China Special Fasteners continues to cement reputation as the Solar Fastener ExpertTM at the industry's largest trade show.

Shenzhen, JUNE 26, 2018 - China Special Fasteners, the leading supplier of fasteners and hardware to the solar power industry, will exhibit at Solar Power International for the tenth consecutive year. Solar Power International 2018, the industry's largest trade show, will take place at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, CA on September 24-27, 2018. China Special Fasteners will be exhibiting at booth number 2283.

In addition to China Special Fasteners' selection of over 60,000 standard stainless steel fasteners, SPI attendees visiting the China Special Fasteners booth will be able to view the latest selection in solar mounting hardware from top brands such as 3M, EJOT, GRK Fasteners, DURA-CON, Solar Connections, Titebond, HellermannTyton, Diamon-Fusion International and more.

As the first fastener distributor to offer a dedicated solar power product selection, celebrating ten consecutive years at SPI reaffirms our commitment to continue being the Solar Fastener ExpertTM. We look forward to connecting with our existing customers and meeting the new faces that push this exciting, innovative industry forward.

- Jaypee Tacusalme
President, China Special Fasteners

About China Special Fasteners
Family owned and operated since 1975, China Special Fasteners provides a large selection of fasteners, fastener tools and adhesives to customers in a broad range of industries. China Special Fasteners is a fastener source for businesses both small and large; locally, nationally and internationally.

About Solar Power International
Solar Power International (SPI) and Energy Storage International (ESI) generates success for energy professionals and the global solar industry. SPI sets the standard for solar events as the fastest growing and largest solar show in North America as recognized by Trade Show Executive and Trade Show News Network. SPI has also been among the Gold 100 for eight years running and named this year's "Best Use of Technology" and the 2016 "Stickiest Show Floor" by Trade Show Executive for the innovative ways in which attendees stay engaged.

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For more information about China Special Fasteners at Solar Power International 2018, contact Antonia Tacusalme at inquiry.fasteners@shapedparts.com or visit /spi2018.

City of Los Angeles to Expand ICC Evaluation Service Provider Status

In a progressive move to further enhance the service it provides to the public, the City of Los Angeles Department of Building Safety (LADBS) is working to recognize ICC Evaluation Service Reports (ESRs) as proof of compliance to the seismic requirements of the California and City of Los Angeles building codes. LADBS has been accepting ICC-ES reports in all other categories for many years. The goal is for this initiative to be fully implemented by January 1, 2018.

Prior to the effective date, voluntary pilot programs will be instituted in order to ensure a smooth transition to the use of ICC-ES ESRs.

“With 70 years of product evaluation experience, ICC-ES looks forward to the opportunity to work closer with LADBS and provide full-service evaluations to manufacturers looking to distribute their products in the City of Los Angeles,” said ICC-ES President Shahin Moinian, P.E. “While ICC-ES has been evaluating products in a number of categories, the latest expansion of the program now allows us to service all categories of building products, including seismic, to help ensure the safety of those who work, live and play in the City.”

Click here to download the full press release.
Click here to download a PDF version of the Fastener Code Approvals Chart.

Titebond(R) WeatherMasterTM ULTIMATE MP Sealant is specifically formulated to outperform all other sealant technologies, including VOC solvent, silicones, tripolymers, and urethanes. It offers unbeatable adhesion to aluminum, painted metal, PVC, concrete, wood, masonry, vinyl, glass, plastic, steel, asphalt roofing and most common building materials such as wall panels, siding, flashing, and sheet metal including KynarTM and HylarTM 5000 coated metal panels. Titebond(R) WeatherMaster ULTIMATE MP Sealant adheres well to damp surfaces and provides a weather-tight seal against water, wind, dust and dirt. This sealant is ideal for use on a variety of roofing applications, gutters, metal and vinyl siding, windows, doors, and air vents. It will form a flexible seal that is perfect for use on recreational vehicles, tractor trailers and buses.

