Simpson Strong Tie, Connectors for Timber and Masonry Construction

Simpson Strong Tie, Connectors for Timber and Masonry Construction

Allgrip Industrial has a long connection, see what I did there, with Simpson Strong Tie through its sister company John Murphy (Castlerea) Ltd., (JMC). JMC have being selling Simpson’s, Timber and Masonry Connectors to the DIY sector in Ireland for years. The Simpson Strong Tie range is now available to end users through Allgrip UK across England, Scotland and Wales from our distribution facility in Stourbridge, Birmingham, from where we offer a 24-hour nationwide delivery service, the same service provided by Allgrip Ind., Ireland for end users in Ireland from our Castlerea distribution facility.

The Simpson Strong Tie Mission

Simpson Strong Tie are the world’s leading construction connector manufacturer, their mission “is to help build better, safer structures – economically”. They provide their service by designing, engineering and manufacturing structural connectors and other related products that meet or exceed their customers’ needs and expectations.

Allgrip Industrial Ireland and UK are Simpson Stockists

Allgrip Industrial stocks Simpson Strong Tie products at both our distribution facilities in Stourbridge, Birmingham and Castlerea, Ireland. This along with a large stock of Threaded Rod, Bolts, Nuts, Washers, Adhesives, Silicone, Insulation Fixings and much more allows us to provide a 24-hour delivery service across the UK and Ireland. To place your order, call our sales office at;

1. Allgrip Industrial UK: Birmingham Sales Office 01384 424767
2. Allgrip Industrial Ire: Castlerea Sales Office 094 9621283

Download the Allgrip Industrial Catalogue here.

CE Marking Construction Connectors

From the 1st July 2013, the Construction Products Regulation (CPR) was passed into law across Europe. That means all construction products, sold after that date must comply with the CPR standard. It is Simpson and Allgrip Ind., policy to sell products that comply with the CPR standard.

DoP, where can it be found?

​All Simpson products covered by their Declaration of Performance (DoP) can be found on their website along with a link to the relevant DoP ready for download. This makes everybody’s job easier when putting together the documentation needed for all building projects and subsequent audits.
The labelling on all packaging of Simpson Products are very clearly marked to show their compliance with the CPR.

1. Simpson Strong-Tie item code
2. Item description
3. EAN bar code (each)
4. EAN bar code (box)
5. CE symbol
6. The number of the notified body undertaking factory production control auditing
7. Year that Simpson Strong-Tie first CE marked the product
8. Information on intended use of product and its essential requirements
9. Name of Manufacturer and web address
10. Date of manufacture
11. Box quantity and weight
    

The Simpson Strong Tie Range

As stated in the title of today’s blog, Simpson Strong Tie manufacture connectors for the Timber and Masonry Construction Industry. The range is large and their catalogue can be downloaded here. The contents page of the catalogue has 18 headings covering;

• Nails and Screws
• Structural Screws for Multi-Ply Timbers
• Masonry Hangers for Solid Joists
• Masonry Hanger for I-Joist and Metal Web
• Timber Hangers for Solid Joists
• Connectors for Glulam Timber
• Timber Hangers for I-Joists
• Timber Hangers for Metal Web Joists
• Roof Connectors
• Timber Frame Connectors
• Angle Brackets and Ties
• Timber Connectors
• Columns Caps and Post Bases
• Restraint Straps
• Masonry Connectors and Wall Ties
• Bead and Mesh
• Miscellaneous
• Mechanical and Chemical Anchor Systems

As you can see this is a comprehensive offering!

Simpson and Eurocode 5: Design Methods

The following European Design Standards, Eurocodes, have also been developed, these supersedes any design code for countries within Europe. The Eurocodes that are relevant to Simpson Strong Tie products are;

1. EN1993 Eurocode 3 Design of Steel Structures
2. EN1995 Eurocode 5 Design of Timber Structures
3. EN1996 Eurocode 6 Design of Masonry Structures 

Simpson products are generally connected to Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) materials or solid timbers; these utilise the modification factors k­mod shown in the extract table below [1].


      Extract from Table 3.1 in BES EN 1995-1-1:2004+A1:2008 (Eurocode 5)

Advice and Technical Support

Simpson pride themselves in offering you the customer the very best support. They have a technical support team on standby to help with your queries. Most queries can be dealt with swiftly, especially if you have the following key pieces of information on hand before you call.

1. What product from the range are you using?
2. Do you know your load requirement?
3. The width and height of the supported member?
4. The width and height of the supporting member?
5. Of what material is the supporting member made of?

Common sense information that will speed up the answers from the support team but we all know common sense isn’t all that common, as the scouts say “be ready”. I am going to highlight some of the products from the range, the selection process is not scientific I am just picking on the basis that the product appeals to me and my customer buy them from me.

Column Caps and Post Bases(CPT)

This product has been redesigned recently, the new CPT concealed post base provides a clean solution, concealed while providing a 25mm stand-off height above concrete, this 25mm stand-off saves the post base end from decay. The CPT is made off pre-galvanised steel, the base is powder coated black for a better appearance and the CPT can be fixed to the concrete base with metal or chemical anchors, supplied by Allgrip Industrial obviously. A popular choice with all Timber Framer house builders.

Timber Frame Panel Closer(TFPC)

Where you are dealing with closed panels you need a product that allows you to draw the panel together. This helps to minimise air leakage between timber frame panels and reduces the damage to the exterior substrate that using screws only can do. Simpson have design a unique screw guide and this ensures that the fastening is driven quickly and accurately. My framing customers tell me this is a beauty; it solves a real problem for them.

Hold Down Straps(ETFSS)

ETFSS hold down straps do what they say in the description, they are designed to keep the timber structure from uplifting from the concrete substructure. The strap is CE certified and tested to pass the relevant BS EN standards. Due to the possibility of damp the strap is made of Stainless Steel to avoid corrosion. It is flexible in that it will fit in cavities from 50mm to 100mm.

Downloads and other sales contacts
​
Download the Allgrip Industrial Catalogue here
Download the Simpson Strong Tie Catalogue downloaded here

John Twohig; john@allgrip.ie
Mobile 00 353 87 2342238

Sales Ireland; info@jmcallgrip.ie
Sales UK; sales@martynprice.co.uk

[1] For the full graphic see page 7 in the Simpson Strong Tie Catalogue