Advice Needed - Radiator Mounting

[Dave1664]

Hi, just after a bit of advice.

I recently had 6 new radiators fitted (48 hrs ago) by a reputable plumbing company and my 2 year old son literally just leant against one (whilst seated) and the whole thing came away from the wall.
Luckily I was able to catch it to stop it from crushing him!

My question is, do you think these attached photos of 4 screws are sufficient to hold a radiator of this weight?
The reason I’m asking is both the company owner and engineer that has just turned up to temporarily repair the radiator and now leaking pipes have accused me of pulling the radiator from the wall!

As far as I can see radiator isn’t attached to any stud work.

Thanks in advance of any advice given.

Dave

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Nope not acceptable to hang a 40 plus kg rad on them

Behind the plasterboard looks like block as to the left looks like a front door ?

 

[Dave1664]

Nope not acceptable to hang a 40 plus kg rad on them

Behind the plasterboard looks like block as to the left looks like a front door ?

Back door to the left.
It’s a 600mm x 1100mm rad weighing 33kg

Engineer resolved and put longer screws in and gone through to brickwork this time but convinced screws he originally used adequate and that I’d been doing pull ups off it!

Concern now is he used same screws throughout house and just 6 of the same size holding the (attached) rad on the wall!

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Not a hope in hell hanging a k2 on those crappy fixings

If there’s brick / block behind that’s just lazy

If it’s stud I use m6 toggles

 

[snowhead]

No way are 4 (or any number) Fischer plasterboard fixings (or similar rip offs) designed to hold a radiator of any size.
Radiators are not on the suggested list of applications.

The brackets should have bent before the fixings came away.

Any other radiator hanging on those should be removed and refixed.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

PDM Metal Self Drill Fixing

The fixing is screwed in the pre-positioned installation into the Gypsum plasterboard and gypsum fibreboards flush to the surface. The sharp, self-tapping thread enables a secure, positive fit fixing. This achieves a high load-bearing capacity. The fischer GKM can hold wood, sheet metal and...

www.fischer.co.uk

Max rating 7kg

 

[Dave1664]

Not a hope in hell hanging a k2 on those crappy fixings

If there’s brick / block behind that’s just lazy

If it’s stud I use m6 toggles

Thanks for confirming my suspicions Shaun.

 

[Dave1664]

No way are 4 (or any number) Fischer plasterboard fixings (or similar rip offs) designed to hold a radiator of any size.
Radiators are not on the suggested list of applications.

The brackets should have bent before the fixings came away.

Any other radiator hanging on those should be removed and refixed.

Thank you for the info.

 

[cjg]

would have checked distance to wall and used ridgeyfix bolts

 

[Ric2013]

I think even plastic Fisher [Fischer] plasterboard fixings are likely to be stronger than those screw-in ones. If the radiator weighs 33kg, bear in mind that's the weight when empty...

If for some reason he 'had to' use those fittings, he could at least have put extra ones in and not essentially relied at one on the top of each bracket (the one at the bottom of the bracket is far less likely to pull out).

 

[Dave1664]

I think even plastic Fisher plasterboard fixings are likely to be stronger than those screw-in ones. If the radiator weighs 33kg, bear in mind that's the weight when empty...

If for some reason he 'had to' use those fittings, he could at least have put extra ones in and not essentially relied at one on the top of each bracket (the one at the bottom of the bracket is far less likely to pull out).

Thanks.
That’s a very valid point regarding weight whilst empty.

I’ve contacted Fischer technical for their advice on whether fixings suitable aswell.

Paid best part of £2k and made to feel is was my fault that the “radiator magically leaped off the wall” and “never happened in 30 years as an engineer” so thanks for the clarification.

 

[Ric2013]

Thanks.
That’s a very valid point regarding weight whilst empty.

I’ve contacted Fischer technical for their advice on whether fixings suitable aswell.

Paid best part of £2k and made to feel is was my fault that the “radiator magically leaped off the wall” and “never happened in 30 years as an engineer” so thanks for the clarification.

It will be interesting to hear what Fischer says. Please do let us know!

 

[Dave1664]

It will be interesting to hear what Fischer says. Please do let us know!

Basically, not suitable to carry the weight of a radiator….(attached)

Thanks for everyone’s input and help.
I’ll now go back to the company I used and have the other radiators ‘made safe’

Dave

 

[Timmy D]

Thanks for updates. What some people get up too...

Edit:

Any of you used Fischer Duopower plugs?

8x40 is rated at about 15kg per plug in 12.5mm plaster board.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

I don’t as there sort of a multi use plug and for everyday reds or brown too expensive

 

[Timmy D]

I don’t as there sort of a multi use plug and for everyday reds or brown too expensive

Wondering if they’re worth it for difficult situations.

Would you trust it on plasterboard. For the average rad it seems it should take the load.

 

[ShaunCorbs]

Wondering if they’re worth it for difficult situations.

Would you trust it on plasterboard. For the average rad it seems it should take the load.

I use these for light rads

Nylon toggle fischer DuoTec - fischer fixings

The unique function and toggle geometry of the fischer DuoTec allows it to handle very heavy loads for a gravity toggle. Where multiple fixings are required, this reduces the number of fixings and maximises security. As a member of the DUO line, the fischer DuoTec comprises two plastic...

www.fischer.co.uk

Or snap toggles for heavy eg 6x1 but nothing bigger than that I will Cut and install timber

 

[Timmy D]

I use these for light rads

Nylon toggle fischer DuoTec - fischer fixings

The unique function and toggle geometry of the fischer DuoTec allows it to handle very heavy loads for a gravity toggle. Where multiple fixings are required, this reduces the number of fixings and maximises security. As a member of the DUO line, the fischer DuoTec comprises two plastic...

www.fischer.co.uk

Or snap toggles for heavy eg 6x1 but nothing bigger than that I will Cut and install timber

Just watched the video. Pretty clever, especially if you hit something solid behind.

Might get some 👍🏼

 

[Gasmk1]

Corefix are great for dot and dab plasterboard Corefix - https://www.gripitfixings.co.uk/pages/corefix

 

[king of pipes]

Only one type of fixing for me it's the brolly type fixing that expands and grips the back of the board they are suitable for heavy fixing of radiators , i have a box of corefix on board for dot and dab , most solid wall installation brown plugs and 50 mm. No - 10 screws are suitable . Kop

 

[Timmy D]

Only one type of fixing for me it's the brolly type fixing that expands and grips the back of the board they are suitable for heavy fixing of radiators , i have a box of corefix on board for dot and dab , most solid wall installation brown plugs and 50 mm. No - 10 screws are suitable . Kop

Got give a pack of these yesterday, very similar to toggles but you don’t lose the toggle if removed. Pricey tho.

 

[cjg]

use these if needed.

RIGIFIX FIXINGS​