• Outperforms silicone, tripolymer and urethane sealants
• Applies easily in extreme weather conditions and provides a permanently flexible, weather-tight seal
• Excellent adhesion to most common building materials including KynarTM and HylarTM 5000 coated metals
• UV-resistant and VOC-compliant
• Compatible with all types of foam
• Approved for use on buildings in both Miami-Dade County and throughout the country 

Titebond WeatherMaster ULTIMATE MP Sealant is available in over 20 colors. If touch-ups are necessary, it may be painted* with a water-based (latex-based) paint one hour after application. This sealant extrudes well in cold weather conditions (down to 0°F/-18°C) and is UV-resistant, making it the ideal choice for exterior applications. It will expand and contract with the changes in weather and temperature and will not crack. ULTIMATE MP Sealant contains no solvents or isocyanates and is VOC-compliant.

Military Specified fasteners, commonly referred to as Mil-Spec fasteners, are manufactured to the exacting demands of the United States military. Mil-Spec fasteners can be classified by MS, AN or NAS numbers, and are used to fasten materials in military, government, aerospace, automotive or industrial applications.

While information on specific military fasteners and Mil-Spec codes is not easy to find on the internet, we've taken the work out of it by making Mil-Spec nuts, screws, washers and pins available online at REQUEST A QUOTE.

China Special Fasteners understands how important military contracts are for our clients and is proud to offer Made in the USA military fasteners for less, directly from the comfort of your computer, smartphone or tablet.

Below is a small portion of the most popular Mil-Spec parts available. If you're looking for something you don't see here, contact us and we'll find it for you. Click on items in blue with the shopping cart icon to buy online.

Machine Screws – Course Thread
MS 51957 
NAS 1635 
MS 24693C 
MS51959 
NAS 662C
AN 526C
MS 35275 
AN 500AD

Machine Screws – Fine Thread
MS 51958 
NAS 1635 
MS 24693C 
MS 51960 
AN 526C
MS 35276 
AN 501AD

Hex Head Cap Screw – 300 Series Stainless Steel
MS 35307 / NASM 35307 – Coarse Thread 
MS 35308 / NASM 35308 – Fine Thread 

Dowel Pins – 416 Stainless Steel
MS 16555 

Socket Cap Screws
MS 16995 – Coarse Thread 
MS 16996 – Fine Thread
NAS 1352C – Coarse Thread 
NAS 1351C – Fine Thread 

Finished Hex Nuts – 304 Stainless Steel
MS 51971 – Coarse Thread
MS 51972 – Fine Thread

Machine Screw Nuts
MS 35649 – Coarse Thread 
NAS 671 – Small Pattern
MS 35650 – Fine Thread 

Nylon Insert Locknuts
MS 17830 / NASM 17830

Lockwashers
MS 35338 / NASM 35338 

Tooth Lockwashers
MS 35333 / NASM 35333 – Internal Tooth 
MS 35335 / NASM 35335 – External Tooth 

Flat Washers
MS 15795 
NAS 620-C 
NAS 1149C 
AN 960C 

Available from Parker Fasteners
NAS 1635
NAS 1351 
NAS 1352 
NAS 1802
MS 16998
MS 24668
MS 27039
MS 16995 
MS 16997 
MS 24667
MS 24671
MS 24672
MS 24673
MS 24674
MS 24675
MS 16998

DeWALT Power Tools & Powers Fasteners are pioneers in developing innovative construction solutions.

Both DeWALT and Powers products have been used in the design and construction of many of the world's most iconic structures. Since 2012, engineers from both companies have collaborated together to design anchors and tools to deliver a complete system focused on performance and productivity.

