The BPC Fixings Heavy Duty Flat Strap is an essential structural component for builders and serious DIY enthusiasts, designed to provide robust horizontal restraint for timber structures connecting to masonry walls. This galvanised steel strap ensures critical stability and compliance with stringent building regulations, offering peace of mind for long-lasting constructions. However, achieving its full potential requires precise installation with appropriate fasteners.
Heavy-Duty Galvanised Steel: Manufactured from 4mm thick galvanised steel, offering superior strength and excellent corrosion resistance for long-term structural integrity.
Horizontal Restraint Specialist: Specifically engineered for critical applications such as securely tying timber roofs and floors into masonry walls, preventing horizontal movement.
Multi-Holed Design: Features precisely cut 6mm diameter holes at 25mm offset centres, providing versatile and strong fixing points for various fastener types.
Standard Compliant: Designed and rigorously tested to meet key building standards including BS EN 845-1, The Building Regulations, and BS5268 Part 3, ensuring reliability and safety.
Optimal Dimensions: With a width of 28mm and a length of 1000mm (1 meter), it provides substantial surface area for load distribution while being manageable for installation.
Exceptional structural strength due to 4mm thick steel.
Highly resistant to corrosion thanks to galvanised finish.
Versatile fixing options with multiple pre-drilled holes.
Ensures compliance with major building and construction standards.
Provides reliable horizontal restraint for critical connections.
Fasteners are not included and must be purchased separately.
May require cutting for specific custom lengths on site.
Visibility if not concealed within the building structure.
Requires proper tools for cutting and drilling into masonry.
Heavier than lighter-gauge alternatives, requiring robust handling.
Exceptional structural strength due to 4mm thick steel.
Highly resistant to corrosion thanks to galvanised finish.
Versatile fixing options with multiple pre-drilled holes.
Ensures compliance with major building and construction standards.
Provides reliable horizontal restraint for critical connections.
Fasteners are not included and must be purchased separately.
May require cutting for specific custom lengths on site.
Visibility if not concealed within the building structure.
Requires proper tools for cutting and drilling into masonry.
Heavier than lighter-gauge alternatives, requiring robust handling.
The BPC Heavy Duty Flat Strap excels in its primary role: providing robust horizontal restraint in construction. Imagine a timber roof frame or a wooden floor joist system needing to be securely anchored to a brick or block wall. This strap bridges that connection, preventing the timber structure from separating or shifting horizontally due to wind loads, seismic activity, or general structural movement over time. The 4mm thick galvanised steel construction means it can withstand significant forces, making it suitable for demanding applications in both new builds and renovations. The multi-holed design (6mm holes at 25mm offset centres) is a key benefit, allowing installers flexibility in fastener placement to avoid existing rebar or irregular masonry, while ensuring an even distribution of the load across multiple fixing points. This strap is crucial for adhering to modern building regulations that mandate secure structural ties. For example, when securing a timber sole plate to a masonry wall, the strap can be laid flat across the joint, fastened into both elements, effectively tying them together.
Measure and Cut: Determine the required length of the strap. If the 1m length is too long, use an appropriate metal cutting tool (e.g., angle grinder with a metal cutting disc) to cut the strap to size. Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when cutting.
Positioning: Place the flat strap in the desired location, ensuring it spans both the timber and masonry elements you intend to connect. For optimal performance, aim for an even distribution of fixing points on both sides of the joint.
Marking Holes: Using the pre-drilled 6mm holes as a guide, mark the drilling points on both the timber and masonry surfaces.
Pre-Drilling: For masonry, pre-drill holes using a 6mm masonry drill bit. For timber, you may also wish to pre-drill pilot holes if using screws, or if the timber is particularly dense. Ensure drilling depth is appropriate for your chosen fasteners.
Fasten Securely: Use suitable 6mm diameter fasteners (e.g., masonry anchors, timber screws, bolts, or specialist frame fixings) to secure the strap firmly to both the timber and masonry. Ensure fasteners are fully tightened but do not overtighten to avoid distorting the strap or damaging the substrate.
Substrates: Compatible with common construction materials such as timber (softwood, hardwood, engineered timber), brickwork, blockwork, and concrete.
Fasteners: Requires 6mm diameter fasteners appropriate for both timber and masonry applications. Examples include masonry screws, sleeve anchors, through bolts, or heavy-duty timber screws.
Inspection: As the strap is made of galvanised steel, it requires minimal maintenance. Periodically inspect any exposed sections for signs of severe damage, bending, or excessive corrosion. While galvanised, prolonged exposure to harsh conditions or damage to the coating can lead to rust.
Cleaning: If necessary, clean with a damp cloth to remove dirt or debris. Avoid abrasive cleaners that could damage the galvanised coating.