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Many factors have caused for a skills gap in the industry, being a specialised trade is the main factor.
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components offer the required lifespan,” says Llewellyn Africa, sales and operations manager at Corroshield SA.
SECURING A FASTENER
There are various types of fasteners available for timber.“ Wood type is important as well because you have different wood densities for its various applications. Foot characterises available fasteners into three categories: Site application, machine pressed, and bracing items used in securing the structure together.
“ When using a gang nailed connector plate for a site application, the wood type and grading would be a factor. These types of plate connectors can be used on softer timber to ensure the nail is driven securely into the timber fibres,” he says.
These connectors are available at most hardware stores; however, he recommends getting professional advice on the correct size plates to use for your project.“ Another site application one could use bolted connection with or without large steel gussets. This is common for exposed timber features. Engineered details are required for these connections and can be costly,” Foot shares.
Machine pressed plates can be used on all structural timber grades.“ The size and position of the connector plates are designed to give the customer the most efficient connection for its structural use. This type of fabrication comes with a guarantee from the system provider. The same system provider will supply all the bracing items needed to fasten the timber structure together,” he says. Additionally, drawings should be issued indicating the positions and size of hangers to be installed as well as other bracing connections.
Rainer Lutz from Fastenright says that timber that is applied outside should use a stainless-steel fastener as it doesn’ t rust easily.
“ There are two different kinds of stainless steel, commercial and marine grade. Marine grade is more expensive as it will never rust, the timber will need regular treatment. For wooden decks in provinces in close proximity to the ocean, installing a commercial grade will prevent rusting,” he says.
“ There’ s different kinds of coatings applied on screws, some are galvanized. However, the screw will eventually rust through weather conditions, sometimes owing to salt in the air. The closer you go to the sea, the quicker it will rust,” he shares.
Rust can also occur in an area that experiences a lot of pollution.“ Industrial areas can cause galvanized steel fastener to rust while stainless steel is resistant to rusting. If you use the right fastener, it will never rust or require
See more on page 30
28 JUNE / JULY 2018 //