How to Properly Install Your Spanware® IMP Anchor

How to Properly Install Your Spanware® IMP Anchor

December 3, 2024

Spanware® IMP Anchors are designed specifically for attaching Food Grade Strut and other industrial components to insulated metal panels. But their high load ratings and air- and vapor-tight seal are dependent on properly installing the right anchor for your application.

Once you have selected the correct anchor type for your job and load rating, you need to appropriately install the anchor. Installation of any Spanware® IMP Anchor is simplified with the available Spanware® installation tool kit, which includes the necessary drill bits, drivers, and accessories to achieve proper installation.

With the installation tool kit in hand, your installation instructions will depend on which type of anchor you're using: standard, stubby, or heavy-duty for tension loads.

Standard IMP Anchor Installation

This installation technique should be used with the following anchors:

  • IMP-AD-375
  • IMP-AD-250
  • IMP-AD-210
  • IMP-AS-375
  • IMP-AS-250
  • IMP-AS-210
  • IMP-ASUV-375
  • IMP-ASUV-250
  • IMP-ASUV-210

The approved Spanware® installation instructions are as follows:

  1. Using the 1-⅛” hole saw included in the installation kit, drill through the outer metal lamination until the drill stop contacts the outer wall lamination.
  2. Using the included torque-limited driver, drive the screw section into the IMP Panel until its castellated ferrule just "snaps past" the outer metal lamination of the IMP Panel.
  3. Push the ⅜” x 2-¼" stainless steel bolt through the stainless steel flat washer, then through the flange of the item to be attached to the wall, then through the wall spacer, then through the EPDM flat washer, then through the gasketed thrust washer, and lastly into the threaded screw section.
  4. Using the included torque-limiting driver, tighten bolt to 4 ft*lbs. Do not overtighten the assembly. Overtightening the assembly will cause fastener/substrate failure and will compromise the assembly's ability to bear load and/or maintain a vapor and moisture tight seal.
View an example anchor installation here.

Stubby IMP-Anchor Installation

This installation technique should be used with the following anchors:

  • IMP-AD-375-S
  • IMP-AD-250-S
  • IMP-AD-210-S
  • IMP-AS-375-S
  • IMP-AS-250-S
  • IMP-AS-210-S
  • IMPASUV-375-S
  • IMP-ASUV-250-S
  • IMP-ASUV-210-S

The approved Spanware® installation instructions are as follows:

  1. Using the 1-⅛” hole saw included in the installation kit, drill through the outer metal lamination until the drill stop contacts the other wall lamination.
  2. Using the included 1" flat spade boring bit, counterbore into the foam core of the IMP Panel until the drill stop contacts the outer wall lamination. This should be a depth of approximately ⅝” to ¾".
  3. Using the included torque limited driver, drive the stubby screw section into the IMP Panel until its castellated ferrule just "snaps past" the outer metal lamination of the IMP Panel. Do not over insert or you will strip the foam substrate.
  4. Push the ⅜” x 2-¼" stainless steel bolt through the stainless steel flat washer, then through the flange of the item to be attached to the wall, then through the wall spacer, then through the EPDM flat washer, then through the gasketed thrust washer, and lastly into the threaded screw section.
  5. Using the included torque-limiting driver, tighten bolt to 4 ft*lbs. Do not overtighten the assembly. Overtightening the assembly will cause fastener/substrate failure and will compromise the assembly's ability to bear load and/or maintain a vapor and moisture-tight seal.

Heavy-Duty Tension Anchor Installation

This installation technique should be used with the following anchors:

  • IMP-HDT-375
  • IMP-HDTSS-375
  • IMP-HDTUV-375

The approved Spanware® installation instructions are as follows:

  1. Using the 1-⅛” hole saw included in the installation kit, drill completely through the IMP Panel in which the tension anchor is to be installed. This requires the removal of the drill stop from the hole saw.
  2. Slightly roll the PETG clear plastic "shoe horn" down to a diameter that can pass through the hole in the IMP panel.
  3. Push the PTG "shoe horn" into the wall to a depth such that the ends protrude out of the wall on both sides. The side closest to you should have the "lead in" ramps facing upward. The side opposite of you should be slick.
  4. Open the packet of food grade silicone "super lube" and apply half a blister pack of lube to the outer surface of the EPDM rubber armored toggle.
  5. Take the long insertion tool with ⅜” NC female threads and thread it onto the threaded toggle stud.
  6. Collapse the armored toggle into the shape of a small "taco" and insert it into the PETG "shoe horn" in the wall.
  7. Shove the armored toggle through the wall until it exits the wall on the opposite side and the toggle deploys to its original shape.
  8. Remove the "shoe horn" and save it for the next installation. "Shoe horn" installation guides should be able to install approximately 2–4 tension anchors each.
  9. Slide the wall sleeve (including black foam insulator for wall thicknesses 4", 5", and 6") over the insertion tool's handle and push into the wall with the smooth side first and the barbed, castellated end last. Push into wall until the castellated barbs just "snap past" the panel's metal laminated surface that is closest to you. Use a standard screwdriver to finish seating the wall sleeve into wall.
  10. Remove the insertion tool while holding onto the threaded toggle stud.
  11. Slide the gasketed thrust washer over the stud.
  12. Slide the EPDM rubber flat washer over the stud.
  13. Slide the wall spacer of the stud.
  14. Slide the flange of the item being attached to the anchor over the stud.
  15. Slide the ⅜” stainless steel flat washer over the stud.
  16. Thread the ⅜” stainless steel nut onto the stud.
  17. Tighten the nut to 4 ft*lbs using the included torque-limited driver.
  18. Armored toggle will draw down for an air- and vapor-tight seal against back of panel.
View a video of an example heavy-duty tension installation here.

The appropriate Spanware® IMP Anchor installation can be the difference between a failed installation and a long-lasting, reliable one. With so many variables involved in the selection and installation process, it can be helpful to have another trained eye on the job. Our team is happy to help you determine which Spanware® IMP Anchor is right for your application, as well as offer full engineering services for your IMP and Food Grade Strut solution. Contact our team to get started.