How to Select the Correct Spanware® IMP Anchor for Your Job

How to Select the Correct Spanware® IMP Anchor for Your Job

July 2, 2024

Insulated Metal Panels (IMPs) are the ideal building material for food processing locations and other environments that must meet stringent sanitation standards. The flat surfaces and airtight joints found on IMPs help maintain temperatures and can even meet cleanroom requirements. These features can be compromised, however, when attaching additional building materials to the panels.

The Spanware® IMP Anchor system is designed specifically for attaching Food Grade Strut® and other industrial components to these insulated metal panels. Spanware® IMP Anchors offer high load ratings, a food-grade sanitary design, and an excellent air- and vapor-tight seal.

Spanware® IMP Anchor Types

There are dozens of types of Spanware® IMP Anchors, each for different loads, surfaces, and applications.

Spanware® IMP Anchors for Shear Loads

Full-size Spanware® IMP Anchors for shear loads in walls 4"-6" thick:
  • 3/8" IMP Anchor with Delrin spacer
  • 1/4" AMP Anchor with Delrin spacer
  • 10-24 IMP Anchor with Delrin spacer
  • 3/8" IMP Anchor with stainless spacer
  • 1/4" IMP Anchor with stainless spacer
  • 10-24 IMP Anchor with stainless spacer
  • 3/8" IMP UV Anchor with stainless spacer and bolster
  • 1/4" IMP Anchor with stainless spacer and bolster
  • 10-24 IMP Anchor with stainless spacer and bolster
  • 3/8" IMP low profile UV Anchor with stainless bolster
  • 1/4" IMP low-profile UV Anchor with stainless bolster
  • 10-24 IMP low-profile UV Anchor with stainless bolster
Stubby Spanware® IMP Anchors for shear loads in walls 2"-3" thick:
  • 3/8" IMP Stubby Anchor with Delrin spacer
  • 1/4" IMP Stubby Anchor with Delrin spacer
  • 10-24 IMP Stubby Anchor with Delrin spacer
  • 3/8" IMP Stubby Anchor with stainless spacer
  • 1/4" IMP Stubby Anchor with stainless spacer
  • 10-24 IMP Stubby Anchor with stainless spacer
  • 3/8" IMP UV Stubby Anchor with stainless spacer and bolster
  • 1/4" IMP UV Stubby Anchor with stainless spacer and bolster
  • 10-24 IMP UV Stubby Anchor with stainless spacer and bolster
  • 3/8" IMP low profile UV Stubby Anchor with stainless spacer and bolster
  • 1/4" IMP low profile UV Stubby Anchor with stainless spacer and bolster
  • 10-24 IMP low profile UV Stubby Anchor with stainless spacer and bolster
Beaker™ IMP Stand Offs by Spanware® for shear loads in walls 2"-6" thick:
  • 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff
  • 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff with ½" SS mini
  • 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff with ¾" SS mini
  • 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff with Fab-Lok® molly
  • 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff with ½" SS mini and Fab-Lok® molly
  • 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff with ¾" SS mini and Fab-Lok® molly
  • UV 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff
  • UV 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff with ½" SS mini
  • UV 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff with ¾" SS mini
  • UV 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff with Fab-Lok® molly
  • UV 10-24 IMP Beaker™ standoff with ½" SS mini and Fab-Lok® molly
  • UV 10-24 IMP Baker™ standoff with ¾" SS mini and Fab-Lok® molly

Spanware® IMP Anchors for Tension Loads

  • 3/8" IMP heavy-duty tension anchor with Delrin spacer
  • 3/8" IMP heavy-duty tension anchor with stainless spacer
  • 3/8" IMP UV heavy-duty tension anchor (UV one side)
  • 3/8" IMP UV heavy-duty tension anchor (UV two sides, attach one side)
  • 3/8" IMP UV heavy-duty tension anchor (UV two sides, attach two sides)
  • 3/8" IMP heavy-duty tension anchor with Delrin spacer and eyelet for hanging light fixture
  • 3/8" IMP heavy-duty tension anchor with stainless spacer and eyelet for hanging light fixture
  • 3/8" IMP UV heavy-duty tension anchor and eyelet for hanging light fixture

There are also various Spanware® IMP Anchor accessories, including various installation tool kits, dog bone moment member kits, and spanner plugs.

