Do Hurri-Bolt components need to be coated?

No, in most cases, since the components are not exposed directly to the weather. However, if the connectors are subject to salt corrosion, we can provide a code approved coating. Be prepared, if you are required to have the Hurri-Bolt components coated, you will have to order any other fasteners including hurricane clips, nails, and screws with either a hot dipped galvanized (ASTM 153) or mechanically galvanized (ASTM B 695) coating or use stainless steel components and fasteners. The standard clips and straps are "electro-galvanized" and do not meet the corrosion resistance specifications.

Excerpt from letter dated July 19, 2000 regarding the coating of Hurri-Bolt components from Michael O'Reardon, P.E.,Assistant Vice President, Evaluation Services, SBCCI:

"Under the 1999 Standard Building Code© steel anchor bolts and rods used to anchor wood stud walls are not required to be galvanized or corrosion resistant, section 2306 and 2307 SBC.

Under the SBCCI Standard for Hurricane Resistant Residential Construction© SSTD 10-97 and 99, corrosion resistance is required for steel anchors exposed directly to the weather or subject to salt corrosion in coastal areas, as determined by the local building official, section 302.1.3 SSTD 10. The corrosion requirement for coastal areas is covered in the anchor rod evaluation reports by a limitation, see your SBCCI PST & ESI Evaluation Report #9910, limitation 9.7."

A brief synopsis of coatings:

There are only two specifications for coatings that are accepted by SBCCI for exposure directly to the weather or subject to salt corrosion. They are mechanical galvanizing (ASTM 695) and hot dipped galvanizing (ASTM 153).

Zinc coating, yellow chromate or clear (ASTM B633), on fasteners or rods does not meet the above specifications, neither does zinc coating on sheet metal products, hurricane clips or straps (ASTM G60). If you need corrosion resistance for direct exposure to weather or salt spray, you have two options. The first option is to specify one of the acceptable corrosion resistant coatings—ASTM 695 or ASTM 153. The second is to specify a stainless steel material such as 316 stainless steel.