General Instructions for the Installer

These general instructions for the installer are provided to ensure proper selection and installation of Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. products and must be followed carefully. These general instructions are in addition to the specific installation instructions and notes provided for each particular product, all of which should be consulted prior to and during installation of Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. products.

1. All specified fasteners must be installed according to the instructions in this catalog. Incorrect fastener quantity, size, type, material, or finish may cause the connection to fail.
   • 16d fasteners are common nails (0.162" dia. x 3 1/2" long) and cannot be replaced with 16d sinkers (0.148" dia. x 3 1/4" long) for full load value unless otherwise specified.
   • Unless otherwise noted, screws may not be used to replace nails in connectors unless approved and recommended by the Designer/Engineer of Record. Unless stated otherwise, Simpson Strong-Tie cannot and does not make any representations regarding the suitability of use or load-carrying capacities of connectors with screws replacing nails.
   • When using stainless-steel connectors, use stainless-steel fasteners. When using ZMAX^®/HDG galvanized connectors, use fasteners that meet the zinc coating specifications of ASTM A153 or other fasteners allowed in this catalog.
2. Fill all fastener holes as specified in the installation instructions for that product. Refer to the Simpson Strong-Tie Fastener Guide for the requirements of the various shaped fastener holes.
3. Do not overdrive nails. Overdriven nails reduce shear capacity.
4. Use the materials specified in the installation instructions. Substitution of or failure to use specified materials may cause the connection to fail.
5. Do not add fastener holes or otherwise modify Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. products. The performance of modified products may be substantially weakened. Simpson Strong-TIe will not warrant or guarantee the performance of such modified products.
6. Install products in the position specified in the catalog.
7. Do not alter installation procedures from those set forth in this catalog.
8. The proper use of certain products requires that the product be bent. For those products, installers must not bend the product more than one time (one full cycle).
9. Bolt holes shall be at least a minimum of 1/32" and no more than a maximum of 1/16" larger than the bolt diameter (per the 2012 NDS, section 11.1.3.2 and AISI S100-07, Table E3a if applicable).
10. Install all specified fasteners before loading the connection.
11. Some hardened fasteners may have premature failure if exposed to moisture. The fasteners are recommended to be used in dry interior applications.
12. Use proper safety equipment.
13. Welding galvanized steel may produce harmful fumes; follow proper welding procedures and safety precautions. Welding should be in accordance with A.W.S. (American Welding Society) standards. Unless otherwise noted Simpson Strong-Tie® connectors cannot be welded.
14. Pneumatic or powder-actuated fasteners may deflect and injure the operator or others. Pneumatic nail tools may be used to install connectors, provided the correct quantity and type of nails (length and diameter) are properly installed in the nail holes. Tools with nail hole-locating mechanisms should be used. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and use the appropriate safety equipment. Overdriving nails may reduce allowable loads. Contact Simpson Strong-Tie for more information. Powder-actuated fasteners should not be used to install connectors.
15. Joist shall bear completely on the connector seat, and the gap between the joist end and the header shall not exceed 1/8” per ICC-ES AC261, ASTM D1761 and ASTM D1761 test standards (unless specifically noted otherwise).
16. For holdowns, anchor bolt nuts should be finger-tight plus 1/3 to 1/2 turn with a hand wrench, with consideration given to possible future wood shrinkage. Care should be taken to not over-torque the nut. Impact wrenches should not be used as they may preload the holdown.
17. Holdowns and Tension Ties may be raised off the sill as dictated by field conditions to accommodate an anchor mislocated no more than 1 1/2". The holdown shall be raised off the sill at least 3" for every 1/4" that the anchor is offset from the model’s centerline. Anchor bolt slope shall be no greater than 1:12 (or 5 degrees). Contact the Designer if the holdown anchor is offset more then 1 1/2" or raised more than 18". Raised holdown height is measured from the top of concrete to the top of the holdown bearing plate.
18. Fasteners are permitted to be installed through metal truss plates when approved by the Truss Designer in accordance with ANSI/TPI 1-2007, Section 7.5.3.4 and 8.9.2. Installation of Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong-Drive® screws (SDS) through metal connector plates requires the plates to be pre-drilled using a maximum of a 5/32" bit. Do not drive nails through the truss plate on the opposite side of single-ply trusses which could force the plate off the truss.
19. For cold-formed steel applications, all screws shall be installed in accordance with the screw manufacturer’s recommendations. All screws shall penetrate and protrude through the joined materials a minimum of 3 full exposed threads per AISI Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing - General Provisions, section D1.3, if applicable.
20. Nuts shall be installed such that the end of the threaded rod or bolt is at least flush with the top of the nut.
21. When installing hurricane ties on the inside of the wall special considerations must be taken to prevent condensation on the inside of the completed structure in cold climates.
22. Unless otherwise noted, connectors shown on this website have been designed to be installed at the time the framing members are installed. Contact Simpson Strong-Tie for retrofit suitability of specific connectors including those manufactured in accordance with the hanger options section of this catalog.