BRITISH STANDARD BS 1243:1978

Incorporating
Amendment Nos. 1
and 2

Specification for

Metal ties for cavity

wall construction
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UDC 69.022.322:691.88
 BS 1243:1978
Licensed copy:RMJM, 08/09/2005, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI
This British Standard, having
been prepared under the
direction of the Hardware and
Ironmongery Standards
Committee, was published
under the authority of the
Executive Board on
30 June 1978
© BSI 04-1999
First published July 1945
First revision February 1954
Second revision November 1964
Third revision July 1972
Fourth revision June 1978
The following BSI references
relate to the work on this
standard:
Committee reference HIB/11
Draft for comment 77/11422 DC
ISBN 0 580 10179 7
Cooperating organizations
The Hardware and Ironmongery Standards Committee, under whose direction
this British Standard was prepared, consists of representatives from the
following Government departments and scientific and industrial
organizations:
Aluminium Window Association
Association of Builders’ Hardware Manufacturers
British Hardware Federation
British Lock Manufacturers’ Association
British Plastics Federation
Copper Development Association*
Department of the Environment (Building Research Establishment)*
Department of the Environment (Housing and Construction)
Greater London Council
Guild of Architectural Ironmongers
Institution of Municipal Engineers*
Metropolitan Police
Royal Institute of British Architects*
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Steel Window Association
Zinc Development Association
The organizations marked with an asterisk in the above list, together with the
following, were directly represented on the committee entrusted with the
preparation of this British Standard:
Agrément Board
Brick Development Association
British Non-ferrous Metals Federation
British Steel Industry (Wire Section)
Institution of Building Control Officers Ltd.
National Building Agency
National Federation of Builders’ and Plumbers’ Merchants
National Federation of Building Trades Employers
Stainless Steel Fabricators Association of Great Britain
Timber Research and Development Association
Amendments issued since publication
Amd. No. Date of issue Comments
3651 April 1981
4024 July 1982 Indicated by a sideline in the margin
 BS 1243:1978

Contents

Page
Cooperating organizations Inside front cover
Foreword ii
1 Scope 1
2 References 1
3 Materials 1
4 Classification 1
5 Protective coatings 1
6 Requirements 1
7 Marking 2
8 Testing 2
Appendix A — Method of determining the effectiveness of the
stress relieving of cold formed copper alloy wall ties 5
Figure 1 — Butterfly type of wall tie 2
Figure 2 — Double-triangle type of wall tie 3
Figure 3 — Vertical-twist type of wall tie 4
Table 1 — Butterfly type of wall tie 3
Table 2 — Double-triangle type of wall tie 3
Table 3 — Vertical-twist type of wall tie 4
Publications referred to Inside back cover
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© BSI 04-1999 i
 BS 1243:1978

Foreword

This British Standard is a revision of BS 1243:1972. The technical requirements

are similar to those of the 1972 edition with the following alterations and
additions. The specification for stainless steel wire has been updated and a new
specification for stainless steel strip has been added for the vertical-twist type of
wall tie.
There is a growing demand for a standard wall tie for use in structures which
incorporate a cavity between a structural timber frame and a brick veneer outer
skin. However, the committee revising the standard felt that there was
insufficient evidence of performance in use to justify including guidance in the
present edition of BS 1243. Instead, a separate Draft for Development is to be
published as soon as possible. Users and manufacturers will be invited to
comment on this draft, with a view to incorporating material from it in future
editions of the standard.
Consideration was given to wall ties made from plastics materials and zinc die
cast alloys but, but because of insufficient evidence of their performance in use,
they are not included.
Recent investigations of the condition of ties in cavity walls have indicated that
corrosion of galvanized steel in this location, specifically in the outer leaf, occurs
at a higher rate than previously assumed. The corrosion of galvanized ties is a
gradual process so that any possible structural weakening of the wall will occur
slowly. With vertical-twist ties the consequence of corrosion will often be observed
by cracking of the mortar joints, and in extreme cases, by distortion of the
brickwork. For the wire tie, visible external indication of corrosion may not be
seen. Deterioration of galvanized ties appears to occur with normal mortars for
masonry and is not restricted to those mortars regarded as particularly corrosive,
such as black ash mortar, or to specific localities such as marine locations where
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increased corrosion may have been expected. The higher corrosion rate observed
on galvanized steel ties will reduce the anticipated life of ties manufactured in
accordance with the previously accepted requirements; Amendment No. 1
therefore amends the specification for galvanized ties to increase the anticipated
life.
A British Standard does not purport to include all the necessary provisions of a
contract. Users of British Standards are responsible for their correct application.
Compliance with a British Standard does not of itself confer immunity
from legal obligations.

