S-5!^®  B-Clamps for Copper double folded seam

Samples of Applications:

Install S-5! B-Clamps:

The S-5!® B-clamps, made of Brass, are designed for Copper double-folded standing seam paneling. The material properties of the respective metals, the B-Clamps made off Brass and the combination with each other metal must be checked in advance due to possible contact corrosion (see also our information below!).

1. Partially thread the setscrews into the clamp by hand.
2. Determine how to position the clamp. When attaching to machine-folded seams (regardless of panel profile and geometry), S-5! B-Clamps are designed to engage the seam, as shown in illustration on the right, with setscrew opposite seam fold.  
3. Tighten the setscrews using a screw gun and the included screw gun bit tip with a tightening force of 15 -17 Nm. Setscrews should be tensioned and re-tensioned as the seam material compresses, i.e. tighten the first setscrew, then the second; then repeat until each setscrew achieves the recommended torque. The setscrews will dimple the seam material but will not penetrate it. When relying on published load values, setscrew tension should be verified periodically using a calibrated torque wrench as indicated below to ensure the tool is consistently achieving the proper torque range.
4. The B-clamps may hinder the thermally elongation of the profile if, despite the high clamping point of the B-clamps, the foot of a sliding clip extends into the clamping area of the clamp. Than the B-clamps must be placed at a distance of 25 mm from the sliding clips.
5. For critical attachment applications utilizing an M8 or M10 x 16 mm Hex Flange Bolt, tighten the bolt with a tightening force of 18 Nm (160 inch pounds).

Please note in general for installations with S-5! Clamps:

• The respective product installation instructions must always be observed (included in every box and with every delivery or please request or download from our homepage). During the entire installation period, it must be ensured that at least one copy of the relevant installation instructions is available on the construction site to all those involved in the installation and that it is strictly observed during installation.

• Installation with our products should only be carried out by specialists and specialist companies with qualifications for the respective installation and with experience in working on roofs. During installation, the warranties of all trades involved and of the roof as well as the respective regulations for work on roofs must be observed (e.g. the use of fall protection, scaffolding with safety gear from an eaves height of 3 m, accident prevention, insurance, etc.). The presence of two persons is mandatory for the entire assembly process in order to be able to guarantee rapid assistance in the event of an accident.

• In the case of non-observance of our installationy instructions, or assembly of our products with components of competitor and in the event of the use and combination of further components which were not purchased from us, we shall not accept any liability for any resulting defects and damage. The warranty is excluded in this respect.

• The individual types of S-5! clamp are designed as described for the respective seam and profile types. However, new variants of standing seams and profiles come onto the market regularly. To avoid possible damage, it is important to check the suitability of the clamps for the intended metal roof before installation.

• With very few exceptions, the load-bearing capacity of each individual S-5!® clamp is stronger than the load-bearing capacity of the roof panels or the profiled sheets and their attachment to the supporting structure. This applies not only to the normal clamps but also to the S-5!® Mini clamps. Therefore, the weak points are usually not the clamps, but the roofing and its fastening.

• The individual types of S-5! clamps are designed as described for the respective seam and profile types. However, new variants come onto the market regularly. To avoid possible damage, it is important to check the suitability of the clamps for the intended standing seam roof before installation.

• Please make sure that the load coming into the clamp will be taken by the structure of the roof. Assumption is that the determination has been made that the roof to which the S-5! clamps will be attached is structurally adequate. Any loads imposed on the S-5! clamps will be transferred to the panels. Panel seams must have sufficient flexural strength to carry these loads. Panels must also be adequately attached to the building structure, and the structure must be sufficient to carry these loads. In particular, the snow and wind loads, the additional loads from the installations attached to the clamps, as well as the increased loads in the edge and corner areas of the roof construction must be considered.

• A sufficient number of clamps must be provided. For statically relevant clamps, a distance of at least 500mm from the end of the standing seam profile must be maintained. RoofTech and the makers of the S-5! clamps make no representations with respect to these variables. It is the responsibility of the user to verify this information, or seek assistance from a qualified design professional or stress analyst, if necessary.