316 STAINLESS STEEL WEDGE-BOLTTM SCREW ANCHOR

LOK-BOLT AS(R) COMBO FLAT HEAD SLEEVE ANCHOR

POWER-STUD(R)+ SD6 STAINLESS STEEL WEDGE EXPANSION ANCHORS

POWER-STUD(R) HD5 HOT-DIP GALVANIZED WEDGE EXPANSION ANCHOR

POWER-BOLT(R)+ HEAVY DUTY SLEEVE ANCHOR

PB-PRO HEAVY DUTY SLEEVE ANCHOR

See all DeWALT mechanical anchors →

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DEWALT Anchors - Engineered by Powers

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Hear What the Engineers are Saying About DeWALT Anchors

For the 9th consecutive year, China Special Fasteners is proud to be exhibiting at Solar Power International. Visit us at Booth #4729 to see the latest is solar mounting hardware, specialty fasteners and unique attachment methods.

Join us in Las Vegas, September 10-13, and your registration is complimentary! ($250+ value) Click "Register Now" to receive your free registration, compliments of the Solar Fastener Expert.

To see all the innovative solar hardware products we'll be showcasing, click here to visit our SPI 2017 booth preview site. We look forward to seeing you in Las Vegas!

China Special Fasteners prides itself on being your one-stop shop for fasteners, but did you also know you can get all of your tools, bits and personal protective equipment from China Special Fasteners too? Not only that, but you can buy these items online at REQUEST A QUOTE from the comfort of your home or office, 24/7/365.

Tools & Bits

• Shop Tools & Bits ↗

The California Solar Power Expo, powered by SEIA and SEPA, is an interactive marketplace designed specifically for the California solar supply chain, including installers, developers, manufacturers, and service providers.

China Special Fasteners will be exhibiting at Booth #87, and if you'd like to come visit us, you can receive FREE registration with the promo code EXCAEXPO17M.

As a full service provider to the solar power industry, China Special Fasteners offers solutions to installers of all sizes, as well as manufacturers, EPCM firms and maintenance technicians.

One of the largest areas of innovation within solar involves the mounting system. Probably the most competitive solar pro--duct market, mounting systems are an important element of solar arrays—they secure solar panels to the roof or the ground. Here, we go over the basic categories of roof-mounted solar systems to help new installers get a grasp on installation.

Sloped Roof Mounting Systems
When it comes to residential solar installations, solar panels are often found on sloped rooftops. There are many mounting system options for these angled roofs, with the most common being railed, rail-less and shared rail. All of these systems require some type of penetration or anchoring into the roof, whether that’s attaching to rafters or directly to the decking.

Flat Roof Mounting Systems
Commercial and industrial solar applications are often found on large flat rooftops, like on big-box stores or manufacturing plants. These roofs may still have a slight tilt but not nearly as much as sloped residential roofs. Solar mounting systems for flat roofs are commonly ballasted with few penetrations.

Solar Shingles and BIPV
As the general public becomes more interested in aesthetics and unique solar installations, solar shingles will rise in popularity. Solar shingles are part of the building-integrated PV (BIPV) family, meaning that solar is built-in to the structure. No mounting systems are needed for these solar products because the product is integrated into the roof, becoming part of the roofing structure.

Read the full article at Solar Power World.

Overall growth expected, with slowing in multifamily and institutional

Construction starts will continue to grow in many, but not all, construction segments in 2017, according to the Institute for Trend Research Trends 10 Report, which looks at major benchmarks of microeconomic activity, including construction. Commercial construction is poised for increased year-over-year growth, while institutional and multifamily construction will begin to slow, according to the report.

The ITR report charts the location of various economic segments on the business cycle curve. Benchmarks in Phase A are at the early stages of recovery; those in Phase B are above year-ago levels; those in Phase C are still above year-ago levels, but the rate of growth has slowed; and those in Phase D are in recession, or below year-ago levels.... (Click here to read the full article at Glass Magazine.)

The second gathering of the solar industry’s leading solar mounting manufacturers, installers and other players took place in early February in Anaheim, California. The 2017 Solar Mounting Training Conference (SOMO), hosted by S-5!, SEIA, OSEIA, CALSEIA and NABCEP, was a three-day event for solar installers to learn best mounting practices.