Summary of pages
This document comprises a front cover, an inside front cover, pages i and ii,
pages 1 to 6, an inside back cover and a back cover.
This standard has been updated (see copyright date) and may have had
amendments incorporated. This will be indicated in the amendment table on
the inside front cover.

ii © BSI 04-1999

1 Scope
This British Standard specifies requirements for
metal wall ties manufactured from wire or strip and
suitable for cavity walls.
The types of wall tie specified are those considered
most suitable for buildings generally, and the
requirements provide a minimum specification
suitable for such work. The lengths of the larger ties
are adequate to tie together two leaves across the
largest cavity likely to occur in walls constructed to
dimensionally coordinated sizes.
2 References
The titles of the standards publications referred to
in this standard are listed on the inside back cover.
3 Materials
3.1 The wall ties shall be manufactured according to
the requirements of clause 6 from one of the
materials specified in 3.2 to 3.7.
3.2 Low carbon steel strip complying with the
requirements of BS 1449-1 and capable of accepting
galvanizing in accordance with 5.4.
3.3 Low carbon steel wire complying with the
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requirements of BS 1052 and capable of accepting
galvanizing in accordance with 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4, as
appropriate.
3.4 Copper having a minimum copper content
of 99.85 %.
NOTE Copper complying with the requirements of the
following standards is suitable:
BS 1036, BS 1037, BS 1038 and BS 1172.
3.5 Copper alloys having a minimum copper content
of 56 %. Except for phosphor bronze complying with
the requirements of BS 2870, BS 2873 or BS 2874,
this material shall be formed either by bending at
dull red heat and allowing to cool in still air, or by
cold forming, when it shall subsequently be
stress-relief annealed at 250 °C to 300 °C for 30 min
to 1 h. The effectiveness of the stress relieving of
cold formed copper alloy wall ties shall be tested, if
required, by the method of test set out
in Appendix A.
3.6 Stainless steel wire complying with the
requirements of BS 1554 for austenitic stainless
steel, minimum 18/8 composition and excluding free
machining specifications.
3.7 Austenitic stainless steel strip complying with
the requirements of BS 1449-2 and BS 970-4,
minimum 18/8 composition and excluding free
machining specifications.
© BSI 04-1999
BS 1243:1978
4 Classification
The wall ties shall be of the following types.
a) Butterfly wall tie fabricated from wire
(see Figure 1).
b) Double-triangle wall tie fabricated from wire
(see Figure 2).
c) Vertical-twist wall tie fabricated from strip
(see Figure 3).
5 Protective coatings
5.1 Low carbon steel wall ties shall be coated in
accordance with 5.2, 5.3 or 5.4.
5.2 If manufactured from zinc coated wire, the zinc
coating shall comply with the requirements of
BS 443 with the exception that the Preece test shall
be carried out in accordance with BS 729. The mass
of coating shall be not less than 940 g/m2 and shall
be determined, if required, by the method specified
in BS 443. In the case of butterfly ties, this shall be
done after cutting out the central twisted portion
and using the remaining two pieces of bent wire only
for the test.
5.3 If manufactured from plastics coated zinc coated
wire, the zinc coating shall be not less than 260 g/m2
and shall be determined, if required, by the method
specified in BS 443 after removal of the plastics
coating. In the case of butterfly ties, this shall be
done after cutting out the central twisted portion
and using the remaining two pieces of bent wire only
for the test.
The plastics coating shall comply with the
requirements in BS 4102 for plastics covering of
wire and the coated wire shall have a minimum
thickness of 4 mm for butterfly ties and 5.5 mm for
double-triangle ties. The plasticizers used shall be of
the special polymeric type that do not migrate when
in contact with expanded polystyrene.
5.4 If galvanized after manufacture, the zinc coating
shall comply with the requirements of BS 729. The
mass of coating shall be not less than 940 g/m2 and
shall be determined, if required, by the method
specified in BS 729. In the case of vertical-twist ties,
only the middle portion of the tie shall be used for
the test after cutting off the two split ends of the tie.
6 Requirements
Wall ties shall be made from the materials and to
the shapes, dimensions and deviations given
in Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 and
Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3. The diameter of the
wire specified in 3.3 is to be measured over the zinc
coating or galvanizing.
NOTE 1 Where wall ties are to be used in black ash mortar or
with marine aggregates, additional precautions should be taken,
such as coating with bitumen, preferably on site.
1
 BS 1243:1978

NOTE 2 For further guidance on the selection and use of wall
ties, reference should be made to CP 121.
7 Marking
Wall ties shall be despatched in consignments
bearing a label certifying that they comply with the
requirements of this standard. All such labels shall
state the number or weight of wall ties to which they
relate, together with the name of the manufacturer
or supplier and the number of this British Standard,
i.e. BS 1243. The labels for copper alloy ties, except
for those of phosphor bronze complying with the
requirements of BS 2870, BS 2873 and BS 2874,
shall indicate whether they have been hot or cold
formed.
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8 Testing
The tests specified in Appendix A and in other
quoted British Standards shall be carried out at the
option of the purchaser. The tests shall be conducted
on samples forming not less than 0.1 % and not
more than 0.5 % of the batch represented. Should
any of these samples fail to comply with the
requirements of the appropriate tests, further
samples to the extent of twice the original number
shall be tested. If any of these further samples fail
to comply with the appropriate requirement, the
whole batch represented thereby shall be deemed
not to comply with the requirements of this
standard.
Ties galvanized after manufacture that do not
comply with the provisions of this clause may, at the
option of the manufacturer, be recoated with zinc
and be resubmitted for testing.

