Fasteners Help - Resources for Anchors, Security Screws, Hardware

Two new products have caught my eye recently, both 300 series stainless products with unique features. If your job requires fastening and anchoring in exposed, wet areas, coastal, aggressive environments these products are for you.

Bi-Flex™ Bi-Metal Self-Drilling Fasteners combine 300 series stainless steel corrosion resistance with the convenience of self-drilling.

Aggre-Gator™ 300 Series Stainless Steel Bi-Metal Concrete Anchors feature bi-metal technology: a 300 (18-8) stainless steel head and shank fused to hardened steel tapping threads and gimlet point.

Bi-flex-Aggre-Gator (PDF)

Tanner recently added a new line to our product offerings: Metacaulk® Firestopping Products.

Since firestopping products are new to some of our customers, I’m linking to a presentation that gives a crash course on firestopping.

Here’s what the Firestopping 101 presentation covers:

• What is firestopping?
• How “fire compartments” reduce the spread of fire
• Which building areas are usually responsible for fire & smoke spreading?
• How do firestopping products work?
• Typical firestopping products
• Standards method of fire tests of through-penetration firestops (ASTM E814 / UL 1479)
• What is a through-penetration firestop system
• What is a fire rated joint system?
• Building codes that require firestop
• Key firestop terms and definitions

Firestopping 101 Presentation (PDF)

If you have any questions or want to know more about firestopping, just let us know.

According to the U.S. Weekly Leading Index (US WLI) released on 22 May 2009 published by Economic Cycle Research Institute (ECRI), the signs of economic improvement are almost here. Lakshman Achuthan of ECRI states:

“With WLI growth rising steadily to a 35-week high, it is increasingly obvious that the ‘green shoots’ will blossom this summer.”

The US WLI has a slight lead over business cycles.

Check out the middle chart, the index has been historically accurate.

Historically there is an approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending on commercial real estate (CRE).

From the AIA: Architecture Billings Index Points to Possible Economic Improvement

After an eight-point jump in March, the Architecture Billings Index (ABI) fell less than a full point in April. As a leading economic indicator of construction activity, the ABI reflects the approximate nine to twelve month lag time between architecture billings and construction spending. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) reported the April ABI rating was 42.8, down from the 43.7 mark in March. This was the first time since August and September 2008 that the index was above 40 for consecutive months, but the score still indicates an overall decline in demand for design services (any score above 50 indicates an increase in billings). The new projects inquiry score was 56.8.

 “The most encouraging part of this news is that this is the second month with very strong inquiries for new projects. A growing number of architecture firms report potential projects arising from federal stimulus funds,” said AIA Chief Economist Kermit Baker, PhD, Hon. AIA. “Still, too many architects are continuing to report difficult conditions to feel confident that the economic landscape for the construction industry will improve very quickly. What these figures mean is that we could be seeing things turn around over a period of several months.”