Everything You Need to Know About Metal Hanger Straps for Securing Pipes, Ducts & Cables

Metal hanger straps may seem like simple steel bands, but they play a vital role in safely suspending all types of pipes, ductwork, conduits, and cabling in commercial buildings and industrial facilities. Understanding proper techniques for selecting, cutting, bending, and installing these perforated metal hanger straps is key to preventing dangerous or costly failures over time. This comprehensive guide covers all the essentials metal hanging straps contractors and engineers need for leveraging the versatility and strength of metal hanger straps across applications.

How to use metal hanger strap?

Metal hanger straps are versatile, perforated steel bands used to securely hang or support pipes, tubes, cables, ductwork, and more in commercial and industrial settings. sheet metal hanger strap Properly installing these galvanized metal duct hanger strap using the right techniques is key to safety and strength.

When selecting straps, consider the weight and dimensions of the application. Heavier loads require wider, thicker straps with higher weight ratings, at least 150% beyond the expected load. This provides an adequate safety margin. Determine proper spacing between straps per building codes and weight, with a strap within 18 inches of the end and every 3-4 feet thereafter.

Before installing, locate wood/metal structural supports and mark the desired strap positions. Predrill strap holes slightly undersized to avoid cracking. Secure one side tightly to the structure using specified hardware like lag bolts. Carefully lift the pipe/duct into place, lining up the strap’s free end holes. Insert bolts and tighten firmly until the strap solidly supports the load without deforming. Lock washers or thread sealant prevents loosening from vibration.

The perforations along the length of the straps provide attachment points for securing the loops to fixed structures using screws, nails, rivets and other fasteners. Space fasteners evenly to distribute weight forces. If needed, use pliers to bend straps to fit the application.

These versatile bands securely fasten components across industries like:

Construction – Hanging HVAC ducts, electrical conduits, drainage pipes. Provide metal strap pipe hanging bracing supplemental structural bracing and roofing support.

Plumbing – Suspending water lines, drains, gas piping.

Electrical – Managing wire/cable runs.

Farming/Agriculture – Trellising plants, securing fencing and irrigation tubing.

Periodic inspection of bands is advised to ensure proper installation and replace worn parts proactively. Overall, perforated metal hanger straps present a reliable, cost-effective solution for securely supporting pipes, cables, ducts, and more when properly selected and installed.

How to cut metal hanger strap?

Metal hanger straps are versatile master flow perforated metal hanger straps steel bands perforated with holes for securing pipes, cables, ductwork, and more to overhead structures. While durable, these galvanized straps can be easily cut to needed lengths for a range of applications when using proper techniques.

The first step is to measure and mark the desired cut length on the strap. Add several extra inches to account for fastener hardware and any final adjustments during installation. Ensure you are cutting the strap in a safe work area clear of trip hazards and with adequate lighting.

To make straight cuts along the strap length, use a portable bandsaw or a hacksaw fitted with a metal cutting blade. Mark cutting lines with a permanent marker allowing space on both sides of the line for the blade kerf. Secure the strap tightly in a vise or clamp, leaving just the cut section exposed. Use smooth, even strokes while maintaining perpendicular blade alignment to mitigate binding and tooth skipping.

For overhead cuts, ratchet-style 1-1/2 in. x 100 ft. metal hanger strap cutters provide easier one-handed operation versus hacksaws. Their sharpened opposing blades slice through light gauge metal with a scissor-like action. Maintain full leverage while squeezing the handles together in a slow, controlled motion for optimal cutting control.

Instead of cutting entirely through thin straps, aviation snips can also be used to score and snap bands by creating a notch across the width of the strap face. After nicking both edges with several squeeze cuts, firmly bend and pop the strap against the notch to break cleanly.

For curved cuts along the strap length, use a variable speed jigsaw outfitted with a fine-toothed metal blade. Secure the strap to prevent shifting and guide the jigsaw smoothly along the marked line, allowing the blade teeth to cut steadily on the upstroke.

Finish all cuts by removing any sharp burrs with a metal hanging straps file or sanding disc. This improves safety while handling and installing the straps. Inspect for any cracks radiating from cut ends and remove damaged sections.

Following proper cutting technique allows metal hanger straps to be custom-fit onsite for securing pipes, lines, ducts, instrumentation, and more. Periodically sharpening blades ensures fast, clean cuts through galvanized steel straps.

Can metal hanger strap bend?

Metal hanger straps are steel bands that can be bent and shaped onsite to provide customized support solutions for hanging pipes, cables, conduit, ductwork and more. While available in different gauge thicknesses, bending characteristics depend primarily on proper installation techniques and avoidance of sharp angles during forming.

Thinner galvanized steel straps under 0.5mm gauge can typically tolerate tighter local bends down to approximately three times the material thickness. Installing on wider radii helps reduce deformation stress and the risk of fracture failure, however. Right angle and 180 degree bends often overstress thinner straps leading to immediate cracking or latent weak points developing over time.

Heavier straps above 0.7mm gauge possess greater ductility and bending allowance but still require careful handling at extreme angles near 90 or 180 degrees. Exceeding the allowable metal deformation can lead to localized yielding where the strap loses structural integrity through thickness necking.

