Install the brace at the locations shown on the approved bracing layout or the applicable TRACKLOK® set-out chart. The brace must connect the partition head track or timber top plate back to the primary structure above. Do not use the suspended ceiling grid as the wall bracing point. Keep the brace clear of services and maintain the specified brace angle. Where a marked-up plan has been issued, install to that plan rather than spacing braces by eye.

For steel or aluminium head tracks, use the fixing arrangement shown for the selected product. TRACKLOK® PLUS, TRACKLOK® VERT, DEFLOK® and DEFLOK® VERT use minimum 10 gauge wafer Tek screws into a minimum 0.75 BMT steel head track or 1.3 mm aluminium section. For timber top plates, use minimum 10 gauge x 35 mm wood screws into 90 x 45 mm SG8 Radiata Pine or Douglas Fir. TRACKLOK® standard uses the supplied through-bolt connection and therefore requires access to the head track.

Install steel stud brace arms between 30° and 60° to the ceiling plane unless the project engineer has specifically designed another angle. Angles outside this range change the force in the brace and must not be improvised on site. For GRIDLOK® Zip Clip systems, the compression post should be no more than 10° out of plumb, and the seismic wires should be installed between 10° and 60° to the ceiling plane.

Measure the actual distance from the ceiling or partition connection point to the structural fixing point, then select the stud size and BMT from the plenum-height chart in the current TRACKLOK® Bracing Guide. Longer braces require a larger, heavier or boxed stud to prevent buckling. Do not assume that the stud already on site is suitable. Where boxed studs are required, assemble them in accordance with the published detail and use the specified screw fixing pattern.

Yes, within the permitted installation flexibility. GRIDLOK® can rotate through 360° and the brace arms can be adjusted within the permitted angle range. On back-braced ceiling layouts, up to 30% of braces may generally be relocated, with approximately 300 mm positional flexibility from the shown location. Keep the brace on the main runner and preserve the intended two-direction load path. If a move is outside these limits, or removes a brace from a congested zone, contact TRACKLOK® before installing.

Fix the GRIDLOK® base unit to the main runner using the number of 10 gauge wafer Tek screws shown for that GRIDLOK® model. For the standard exposed-grid unit, use four screws to the ceiling tee and four screws to the steel stud brace. Install the unit within 50 mm of a main-runner/cross-tee intersection where practicable. If it is more than 50 mm away, fit ceiling tile hold-down clips to the adjacent tiles.

Use the top-connection detail that matches the structure. Concrete anchors must be seismically approved and installed to the anchor manufacturer's requirements, including the specified minimum embedment. For steel, use either the specified M8 bolt connection or four 10 gauge wafer Tek screws into steel of the required minimum BMT. For purlins, fix to the top half of the purlin web where shown; orthogonal braces should not be fixed to the underside because of rollover risk. For timber, use the specified coach screw, bolt and washer, or four wood screws with the required penetration. The structural engineer must confirm the supporting member can accept the brace load.

No. For braces acting across the purlin, fix to the top half of the purlin web using the approved screw or bolt arrangement. Do not fix an orthogonal brace to the bottom of the purlin, as this can create rollover of the section. Where the brace is aligned in-plane with the purlin, a flange or underside fixing may be acceptable only where it matches the project detail. Purlins should generally be at least 1.15 BMT unless the engineer has approved another connection.

Confirm every brace is installed in the correct location and orientation; all required screws, bolts, washers and anchors are present; stud size and BMT match the plenum-height chart; brace angles are within limits; top fixings are into the nominated primary structure; GRIDLOK® units are fixed to the correct grid member; tile hold-down clips are fitted where required; and braces are clear of services. Photograph representative installations and any concealed fixings before close-up. Record any approved relocations or site changes for the PS3 and inspection file.

Stop at the affected location and raise an RFI before changing the brace, fixing type, stud size or load path. Typical issues include missing structure above, purlins running the wrong direction, deep plenums, clashes with services, inaccessible head tracks, or ceiling grid changes. Do not delete a brace, substitute an unapproved member, connect to a service support, or fix a wall brace to the ceiling grid. Send a marked-up plan and clear site photos to TRACKLOK® so a compliant installation direction can be confirmed.