• Responsible for the stability of a building structure is the building owner or the owner or operator. The installer of the system is responsible not only for the system but also for the roof on which the system is installed. Whoever installs a system on an existing roof without having checked the stability beforehand, violates existing law! For critical installations, inquire for specific test data of ultimate tensile load on specific panel materials and seam types. The sufficient holding force of the roofing to the supporting or substructure must always be ensured. The sufficient holding force of the roofing on the supporting or substructure must always be guaranteed. Proof must be provided by the customer or installer. In cases of doubt, a structural engineer must be consulted to determine the loads and its effects.

• Please note the installation instructions of the respective S-5!® clamps and the other products used! Mounting the S-5!® clamps take care that the set screws and bolts are tightened with the right screw tension as written in each installation instruction (available in all boxes, on the homepage of RoofTech: www.rooftech.de and S-5!: www.s-5.com or please send us an inquiry). When tabled values are used, screw tensions should be verified and factors of safety should be used as appropriate. If you are missing important and necessary information, please request it from us.

• During the entire mounting period, it must be ensured that at least one copy of the corresponding mounting instructions is available on the construction site to all persons involved in the mounting. In case of non-observance of our assembly instructions and in case of use and combination of further components not purchased from us, we do not assume any liability for resulting defects and damages. The warranty is excluded in this respect.

• The thermally induced change in length of the roofing must not be hindered! With some roofs made of profiled sheets (e.g. with round bulb seams, snap folded seams, RibRoof seams, etc.), it must be ensured that the clamps in the sliding area of the sheets are not mounted on or next to the holders of the roofing. In the case of double standing seam roofing, the S-5!® E and B clamps can, under certain circumstances, hinder the thermally induced length change of the sheet if, despite the high clamping point of the S-5!® E and B clamps, the foot of a sliding clip extends into the clamping area of the clamp. In this case, the S-5!® E and B clamps should be placed at a distance of 25 mm from the sliding clips.

• When installing rigid objects such as rails, pipes, cable ducts, etc. on the clamps, they must be separated at regular intervals (max. 3m in the case of handmade standing seam roofs) in order to limit deformations due to thermally induced length changes (in lengthwise and horizontal direction).

• In the case of handcrafted metal roofing on wooden formwork, the edge and corner areas should not be covered with PV-modules due to the limited load-bearing capacity of the roofing and the adhesives. In the central area, the skipping of seams is usually not possible. Therefore, we recommend to install clamps on each seam. The installation of PV systems represents a punctual load entry; therefore, we recommend reduced clip distances and screwed clips. The mounting and fastening of the clamp should be carried out between the clips to achieve an optimal load sharing.

• Please observe the country-specific legal and official regulations for snow retention. Depending on the location of the building, height of the terrain above sea level, roof shape, roof pitch, type of metal roof and the respective holding strength of the S-5! clamps, the suitable snow guard systems must be professionally calculated and designed.

• The material properties of the respective metals, the combination with each other as well as the installation instructions and regulations of all manufacturers involved (including those of the metal roof) must be observed. If technical details are not described separately, this does not release the company carrying out the work from its obligation to check the individual case and clarify the correct technical facts beforehand.

• The installation of our products should only be carried out by qualified and professional specialists with experience in installing on roofs. During installation, the warranties of the installations, solar system, etc. and the roof as well as the respective regulations for work on roofs must be observed (e.g. the use of fall protection, scaffolding with safety gear from an eaves height of 3 m, etc.). The presence of two persons is mandatory for the entire installation process in order to ensure rapid assistance in the event of an accident. 

• It must be ensured by the planner and the specialist company responsible for the installation that the planning and installation are carried out strictly in accordance with the national and site-specific building regulations, occupational safety and accident prevention regulations, standards and environmental protection regulations. Every person and company who plans and installs with our products is obliged to inform himself independently about all rules and regulations for technically correct planning and installation and to observe them. This also includes obtaining the current status of the necessary rules and regulations.

• For rooftop installations, the respective regulations for work on roofs must be observed (e.g. the use of fall protection, scaffolds with safety gear from an eaves height of 3 m, etc.). The presence of two persons is mandatory for the entire assembly process in order to ensure rapid assistance in the event of an accident.