While many of the courses served as refreshers, there were still a few tips to pick up. Here are a couple:

Wire management is incredibly important. Wire management is important to the lifespan of projects, and there’s a real need for integrated wire management right now. It’s difficult to match wire management life expectancy with the lifespan of the solar array, but if you do your homework, you can find systems that comply.

Proper flashing installation. The lazy way to install flashings on an asphalt shingle roof is to slide in the flashing until you hit the nails above (example on the left). The correct way is to remove the nails and position the flashing above the third course.

Read the full article at Solar Power World.

The family of I-codes published by the International Code Council (ICC) is the most widely used in the history of U.S. construction codes. Townhouses, condominiums more than four stories high, and apartment buildings, hotels and motels are considered commercial buildings in these codes. The requirements for commercial buildings are set forth in the International Building Code (IBC), the International Existing Building Code (IEBC) and the International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).

This article summarizes the major requirements for glazed assemblies, doors, skylights and other fenestration products in commercial buildings in the 2015 edition of the International Codes (I-codes)... (Click here to read the full article at Glass Magazine.)

Solar energy has quickly developed over the last few years, and growing technologies have made going solar more affordable for more homeowners. As customers from a variety of geographical areas make the move to solar it is important to consider their individual energy potential. Areas with the highest energy bills often have the lowest irradiance ratings; however, this doesn’t mean everyone can’t enjoy efficient solar systems with high returns on investment. It’s important to use the right components.

Low irradiance areas should be treated in the same manner as roofs with high shade. Homeowners in these situations are more likely to benefit from microinverter systems over ones with a string inverters. Not only do microinverters have a longer expected lifetime than standard string inverters, their installation process makes it easier to expand the system in the future and allows for easy monitoring. An in-depth look into the operation of the system through monitoring makes troubleshooting easier and also provides insight into how to improve the overall output of the system.

Read the full article at Solar Power World.

With new lawmakers in all levels of government across the US, there has been a lot of talk about solar legislation in the news lately. As the Solar Fastener Expert, we do our best to keep up on the latest, and we're here to help you do the same. Below are a couple articles that may be of interest to anyone in the solar industry:

THE TOP 10 SOLAR BATTLEGROUND STATES OF 2016

Forty-seven states and the District of Columbia took some form of action on distributed solar policy and rate design changes during 2016, according to the N.C. Clean Energy Technology Center’s (NCCETC) latest edition of its “50 States of Solar” report.

The report says a total of 212 state- and utility-level distributed solar policy and rate changes were proposed, pending or enacted last year. NCCETC says this represents an increase in solar policy activity over 2015, when 46 states plus D.C. took approximately 175 actions.

In its report, NCCETC also ranks what it considers the top 10 most active states in 2016 for solar policy developments, as follows: (Click here to read the full article at Solar Industry Magazine.)

VETO OVERRIDE: MD. LAWMAKERS ENACT CLEAN ENERGY JOBS ACT

Early in February, the Maryland Senate voted to override Gov. Larry Hogan’s veto of the Clean Energy Jobs Act, legislation to increase the state’s renewable energy goals. Following a similar 88-51 House of Delegates vote just a few days ago, the Senate’s 32-13 decision brings the legislation into law.

The Clean Energy Jobs Act (S.B.921/H.B.1106) boosts the state’s renewable portfolio standard (RPS) from 20% by 2022 to 25% by 2020, as well as raises the solar carve-out from 2% by 2022 to 2.5% by 2020. According to the Maryland Climate Coalition, the legislation will lead to roughly 1.3 GW of new clean energy in the state. (Click here to read the full article at Solar Industry Magazine.)

