundamental competence requirements for all types of anchors) 7
4.2 Anchor-specific technical knowledge 8
5 Anchor training courses and training provisions 12

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 Foreword
According to the general requirements of the Landesbauordnungen ('Building Regulations of
the Land') construction works shall be erected and arranged such that they will not be a
threat to public safety and order; for that purpose only construction products and types of
construction may be used which fulfill the legal requirements and are fit for their intended
use.
The verification of applicability for anchorages and fasteners (e.g. metal anchors and bonded
anchors, plastic anchors, powder actuated fasteners) in concrete and masonry structures
normally occurs via an allgemeine bauaufsichtliche Zulassung ('national technical approval')
and/or a European technical approval (ETA).
The approvals show the characteristic values of the anchors which are determined on the
basis of extensive uniform test requirements. Furthermore they contain assumptions
concerning manufacture, design and installation of the product as precondition for the use of
these characteristic values.
The load-bearing capacity and the reliability of anchorages are affected to a large extent by
the way on how the anchorages are planned and installed. The installation instructions by the
manufacturer as well as the construction drawings and their transposition on site are,
therefore, of fundamental importance for the serviceability of an anchor for an intended use.
Compliance with and transposition of the installation instructions and the construction
drawings can only be ensured on site by the appropriate competence of the installers. The
competence shall be proven.
This document provides adequate explanations for designers and installers. It compiles the
competence requirements for installers and provides an overview of training opportunities. A
prerequisite is that selection, planning and design will be carried out solely by the designer.

1 General
In the allgemeinen bauaufsichtlichen Zulassungen ('national technical approvals') and the
European technical approvals special conditions are defined for planning, design and
installation of anchorages. In general these special conditions are to be adhered to and
followed, as they are the basis for the safety concept set out for the planning and calculation
of the anchorage.
The following paragraph 2 contains the specifications for the installation resulting from the
planning and design of the anchorage which the installer needs on site and which have to be
included in the construction drawings.
As to the installation of anchors the special conditions of the approvals include specifications
for the base material, the installation conditions; they also give full particulars on the
installation operations by means of precise instructions (see section 3).
The specific conditions require that the serviceability of the anchorage can only be assumed if
the installation of the anchors is performed by trained personnel under the responsibility of
the construction supervisor. The necessary competence of installers and possible training
provisions are introduced in sections 4 and 5. If these boundary conditions are kept it can be
presumed that trained personnel is involved.

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2 Planning specifications for the installation
Anchor systems must be planned and designed. Selection, planning and design of an anchor
system are not the task for installers. Deviations from the specifications of the construction
drawings must not be carried out by the installer arbitrarily.
At least the following details shall be given in the construction drawings:
- Type of anchor, dimension, material variant, effective length, for anchors with variable
anchorage depth also anchorage depth and depth of drilled hole,
- drilling method,
- base material, designation, e.g. C20/25,
- geometrical arrangement of the anchorage with distances to edges and further anchors as
well as thickness of the member,
- if need be, installation conditions for certain anchors (e.g. special cleaning of the drilled
hole in case of chemical anchor systems),
- geometric dimensions of the fixture including position and diameter of the clearance
holes,
- thickness and type of the non-loadbearing layers considered in the planning,
- subsequent corrosion protection for plastic anchors, if required in the approval.

Example drawing:
Anchor "TYPE XXX M10x60/20 A4" made of stainless steel
Base material: cracked concrete, normal reinforcement, concrete strength class C20/25
Thickness of the anchor plate: 10 mm

- drilling diameter in the anchor plate: 10.5-12 mm

- Drilling method: hammer drilling
- Minimum anchorage depth: 60 mm
- Non-load-bearing layer: render ≤ 10 mm

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3 Installation instructions
Installation instructions for anchorages differ from product to product. Therefore, their
compliance for the correct installation of the respective product is mandatory. Besides, before
and during the installation on site additional conditions going beyond the product-specific
installation instructions shall be taken into account.
The installation of the anchors is explained in detail in the installation instructions which are
included in each of the approvals and are normally made available by the manufacturers in a
shorter form as installation instruction. The installation instruction for the anchorages shall be
complied with. The installation instructions which shall be made available by the
manufacturer shall be observed. They shall be given on the packaging and/or a instruction
leaflet, graphically preferred, completely and understandingly.