How to Determine the Correct Spanware® IMP Anchor for Your Application

Each Spanware® IMP Anchor part number contains a combination of letters and numbers that tell you how that anchor was designed and what applications it is appropriate for. The Spanware® IMP Anchor selection guide uses the following example for reading the part numbers of anchors designed for shear load applications: IMP - ASUV - 250 - S

  • IMP: This is the fastener type and stands for Insulated Metal Panel. All Spanware® IMP Anchor part numbers start with IMP because they are designed specifically for use with insulated metal panels.
  • ASUV: This section of the part number determines the construction rating.
    • AD is a standard duty shear anchor with a delrin spacer
    • AS is a heavy-duty shear anchor with a stainless steel spacer
    • ASUV is a severe-duty shear anchor with a stainless steel spacer, bolster, and UV-rated gasket
  • 250: This determines the fastener size required to attach the load onto the Spanware® anchor.
    • 210 is a 10-24 fastener
    • 250 is a ¼”-20 NC fastener
    • 375 is a ⅜”-16 NC fastener
  • S: This determines the length and special conditions of the anchor.
    • Blank means it is a standard (for 4” to 6” thick panels) anchor with a standard 1” spacer
    • S means it is a stubby (for 2” to 3” thick panels) anchor
    • LP means it is a low-profile anchor that omits the spacer

Selecting an anchor for tension load applications follows a similar system: IMP - HDT - 375 - X4 - DSSA

  • IMP: This is the fastener type and stands for Insulated Metal Panel. All Spanware® IMP Anchor part numbers start with IMP because they are designed specifically for use with insulated metal panels.
  • HDT: This section of the part number determines the application and construction.
    • HDT is a heavy-duty tension anchor with a delrin spacer
    • HDTSS is a heavy-duty tension anchor with a stainless steel spacer
    • HDTSUV is a severe-duty tension anchor with a stainless steel spacer, bolster, and UV-rated gaskets
  • 375: This determines the fastener size required to attach the load onto the Spanware® anchor.
    • 210 is a 10-24 fastener
    • 250 is a ¼”-20 NC fastener
    • 375 is a ⅜”-16 NC fastener
  • X4: This determines the IMP panel thickness.
    • X2 is a 2” panel
    • X2.5 is a 2.5” panel
    • X3 is a 3” panel
    • X4 is a 4” panel
    • X5 is a 5” panel
    • X6 is a 6” panel
  • DSSA: This denotes any special conditions.
    • Blank means it is a standard tension anchor
    • DSSA is double-sided and meant for a load attached on the front only
    • DSDA is double-sided and can have loads attached on both sides
    • EN is an eye nut for attaching light fixtures
    • LP is low profile

So, to select the correct Spanware® IMP Anchor for your application, you will need to know:

  1. If you have a shear or tension load
  2. The construction rating of your load (heavy-duty, standard-duty, etc.) and if the application will be outdoors and require a UV rating
  3. The required fastener size
  4. The thickness of the panel your anchor will be installed into
  5. If there are any special conditions for your application

Spanware® IMP Anchor Unique Applications

While Spanware® IMP Anchors were originally designed to attach Food Grade Strut® to insulated metal panels, they're useful in other scenarios as well. For example, the Unistrut Midwest team has used Spanware® IMP Anchors to mount security cameras to exterior IMPs. While there was no need for a sanitary installation with this application, the IMP Anchors provide a high load rating and an excellent seal against the IMP, making them a perfect fit for this unique installation.

Whether you're looking to maintain sanitary or cleanroom standards with your build or you're looking for a unique solution to an IMP challenge, the Unistrut Midwest team is here to help. Contact us to get started on your project.