Episode 5
BS 8539:2012 Code of Practice Guide

BS 8539 Code of Practice for post-installed anchors for concrete and masonry.

Anchors are a small component to which little consideration is frequently given but are absolutely vital to preventing the collapse of the structure or installation that depends on them. It is quite common to hear that they are only specified once on-site, this does not allow enough time for the necessary guidance outlined in BS 8539 Code of Practice to be followed.

The introduction of BS 8539:2012 Code of practice for post-installed anchors for concrete and masonry has helped towards this change. The main purpose of BS 8539 is to reduce the risk of site failures caused by poor anchor/fixing selection, installation, and training. The guidance outlines the roles and responsibilities of all those within the anchor and fixing supply chain and best practices for anchor selection, supply, installation, and testing.

To provide a deeper insight into BS 8539:2012 and its impact on the M&E sector we caught up with Peter Gorden from RawlPlug, one of the largest European manufacturers of anchors/fixings.

After the podcast, you will have a clear understanding of:

• BS 8539:2012 overview

• Key points from BS 8539:2012

• Why was BS 8539:2012 Code of Practice introduced?

• Who does BS 8539:2012 affect?

• How does BS 8539 affect designers, specifiers, contractors, installers, site testers, manufacturers, and suppliers?

• When selecting an anchor, what factors should be considered?

• Understanding substrates

• How does BS 8539:2012 differentiate between cracked and non-cracked concrete?

• How does BS 8539 guide the specifier to understand the load rating when selecting an anchor?

• What role does the environment surrounding an anchor play in selecting an anchor?

• What are the working principles of an anchor/fixing?

• What type of approvals should be considered when selecting an anchor?

• What are should a supplier offer?

• Can you change the specified anchor to another of similar size and description?

• How does the BS 8539:2012 affect the installer?

• Why do anchors/fixings fail?

• How can you provide evidence of a compliant anchor/fixing installation?

• How does BS 8539:2012 code of practice guide on-site testing?

• How does a subcontractor provide evidence of a compliant anchor/fixing installation?

• Before a proof test is carried out onsite, what type of information do you require?

• What is an anchor/fixing policy?

Why should I follow the guidance within BS 8539:2012 Code of Practice?

Although it is not applied by law, if followed BS 8539 can help to remind those within the anchor/fixing supply chain of their individual roles and responsibilities and ultimately reduce the risk of site failure caused by poor anchor/fixing selection, installation/training, and testing.

What are the main points of BS 8539?

• Always specify an ETA-approved anchor, if it is available.

• Installers must be trained and 'competent' before carrying out anchor installations

• If the original anchor/fixing that has been specified does not arrive on-site, then an alternative anchor can only be proposed if the change management procedure is followed.

• All anchor/fixing testing must be carried out in accordance with Construction Fixing Association (CFA) guidance and should only be completed by a CFA-trained tester.

Why was BS 8539:2012 Code of Practice introduced?

The code of practice was actually an adaption of previous Irish standards, introduced because of several fatalities, proven to be caused by poor anchor selection & installation. The primary purpose of BS 8539 is to both educate and guide every stakeholder within the anchor/fixing supply chain to ensure both the safe selection and installation of anchors/fixings into concrete and masonry.

What am I responsible for?

The code of practice outlines the role of each stakeholder and their responsibility. If you are reading this article and you fall between one of the following stakeholders then BS 8539 can provide advice.

• Designer

• Specifier

• Installer

• Site tester

• Manufacturer

• Supplier

How do I select an anchor/fixing?

Several factors need to be considered before specifying an anchor.

• What type of substrate is the anchor/fixing being installed into?

• Loadings - what will the applied load be on the anchor/fixing, if an ETA-approved anchor has been specified this information would be outlined within the report.

• Environment - the type of environment surrounding an anchor will determine its working load over time, for example, corrosive environments such as a chlorinated environment require a different finish of anchor over an anchor installed inside a car park.

