ICC-ES Evaluation Report ESR-2184

Divisions and Sections

• DIVISION: 03 00 00—CONCRETE, Section: 03 16 00—Concrete Anchors
• DIVISION: 05 00 00—METALS, Section: 05 05 23—Metal Fastenings
• DIVISION: 09 00 00—FINISHES, Section: 09 22 16.23—Fasteners

Report Holder

HILTI, INC.

Evaluation Subject

HILTI LOW-VELOCITY POWDER-ACTUATED X-CX CEILING CLIP ASSEMBLIES

1.0 EVALUATION SCOPE

Compliance with the following codes:

• 2021, 2018, 2015 and 2012 International Building Code® (IBC)
• 2021, 2018, 2015 and 2012 International Residential Code® (IRC)

For evaluation for compliance with codes adopted by the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS), see ESR-2184 LABC and LARC Supplement.

Property evaluated: Structural

2.0 USES

Hilti low-velocity powder-actuated X-CX Ceiling Clip Assemblies are used as alternatives to cast-in-place anchors described in IBC Section 1901.3 (2012 IBC Section 1908) for placement in concrete and the welds and bolts used to attach materials to steel described in IBC Sections 2204.1 and 2204.2, respectively. For structures regulated under the IRC, the assemblies may be used where an engineered design is submitted in accordance with IRC Section R301.1.3.

3.0 DESCRIPTION

3.1 X-CX Ceiling Clip Assemblies:

General: Each X-CX Ceiling Clip Assembly consists of a steel angle (ceiling clip) premounted on either a Hilti X-AL-H or X-C powder-actuated fastener. A typical assembly is illustrated in Figure 1A. See Table 1 for assembly designations, fastener dimensions, applicable base materials and applicable load tables.

Figure 1A Description: A diagram showing a Hilti X-CX Ceiling Clip Assembly, illustrating the clip attached to a powder-actuated fastener.

3.1.2 X-AL-H Fastener:

The X-AL-H fastener is formed from carbon steel and is heat-treated to a nominal core hardness of 58 HRC. The fastener has a zinc coating complying with ASTM B633, SC1, Type III. The fastener has a smooth tapered shank, with a nominal diameter beyond the taper of 0.177 inch and a head diameter of 0.322 inch.

3.1.3 X-C Fastener:

Evaluation of the X-C fastener is addressed in ESR-1663. It is formed from carbon steel and is heat-treated to a nominal core hardness of 56 HRC. The fastener has a zinc coating complying with ASTM B633, SC1, Type III. The fastener has a smooth straight shank, with a nominal diameter of 0.138 inch and a head diameter of 0.322 inch.

3.1.4 Ceiling Clip:

The ceiling clip is manufactured from carbon steel conforming to DIN EN 10346 grade S280GD with a Z140-N-A-C coating. The clip measures 0.79 inch (20 mm) wide and 0.059 inch (1.5 mm) thick. The outstanding leg has a tear-shaped hole with a nominal diameter of 0.3 inch (7.5 mm) through which the ceiling wire is attached. See Figure 1B for an image of the clip.

Figure 1B Description: A diagram showing a Hilti X-CX Ceiling Clip, a metal component with a tear-shaped hole for attaching ceiling wires.

3.2 Substrate Materials:

3.2.1 Concrete:

Normalweight and sand-lightweight concrete must comply with IBC Chapter 19 or IRC Section R402.2, as applicable. The minimum concrete compressive strength at the time of fastener installation must be as noted in the applicable allowable load table.

3.2.2 Steel Deck Panels:

Steel deck panels must conform to a code-referenced material standard, with the minimum thickness and minimum yield and tensile strengths noted in Table 3. See Figure 2 for panel configuration requirements.

Figure 2 Description: A cross-section diagram illustrating the installation of Hilti X-CX Ceiling Clip Assemblies into a 3-inch-deep steel deck panel filled with 3,000 psi structural sand-lightweight concrete. It shows dimensions for minimum edge distance, fastener direction, and spacing relative to the deck panel's flutes and edges.

3.2.3 Steel:

Structural steel supports must comply with the minimum requirements of ASTM A36, ASTM A572 Grade 50 or ASTM A992, and must have the minimum thickness, yield strength and tensile strength as shown in Table 4.

4.0 DESIGN AND INSTALLATION

4.1 Design:

4.1.1 Allowable Loads:

The applicable allowable load tables for Hilti ceiling clip assemblies driven into different base materials may be determined by referencing Table 1. The most critical applied loads, excluding seismic load effects, resulting from the load combinations in Section 2.4 of ASCE 7-16/S1 (referenced in IBC Section 1605.1) or 2021 IBC Section 1605.2 (Section 1605.3.1 or 1605.3.2 of the 2018, 2015 and 2012 IBC) must not exceed the allowable loads given in this section. For fasteners which are subjected to seismic loads, see Section 4.1.2 for additional requirements. The stress increases and load reductions described in 2021 IBC Section 1605.2 (2018, 2015 and 2012 IBC Section 1605.3) are not allowed.

4.1.2 Seismic Considerations:

When subjected to seismic loads, the X-CX Ceiling Clip Assemblies may be used as follows:

1. The assemblies may be used for attachment of nonstructural components listed in Section 13.1.4 of ASCE 7, which are exempt from the requirements of ASCE 7.
2. The assemblies fastened to concrete may be used to support acoustical tile or lay-in panel suspended ceiling systems, distributed systems and distribution systems where the service load on any individual assembly does not exceed the lesser of 90 lbf (400 N) or the allowable load shown in Table 2 or 3, as applicable.
3. The assemblies fastened to steel may be used where the service load on any individual assembly does not exceed the lesser of 250 lbf (1112 N) or the allowable load shown in Table 4.

