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are also available to support designers and builders in using AS1684 for all aspects of timber framing in houses. User Guides for housing construction Ten User Guides are available on the Wood Solutions website to assist builders, designers and architects with the interpretation of particular aspects of AS1684. http://www.woodsolutions.com.au/Resources/AS1684code-compliance Detailed information, recommendations and worked examples for both roof and wall framing are included in the guides. The following topics are covered: 1. Nominal vs specific fixing 2. Temporary bracing 3. Simplified tie-down details for coupled roofs 4. External wall heights 5. Fixing of top of bracing walls 6. Roof truss tie-down 7. Ridgeboard and hip rafter tie-down 8. Masonry anchor tie-down 9. Fixing of bottom of hardboard bracing walls 10. Distribution of racking forces via diaphragms
FIX it RIGHT…or FIX it! Clever tips for builders & certifiers Robert Tan, MiTek Technical Services Manager has seen the results of using the wrong building product and/or poorly fixed connectors and tiedowns first-hand. And, as an engineer with more than 30 years experience, he is still baffled as to why this happens. ‘At MiTek, we go to a lot of effort to ensure all our Engineered Building Products are designed and manufactured to meet and in most cases, exceed Australian Building Standards. Even after manufacture we conduct rigorous on-going tests with our EBPs. Plus, MiTek have a comprehensive handbook (The MiTek Guide) which we give out free to builders, certifiers…even apprentices,’ added Robert. ‘This guide tells them what product to use and when to use it – and what the tolerances that EBP is designed to handle. Perhaps one of the most frustrating things though is: seeing the right EBP used…but incorrectly fixed.’ ‘All of MiTek’s EBPs have been designed with specific fixing methods in mind. The holes for nails, bolts…and screws are positioned precisely to maximise performance,’ stressed Robert. ‘Plus, an Engineered Building Product is only as strong as its weakest link - so how you fix an EBP is critical to its performance…and structural integrity.’ Unfortunately there are nails, bolts and screws that don’t meet Australian Standards…and they’re readily available to builders. Some of these might look OK but when put under pressure, fail to perform. ‘There’s no point getting the right EBP and, for the sake of a few cents, opting for an untried and untested fixing solution,’ said Robert. ‘That’s why MiTek developed 2 very specific ‘self-tapping’ screws, engineered to optimise the efficiency of our EBPs and simplify fixing.’ These have been available for some years now; however
122 The Builders Choice Magazine – June 2013
recently there has been a significant improvement…they’re colour-coded. The longer (MSA1465 / 65mm) screw has a blue tip, whilst the shorter (MSA1430 / 30mm) has a yellow tip. This makes post-installation identification especially easy for site inspectors and certifiers. The advantages don’t stop there though – there are installation benefits for the builder on-site too. Both the 30mm and the 65mm screws, with patented tip design, will drill through steel plate and a variety of timbers. Even timbers prone to splitting are fixed with ease…all without the need for pre-drilling. Plus, neither will ‘ream-out’ as can often be the case with cheaper, inferior off-the-shelf screws. No-one wants costly call-backs or ‘issues’ on-site…so here are two tips: use MiTek engineered screws! ‘Structural integrity is a must – that’s why we will continue to research & develop new and improved Engineered Building Products,’ said Robert. ‘And the development of engineered fixing solutions is all an integral part of MiTek’s commitment to ease-of-use and safety on-site.’ To find out more about MiTek’s Engineered Self-tapping Screws, call your local state office or visit: mitek.com.au ADVERTORIAL SUPPLIED BY CLIENT