On Site, Anchor Testing is now a service Allgrip Industrial offers its end user customers. This is a service we had been asked for regularly by our construction customers, as we are supplying Anchors such as Socket Bolt and ETA Option Through Bolts from JCP Jaton. Our customers are required to prove the suitability of the Anchors performance in concrete “cracked” or otherwise. In today’s blog, I am going to go through the process of testing and the actions we have taken to be able to provide this new service.
When one of our customer’s procurement manager asked could we provide the testing service my first thoughts were yes, no problem, a typical salesperson’s reaction, of course then I had to think about what I had just committed to do. There is quite a bit that needs to be considered, just rocking up to a site with a testing kit in hand will not cut it. So, after careful consideration the following were the main points to cover:
When one of our customer’s procurement manager asked could we provide the testing service my first thoughts were yes, no problem, a typical salesperson’s reaction, of course then I had to think about what I had just committed to do. There is quite a bit that needs to be considered, just rocking up to a site with a testing kit in hand will not cut it. So, after careful consideration the following were the main points to cover:
- Test Kit Manufacturer
- Test Kit Training
- Site Access
- Product knowledge
- Substrate knowledge
- Documentation
- Insurance
Test Kit Manufacturer and Training
The decision to run with HydraJaws was easy, the recommendations came from the first three conversations I had with suppliers in the UK. They were all very complimentary towards the company, their people and their Testing Kits. HydraJaws are based in Birmingham and are trading since 1985, when their first prototype came on the market. Their range of testing kits has grown as has their customer base which is now worldwide.
Ian Craig at HydraJaws listened to my needs and recommended what he believes to be the best Testing Kit in their range. Ian has many years in the testing sector and is hugely respected within the trade. The kit he recommended was Model 2000 Deluxe Duty Tester, I felt a bit like Harry Potter must have when getting his Nimbus 2000 Broom Stick.
Ian spent a half day training me. He gave me an exam to pass after that, thankfully this all went smoothly and I passed with flying colours, the first two hurdles out of the way.
Ian Craig at HydraJaws listened to my needs and recommended what he believes to be the best Testing Kit in their range. Ian has many years in the testing sector and is hugely respected within the trade. The kit he recommended was Model 2000 Deluxe Duty Tester, I felt a bit like Harry Potter must have when getting his Nimbus 2000 Broom Stick.
Ian spent a half day training me. He gave me an exam to pass after that, thankfully this all went smoothly and I passed with flying colours, the first two hurdles out of the way.
Site Access
When considering doing the pull tests onsite I realised I needed to undertake three key pieces of training, if I didn’t have all three of these courses completed, site access was always going to be an issue. The three are:
1. Safe Pass Course
2. Manual Handling
3. Working at Heights
Having never worked in the construction industry I had none of this courses completed so I enrolled with the Chris Mee Group in Little Island in Cork. All three courses took a combined two days, I passed all three and now have the correct documentation to back up my claims if required to produce them by a site safety manager.
1. Safe Pass Course
2. Manual Handling
3. Working at Heights
Having never worked in the construction industry I had none of this courses completed so I enrolled with the Chris Mee Group in Little Island in Cork. All three courses took a combined two days, I passed all three and now have the correct documentation to back up my claims if required to produce them by a site safety manager.
Product Knowledge
Currently Allgrip Industrial’s main supplier of construction grade anchors in JCP in the UK. JCP are a division of the huge Hexstone Group. All the products come with full technical specification, and in several cases European Technical Approval’s (ETAG). As stated above the most common requests for testing are on:
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Socket Bolt Anchors
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Through Bolt ETA Option 1
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A self-tapping socket anchor which cuts its own thread in the base material. Suitable for use in solid concrete, hollow concrete, bricks, dense blocks and most natural stone. The socket has both M8 and M10 internal threads. Also available are individual M8 and M10 sockets allowing for Threaded Rod to be threaded into the sockets and a load suspended from the anchor.
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A through bolt with an Option 1 ETA, suitable for use in cracked and uncracked concrete.
Both examples can be accompanied by a request for onsite testing. Allgrip Industrial is now able to provide that service. I have attended training at JCP to better understand their products and again can provide the documentation to back that up. |
Substrate Knowledge
As you are aware different substrates require different anchors to suspend load bearing weight from. The experience within Allgrip Industrial and our experienced suppliers mean that we will specify the correct anchor for your specific requirements. Most of the testing I am being asked to do is into concrete, hollow core plank, cracked and uncracked.
Our supplier JCP/Jaton also have an Anchor Calculation Programme which is available online to engineering/design departments as a “Free Tool” to complete their design work. If needed JCP will also train people to use the programme.
Our supplier JCP/Jaton also have an Anchor Calculation Programme which is available online to engineering/design departments as a “Free Tool” to complete their design work. If needed JCP will also train people to use the programme.
Documentation
As well as completing a “Risk and Method Statement” of the tests I have being requested to carry out, we will back up all Anchors with the correct CE Cert’s, DoP’s, Fire Certs and all other necessary documents for the project audit file.
Insurance
Allgrip Industrial and our parent company John Murphy (Castlerea) Ltd have the correct indemnity cover to carry out the testing and to cover all support documentation provided as a direct result of testing.
Contacts
Allgrip Industrial Ireland & UK are very proud re-sellers to end users of such a world leader as Heller. We carry stock at both our distribution facilities in Stourbridge, Birmingham and Castlerea, Ireland. This allows us to offer the next day delivery service that works well for our customers. The numbers below are our sales offices should you need to make enquiries or place an order.
1. Allgrip Industrial UK: Birmingham Sales Office 01384 424767
2. Allgrip Industrial Ireland: Castlerea Sales Office 094 9621283
3. John Twohig +353 (0)87 234 2238 or john@allgrip.ie
Download the Allgrip Industrial Catalogue here.
Allgrip Industrial Ireland & UK are very proud re-sellers to end users of such a world leader as Heller. We carry stock at both our distribution facilities in Stourbridge, Birmingham and Castlerea, Ireland. This allows us to offer the next day delivery service that works well for our customers. The numbers below are our sales offices should you need to make enquiries or place an order.
1. Allgrip Industrial UK: Birmingham Sales Office 01384 424767
2. Allgrip Industrial Ireland: Castlerea Sales Office 094 9621283
3. John Twohig +353 (0)87 234 2238 or john@allgrip.ie
Download the Allgrip Industrial Catalogue here.
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