Next week I will be fastening 2x4s flat against a CMU block wall for a retail tenant in leased commercial space.
Two rows of 2x4s actually, running horizontally. Later on, display racks will be screwed into the 2x4s.
What fastening options do I have? Are Tapcons (I don’t like them) the only way to go?
Replies
They can also be glued & shot in with a Hilti. Why horizontally? You will get better support if they rest on the floor by running them vertical. In my area the international code is enforced on commercial and those 2x4's will need to be fire retardent treated. you might want to check & see if you need to meet that requirement.
Good suggestions. The orientation -vert or horiz - will depend on how the steel display racks are designed to be fastened. I'll call the bldg dept Monday to ask about fire retardant or other limitations. Thx.
Look for STD bolts HDG or Stainless Steel wedge bolts if you are using ACQ lumber.
Chuck S
Steven, please pardon my ignorance:
STD bolts HDG? Is there a manufacturer's name for these?
Pierre,HDG- Hot Dipped Galvanized. Here is a link or STD. http://www.fastenal.com/web/products/detail.ex?sku=0711203These can be used into masonry without anchors. I used them in my thread, 'Small Addition"Chuck Slive, work, build, ...better with wood
Pierre,
careful dude...
HDG is Hot Dipped Galvanized and STD is Sexually Transmitted Disease....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
I think if you dip it in hot galvanizing compound, there's little chance of transmitting any disease.
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
Hilti togglers and PL Premium..
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Be carefull of the bed joints on block laid in commercial bluildings. There is likely a horizontal reinforcement embeded in every other course. Once you hit one, your bit is shot, but you then know which couses to skip. If it is an exterior load bearing wall, you might find vertical reinforceing @ 4' o.c. with the web slushed. These are exccelent spots for wedge anchors.
Dave
Is it best practice to avoid the bed joints?
Not neccessarily. In the case of wedge anchors the bed joints offer deeper solid surface. particularly if at the intersection of a head joint.
Wedge anchors in hollow block need to be sized correctly. To long and you don't get much holding grip because the wedge is in the hoolw core. To short and it doesn't expand enough and pulls itself out of the wall as you tighten up the nut.
We have installed several wall mount TV systems that call for wedge anchors in hollow block walls. With the size of the anchors speced. I was still nervous about strapping a 40 lb. TV on a swing arm attached to swivel plates, anchored in a block wall. That is a lot of weight cantelevered out off just two points. I hung on one of the arms before attaching the TV platform. My 155 lbs didn't pull it out, so we felt the engineering was right on the instructions.
We tried to get the anchors to land at the head/bed joint intersections, but because of the spacing (both ways) it wasn't possible. They still worked, even when landing in a solid web or hollow part of the block.
The type of display or storage shelving, and the combined weight of material and merchandise should be the focus your attention. The anchor type, spacing, etc. decision will follow from that information.
I cautioned about the horizontal reinforcing because I once had to rebuild/ replace some storage shelves in a K-Mart wharehouse area after that pulled off a hollow block wall. The original contractor had used lead anchors and bolts in the bed joints to hold 2x4 horizontals to the wall. He hit the DuraWall reinforcing and just set the anchors when he couldn't drill any deeper. The whole 40' run of 2' deep shelves came crashing down when loaded with returned electronics. His seat of the pants engineering and not recognizing the horizontal reinforcing, cost his insurance company a bundle.
What ever you are putting up should come with pre-engineered instructions and support. Use it to the max. These things have been put up in other commercial business. Someone has figured it all out for you already. Just find them and get it right, and reduce your liability in the process.
Dave
Sleeve type anchors. Excellent holding even in hollow cells.
Thanks for all the input. I'll talk with the bldg. dept. tomorrow.
gripcons/permagrips are what you want