• S-5!® Warning: The S-5! clamp is a handy gadget for a great many uses, but will not perform miracles. Please use the products responsibly! Visit the website of S-5! (www.s-5.com) or RoofTech GmbH (www.rooftech.de) for available load test results. The user and/or installer of these parts is responsible for all necessary engineering and design to ensure the S-5! clamps have been properly spaced and configured.

• Notice to S-5! users: Due to the many variables involved with specific panel products, climates, snow melt phenomena, and job particulars, the manufacturer cannot and does not express any opinions as to the suitability of any S-5! assembly for any specific application and assumes no liability with respect thereto. S-5! products are tested for ultimate holding strength on various profile types and materials.

• The user and/or installer bears also the responsibility not only for the professional installation, but also for the roof on which he is mounted. The user and/or installer must always clarify in advance the application possibilities and application of our products in connection with the other used materials and products at the single project.

• The user and/or installer of all our products is responsible for all necessary engineering and design to ensure that the S-5! clamps and other products has been properly spaced and configured. It is the responsibility of the user to verify this information, or seek assistance from a qualified design professional or stress analyst, if necessary. RoofTech, the makers and distributor of S-5! clamps make no representations with respect to these variables.

• For critical installations, inquire for specific test data of ultimate tensile load on specific panel materials and seam types. When tabled values are used, screw tensions should be verified and factors of safety should be used as appropriate. RoofTech and the manufacturer expresses no opinions as to the suitability of the S-5! products for any specific application or project condition.

• S-5! Clamps are not suitable as fall protection applications. The S-5! clamps may only be used for this purpose in a certified and approved fall protection system. The respective system provider is responsible for this and must provide proof of this.

• When installing a PV system, the grounding / equipotential bonding must be carried out according to the national and locally applicable standards and directives (in Germany, among others, according to VDE 0100). The recommendations and installation instructions of the module manufacturers must also be observed. The commissioning of a PV system and the connection to the power grid must be carried out by an authorised electrician or by the grid operator and is its responsibility.

• RoofTech GmbH, S-5!® – Metal Roof Innovations Ltd. and the other manufacturers of our product range recommend in principle that the planned installation, PV system, snow guard system, etc. should be verified by a qualified professional who is responsible for the snow and wind loads, the additional loads from the installations attached to the clamps, the statics and assembly as well as the planning and construction of and on metal roofs.

• The respective installation instructions must always be observed. However, the respective installation instructions do not release the executing company from the obligation to clarify in advance the possible uses and applications of our products, also in connection with the other materials used, on the individual object. RoofTech GmbH, S-5!® – Metal Roof Innovations Ltd. and the manufacturers of our other products assume no responsibility and liability for assembly, suitability and applications.

Download (pdf): General Notes for Installations with S-5! Clamps

The business relationship is subject to German law, excluding the UN Convention on Contracts for the International Sale of Goods (CISG). Our General Terms and Conditions of Business (GTC) apply, which we will be happy to provide you with at any time (direct link to our RoofTech GTC).
As a matter of principle, sales are only made to entrepreneurs, commercial users (§ 14 BGB – German Civil Code).

The installation instructions and more information to download under “Information”. We would also be pleased to send you the respective installation instructions and the requested information. We look forward to your message or call.

All load test results, CAD details, metallurgical compatibilities, specifications, S-5! Terms of Use and additional information are available on the homepage of S-5!: www.s-5.com. 

S-5!® products are protected by multiple U.S. patents. European patents are also applied for and pending under the Patent Cooperation Treaty with divisional filing rights retained.

We assume no liability for errors on our website and in our documents. Pictures and drawings in our documents and webpages serve to clarify individual detail designs and are only recommendations. They can represent development stages, which are not available in such a way. The contents, logos, photos and graphics may only be used or passed on after consultation with RoofTech GmbH. The content and works provided on these Web pages are governed by the copyright laws of Germany. Duplication, processing, distribution, or any form of commercialization of such material beyond the scope of the copyright law shall require the prior written consent of its respective author or creator.

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