3.1 Installation instructions for anchors

The installation instructions for anchors should normally include information on the following:

Fastening system, components

Environmental conditions
Base material, classification
Drilling method, drill hole diameter, drill hole depth
Cleaning of the drill hole, methods, auxiliaries required (e.g. brush, brush diameter, blow-off
devices)
Placing the anchor into the drill hole
Installation tool, setting tool
Internal thread sleeve: minimum screwing depth required
Clearance hole in the fixture
Torque moment when anchoring
Reception for screw driving tool, e.g. torx, wrench size
Clamping width, i.e. thickness of the fixture
Additional installation instructions for
Additional installation instructions for
mechanical metal anchors and plastic
chemical anchors
anchors
Processing temperature for plastic anchors Setting of the sieve sleeve, if masonry
Information on dangerous substances,
precautionary measures to be taken
Expiry date, storage temperature of the
mortar
Processing temperature of the mortar and
the system
Setting tools (pressure grouting equipment,
mixer included)
Mixing, inserting the mortar
Curing time

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3.2 Additional installation conditions
In addition to the installation instructions the following additional conditions shall be observed
on site by the installer:
- The base material is to be checked. It needs to comply with the information in the
planning documents. In case of visible damages (e.g. cracks, spallings, voids in the area
of the anchorage) the designer and/or the construction supervisor shall be called in.
Concrete: General condition, moisture, cracks, blowholes, joints, spallings, etc. are to
be checked. The concrete compressive strength has to be within the concrete
compressive strengths stated in the approval (normally task of the planner).
Reinforcing steel, mounting parts: Position of the drill hole with regard to the distance
to untensioned and/or prestressed reinforcement as well as other mounting parts such
as pipes, cable is to be checked.
Masonry: Joint mortar, bulk density, compressive strength, hole pattern, web thicknesses,
spallings are to be checked. The execution of the anchorage is permitted only in the
bricks specified by the designer.
- The general accessibility for the installation of anchors has to be ensured.
- The bore holes are to be drilled perpendicular to the surface of the base material.
Deviations to the vertical of up to 5° at the most are permitted.
- Unless otherwise stated in the approvals, hard metal hammer-drills according to ISO
standards or applicable national standards shall be used. Numerous drill bits exhibit
marking showing that the requirements of the standard are fulfilled.
- All special drill bits required according to the installation instructions of the manufacturer
(e.g. stop drills or diamond core drill bits) have to comply with the specifications of the
manufacturer. This is to be confirmed by the factory production control of the drill bits.
- The drill holes shall always be cleaned from drilling dust. The special instructions for
cleaning the drill hole for chemical anchors shall be respected. Contaminants or ingress
of water into drill holes shall be excluded by appropriate measures.
- The anchors shall be installed such that the anchorage depth laid down in the planning
documents will be adhered to. Edge distance and spacing shall be kept according to the
values specified; minus tolerances are not permissible.
- When drilling holes care must be taken that reinforcing bars in the vicinity of the drill
hole will not be damaged. In the absence of other regulations it is recommended that the
clear distance between the side of the drill hole and the outside of prestressed
reinforcement amounts to at least 50 mm; for determining the position of the
reinforcement in the construction part appropriate devices (e.g. reinforcement detectors)
are to be used.
- Normally aborted holes shall be sealed completely with a low-shrink, high-strength
mortar. A aborted hole shall also be deemed to exist in case the anchor is removed. In
case of a aborted hole with a depth of ≥ hef / 4 the anchor may be set in the center
distance equal to three times the drill hole diameter of a aborted hole. In case of a
aborted hole with a depth of < hef / 4 the anchor may be set in the center distance equal
to the simple drill hole diameter of the aborted hole. Prestressing and/or a load of the
anchor after sealing the aborted hole with high-strength mortar is permissible at the
earliest if the strength of the mortar corresponds to at least the concrete strength.
Should the strength development of mortar not be known, then the anchor may be
prestressed and/or loaded after 24 hours at the earliest, or if using approved injection
mortar after the curing time specified.