NOTE Twist may be left hand or right hand.

Figure 1 — Butterfly type of wall tie

2 © BSI 04-1999
 BS 1243:1978

Table 1 — Butterfly type of wall tie

Material as Minimum Dimensions and permissible deviations
specified in tensile
Wire L B r X Y Z
clause strength of
diameter (min.) (min.) (max.) (max.)
material

N/mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm

3.3 370
3.15 ± 0.08 150 ± 5 75 ± 5
3.4 280 8 × wire 3 × wire
or or 13 5
3.5 530 diameter diameter
2.60 ± 0.08 200 ± 5 100 ± 5
3.6 460
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Figure 2 — Double-triangle type of wall tie

Table 2 — Double-triangle type of wall tie

Material as Minimum Dimensions and permissible deviations
specified in tensile
Wire diameter L B r Y
clause strength of
(min.)
material

N/mm2 mm mm mm mm mm

3.3 370
4.5 ± 0.08 150 ± 5
3.4 280
or 65 ± 5 8 50 ± 5
3.5 530 200 ± 5
4.0 ± 0.08
3.6 460

© BSI 04-1999 3
 BS 1243:1978

Figure 3 — Vertical-twist type of wall tie

Table 3 — Vertical-twist type of wall tie

Material as Minimum Dimensions and permissible deviations
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specified tensile
in clause strength t b L B Y Z S
of (max.) (min.)
material

N/mm2 mm mm mm mm mm mm mm

3.2 430

Split ends
Not less 150 ± 5
Not less than shall not be
than 3.00 and 200 ± 5
3.4 280 20 ± 1 30 and not 50 5 out of plane
not more than 255 ± 5
more than 50 by more
4.83 305 ± 5
than 5
3.5 460
3.7 510

4 © BSI 04-1999
 BS 1243:1978

Appendix A Method of determining

the effectiveness of the stress relieving
of cold formed copper alloy wall ties
(see 3.5)
A.1 Reagents
A.1.1 Nitric acid of a relative density of 1.42.
A.1.2 Mercurous nitrate solution, prepared by
dissolving 1 % by mass of mercurous nitrate in
distilled water, to which 1 ml of concentrated nitric
acid (A.1.1) has been added for each 100 ml of
solution.
A.2 Preparation of samples. Degrease the whole
of each sample wall tie in a suitable organic solvent,
such as trichloroethylene, and then remove any
surface oxide by dipping in a solution of 50 % water
and 50 % concentrated nitric acid (A.1.1) for a
period not exceeding 30 s. Then rinse well in cold
water. Samples for the mercurous nitrate test
should not be marked for identification by stamping.
A.3 Procedure. Immediately after preparation
immerse the sample completely in the mercurous
nitrate solution (A.1.2). Remove after 30 min, rinse
well in cold water, carefully wipe and examine
immediately.
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If a sample is found to be cracked, all the wall ties

submitted for inspection at the same time should be
withdrawn but they may be resubmitted for
inspection after stress relieving treatment.

© BSI 04-1999 5
Licensed copy:RMJM, 08/09/2005, Uncontrolled Copy, © BSI

6
blank
 BS 1243:1978

Publications referred to

BS 443, Galvanized coatings on wire.

BS 729, Hot dip galvanized coatings on iron and steel articles.
BS 1035-40, 1172-74, 1861, Raw copper.
BS 1036, Electrolytic tough pitch high conductivity copper.
BS 1037, Fire refined tough pitch high conductivity copper.
BS 1038, 99.85 per cent tough pitch copper.
BS 1052, Mild steel wire for general engineering purposes.
BS 1449, Steel plate, sheet and strip.
BS 1449-1, Carbon steel plate, sheet and strip.
BS 1449-2, Stainless and heat resisting steel plate, sheet and strip.
BS 1554, Rust, acid and heat resisting steel wire.
BS 2870, Rolled copper and copper alloys. Sheet, strip end foil.
BS 2873, Copper and copper alloys. Wire.
BS 2874, Copper and copper alloys. Rods and sections (other than forging stock).
BS 4102, Steel wire for fences.
CP 121, Walling.
CP 121-1, Brick and block masonry.
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© BSI 04-1999
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