S-5-B™ Clamp

Using a dial indicating torque wrench is critical when installing S-5! clamps.

When installing S-5! clamps, using a dial-indicating torque wrench is critical. Our published test results depend upon adequate screw tension. S-5! clamps derive their strength by creating a mechanical interlock. The setscrews are designed to compress the seam material and to push it into a cavity in the clamp body. The joint of the standing seams is a “soft joint”. This compression/deformation process occurs automatically as the setscrews are tensioned. 

Commonly available “clicker” torque wrenches are not reliable for this purpose, but instead are for tensioning a “hard joint.”

Traditional copper standing seam has been in use for about 1200 years. Our standard clamps are mill-finished aluminum, which in the presence of an electrolyte (like rainwater) can pose a risk of galvanic corrosion (to the aluminum) if used on copper roofs. This is why we recommend using our brass S-5-B (standard or Mini) clamps. The S-5-B is a brass clamp, metallurgically compatible with copper and is dimensioned for traditional double-folded copper standing seam. It has been load tested on both 16 and 20 oz copper double-folded seams.

Occasionally other standing seam profiles may be present in copper. If the copper roof in question does not fit within the slim throat of the S-5-B clamp, such as most snap-together profiles, another S-5! product option is the S-5-S clamp in stainless steel, which is compatible with copper. (Please note that this clamp may require manufacturing lead time.) 

A final alternative for S, T-shaped or bulb-shaped seam profiles is to choose the aluminum clamps for these profiles, but anodize them prior to use. Anodization chemically induces formation of the oxide layer of the clamp components. Most respected metallurgists agree that this neutralizes the anodic behavior of the aluminum, reducing the potential for galvanic corrosion in all but highly acidic environments.

You should always be concerned about metallurgical compatibility. Incompatibility can cause rapid galvanic corrosion and void material warranties. S-5! aluminum clamps are completely compatible with painted or unpainted G-90 galvanized steel, bare or painted Aluminized, Galvalume, Zincalume, ZincalumePlus, Acrylume Galvalume Plus, Galfan, Bonderized and Galvanneal steel. They are also compatible with aluminum (painted, bare, or anodized), titanium-zinc (VM & Rheinzink), and with stainless steel. The brass clamp S-5-B is compatible with everything the aluminum clamp is not (copper and its alloys).

If you have concerns or questions regarding clamp compatibility with your roofing material please reach out to us at [email protected]. 

The answer to this question varies with the load direction, the seam profile, the roof material and the clamp model.

These variables result with a wide range of holding capacities from ±300 lbs (235 kg) to ±4,000 lbs (1800 kg). This is why for critical applications it is important to correctly identify the roof panel, seam type, gauge, etc along with the recommended seam clamp for the specific roof. When used on some “applied cap” architectural type seam styles, S-5! may yield low load-to-failure results as compared with integrated seam profiles. Always check our load table to verify the correct allowable holding strength on your specific roof type.