EJOT UK to Survey Contractors about their Approach to Testing the Quality of Fastener Seals

BUILDING ENVELOPE fastener specialist EJOT UK is to survey roofing and cladding contractors in a bid to understand more about their approach to testing the quality of individual fixing points where self-drilling fasteners are used to attach metal sheets.

In particular, the survey will gauge to what extent regular seal testing is taking place as part of building envelope contracts where self-drilling screws are used, and assess how the new best practice resources currently being developed by EJOT could be helpful to installers by offering them an easier way to maintain quality standards.

Seal Testing

A correctly installed self-drilling fastener.

Despite seal testing being a relatively easy process, EJOT’s own experience suggests that it is not being given the focus it deserves, which could mean avoidable quality issues are not being spotted at the point where remedial action is simplest and least costly. The vast majority of the inspections the team is asked to conduct, usually following reports of problems with a completed building, relate to incorrect screw gun setting or even inappropriate hardware – something seal testing will pick up.

Fastener and washer should make an effective seal at head and sheet.

Seal testing is a simple but highly effective way to check that screws have been driven into place using the right tools, set properly and in the right way. And while there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach to seal testing, it is important for installers to integrate this into their work on-site in a way that does not impact on the team’s productivity. Establish a frequency for checking and stick to it.

Get Into Routine

Brian Mack, Technical Business Development Manager at EJOT UK, said: “We want to know more about what is really happening on-site in relation to testing the quality of installed self-drilling screws. Our feeling is that there could be a significant knowledge gap when it comes to seal testing, which should be part of every job that uses self-drilling fasteners – it is easy to do, low cost and really effective.

“It is important to get into the routine of doing seal testing by planning it into the installation schedule and set a frequency that suits the project parameters. Using a testing kit like the EJOT VACUtest is far safer than using feeler gauges where often, if there is a problem, installers are tempted to either unwind the screw until it is hand tight, or ‘nip’ up the washer if it is not tight enough. Neither will rectify the issue and could make the situation worse.”

EJOT VACUtest

Suction cups should be robust enough to withstand vacuum force v2.

The EJOT VACUtest is an air pressure testing kit that works by creating a vacuum around the fastener head using a suction cup, which is attached to a hose and connected to a pump. Unlike some of the hand-held test kits available which have suction cups that can buckle easily, EJOT has recently re-engineered VACUtest’s suction cups to be robust as vacuum is applied and developed a range of cups to fit all common profiles and applications.

Squeezing the pump trigger removes the air from the suction cup until a pressure reading of 20 inHg (“inch of mercury”) is achieved for 5-10 seconds, making it easy to identify if the fastener installation is a pass or fail.

To find out more about installation and seal testing best practice for self-drilling fasteners, contact EJOT UK on 01977 687040, email info@ejot.co.uk or visit the website.

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