4.2 Installation:

4.2.1 General:

The X-CX Ceiling Clip Assemblies must be installed in accordance with this report and the Hilti, Inc. published installation instructions. A copy of these instructions must be available on the jobsite at all times during installation. Installation must be limited to dry, interior locations.

Installation requires the use of a low-velocity powder-actuated tool in accordance with the Hilti, Inc. recommendations.

4.2.2 Fastening to Concrete:

Fasteners must not be driven until the concrete has reached the specified concrete strength noted in Table 2. Minimum spacing between embedded fasteners must be 5.1 inches (130 mm), and minimum edge distance must be 3.5 inches (90 mm). Concrete thickness must be a minimum of three times the embedment depth of the fastener.

4.2.3 Fastening to Sand-lightweight Concrete-filled Steel Deck Panels:

Fasteners must not be driven until the concrete has reached the specified concrete strength noted in Table 3. Installation of the X-CX Ceiling Clip Assemblies must comply with Figure 2. Minimum distances from fastener centerline to rolled deck panel flute edges must be as depicted in Figure 2.

4.2.4 Fastening to Steel:

Minimum spacing between fasteners must be 1 inch (25.4 mm) on center, and minimum edge distance must be 1/2 inch (12.7 mm).

5.0 CONDITIONS OF USE

The Hilti X-CX Ceiling Clip Assemblies described in this report comply with, or are suitable alternatives to what is specified in, those codes listed in Section 1.0 of this report, subject to the following conditions:

• The fasteners and assemblies must be manufactured and identified in accordance with this report.
• Assembly installation must comply with this report and the Hilti, Inc. published installation instructions. In the event of a conflict between this report and the Hilti, Inc. published installation instructions, the more restrictive requirements govern.
• Calculations demonstrating that the actual loads are less than the allowable loads described in Section 4.1 must be submitted to the code official for approval. The calculations and details must be prepared by a registered design professional where required by the statutes of the jurisdiction in which the project is to be constructed.
• Refer to Section 4.1.2 for seismic considerations.
• The use of ceiling clip assemblies is limited to dry, interior locations, which include exterior walls which are protected by an exterior wall envelope.
• The use of ceiling clip assemblies is limited to installation in uncracked concrete. Cracking occurs when fₜ > fᵣ due to service loads or deformations.
• Installers must be certified by Hilti, Inc., and have a current, Hilti-issued, operator's license.
• The X-CX Ceiling Clip Assemblies are manufactured under a quality control program with inspections by ICC-ES.

6.0 EVIDENCE SUBMITTED

Data in accordance with the ICC-ES Acceptance Criteria for Power-actuated Fasteners Driven into Concrete, Steel and Masonry Elements (AC70), dated December 2019 (editorially revised January 2021).

7.0 IDENTIFICATION

The word “Hilti” and the designation “X-CX” are stamped on the X-CX ceiling clips. All fasteners are imprinted with an “H” on the top of the head. The packaging for all assemblies is labeled with the assembly type and size, the report holder's name (Hilti, Inc.) and the evaluation report number (ESR-2184).

The report holder's contact information is the following:

HILTI, INC.
7250 DALLAS PARKWAY, SUITE 1000
PLANO, TEXAS 75024
(800) 879-8000
www.hilti.com

Tables

Table 1—HILTI CEILING CLIP ASSEMBLY TYPES

For SI: 1 Inch = 25.4 mm.

TABLE 2—ALLOWABLE LOADS FOR HILTI CEILING CLIP ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED IN NORMALWEIGHT CONCRETE ¹, ²

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm; 1 lbf = 4.448 N; 1 psi = 6895 Pa.

¹Allowable load values are for assemblies installed in concrete having the designated compressive strength at the time of installation.

²The concrete thickness at the point of penetration must be a minimum of three times the fastener embedment depth.

TABLE 3—ALLOWABLE LOADS FOR HILTI CEILING CLIP ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED INTO MINIMUM 3,000 psi STRUCTURAL SAND-LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE FILLED COMPOSITE STEEL DECK PANEL ¹, ²

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm; 1 lbf = 4.448 N; 1 psi = 6895 Pa, 1 ksi = 6.895 MPa.

¹Allowable load values are for assemblies installed in concrete having the designated compressive strength at the time of installation.

²Deck panel must be 3-inch deep composite floor deck and have a minimum 0.0358 inch base-metal thickness, a minimum yield strength of 40 ksi and a minimum tensile strength of 55 ksi. See Figure 2 for deck configuration and required concrete topping thickness.

³Fasteners must be installed with a minimum of 3.5 inches from the end of the deck, and a minimum spacing of 5 inches.

⁴Fasteners must be installed with a minimum of 3 inches from the end of the deck, and a minimum spacing of 4 inches.

TABLE 4—ALLOWABLE LOADS FOR HILTI CEILING CLIP ASSEMBLIES INSTALLED IN STEEL ¹, ²

For SI: 1 inch = 25.4 mm, 1 lbf = 4.448 N.

¹Steel must comply with Section 3.2.3 of this report.

²Allowable load capacities are based on base steel with a minimum yield strength (Fy) of 36 ksi and a minimum tensile strength (Fu) of 58 ksi.