Ideally, metal hanger straps should be pre-bent with large radius gooseneck style pliers or conduit bending machines depending on quantity and application. This provides a more uniform bend versus improvised field forming. If only spot field adjustments are needed, leverage thick rubberized pliers to carefully flex the strap without kinking or leaving indentations.

Check for any signs of metal fatigue cracking post bending using an inspection mirror, especially on thinner gauge steel. Periodically test installed straps integrity by firmly pushing sideways to confirm adequate structural anchoring strength. Replace any deformed or cracked units immediately to prevent sudden failure.

Proper selection of strap gauge rating for expected loading conditions enables bending capability for angling around obstructions while minimizing risk of fractures over time. Keep formed angles open using long sweeping bends of at least 12-inch (300mm) radii. Final installations should avoid forcing straps to maintain severe deformations which ultimately diminishes strength through continual flexing. With reasonable bend radii and periodic inspection, galvanized steel hanger straps can provide secure, long lasting support.

How many straps shall metal ductwork have when hanging?

Properly spacing metal duct hanger strap is critical when suspending ductwork to provide secure, long-lasting support. Rules of thumb and building code guidelines help determine the quantity and placement of straps for a given ductwork run based on dimensions and weight loads.

As a general recommendation, rectangular ducts up to 60 inches wide require at least one strap within 18 inches of each end. Additional straps should be spaced along the length at intervals not exceeding 10 feet. For smaller ducts, this spacing can extend to up to 12 feet between straps.

For round spiral ducts up to 36 inches diameter, straps should be installed within 12 inches of each joint and spaced at 6 to 12 feet intervals depending on gauge and reinforcing. Two straps per duct section are typical.

More specifically, sheet metal and air conditioning contractors recommend placing straps within 24 inches of each transverse joint or elbow. This helps reduce stress from dynamic loads and vibration. The first strap attached near the leading end should align through the joint’s midpoint to better distribute weight on either side.

When determining quantity, consider that while each individual strap may be rated to hold 500 lbs for example, the total stacked weight of full duct sections can quickly accumulate. More heavily loaded systems, such as industrial ventilation or restaurant kitchen exhaust, require closer strap spacing as low as 4 to 8 feet.

The total number of straps needed depends on the linear length and configuration. A simple 500 foot straight run of round 30-inch duct allowing for straps every 10 feet would require approximately 50 straps. Complex networks with multiple branches, elbows and fittings will require further quantities.

In addition to supporting vertical loads, transverse straps help resist lateral sway by locking aligned duct sections. This prevents long runs from shifting side-to-side over time. Strap tension should be firm but not deform the ductwork when installed.

Periodically inspect strap integrity and anchor points over the system lifetime. Check for signs of looseness or damage from vibration which could lead to unsafe working conditions. Proactively replacing worn straps and fasteners ensures reliable performance.

How much weight will metal hanger strap hold

Metal hanger straps are available in a range of widths, gauges, and weight ratings to safely support various suspended loads. Choosing straps rated for at least 150% beyond the expected load provides a necessary safety margin while avoiding overstressing the bands. Exceeding maximum recommended loading can lead to failure over time.

Among light duty straps, 12 gauge models as narrow as 1/2-inch may only be rated for 100 lbs or less. Moving up to 1-inch wide, 14 gauge straps can typically support around 175 lbs per hanger. Heavyweight 2-inch bands in thicker 10 gauge perforated metal hanger straps can withstand over 700 lbs per strap.

Manufacturers provide test rated capacities, but real world installations consider dynamic loading and environmental factors that may reduce effective strength over decades of use. For example, a 3/4″ x .045″ thick strap rated at 500 lbs should only be relied upon for around 300 lbs working load under normal hot/cold cycling, humidity, and vibration.

Ideally, a safety factory of 4 is recommended when specifying strap weight capacity for critical structural supports. This prevents the straps from undergoing plastic deformation that permanently bends or stretches the bands over time. Ductwork, piping, conduit runs, and other fixed equipment should utilize straps rated at 4 times the installed load.

However, for temporary attachments or hanging non-essential components, a lower 2:1 safety margin may be acceptable. This includes cases like electrical cable trays, small conduit, or hanging tools and jigs within a maintenance shop area. Such straps may bend slightly but still provide adequate short term function.

When determining specifications, add up the complete system weight including all fittings, contents, and attached accessories. A strap supporting what initially seems as a lightweight PVC pipe may actually be holding over 100 lbs when 20 feet of liquid filled line is accounted for. Knowing these metrics is vital for properly engineering support systems anchored by metal hanger straps throughout commercial facilities and industrial plants. Regular inspection and proactive replacement of worn straps should be scheduled to confirm rated strength is maintained long-term.

Conclusion

In summary, metal hanger straps provide a rugged, reliable solution for securing fixed infrastructure when following guidelines for gauge rating, strap spacing, safe working loads, and installation best practices. Their versatility facilitates custom mounting pipes, ducts, conduits and more. While failures can occur when overloaded or weakened through improper handling, periodic inspection and proactive replacement ensures these perforated steel bands continue safely supporting critical systems across facilities for decades. Adhering to the recommendations covered here allows metal hanger straps to serve their essential purpose in structural support roles spanning industries.