Tips
Packers - Avoiding the Voids
When it comes to packing out spaces during construction, there are times when it is essential to maximise the ‘fill’ so as to minimise stress especially when dealing with high loads. In this case a solid component of uniform cross-section and no voids is indispensible. Equally, there are times when a flexible component is desirable when those spaces are of irregular shape.
Often, a packer is not required to carry heavy loads, in which case its density and composition is less important. Indeed, a packer of softer material to provide a cushioning effect between components may be desirable.
Stadon Level offers different types of packers for various applications:
Solid rigid packers for high load bearing;
Solid flexible packers for everything else;
Hanging packers for vertical alignments;
Wedge packers for adjustability.
Fixing Packers Permanently
The use of packers (shims) in construction and joinery is very common, but how to permanently fix them is sometimes a challenge.
Plastic is notoriously difficult to fix with adhesives so the safest and most secure option is to use commonly available fasteners such as staples, nails or screws especially when spacing timbers. The components to be packed out however, are often unsuitable to be nailed or screwed through, e.g. stone, brick, steel, ceramic, porcelin, etc. Then the only solution is to fill around the packer with a suitable compound so that the packer sets the space, whilst the filler adds additional structural support but more importantly, holds the packer in place. Filling out in this way, is most easily achieved in the horizontal plane.
The Stadon Level Product Range provides packers to suit most applications and can be fixed using these methods.
The High Density / High Load Packers (see page) have integral fixing holes to allow for screw fixings. They also feature locating spigots so that combinations of the four available sizes may be used to achieve the packing thickness required without slipping against each other. These packers can carry high loads and are particularly suitable for use with dense and pre-cast structural components.
Offsite Oversight
The buzzword in modern construction methods is “Offsite”.
There are many clear advantages in preparing structural elements in a factory before assembling a building such as efficiency, accuracy, quality control, security, shelter, convenience as well as the many cost advantages. When, however, these elements arrive at the construction site, the integrity of the assembled structure rests upon the level accuracy of the foundation slab. At this stage, millimetres really do matter and suitable load bearing packers meeting all the requirements of building regulations are essential.
At Stadon Level we specialise in providing such components. Contact us for more details quoting “SPPT”.
Floor ‘Bounce’
Certain floor installations such as sports floors and those for high degrees of footfall, especially require levelling wedges and packers to be fixed to prevent them moving after fitting.
This is best achieved by fastening through the levelled assembly with screws that pass through the floor support frame and the levelling components themselves.
The following instructions apply similarly to the fixing of packers under floors.
Wedgit®
Fitting Instructions
The combined height or packing thickness increases accordingly.
The interlocking tooth-like ridges restrict subsequent loosening until –
final fixing with nails or screws with no risk of splitting.
