STANDARDS
There are a number of factors to take into consideration when selecting the correct wall tie to use in cavity walls.
These include cavity width, building type, height of the building and geographical location. The information relating to this can be found in several statutory documents which are listed in this section together with the relevant British and European Standards. All the documents define the minimum requirements for product specification and recommendations as to the correct installation of the ties.
BS EN845 –1:2013 SPECIFICATION FOR ANCILLARY COMPONENTS FOR MASONRY - PART1 TIES, TENSION STRAPS, HANGERS AND BRACKETS
This is the European Standard which specifies the requirements for wall ties used for interconnecting masonry and for connecting masonry to beams, columns or other parts of the building. This standard indicates tie types, materials, tolerances and declared values. All TecTies wire wall ties have been independently tested to this standard at Ceram Building Technology.
BS 5628-1:2005 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR THE USE OF MASONRY
This Standard gives recommendations on length of tie, density, positioning and embedment. Ties are classified from Type 1 to 4 which are determined by function, use and strength. It also advises on density and number of ties with relevant information on movement joints and their position.
BS 6399-2:1997 CODE OF PRACTICE FOR WIND LOADS
This Standard provides detailed information on calculating wind loads – both standard and directional and gives average wind speeds taking into account elements such as distance to coast, distance in town, terrain roughness, altitude, slope etc.
BS 5268-6.1:1996 STRUCTURAL USE OF TIMBER-DWELLINGS NOT EXCEEDING SEVEN STOREYS
This Standard provides recommendations for wall ties in timber frame buildings. Ties are classified from Types 5 to 7 with information on location, structure, density, positioning and embedment.
APPROVED DOCUMENT E: RESISTANCE TO THE PASSAGE OF SOUND
This document gives the performance requirements for ties used in party walls (Type A) and external walls (Type B) of new build attached dwellings.
Type A ties have a measured dynamic stiffness of less than 4.8MN/m3 taking both cavity width and tie density into account. TecTies TT4 ties have been independently tested at Ceram Building Technology and meet the requirements for Type A ties.
Type B ties must have a measured dynamic stiffness of less than 113MN/m3 taking both cavity width and tie density into account. All TecTies wire wall ties have been independently tested at Ceram Building Technology and meet the requirements for Type B ties.
MANDATORY CE MARKING
As of the 1st July 2013 under the new Construction Products Regulation, CE marking will become mandatory for construction products within the European Economic Area. All TecTies tangle free wall ties have been independently tested and carry a genuine CE mark. To find out more about CE marking at TecTies please download the CE Newsletter here.