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- For anchors which are to be exposed to temperatures below 0°C measures shall be taken
in order to prevent an ingress of water into the drill hole and a subsequent local crack
formation in the concrete due to freezing pressure.

4 Competence requirements for installers of anchors

The responsibility for the performance of the correct installation of anchors rests with the
executing company. The executing company shall employ appropriately trained personnel for
the installation of anchorages. The personnel has to be able to read and understand the
installation instructions and transpose them when installing.
The personnel should at least have the following competences in order to be classified as
trained personnel. In this connection, the technical backgrounds and the consequences of a
deviant behaviour are to be understood for the fields of competences stated. The
competences shall be gained and proven in theory and practice by corresponding courses of
training or training measures. The possible courses of training stated in section 5 are
intended to serve that purpose.

4.1 Basic knowledge (fundamental competence requirements for all types of

anchors)
Basic understanding as to the modes of action and particularities of the anchorage systems
utilized and effects or consequences of deviations with the installation on the load bearing
behaviour.
Comprehension has to be passed on for the following points which could have an effect on
the load bearing behaviour:
- Installation-relevant provisions in the approval shall be respected.
- Trade name of the anchor as well as type, size and quality of material have to comply
with the information in the approval and structural analysis. The anchors concerning type,
size and quality of material, specified by the planner are to be used. A deviation without
consent of the planner is not authorized.
- Installation only as delivered by the manufacturer, without replacing the individual parts.
- Drills of suitable diameter and tolerances according to the PGM benchmark shall be
used.
- If need be, stop drills or other special tools shall be utilized (more details are given in the
installation instructions or the approval).
- Significance of the cleaning of the drill hole and its consequences for the load bearing
behaviour of the anchorage systems.
- Function of the cleaning brush and its possibilities to exercise control (e.g. brush gauge).
- Aborted holes could have a negative effect on the load bearing behaviour. For more
information on aborted holes see installation instructions or approval.
- Non-loadbearing intermediate layers could have a negative effect on the load bearing
behaviour. Fixtures are to be fixed directly on the base material without intermediate
layers. Consulting the planner is required, if the non-loadbearing layer is thicker than
shown in the construction drawing for the installation.
- Minimum distance of the anchor to the edge of the member shall be observed. Anchors
shall not be set in construction joints.
- Different types of installation shall be observed (e.g. pre-positioned installation, in-place
installation, stand-off installation).
- Various drilling methods shall be observed.

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- Requirements concerning fix and maximum torque moment shall be observed.
- Requirements concerning screwing depth on anchors with internal thread shall be adhered
to.
- Difference between monolithically manufactured concrete elements and/or manufacture
with semi-finished products (e.g. "Filigrandecken") shall be observed.
- In case of deviations and distinctive features when installing, the construction supervisor
has to be informed.

4.2 Anchor-specific technical knowledge

Comprehension has to be passed on for the following anchor-specific points:

Bolt anchors / sleeve anchors (torque-controlled)

Mechanism
For installing torque wrench shall be used and torque moment shall be observed (for more
detailed information see installation instructions or approval).

Undercut anchors
Mechanism
The mechanism of the undercut anchor will be ensured by the reliable and verifiable
making of the undercut.
If necessary, a special drilling and setting tool shall be used (for more detailed information
see installation instructions).

Concrete screws / Anchor screws

Mechanism
Concrete screws and drill holes can only be used repeatedly if this is explicitly permitted in
the approval.
For the installation appropriate tools and machines according to the approval or installation
instruction shall be used. If necessary, tangential impact screwdrivers with suitable power
shall be used (for more detailed information see installation instruction).
No easy continued turning of the concrete screws after setting.

Drop-in anchor (deformation-controlled)

Mechanism
If necessary, a setting tool shall be used (for more detailed information see installation
instructions).
The drop-in anchor shall be hammered down completely (countersink expansions parts,
markings to be observed).
Installation criteria (e.g. displacement criteria) of the approval or installation instructions
need to be respected.
The correct screw length for fixing the fixture shall be determined considering the screwing

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 depth required.

