Health & safety bulletin
Butterfly banners
13th February 2007
Xmo Strata has recently carried out a study of the structural stability of butterfly banners when fixed to the cladding of a stanchion. It was observed that in some cases where ‘ali-tek screws’ or ‘peelback’ rivets were used that the brackets were not structurally sound and were in danger of failing. This danger is even more serious when the recent exceptionally high winds are considered.
In consultation with customers, it has been agreed that butterfly banners should not be installed where the stanchion is clad, until a time as a suitable fixing method can be determined.
We are investigating a correct and safe method of fixing these banners and will provide appropriate training and instruction when the method is agreed.
DO NOT FIX BUTTERFLY BANNERS TO CLAD STANCHIONS.
Only fix the brackets to the steel stanchions using 6 × steel tek screws and ensure that all the banner fixing pins are used. Do not over tighten the steel teks as this may cause the thread to strip, resulting in failure of the fixing, or in some cases the head of the fixing will snap. Let the tek gun and the cutting head do the job that they where designed for. In most cases pressure will be required due to the thickness of the steel stanchion but be vigilant when tightening the tek screw so that you do not strip the thread, turn down the torque and insert the screw in a controlled manner.
It is the engineer’s responsibility to ensure that the brackets are left in a safe and secure manner. These banners will have to withstand high winds and will be under pressure, from the minute you fix the banner to the bracket they act like a sail.
Never assume that fitting only four fixings will be sufficient, the bracket comes with six fixing holes already pre-drilled in it so therefore you MUST use all six fixing holes. Forecourts can be very busy places and members of the public will be standing directly below the banners and as such if the banners are not correctly fixed they or their property could be damaged.
If you are unsure, phone your supervisor and seek advice before fixing.