Description

Ecko Timber Connectors are a range of timber connectors and fixings manufactured from galvanised steel or stainless steel. The products covered by this Appraisal include the following:

• Ecko Standard Joist Hangers
• Ecko Bracing Brackets
• Ecko I-Joist Hangers
• Ecko Frame Fit Screws
• Ecko Split Joist Hangers
• Ecko Multi Grips
• Ecko Concealed Purlin Cleats (CPCs)
• Ecko 12 kN Pile Fixing Kit
• Ecko Steel Straps
• Ecko Retrofit Pile Fixing Kit
• Ecko Strip Brace (coil)
• Ecko FrameLock

Scope

1. Ecko Timber Connectors are a range of timber connectors that are appraised as alternative connections for use in timber construction to make timber-to-timber connections designed within the scope of NZS 3604, and for use in the NZS 3604 Exposure Zones.

2. Ecko Timber Connectors shall be:

• used in buildings within the limitations of NZS 3604; and,
• as specified in NZS 3604 in relation to the material and corrosion resistance of the coating. The fastener material shall match the material of the selected product; and,
• used in accordance with the limitations stated in the Technical Literature; and,
• installed in accordance with the installation instructions detailed in the Technical Literature, in particular, the number, specification and fixing pattern of the fasteners must be followed; and,
• used with minimum SG8 timber as defined in NZS 3604.

3. Ecko Standard Joist Hangers are used for timber beam to timber beam connections to resist gravity and wind uplift loads, with design capacities specified in the Technical Literature for specific engineering design use.

4. Ecko I-Joist Hangers are used for timber beam to timber beam connections to resist gravity loads, with design capacities specified in the Technical Literature for specific engineering design use. 

5. Ecko Split Joist Hangers are used to connect timber single and double joists, trusses and beams to other timber framing members, with design capacities specified in the Technical Literature for specific engineering design use.

6. Ecko CPCs are used to connect timber truss/rafter members to beams and wall plates to resist wind uplift, with design capacities specified in the Technical Literature for specific engineering design use.

7. Ecko Steel Straps are used to fix studs to top or bottom plates, timber lintels to studs, and studs to floor framing to prevent uplift, in accordance with Paragraph 8.6.1.8 and Figure 8.12 of NZS 3604. 

8. Ecko Strip Braces (coil) are tension devices for walls and roofs to resist wind loads, with limit state design tension capacities dependent on the product used, and are detailed in the Technical Literature for specific engineering design use. When used for roof bracing, Ecko Strip Braces 
comply with Paragraph 10.4.2.2 (b) of NZS 3604.

9. The Ecko Bracing Bracket is used as a panel hold down of end studs in bracing elements to prevent uplift and will provide a 12 kN characteristic uplift capacity for end studs of bracing wall elements when used in conjunction with a 15 kN bottom plate anchor, in accordance with the requirements of Paragraphs 7.5.12.3 and 7.5.12.4 of NZS 3604. When using the Ecko Bracing Bracket in conjunction with Carter Holt Harvey EcoPly wall bracing systems, the Ecko Bracing Bracket does not alter the published bracing values of the Carter Holt Harvey EcoPly wall bracing systems, and those values 
may be used for design purposes.

10. Ecko Frame Fit Screws are used for connecting the top plate to a stud with a design capacity of 4.7 kN, in accordance with Table 2.2 fixing type E of NZS 3604.

11. Ecko Multi Grips are brackets used as tie-down connectors for timber framing members perpendicular to each other. They resist gravity and wind uplift loads with design capacities for the different load orientations detailed in the Technical Literature for specific engineering design use. 

12. The Ecko 12 kN Pile Fixing Kit is used to connect piles to bearers and bearers to joists, in accordance with the requirements set out in Paragraph 6.8.5 (b) of NZS 3604 for braced and anchor piles.  

13. The Ecko Retrofit Pile Fixing Kit is used to connect piles to bearers and bearers to joists in accordance with the requirements set out in Paragraph 6.8.5 (b) of NZS 3604 for joist fixings to bearers. The kit achieves the required characteristic capacity of 6 kN per bracket, therefore 12 kN for the kit which consists of two pile fixing brackets. 

14. Ecko FrameLock is a connector for right-angle wall and top plate connections. It provides a 6 kN connection capacity in accordance with Paragraphs 8.7.3.3 and 8.7.3.4 of NZS 3604.