In the world of construction and civil engineering, the choice of a fixing or anchoring system can make or break a structure’s long-term performance. Whether you’re mounting steelwork, securing safety rails, or supporting heavy façades, the wrong anchor can lead to serviceability issues, safety risks, or expensive rework. That’s why high-quality steel anchor systems are essential for durability, load performance, and compliance with regulations.
One standout option is the range of anchor bolts offered by Fischer UK, which deliver reliable performance across a wide variety of structural use cases. In this post, we’ll explore what makes a good anchor solution, the types of steel anchors available, and how to choose the right system for your project.
Understanding steel fixings and anchor bolts
“Steel fixings” is a broad term encompassing mechanical anchoring solutions designed to transfer loads into base materials such as concrete or masonry. Fischer’s steel fixings include multiple categories such as concrete screws, sleeve anchors, undercut anchors, nail anchors, and, most notably, bolt anchors.
Bolt anchors are particularly attractive for many heavy-duty applications. They consist of a cone and an expansion sleeve, which, when properly torqued, expand against the sides of a pre-drilled hole to transfer load via friction locking. Their ease of installation makes them very efficient for on-site work.
Fischer offers a wide variety of bolt anchor product families, such as FAZ II, FBN II, and FXA, available in normal steel, hot-dip galvanised, A4 stainless steel, or highly corrosion-resistant versions depending on the environment.
Key types of Fischer bolt anchors
FAZ II / FAZ II Plus
The FAZ II family is well-suited for structural and demanding applications, especially in cracked concrete. It employs an expansion clip to reliably distribute load into the substrate. Its more advanced variant, the FAZ II Plus, is engineered for even higher tensile strengths, improved performance (often eliminating drilling cleanup), and extended service life; some variants claim endurance of up to 120 years.
FBN II
Fischer’s FBN II anchors offer a cost-efficient alternative for non-cracked concrete applications. They provide a simpler anchoring solution where full structural performance in cracked concrete is not required.
FXA (Through-Bolt)
The FXA line serves as a through-bolt option for mid to low load applications in non-cracked concrete. Available from M8 to M16, it supports both zinc-plated and stainless steel versions, making it flexible for indoor and outdoor settings. Its simple installation and ETA approval make it a favourite for many contractors.
Best practices for specifying and installing anchor systems
- Select the correct anchor class for your substrate: Choose between cracked or non-cracked concrete, or environments with corrosion risk.
- Use approved products: Fischer’s anchors usually carry ETA certification or similar approvals, which help ensure safety compliance.
- Match size, embedment depth and torque: The load capacity depends heavily on correct hole depth, diameter, and proper torque setting during installation.
- Use accessories or tools for series installation: For repetitive or high-volume work, using setting tools (like Fischer’s FA-ST series) speeds up installation and enhances consistency.
- Consider long-term durability: In aggressive environments, choose stainless or specially coated anchors, and check declared service life (e.g. 120 years claims for FAZ II Plus).
Why anchor bolts by Fischer are a smart choice
- Broad product range: From FAZ to FXA, Fischer offers options for nearly every common structural scenario.
- Strong approvals and certifications: Many models carry ETA or seismic performance certificates to assure compliance.
- Ease of installation with reliability: The expansion mechanism simplifies setting while delivering dependable load transfer.
- Long-term performance and durability: Especially in corrosive or critical applications, Fischer’s higher-end anchors are built for durability.
Conclusion: Strength, safety, and certainty in structural fixing
In demanding construction environments, the difference between a subpar fixing and a reliable anchor system can be huge. By choosing trusted systems like the anchor bolts from Fischer, engineers and contractors get a solution that balances load capacity, longevity, ease of use, and compliance.
If you’re specifying a project or simply want to explore Fischer’s full range of steel anchoring solutions, check out their product catalogue on anchor bolts.
