Fasteners and tools

Only fasteners that have been officially approved for the particular application must be used.

To connect panels using self-tapping screws on a steel supporting structure, on flat steel in concrete girders or on special anchor rails, a drilling machine with drills having a diameter of 5.3mm, 5.5mm or 5.7mm, depending on the thickness of the supporting structure, is required for pre-drilling.

When using self-drilling screws, pre-drilling is not necessary.

On wooden supporting structures, the panels are fastened in pre-drilled holes with a diameter of 4.8mm using special wood screws ø 6.5mm and washers. The tools used are the same as those used for fastening screws onto steel. When fastening on a wooden supporting structure, the provisions of DIN 1052 part 2 "Wooden structures: Mechanical connections" must be observed in addition to the official approval relating to drilling depth and edge distance.

For fastening self-drilling screws or self-tapping screws of 6.3mm or 8mm diameter with washers and neoprene packing, an electric screw driver with bit stop and adjustable torque should be used.

Fasteners which will be visible after installation should be aligned with each other or form a line.

Interconnection of panels and their connection to end plates is carried out using blind rivets, self-tapping screws or self-drilling screws. For this purpose, a drilling machine with a 4.9mm or 5.1mm drill for rivet holes or a drill between 3.5mm and 5mm (depending on the sheet thickness) for pilot holes for 6.5mm self-tapping screws should be used. Furthermore, an electric screw driver is required to insert the screws.

To fasten blind rivets, various tools are available, from manual riveting pliers to power tools to compressed air riveting tools.

When chips from drilling are exposed to the weather, the galvanised or coated surface may become discoloured. This does not affect the corrosion protection and is not considered as a defect if it occurs to a limited extent only. Drilling chips on visible surfaces, which are exposed to weathering, must be removed if this can be done with a reasonable amount of effort. Any remaining chips are not considered as a defect.

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