• How will the anchor/fixing be installed - more relevant to the installer, however, depending on if the anchor/fixing is a pre-installed flush fixing (e.g. deformation-controlled anchor) or a through fixing,

• What are the working principles of the anchor/fixing

• What approvals do I need?

How do I supply an anchor/fixing?

BS 8539 is clear, you should only supply the specific anchor that has been specified. The task seems simple, but it isn't, because in many cases cost is still considered as the dominant determining factor in anchor selection, so if the procurement/buyer team believes the specified anchor is too expensive then it most likely won't be supplied to the site.

Under BS 8539 it is the responsibility of the supplier to ensure:

• The specified anchor arrives on-site unless a specific change management procedure has been followed.

• Ensure all associated setting equipment is offered to the contractor such as drill bits, hole cleaning equipment, setting tools, torque wrench etc. in order that the installer can install anchors correctly

• Provide installation training or facilitate this being provided by the manufacturer.

• Provide guidance in anchor selection.

• Ensure the change management procedure is adhered to if asked for alternatives

How do I install an anchor?

By following the manufacturer's instructions. The guidance states that any individual carrying out anchor installations must be 'competent. 'Competent' is defined as: 'suitably trained and qualified by knowledge and practical experience, and provided with the necessary instructions, to enable the required task(s) to be carried out correctly. Quite often there is a misunderstanding around the importance of using the correct setting tool for that specific anchor and how to correctly tighten an anchor. Please find the anchor installer videos available from the resources section.

There are a few situations where an installer/supervisor should stop carrying out an installation and refer to site management or engineering before proceeding. This practice should be encouraged on-site and is another reason why we recommend the BS 8539:2012 awareness session, typical examples of when an anchor installer should stop are:

• Rebar - if you strike reinforcing bar whilst drilling.

• Tension bars - if you strike tension bars whilst drilling

• If you come across an unknown base material

• If you do not have the required information such as drill diameter and depth to install the anchor

• If you do not have the relevant tools such as setting tools or torque wrenches

• If you are asked to install a non-specified anchor

How do I test an anchor, should I carry out a 'pull' test?

Technically, a 'pull' test doesn't exist, BS 8539 outlines two main type of anchor/fixing tests:

1.) Allowable load test (determines the allowable working load of an anchor for that particular substrate)

2.) Proof test (verifies the quality of the anchor installation')

Allowable load test

An allowable load test is carried out where the application involved is not covered by a relevant ETA, or the strength and condition of the base material is unknown, with no published data. Without carrying out an allowable load test you can’t accurately determine the allowable working load of the anchor.

Proof testing

Ultimately, a proof test tests the quality of the anchor installation. These tests are usually carried out after the anchor has been installed.

How do you carry out a ‘proof test’?

A test load is applied to the anchor (no more than 1.5 x recommended) and any movement is observed. This type of test only validates the installation.

How do you carry out an allowable load test?

A pre-determined number of anchors are installed into the substrate. The test metre is attached to each anchor, in-turn, and loaded to a pre-determined level. At this point, the readings are recorded. Each anchor is then taken to a failure point and the readings are recorded. Following on all anchor tests, the average value has a safety factor applied, which gives us our new recommended load for this anchor in the tested substrate.

Both of these tests are often referred to as a 'pull' test. This is the incorrect term but it reinforces the need to raise awareness about the two main types of tests available.

Peter Gordan states that: "many now see 'proof testing' as a box-ticking exercise or a commercial requirement more than a safe installation issue".

How do we reduce the chances of site failures caused by anchors/fixings?

Bracket suspension failures occur too frequently on-site. The best way to mitigate the risk is by following the guidance outlined in BS 8539. Anchors and fixings compliance will not go away, fortunately, as the industry is changing and the confidence rises between the whole supply chain, the selection, supply, installation, and testing of anchors will start to become compliant.


Back to top