Adjustable anchor systems Words: Mike Ripley/Public/News/20111010101000-1.jpg" width="600" height="338" border="0" alt="Adjustable anchor systems available through Wire-Bond" />Adjustable anchor systems available through Wire-Bond Our two most popular adjustable anchor systems have steel back plates, available in 14 and 12 gauge, with eyes or slots that accommodate the adjustable 3/16-diameter ties (see Image A). Both anchor plates can be modified for different thicknesses of insulation. Either the legs are lengthened for the plate with eyes or the usage of prongs with the slotted plate (see Image B). When insulation is scored 16 inches high X 8-feet-long sections, the plate with legs is an excellent choice as the legs act as a platform for the insulation to rest. When the adjustable hook is inserted in the eye, it will fit tightly against the insulation and help to hold it in place. Another benefit of using this anchor is the ease of fastening to the steel stud. The installer can visually find the stud, since the insulation is on the outside of the anchor and uses a standard #10 X 1 1/2-inch hex head screw with washer to fasten plate to stud or board. If the 4- X 8-feet sheets of insulation are used, the plates with prongs are a better choice as they will pierce the insulation, pinning it against the wallboard or stud, and provide positive connection to the steel stud. This product requires an experienced installer as the margin of error is small, since the prongs are about 1 inch wide being applied to a 1 1/2-inch-wide stud through various thicknesses of rigid insulation. Another adjustable anchor system that is gaining attention is a barrel-shaped anchor with threads at one end and a single loop at the opposite end that accepts an adjustable 3/16-inch wire tie (see Image C). The barrel or post anchor, like the plate anchors, can vary in size for different widths of insulation and easily be modified for seismic applications. The threads are either carbon steel for penetrating steel studs with a polymer coating, or Tapcon parts 1/4-inch in diameter with a blue polymer coating for concrete or CMU applications. This anchor system is a good alternative to the prong-type anchors, especially for wider sizes of insulation, because it gives the installer a wider margin of error since it’s smaller. Being a single barrel makes it more “green,” as it only punctures one hole in the insulation versus four with the prong products (two prongs and two screws). It can be installed rapidly by using a chuck adapter that fits over the loop part. All three products meet ACI 530 Code Seismic Design Requirements for Categories E and F by adding either a welded or plastic clip to the adjustable tie embedded in the mortar joint of the veneer. The clips provide a channel for a continuous, single-strand, 9-gauge wire to run horizontally along the veneer.