Powder Actuated Fasteners
Powder Actuated Fasteners
(OP)
Has anyone heard of using p.a.f.'s in the top of a cont bond beam to attach something like a light gauge track as opposed to using an anchor bolt or an expansion anchor.
Thank you.
Thank you.






RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
If you do, you are better off with an anchor bolt and a Stiffclip CL (from the Steel Network) as needed.
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
Had some bad experiences with this in the past and will not touch them again.
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
Thanks.
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
I for one will never touch or specify them again.
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
Seems like the PAF in your situation were used with incorrect powder charge type and the contractor did NOT do a test before proceeding with production fastening.
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
It was a licenced and Ramset recommended sub contractor doing the job.
No one realised the pins were breaking and shooting out, because most of the pin was doing the job.
Bullet holes were appearing in the glazing in front of the building and police were called because we thought someone was doing drive by shooting or something like that.
Then my father (a retired builder) and I went there on the quiet Saturday morning, and worked out was was going on. Found part of the pin about 1/4" in the rubble near the bullet hole in the window.
PAF not for me under any circumstances.
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
The ICC reports I deal with exclude seismic and wind loading from the "scope of the report". With that said, I limit it to non-structural interior items only and in shear only.
And yes, if you didn't specify them for this type of construction, and showed all wedge anchors, you would look very silly.
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
In California that doesn't meet code actually. The exterior wall will be subject to wind and seismic. The ICC-ESS reports for powder actuated fasteners are beyond the scope of the report.
So if you're getting away with it, it is due to lack of enforcement. For California hospitals this would get your project stopped. And this is because healthcare construction enforces every part of the code you can think of.
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
RE: Powder Actuated Fasteners
Makes sense in CA. In NC, seismic load is minimal on curtain walls.