As building projects become more complex and regulations stricter, understanding the tools and certifications underpinning structural integrity has become even more essential.
One such certification, the European Technical Assessment (ETA), is gaining traction in Australian construction. It offers builders and contractors a reliable way to verify the performance of building materials and products such as fasteners and anchors.
Understanding ETA approvals is vital for builders, contractors, and engineers alike. By providing a clear compliance pathway and ensuring products are fit for purpose, ETAs can enhance safety and simplify the design process.
So whether you’re working on a large-scale project or a smaller build, understanding when an ETA-approved fastener or anchor is necessary can offer the reliability and assurance you need to get the job done right.
But with many in the construction industry still yet to hammer home the ins and outs of ETAs, Build-it has tightened the screws to provide our readers with the nuts and bolts of these essential anchoring safety certifications.
What is an ETA?
A European Technical Assessment is an independent document that provides technical information about the performance of a fastening product.
Issued under the guidance of the European Organisation for Technical Assessment (EOTA), an ETA evaluates a product’s compliance with specific performance standards and intended uses.
In Australia, ETAs are crucial for demonstrating compliance with AS 5216:2021, the design standard for post-installed and cast-in fastenings in concrete.
A product with a current ETA offers builders confidence that it meets strict performance criteria, ensuring reliability and safety on the job.
Alex Sharp, an engineer at Hobson Engineering, told Build-it that ETAs provide those in the industry with confidence that products and building materials are tested independently to rigorous safety standards.
“The ETA is a summarised test report that allows customers to compare products across different suppliers and know exactly what they need for their design. It’s independently tested to fixed specifications, so you know it’s reliable.”
Hobson’s XCHEM Range
An example of ETA-approved products is Hobson Engineering’s XCHEM range, a cutting-edge collection of ETA-approved chemical anchoring solutions for various fastening applications.
These products act as adhesive-based anchors, chemically bonding bolts and reinforcements into concrete or other substrates. The result is a strong, durable hold that meets even the most demanding project requirements.
Each product is backed by ETA approvals, ensuring reliable performance under specific conditions.
Key products include:
- XCHEM P201 Polyester: Cost-effective option for non-cracked concrete, ideal for less safety-critical tasks.
- XCHEM V401 Vinylester: Designed for seismic and fire-rated environments, suitable for cracked and non-cracked concrete.
- XCHEM E701 Epoxy: A high-strength adhesive for the most demanding projects, providing exceptional durability.
- XCHEM H501 Hybrid: A versatile adhesive combining epoxy and polyester benefits, excelling in challenging masonry.
Sharp says this range was meticulously designed to cater towards various task-specific applications, enabling purchasers to pick the product ideal for their project.
“Essentially, each chemical has a specific anchoring purpose they’re trying to achieve.”
“Not all anchors require the same level of performance, and with increased testing comes higher production costs.”
“As you go up the range, we’re adding more ETA tests, such as fire rating, cracked concrete, and seismic rating.”
What is ‘fit for purpose’?
In construction, “fit for purpose” refers to a product’s ability to meet a project’s specific requirements.
This means ensuring that fasteners and anchors can handle the loads, stresses, and environmental conditions they will encounter during their service life.
ETAs are crucial in projects where strict safety standards are required.
High-risk and safety-critical applications, such as hospitals, bridges, and multi-story buildings, often require ETAs, where failure could have catastrophic consequences.
Sharp told Build-it that ETAs are essential for design teams needing to confirm whether a product is fit for purpose.
“Using a product with an ETA ensures it’s compliant with AS 5216, meaning the design meets the requirements outlined in the National Construction Code.”
By choosing ETA-approved fasteners, builders can ensure the materials used are correct for the job at hand, reducing the risk of failure or non-compliance.
However, designs require seismic performance and construction request approvals without understanding how they are applied to each design.
“The approval is meaningless unless the proper design work has been done. It’s about knowing what the design requirements are,” Sharp told Build-it.
“If a design has seismic requirements then you cannot use a chemical without an equivalent seismic rating.”
“Conversely, if a design has not taken seismic loading into consideration, then there is no benefit to using a seismic-rated product.”
“Builders should assess the project’s specific needs and consult with engineers to determine the most appropriate solution.”
