Electronic Copy

CI/SfB
(27)

Xt6

Simpson Strong-Tie
Winchester Road
Cardinal Point
Tamworth
Staffordshire B78 3HG
Tel: 01827 255600 Fax: 01827 255616

Designated by Government
to issue
European Technical
Approvals

Product
THIS CERTIFICATE REPLACES
CERTIFICATE No 90/2387
AND RELATES TO CAMPLATE
NAILED PLATE TIMBER
FASTENERS.
The fasteners are steel plates
perforated with rows of holes
through which the specified
nails are driven, used to
connect the members of
internally used framed timber
structural components (such as
trusses) at any angle within the
same plane.
Timber joints are fabricated
under site or factory conditions.

Agrment
Certificate
No 97/3432

CAMPLATE NAILED PLATE TIMBER FASTENERS

Connecteurs mtalliques pour charpentes en bois
Nagelplatten als Holzverbindungsmittel

Building Regulations
1 The Building Regulations 1991 (as amended 1994) (England and Wales)
The Secretary of State has agreed with the British Board of Agrment the
requirements of the Building Regulations to which nailed plate timber
fasteners can contribute in achieving compliance. In the opinion of the BBA,
Camplate Nailed Plate Timber Fasteners, if used in accordance with the provisions
of this Certificate, will meet or contribute to meeting the relevant requirements.
Requirement:

A1

Requirement:

Loading

The nailed plate timber fasteners have sufficient strength and

stiffness provided the design loads are in accordance with
section 9 of this Certificate.

Comment:

Regulation 7

Materials and workmanship

The nailed metal plate timber fasteners are acceptable. See

sections 12 and 14 of this Certificate.

Comment:

2 The Building Standards (Scotland) Regulations 1990 (as amended)

In the opinion of the BBA, Camplate Nailed Plate Timber Fasteners, if
used in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate, will satisfy or
contrubute to satisfying the various Regulations and Technical
Standards as listed below.
Regulation:
Standard:

10
B2.1

The nailed plate timber fasteners are acceptable. See

section 12 of this Certificate.

Comment:
Regulation:
Standard:

Fitness of materials
Selection and use of materials and components

11
C2.1

Structure
Construction

The nailed plate timber fasteners have sufficient strength and

stiffness provided the design loads are in accordance with
section 9 of this Certificate.

Comment:

3 The Building Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1994 (as amended 1995 and
1997)
In the opinion of the BBA, Camplate Nailed Plate Timber Fasteners, if
used in accordance with the provisions of this Certificate, will satisfy or
contrubute to satisfying the various Building Regulations as listed below.
Regulation:

B2

Regulation:

D1

Comment:

Loading

The nailed plate timber fasteners have sufficient strength and

stiffness provided the design loads are in accordance with
section 9 of this Certificate.

Comment:

Regulation:

Fitness of materials and workmanship

The nailed plate timber fasteners are acceptable. See

sections 12 and 14 of this Certificate.

Comment:

D2

Stability

Timber structural assemblies formed with the fasteners can be

designed and fabricated in accordance with BS 5268 :
Part 2 : 1996 and BS 5268 : Part 3 : 1985.

Readers are advised to check the validity of this Certificate by either referring to the Index of Current BBA Publications or contacting
the BBA direct (Telephone Hotline 01923 665400).

Electronic Copy
5 Sizes

Technical Specification

The standard sizes of fastener are given in Table 1.

4 Description

Table 1

4.1 Camplate Nailed Plate Timber Fasteners are

galvanized mild steel plates perforated with rows
of holes through which the specified nails are
driven. Each nail hole has a concentric dimple
pressed into the plate (see Figure 1).
Figure 1

Range of fastener sizes

Plate
Plate length (mm)
width
(mm) 152 178 203 229 254 279 305 330 356 381 457508
41
62
83
103
124
144
165
186
206

Typical Camplate Nailed Plate Timber

Fastener

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

1 = fastener size covered by this Certificate.

6 Identification
The fasteners are stamped with the manufacturers
identification mark, and are packed in boxes
bearing the BBA identification mark incorporating
the number of this Certificate.

Design Data
7 General
7.1 Camplate Nailed Plate Timber Fasteners have
been assessed generally in accordance with the
requirements of MOAT No 16 : 1979. The fasteners
are suitable for use in making joints in timber framed
structures. The companys prescribed methods of
applying the fasteners are considered satisfactory.

4.2 The fasteners are manufactured from material

Grade Fe P02 GZ275 to BS EN 10142 : 1991.
An upper limit on ultimate tensile strength is
additionally imposed to ensure suitability for
pressing.

