Fastener Specifications for the Safety Boot Guardrail System

Warning! Never Use Nails or Unspecified Fasteners to Anchor the Safety Boot -

Different Types of Subfloor Material Require Different Types of Fasteners In Order to Exceed the 200 lb. OSHA Guardrail Requirement

Construction Materials

OSHA Regulations (Standards - 29 CFR)
Guardrail Systems - Non-Mandatory Guidelines for Complying with 1926.502 (b) - 1926 Subpart M App B states that for wood railings:

. . . (1) For wood railings: Wood components shall be minimum 1500 lb-ft/in(2) fiber (stress grade) construction grade lumber; the posts shall be at least 2-inch by 4-inch (5 cm x 10 cm) lumber spaced not more than 8 feet (2.4 m) apart on centers; the top rail shall be at least 2-inch by 4-inch (5 cm x 10 cm) lumber, the intermediate rail shall be at least 1-inch by 6-inch (2.5 cm x 15 cm) lumber. All lumber dimensions are nominal sizes as provided by the American Softwood Lumber Standards, dated January 1970 . . .

Power Tools and Equipment
Standard Power Drill; 9/16 socket with drill adapter [Drill Adapter(s) and Washers Provided with ALL Orders]; nail gun or screw gun; sander; saw.

Fastener Specifications

Securing Safety Boot to 2X4 Post

Each Safety Boot must use:

1--Hex-Head Lag Screw, 3/8 x 2 inch; and
1--3/8 X 1-1/2 inch Fender Washer (Washers Provided with ALL Orders)

Anchor into provided hole in sidewall of Safety Boot.

When Using the Subflooring Type

Solid 2X Wood Applications

Each Safety Boot installed must use:
4--Hex-Head Lag Screws, 3/8 x 2 inch; and
4--3/8 X 1-1/2 inch Fender Washers (Washers Provided with ALL Orders)

Anchor directly into solid 2X lumber using the four primary corner holes.

Sturd-I-Floor® (1-1/8 Inch Thick) Plywood

Each Safety Boot installed must use:
5--Hex-Head Lag Screws, 3/8 x 2 inch; and
5--3/8 X 1-1/2 inch Fender Washers (Washers Provided with ALL Orders)

Anchor directly into Sturd-I-Floor® (1-1/8 inch thick) plywood using the four primary corner holes and by adding a 5th screw on the inside of the guardrail or stair rail system in the secondary hole provided.

Plywood (Less Than 1-1/8 Inch Thick)
or OSB Applications

Each Safety Boot installed must use:
4--Hex Head Lag Screws, 3/8 x 3 inch; and
4--3/8 X 1-1/2 inch Fender Washers (Washers Provided with ALL Orders)

Anchor through the plywood or OSB into floor joists or solid 2X lumber blocking on the underside of subfloor using the four primary corner holes.

Concrete Applications

For concrete applications use:
4 - Masonry fasteners such as HILTI® HUS-H 3/8 Inch Screw Anchors (www.hilti.com) or similar anchors and;
4 - 3/8 X 1-1/2 Inch Fender Washers (Washers Provided with ALL Orders)

Anchor using the four primary corner holes.

IMPORTANT: Due to the variances in concrete mixtures and applications (such as, concrete mixture type, psi strength, slab thickness, cure time, etc.), concrete fasteners used to secure the Safety Boot MUST be evaluated on a case by case basis by a qualified competent person. They should verify that the selected fastener specifications for average ultimate pullout and shear values are in compliance with the OSHA required strength standards.* Most concrete fasteners are packaged to include a product specification chart that denotes the average ultimate pullout and shear values in concrete and/or hollow block application.

* OSHA STANDARD 1926.502(b)(3):
Guardrail systems shall be capable of withstanding, without failure, a force of at least 200 pounds (890 N) applied within 2 inches (5.1 cm) of the top edge, in any outward or downward direction, at any point along the top edge.

For Other Subflooring Applications

Always verify through a professional engineer that the subflooring material as well as the fasteners used to secure the Safety Boot will support the required load as needed for your specific applications.

Warning! Never Use Nails or Unspecified Fasteners to Anchor the Safety Boot -

Different Types of Subfloor Material Require Different Types of Fasteners In Order to Exceed the 200 lb. OSHA Guardrail Requirement