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 Bonded anchors in general
Fastening system, components, observance of the information on dangerous substances.
The storage conditions for mortar compound shall be observed.
The mortar's date of expiry shall be observed; mortar where the expiry date has elapsed
shall be disposed of according to the installation instructions.
Moisture in the concrete member and/or water in the drill hole.
Steel elements according to approval and/or manufacturer's recommendation shall be used
only. When using customary standard parts, a 3.1 test certificate according to the
corresponding standard must be available without fail.
Anchor rod with planned anchorage depth shall be used (marking and/or information by the
planner shall be observed). Note that there are systems with variable anchorage depth.
Anchor rod shall be inserted completely (marking shall be observed).
When mounting overhead the measures stated in the approval shall be observed for this
application (for more detailed information see installation instructions).
After the installation of the anchor rod the mortar has to emerge on the surface and the
annular gap has to be filled completely.
Processing temperatures and cure times shall be observed (for more detailed information
see installation instructions).
Even smaller loads and/or aligning the anchor is not admissible within the cure time.
Cartridge systems Capsule systems
The pressure grouting tool belonging to the For setting the anchor rod, drill
bonded anchor system as well as the static hammer/percussion drilling machine with
mixer including blending spirals belonging to lash adjustor shall be used in order to
the cartridge shall be used for the injection ensure complete destruction and thorough
process according to the installation mixing of the capsule and/or the foil
instructions. capsule.
Attention shall be paid to an even staining
(thorough mixing) of the emerging injection
adhesive.
The flow of the mortar shall be discarded in
accordance with the information in the
approval.
The injection starts at the toe of the drill hole
and shall be carried out bubble-free.
In case of assembling in perforated bricks a
perforated sleeve shall be applied according
to plan and approval.

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 Plastic anchors
Mechanism.
Processing temperature shall be observed.
Anchors are considered to be set according to the rules, if, after the complete turning in of
the screw, neither a rotation of the anchor sleeve nor an easy continued rotation of the
screw will be possible.
The anchor must not be set into the drill hole by force, buckling of the anchor or cracks are
to be avoided.
The special screws of suitable length and diameter delivered together with the anchor sleeve
shall be used (for more detailed information see installation instructions).

Anchors for external thermal insulation composite systems

All setting regulations by the manufacturers of the anchors and the systems have to be
observed.
Plugging shall always be done through the adhesive.
When determining the anchor length and the drilling depth, thickness of the adhesive, old
rendering and non-loadbearing substrates shall be taken into account.
Number of anchors per m2 shall be observed. At the same time peripheral zones and, where
applicable, height of the building and wind loads shall be considered.
The scheme for setting anchors shall be observed.
Screw anchors must not be driven in.
The anchor shaft must not be damaged during setting.
Anchors which were not correctly set have to be removed.
The counterbore depth and/or the depth of engagement shall be selected according to
manufacturer's data, taking the insulating material into account.

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5 Anchor training courses and training provisions
The responsibility for the competence of the anchor installers rests with the executing
companies. At the same time it is also the executing company's responsibility as to which
way will be chosen to ensure the competence of its installers. Internal or external seminars,
briefing as well as a personal training course of the installer are conceivable. The decisive
factor is the competence achieved and not the way how it had been done. Competence does
not depend on a brand.
If specific requirements have to be met by the company and the personnel then these
regulations are decisive. This, for example, applies to post-installed rebar connections, where
specific requirements have to be met by the certification of the installers and the executing
company.
In all other cases the diverse training courses offered can be chosen from various
organizations. Basis for the training course for anchor installers is the communication of the
requirements of competence stated in section 4.
When selecting the training course for anchors efforts must be made to ensure that the main
focus is also placed at least on the application for the later installation of anchors.
The examples compiled below are organizations and/or forms of organization in the field of
training courses for anchor installers:
- Vocational schools (e.g. training to become façade installer, metalworker)
- Training by branch associations (e.g. chambers of crafts, guilds, master schools)
- Internal training (firms for installation of anchors)
- Training in competence centers
- Training in craftsman centers
- Training by external bodies (e.g. universities, academies, engineering offices)
- Training by the manufacturer
- Training by sales partners.

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