For wood and steel construction, here’s what’s new in structural connectors, anchors and fastening systems from Simpson Strong-Tie.

ITS Top Flange Hanger for EWP

ITS is a code-listed, top flange hanger for engineered wood products. It will replace the ITT series hangers. The innovative new design features a top that tapers out like a funnel to allow the contractor to roll the joist in place without spreading the hanger apart for an even fit.

The ITS hangers have a new StrongGrip seat —so there’s no longer tabs to bend and nail in place. “No nailing is required so it’s a huge labor and time savings,” says Sam Marcoux, a Bay Area Simpson sales representative. “It eliminates mis-installs because once it’s in place, it’s right.” The Strong-Grip™ seat firmly secures I-joists with flange thicknesses from 1 1/8" to 1 1/2". Overall, there are 12 different sizes that accommodate the 15 most common I-joist sizes.

The HDU is Strong-Tie’s hold down screw series that replaces all six previous hold downs using SDS screws. Main advantages include low deflection, high capacity and the ease of installation that comes with Simpson’s patented SDS screws.

The pre-deflected body virtually eliminates deflection in a seismic event due to material stretch. The SDS screws install easily, reduce fastener slip, and provide a greater net section area of the post compared to bolts. “A better fastener with greater holding strength, the beauty of this is that the HDU series replaces some of the hold downs with lower capacity. It’ll be a big thing going forward.”

BPS slotted bearing plate meets new California building code requirements

A new code provision in California requires bearing plates to be 3” x 3” and .229” in thickness. Simpson’s BPS is a 3”x3” bearing plate that meets the new code and offers increased flexibility. The slotted hole allows for adjustability accounting for bolts that are not in the middle of the sill plate.