When installing powder-actuated deck fasteners , it is important for the installed fasteners to have a nailhead stand-off , h NVS
, within the specified range . The Hilti Power Adjustment Guide , shown in Figure 13 , is a valuable quality assurance aid to the decking foreman . It is primarily intended for power adjustment of the powder-actuated tool . This is done by installing test fastenings into representative base steel and then checking the nailhead stand-off , h NVS
, at the beginning of the work to achieve the optimal cartridge and tool power level . This is a critical step in the work because of variations in the structural steel strengths ( F y
, F u
) and member thicknesses . By investing time up front and properly correlating the fastening system to actual site materials , most fastening issues can be avoided . During installation , it is also advisable for the foreman to check the work periodically to spot deficiencies before large portions of the deck might be fastened incorrectly . Failure to properly set the tool , fastener and cartridge prior to starting work can decrease fastening quality consistency .
Prior to starting work , the installer shall install a test fastening and check the h NVS using the Hilti Power Adjustment Guide . If necessary , the installer shall adjust the power or force that drives the fastener into the base steel . There are two ways to accomplish this power adjustment . One is by use of different cartridge colors and the other is by adjusting the power regulator on the tool itself .
Steel Deck Fastening Systems
Steel Deck Fastener Design and Selection 1.1
1.1.3.3 Powder-Actuated Cartridge and Power Regulation Selection
Cartridge colors available for Hilti decking tools are ( in order of increasing power ): yellow , blue , red and black . All Hilti decking tools come equipped with a power adjustment capability . The settings on the power regulation dials range from 1 to 4 .
Figures 14 and 15 provide the installer with a recommended cartridge color and power setting for Hilti bar joist and structural steel deck fasteners , respectively . These charts are guidelines that the installer can use to start the process of test fastenings discussed above . This also helps ensure the installer will have the proper color cartridges on the project site .
Figure 13 : Hilti Power Adjustment Guide
Base material thickness t II [ inches ]
Base material thickness t II [ inches ]
X-HSN 24
X-ENP-19
Figure 14 : Cartridge and Power Regulation Guidelines for Figure 15 : Cartridge and Power Regulation Guidelines for Bar Joist Deck Fasteners installed with a DX 860-HSN 1
Structural Steel Deck Fasteners 1
1 Cartridge recommendations for the X-ENP-19 fastener are acceptable for all current Hilti Decking Tools for attachment to structural steel . Cartridge recommendations for the X-HSN 24 fasteners are for the DX 860-HSN . Cartridge recommendations for the DX 460-SM can be found in the tool operator manual . Recommendations are guidelines only and require verification on each site .
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 13