7.2 The framed structures incorporating the fasteners

must be designed using established engineering
methods, including prototype testing carried out in
accordance with BS 5268 : Part 2 : 1996 or,
where appropriate, BS 5268 : Part 3 : 1985.

4.3 The dimensions and spacing of the nails are

shown in Figure 2. The thickness of the plate
including zinc coating is nominally 1.00 mm.
Figure 2

Dimensions

8 Timber species
Camplate fasteners are used in sawn or planed,
treated, stress graded timber of minimum specified
thickness of 35 mm, 0 1 mm divergence
throughout a member (when measured at 20 %
moisture content) of the following species:
European whitewood
European redwood
hem-fir
spruce-pine-fir
Eastern Canadian spruce (princess spruce)
Western white spruce.

9 Structural performance
5.1 The strength of timber is influenced by
the duration of loading. A similar effect
applies to timber joints, except where the
strength of the fastener is the limiting factor. In
accordance with the procedures recommended in
BS 5268 : Part 2 : 1996 or BS 5268 : Part 3 :
2

Electronic9.7 Copy
The permissible long-term loads are specified

1985, four categories of load duration should be

considered; long-, medium-, short- and very shortterm load.

for the two nail types, T and square-twisted, and

vary with the angle of load to grain. They are also
related to the minimum values of end distance of
the nail measured parallel to the grain of the
timber, the edge distance of the nail measured
perpendicular to the grain, and nail spacing
measured parallel to the grain (see Figure 4).

9.2 In tension or compression, the strength of a

joint is generally dependent upon the lateral
resistance of the nails. However, the limiting
tensile, compressive or shear strength of the net
section of the plates must not be exceeded.
Joint assembly
9.3 Timber members to be connected may be in
line or meet at any required angle in the same
plane; typical joints are illustrated in Figure 3.
Figure 3

Figure 4

Long-term loads

Where is the angle between direction of load and direction of grain

Where is the angle between fastener length and direction of grain
direction of load

Examples of typical joints

Nail group under

consideration

Angle of load
to grain

Angle of load
to fastener length

= 0

= 0

= 0

90

( )

(90 )

= 90

= 90

(90 )

= 90

90

9.4 The fasteners must be installed in both faces of

each abutting member and in such a way that at
the points of nailing the plate is not drawn into the
timber for more than one-quarter of its thickness.
There must be no significant gaps between the
fastener and the timber.

Lateral resistance
9.5 The lateral resistance of a fastener depends
upon:
number of effective nails in the joint
species of timber and its moisture content
duration of load
direction of bearing of the nail with respect to the
grain of the timber.

9.6 Permissible lateral loads (N) for 30 mm by

3.35 mm round-shank T nails driven by a
hand-held pneumatic nailing gun, with a minimum
edge distance of the plate of 20 mm, are given in
Table 2 and for hand-hammered 30 mm by
3.75 mm square twisted nails with a minimum
edge distance of the plate of 20 mm are given in
Table 3. These are for long-term loading for the
softwood species listed.
3

Table 2

ElectronicTensile
Copy
strength

Camplate joints permissible lateral loads

for round-shank T nails*

Timber species

Angle of
load to
grain
()

Minimum nail
spacing along
grain
(mm)

9.9 The maximum tensile force acting on the

fasteners, for all four categories of load duration,
must not exceed 130 Nmm1 of plate width normal
to the direction of force.

Permissible
load per
nail
(N)

Compressive strength
9.10 The maximum compressive force acting on
the fasteners, for all four categories of load
duration, must not exceed 38 Nmm1 of plate
width normal to the direction of force.

Long-term loading
European
whitewood

0
over 0 up to 90

27(1)
27

225
210

Redwood,
hem-fir

0
over 0 up to 30

51(2)
51

270
210

Western white
spruce

0
over 0 up to 90

27(1)
27

215
190

Eastern Canadian
0
spruce,
over 0 up to 30
spruce-pine-fir

51(2)
51

235
200

9.11 The loads given in section 5.6 were derived

from tests and are based on a typical factor of
safety for general use. Where failure of the fastener
will result in forces being taken in the end bearing,
and the joint will not be subject to stress reversal,
the permissible values for compressive force may
be modified by multiplying by 1.5. A suitably
qualified engineer shall be responsible for
considering the merits of each application and
deciding upon the appropriate permissible value.

*For fasteners in sawn or planed timber.

(1) minimum end distance of plate 27 mm.
(2) minimum end distance of plate 38 mm.

