Why Does a Hollow-Core Ceiling Need a Special Anchor?
A hollow-core (Spancrete) slab is a prestressed, hollow concrete plank: longitudinal voids, internal prestressing strands, and an exceptionally thin lower shell – often only a few centimetres thick.
An ordinary anchor, designed for an embedment depth in solid concrete, can punch through the lower shell or damage the prestressing strands and compromise the integrity of the ceiling. An anchor for hollow-core must have a defined, approved embedment depth, backed by a dedicated European approval.
The Anchors Approved for Hollow-Core
TFE
Direct-fastening concrete screw – ETA6 for hollow-core. Fully removable and re-usable.
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TFF
Female-head concrete screw – ETA6 for hollow-core. Internal thread, fully removable.
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HC
Dedicated hollow-core female anchor – European approval ETA 15-0912.
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HE-HC
Short female anchor from the HE series – ETA 14-0135 for hollow-core.
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Comparison
| Anchor | Type | Approval | Removable and re-usable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| TFE | Concrete screw, hex head | ETA6 | Yes – fully removable |
| TFF | Female-head concrete screw | ETA6 | Yes – fully removable |
| HC | Dedicated hollow-core female anchor | ETA 15-0912 | The anchor body stays in place |
| HE-HC | Short female anchor (HE series) | ETA 14-0135 | The anchor body stays in place |
Selection Guide
| Your requirement | Recommended anchor |
|---|---|
| Must be removable and re-usable | TFE · TFF |
| A flush internal thread is needed in the ceiling | TFF · HC · HE-HC |
| Suspending pipework, ducting and sprinklers | TFF · HC · HE-HC |
| Direct fixing with a hex head | TFE |