By Gary Greenway | Technical Sales Manager - Atkore Unistrut & Marco
Best Practice for installing Window Brackets:
The best practice for engineers is to install these in pairs, as it doubles the load capacity but just as importantly gives support in multiple planes of movement. This means any live load is also supported.
By following the manufacturer best practice, if there were any issues with the product, then the manufacturer would address these. Anything other would negate any product warranty that may be in place.
Always ensure that the beam that is being clamped to, does not exceed 22mm in width and the appropriate window bracker it used for the channel it is supporting.
Pipe movements due to substance passing through it and using an unbalanced loading can cause extra strain on fittings. Always spread the load where possible and consider the implications of not doing so.
Best practice for building Trapezes:
When you are buildin trapezes the best practice is to always use square plate washers at the top and the bottom of each section of the trapeze.
The Trapeze is only as strong as its weakest point or the limiting factor which would be the penny washer is used. Using a square plate washer top and bottom means that the limiting factor will transfer from the penny washer to the channel giving a far more robust solution.
The risk of using penny washers and inferior materials when buying components is an actual failure which could result in a partial or total collapse.
Other more likely risks are failing inspections or sign-off e.g. consultants and specifiers becoming more aware of failure situations. You would have to do full replacement at your cost if it's rejected as it isn't meeting best practice.
If you are quoting against your competitors who are not using best practice, it would be good to inform and educate your customers of the potential risks.
Avoid overload/imbalance of trapeze diagram:
Tiered Trapeze best practice diagram:
