BOX STRAP
Innovation overview and development
An overview of the product
The bracket improves the quality of every installation
For Dryliner Contractors
– No more Electrical brackets causing bowing of the plasterboard
– No more trying to cut around multiple back boxes
– Reduce cost on making good
– The bracket doesn’t get in the way of the baffle box detail.
For Property Developers
Using this alternative bracket you can reduce your carbon footprint, you can save up to 2,843kg of CO2 across 200 apartments
Provide details on how the new product was developed, including effective collaboration, knowledge transfer and partnership along the project team
As an MEP project manager with an electrical background. As much as it was my invention the product has had input from many people who used their knowledge of the construction industry and electrical background to add value to the design.
People with the following backgrounds advised on the design and adjustments were made:
1. Project director for Barratt homes
2. Technical managers for Barratt homes
3. Owner of the biggest drylining company in the UK- Stanmore contractors
4. Over 20 electricians reviewed and installed and gave their suggestions
5. Managing director for MEP company with a turnover of 12mil
6. Site managers for Barratt homes, finishing mangers
7. Hilti technical team reviewed the installation and confirmed compatibility with their CP617 putty pads
8. ADA fixings carried out pull tests to confirm the strenght of the fixing method.
How might this product have an influence on the specification
The product should be specified in every new development because it guarantees the metal back box for the electricians to sit 6mm away from the finished wall on a single-layer plasterboard of 15mm thickness and 9mm on a double-layer plasterboard, for example, the fire-rated walls between apartments or backing into communal hallways.
The bracket doesn’t clash with the baffle box details of the plasterboard manufacturers as it is fixed behind the plasterboard instead of across the studs.
An electrical metal back box can be installed with both sides of the walls closed which could never be done before. this will allow the dry liner to close the walls without the plasterboard bowing where the telescopic bracket is in the way.
How can this product enhance an interior space
The product will reduce all the making good required around switches and sockets due to the traditional ways of working and it will also remove any bowing of the plasterboard walls where the telescopic bracket currently is installed on the studs that support the plasterboard.
It will improve the finished detail where the door architrave is installed as most of the time where you have a switch for a room the traditional bracket is installed on the stud and this causes the wall to bow at the height of the switch which then is hard to get a flush finish for the architrave installation.
How the product improved usability and / or performance of the interior system
The product is fixed to the back of the plasterboard instead of across the studs, this will improve the drywall system performance as it will reduce the chances of sound/noise transfers between studs at different heights where sockets or switches are installed.
It will improve the fire barriers between the metal backboxes and plasterboard walls giving a perfect cut around metal backboxes every time.
The drywall system is no longer bonded to the electrical earthing system which is something that is currently happening with the traditional method. The stud work is currently providing a lower earth fault current resistance making the studwork a route to earth fault currents. Which is something the stud work has not been designed or tested for.