Table 3

Camplate joints permissible lateral loads

for square-twisted nails*

Timber species

Angle of
load to
grain
()

Minimum nail
spacing along
grain
(mm)

Shear strength
9.12 The maximum shear force acting on a
fastener, for all four categories of load duration,
must not exceed 55 Nmm1 of plate length in the
direction of force.

Permissible
load per
nail
(N)
Long-term loading

European
whitewood

0
over 0 up to 90

27(1)
27

340
205

Redwood,
hem-fir

0
over 0 up to 30

51(2)
51

340
230

Western white
spruce

0
over 0 up to 90

(1)

27
27

275
200

51(2)
51

275
220

Eastern Canadian
0
spruce,
over 0 up to 30
spruce-pine-fir

10 Interpretation of test results

10.1 The permissible loads for the joints under
long-term loading were derived from the test results
using the following general equation (see
section 15). This ensures that the permissible loads
are the estimated minimum joint strengths making
allowance for the variations in maximum load, as
shown by the test results and a further factor of
safety:
W = (m k ) F1

*For fasteners in sawn or planed timber.

(1) minimum end distance of plate 27 mm.
(2) minimum end distance of plate 38 mm.

9.8 The permissible lateral load for medium-, shortand very short-term duration of load should be
obtained in accordance with BS 5268 : Part 2 :
1996 by modifying the long-term permissible loads
given in Tables 2 and 3 by the following factors:
Medium term
(eg dead + snow,
dead + temporary imposed)

1.25

Short term
(eg dead + imposed + wind1)
dead + imposed + snow + wind)

1.50

Very short term

(eg dead + imposed + wind2)

1.75

where:
W =
m =
=
k =

permissible load
average maximum load from test
standard deviation of test results
2.33 F = 3.0 (factor of safety).

10.2 The permissible stresses in compression,

tension and shear for the plate net sections were
obtained by applying a reduction factor of 2.5 to
the ultimate stresses obtained from tests.

11 Performance in relation to fire

When used in a structure subject to fire resistance
requirements, an appropriate assessment or test,
relating to that structure, must be carried out by a
UKAS accredited laboratory.

(1) For wind, short-term category applies to class C (15 s gust)

as defined in CP 3 : Chapter V : Part 2, or where largest
diagonal dimension of the loaded area as defined in
BS 6399 : Part 2 : 1995 exceeds 50 m.

12 Corrosion protection

(2) For wind, very short-term category applies to classes A

and B (3 s or 5 s gust) as defined in CP 3 : Chapter V :
Part 2, or where largest diagonal dimension of the loaded
area as defined in BS 6399 : Part 2 : 1995 exceeds 50 m.

The fasteners have adequate protection

against corrosion subject to the following
conditions:
4

Electronicvariations
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in strength within species

(1) The protective zinc coating is undamaged, or

minor damage repaired.

effects of surface finish

effects of direction and type of loading
effects of fastener orientation
tensile and shear properties of fasteners.

(2) The timber may be preserved with

copper/chrome/arsenic, boron compounds or
organic solvent preservatives in accordance with
BS 5268 : Part 5 : 1989.

(3) Tests were conducted to determine the

thickness and quality of galvanizing.

(3) Where copper/chrome/arsenic preservative

is used it is essential to allow sufficient time for the
complete fixation of the preservative (about seven
days) and to ensure that the timber is subsequently
re-dried after fixation, before the fasteners are
applied.

16 Other investigations
16.1 As part of the assessment resulting in the
issue of the previous Certificate, the following
investigations were made:
(1) The permissible loads, derived from the tests
referred to above, were compared with the
estimated maximum loads to cause a joint slip
of 0.8 mm. These latter load values, however,
were consistently higher than those based on
maximum load values. In general, the maximum
initial slip in joints in tension, at the permissible
long-term loads, will not be greater than 0.3 mm
and the average initial slip not greater than
0.2 mm.

(4) When confined to the dry conditions specified

in this Certificate the use of preservative-treated
timber does not present a corrosion risk. In wetter
conditions, however, the risk of premature
corrosion of fasteners may be greater than with
untreated timber. The risks of corrosion associated
with other forms of preservative treatment and with
treatment with inorganic flame retardant salts are
described in BRE Digest 301.
(5) The products are used in the areas described
in section 12.

(2) Existing data on the durability of nailed

plate timber fasteners were examined.

13 Practicability of installation
The fasteners are easy to install using equipment
normally employed for truss fabrication.

(3) Existing data relating to cyclic loading on

fasteners in dwellings and similar structures
were examined and the effects found to be
insignificant.

