Main contractors won’t always inform sub-contractors of the type of composite decking used on the project and the decking itself doesn’t tend to be labelled. There are many manufacturers and types of decking available, all with specific profiles and dovetail shaped recesses that provides a secure anchor point for the right fixing to suspend building services, such as electrical cables, pipework and ductwork. This prevents installers from having to drill into the decking and concrete floor above, helping to maintain the floors integrity.
How can contractors identify decking types?
So how can contractors identify the type of steel decking and fixing they need? Each decking type has a slightly different profile and patterned markings with specific measurements for their fixing recess. So, if you know what to look for you can identify the type of decking used on site and request the suitable decking fixing for it. You can download our handy Decking Identification guide here.
Once a contractor has identified the type of composite decking used, it is then a reasonably straight forward task to find the fixing to suit as many fixings manufacturers will state which decking profiles their fixings are suitable for.
Lindapter decking fixings
Lindapter, are probably the most well known in the market having developed a range of fixings to suit the specific profile recesses for the most common composite decking types. Established in 1936, Lindapter focus on producing innovative fixings for use with steelwork which allow for quick installation and reduced costs, whilst preserving the integrity of the steelwork (by eliminating the need to drill or weld the steel). This makes Lindapters ideal for suspending cables, pipework and HVAC systems from many of the most common decking types.
Lindapter decking fixings have been designed in conjunction with the various decking manufacturers to ensure obligatory requirements are meet from ease of installation to static load. Each type of Lindapter decking fixing is intended to fit a specific decking profile dovetail recess. Below is a brief summary of the Lindapter range of fixing and the specific composite decking they are suitable for:
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Lindapter Type COM
Type COM Lindapter decking Fixings are designed for ComFlor® 60 and ComFlor® 80 profiles manufactured Tata Steel and consist of a locking plate and wedge. When correctly positioned within the profile recess the Type COM fixing can be tightened using threaded rod or bolt and hex nut. Note this is the first M10 fixing availble for ComFlor® 60 and ComFlor® 80 decking profiles.
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Lindapter Type AMD
Type AMD Lindapter decking Fixings are designed for AMD60 and AMD80 profiles manufactured by Anglian Metal Deck Ltd (AMD) and consist of a locking plate and wedge. When correctly positioned within the profile recess the Type AMD fixing can be tightened using threaded rod or bolt and hex nut.
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Lindapter Type TR60
Type TR60 Lindapter decking fixings are designed for TR60+ and TR80+ profiles manufactured by Structural Metal Decks and consist of a locking plate and wedge. When correctly positioned within the profile recess the Type TR60 fixing can be tightened using threaded rod or bolt and hex nut.
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Lindapter Type MF
Type MF Lindapter decking fixings are designed for use with MetFloor® 60 & Metfloor® 80 profiles manufactured by Composite Metal Flooring (CMF®) and consist of a bracket and wedge. When correctly positioned within the profile recess the Type MF fixing can be tightened using threaded rod or bolt and hex nut.
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Lindapter Type MW2 – Multiwedge 2
Type MW2 – Multiwedge 2 Lindapter decking fixings are designed for Multideck 60 and Multideck 80 profiles manufactured by Kingspan Structural Products and consist of bracket and multinut. When correctly positioned within the profile recess the Type MW2 fixing can be tightened using threaded rod or bolt and hex nut.
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Lindapter Type AW – Alphawedge
Type AW – Alphawedge Lindapter decking fixings are designed for Ribdeck E60 manufactured by Hare Decking, formerly Richard Lees Steel Decking and consist of a locking plate and wedge. When correctly positioned within the profile recess the Type AW – Alphawedge fixing can be tightened using threaded rod or bolt and hex nut.
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Lindapter Type SD2 – Slimdek 2
Type SD2 – Slimdek 2 Lindapter decking fixings are designed for the ComFloor 225 profile manufactured by Tata Steel Europe. The SD2 – Slimdek 2 offers a fully flexible suspension position by clamping to the decking profile by tightening its cam nut. Lindapter V-nuts can then be used to provide a secure fixing in conjunction with SD2 – Slimdek 2.
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Lindapter Type VN V-nut
Type VN V-nuts are designed to fit the profile recess of several composite floor deckings. Including: R51 (SMD), ComFlor® 51 (Tata Steel®), Holorib® (Hare Decking), Superib® (Hare Decking), Multideck® 50 (Kingspan®) and MetFloor® 55 (CMF®). Simply screw the v-nut onto threaded rod or bolt insert into the profile dovetail recess and rotate 90° allowing for the tapered edges to wedge against the sides of the profile recess. For this reason, V-nuts are also commonly known as wedge nuts.
The importance for contractors to correctly identify the type of decking they are working with
The importance for contractors to identify the type of composite decking they are working with is clear. As they need to be able to request the correct fixings to fit into the decking profile recess so they are able to create a secure fixing to install building services. Not having the correct type of fixing could cause delays and have a knock-on effect to other phases of the project, which as time is money in construction can prove costly. In addition to wasted labour there is also the potential of financial penalties for the installer.
Likewise, if under time pressure the installer cuts corners by using the wrong type of fixing or drills holes in the decking and floor above to provide a fixing. They are then in danger of undermining the integrity of the floor or more seriously the fixing for installing the building services could collapse, which would incur their own financial penalties.
If contractors are in any doubt, they should contact decking fixing manufacturers such as Lindapter or suppliers like ourselves for advice.
Useful Links:
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Download our Decking Fixings guide
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View our range of Decking fixings
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View our Lindapter range