Steel Deck Fastening Systems
1.1 Steel Deck Fastener Design and Selection
Hilti powder-actuated deck fasteners are recognized
alternatives to arc spot puddle welds and self-drilling screws.
The fasteners can be used on roof deck diaphragms as well
as composite concrete filled floor diaphragms. Hilti provides
training for powder-actuated tool operators in accordance
with ANSI A10.3 Safety Requirements for Powder-Actuated
Fastening Systems.
Displacement [inch]
Figure 5: AC43 Deck Diaphragm Load Displacement Curve
Hilti Mechanical Fastening Systems Provide Superior
Solutions for Attaching Steel Deck to Steel Support
Members
• Consistent Fastening Quality
• High Production Rate
• No Burn Throughs or Joist Damage from Welding
• Superior Cyclic Load Performance
1.1.2.3 Proper Fastener Selection and Steel Deck Layout
(Pre-Fastener Installation)
Selection of the proper Hilti deck fastener depends on the
supporting base steel thickness as shown in Section 1.1.3.1.
The Hilti Deck Fastener Selection Gauge shown in Figure 6 should
be used by the decking installer to confirm fastener selection.
The cut-out slot on the gauge is fit against the bar joist top chord
or steel beam flange. As the internal card slides in the gauge, the
proper Hilti deck fastener is highlighted with a green box. A red
box indicates that the corresponding Hilti deck fastener is outside
the base material application limits and should not be used for
steel deck fastening to the base material being gauged.
Figure 6: Hilti Deck Fastener Selection Gauge
Steel deck installers must layout deck properly and mark
frame fastening lines in order to ensure that steel deck
panels are connected to the supporting steel frame. Marking
frame fastening lines is essential when attaching steel deck
to thin base steels (t II < 1/4"), including open web steel joists.
For all applications, the fasteners should be installed at least
3/8" (10 mm) from the edge or toe of the joist top chord or light
steel beam flange. Additionally, when installing into a bar joist
top chord (angle), the fasteners need to be installed at a distance
from the angle, b x ≤ 8 x t II . Reference Figure 7 for edge distance
and b x dimensions.
Rolled beam or wide
flange shape
Angles or joist top chords
b x
t ||
≥ 3/8"
t ||
≥ 3/8"
b x ≤ 8 t ||
Figure 7: Edge Distance Recommendations
Extra care must be taken at the endlap and corner lap
conditions where multiple layers of steel deck nest or interlock
on adjacent panels. It is particularly important that endlap
and corner lap conditions of two and four deck layers must
be snug and tight against one another and the supporting
steel frame in order for the fastening to be made as shown
in Figure 8. Tight endlap and corner lap requirements are
independent of the fastening type and contribute directly to
the performance of arc spot welds, screws, powder-actuated
fasteners, punches and crimps/clinches. If the steel deck
endlaps and corner laps are not tight, a proper fastening
cannot be made.
Figure 8: Tight Nesting of Steel Deck Sheets
6 Hilti, Inc. (US) 1-800-879-8000 | www.us.hilti.com I en español 1-800-879-5000 I Hilti (Canada) Corp. 1-800-363-4458 I www.hilti.ca I PTG Decking Supplement 2014