14 Durability
14.1 The fasteners have a zinc coating (see
section 4) which will give adequate protection
against corrosion in covered and generally
unheated situations (service Class 2 as defined in
BS 5268 : Part 2 : 1996). See also section 12.

(4) An assessment was made on the

practicability of joint assembly.
(5) The manufacturing process was examined,
including the methods adopted for quality
control, and details were obtained of the quality
and composition of the materials used.

14.2 The nails should be coated protectively by

hot-dip galvanizing, sherardizing or other suitable
treatment against corrosion.

(6) The test data on which the previous

Certificate was based were re-examined and
analysed in accordance with BBA MOAT 16 :
1979, and compared with related comparative
research data. The analysis established that the
design data previously derived remain valid.

Technical Investigations
The following is a summary of the technical
investigations carried out on Camplate Nailed
Plate Timber Fasteners.

16.2 As part of the assessment resulting in

the issue of this Certificate, the following
investigations were made:

15 Tests
As part of the assessment resulting in the issue of
previous Certificates:
(1) Tests were carried out on 180 full-size
structural joints, assembled using the commercial
equipment normally employed. The results were
assessed to determine the permissible loads and
stresses for the fasteners.

(1) A re-examination was made of the data

and investigations on which the previous
Certificates were based.
(2) The strength of joints in compression was
investigated.
(3) Regular factory inspections have been
carried out to ensure that quality is being
maintained.

(2) Two species of timber, European whitewood

and Western white spruce, were used in the test
joints. Existing data on the relative strength of
species were used to derive values for use with
other species. The tests examined:

16.3 No failure of the product in use has

been reported to the BBA.
5

Bibliography

Electronicthis standard
Copy
during the period of validity of this
Certificate. This Certificate will remain valid for an
unlimited period provided:
(a) the specification of the product is unchanged;
and
(b) the manufacturer continues to have the product
checked by the BBA.

BS 5268 Structural use of timber

Part 2 : 1996 Code of practice for permissible
stress design, materials and workmanship
Part 3 : 1985 Code of practice for trussed rafter
roofs
Part 5 : 1989 Code of practice for the
preservative treatment of structural timber

17.3 This Certificate will apply only to the product

that is installed, used and maintained as set out in
this Certificate.

BS 6399 Loading for buildings

Part 2 : 1995 Code of practice for wind loads

17.4 In granting this Certificate, the BBA makes

no representation as to:
(a) the presence or absence of patent or similar
rights subsisting in the product; and

BS EN 10142 : 1991 Specification for

continuously hot-dip zinc coated low carbon steel
sheet and strip for cold forming, technical delivery
conditions
CP 3 Code of basic data for the design of buildings
Chapter V
Part 2 : 1992 Wind loads
BRE Digest 301 Corrosion of metals by wood

Conditions of Certification
17 Conditions
17.1 Where reference is made in this Certificate
to any Act of Parliament, Regulation made
thereunder, Statutory Instrument, Code of Practice,
British Standard, manufacturers instruction or
similar publication, it shall be construed as
reference to such publication in the form in which it
is in force at the date of this Certificate.
17.2 The quality of materials and the method of
manufacture have been examined and found
satisfactory by the BBA and must be maintained to

(b) the legal right of the Certificate holder to

market, install or maintain the product; and
(c) the nature of individual installations of the
product, including methods and workmanship.
17.5 It should be noted that any recommendations
relating to the safe use of this product which are
contained or referred to in this Certificate are the
minimum standards required to be met when the
product is used. They do not purport in any way to
restate the requirements of the Health & Safety at
Work etc Act 1974, or of any other statutory or
Common Law duties of care, or of any duty of care
which exist at the date of this Certificate or in the
future; nor is conformity with such recommendations
to be taken as satisfying the requirements of the
1974 Act or of any present or future statutory or
Common Law duties of care. In granting this
Certificate, the BBA does not accept responsibility
to any person or body for any loss or damage,
including personal injury, arising as a direct or
indirect result of the use of this product.

In the opinion of the British Board of Agrment, Camplate Nailed Plate Timber Fasteners are fit
for their intended use provided they are installed, used and maintained as set out in this
Certificate. Certificate No 97/3432 is accordingly awarded to Simpson Strong-Tie.
On behalf of the British Board of Agrment
Date of issue: 3rd February 1998

British Board of Agrment

P O Box No 195, Bucknalls Lane
Garston, Watford, Herts WD2 7NG
Fax: 01923 665301

Director

1998
e-mail: bba@btinternet.com
http://www.bbacerts.co.uk

For technical or additional

information, tel: 01923 665300.
For information about Agrment
Certificate validity and scope, tel:

Hotline: 01923 665400