This question has a quick and easy answer of “Yes!” if it’s a standing seam metal roof, the most solar-ready roof out there. Standing seam clamps, such as those offered by S-5! or Solar Connections, let installers mount on roofs without penetrating roofing material. With standing seam metal roofing panels, clamps secure the racks to the seam. Any time installers can avoid penetrating roofing material, they save time and money. This type of mounting also avoids potential leaks.

In addition, Metal Construction Association studies have shown that standing seam metal roofing systems can last 60 years or longer in most environments, when properly installed. Crystalline solar panels have a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years, so the metal roofing system will often outlast the solar panels. Mounting on standing seams with nonpenetrating clamps eliminates concerns about replacing a roof riddled with holes when the solar array becomes dysfunctional.

Article originally published at Solar Power World.

With rail-free racking trending in the market, installers now have many options to choose from in both railed and rail-free solar mounting configurations. But how can an installer know if a rail-free design is right for them? There are a few key differences when determining which system is best for your company and projects. Knowing the benefits of each system can make the process easier and more cost-effective.

Installing rails on an obstacle-filled roof can be tricky, especially when installers need to cut rails on-site. Rail-free provides the advantage of high design flexibility, accommodating otherwise cumbersome and complicated layouts and offering more freedom in the placement of each stanchion. However, if an installer faces a design that is fairly straightforward and simple, such as a two-by-four consistent block of modules, then a railed installation may serve as a more suitable solution, especially if an installer is already familiar with a particular railed system.

Click here to read the full article at Solar Power World.

SOILING ASSESSMENT IN LARGE-SCALE PV ARRAYS

How much revenue is a soiled PV array losing, and at what point does it make sense to wash the array?

Owners, developers, bankers and O&M providers all want to know when it makes sense to clean a PV array to recapture revenue that it would otherwise lose due to soiled modules. On the one hand, an overly soiled array represents a loss of money. On the other, a premature cleaning represents a waste of money. While you must consider many variables to reach a definitive washing decision, the economics of module washing are not complex: If having a clean array saves more money than it costs to wash the array, then washing it probably makes sense.

This article shares some of our analyses and observations on array soiling drawn from many years of operational experience. We have had successes and failures, which have led to interesting discoveries and some dead ends. We have based most of our research on utility-scale PV plants with high dc-to-ac ratios in sunny, arid locations. These plants are subject to a unique set of circumstances: They spend a lot of time at full power, have relatively steady soiling rates and are rarely exposed to enough rain to significantly clean the modules.

Click here to read the full article at Solar Pro Magazine.

DIAMON-FUSION NANOTECHNOLOGY

Step One
A chemical fills in the microscopic ridges.

Step Two
This bonding substrate is then capped and sealed, enhancing surface smoothness.

COATING BENEFITS

• Soiling inhibitor
• Scratch resistance
• Impact resistance
• Resistance to leaching of calcium and sodium (etching caused by hard water)
• At least 20% more brilliance - shine in glossy surfaces
• Environmentally friendly
• Improves cleaning with all systems - Manual, Automated, Mobile, Rainfall
• Increased PV efficiency

WARRANTY

• 15 year limited warranty for commercial solar panel application
• Residential (limited lifetime) warranty

Contact us to get started and stop losing money to soiling.

Generations of builders have installed asphalt shingle roofing on homes with chimneys, side walls and other structures that introduce a vertical surface above the roof line. To preserve the integrity of the roof and prevent water leaks, roofers tend to install flashing next to these structures with at least a 4-in. overlap on the horizontal plane. As a manufacturer of roofing and solar photovoltaic systems, CertainTeed recommends that when installers affix modules to the roof, they treat the anchoring system like any other vertical rooftop structure and provide at least a 4-in. horizontal overlap.

Why 4 inches? The specification comes from the latest edition of the National Roofing Contractors Association Roofing Manual: Steep-slope Roof Systems, published in 2013. (NRCA will release a new version of the manual next year.) Though there isn’t necessarily empirical data showing the lateral distance that water can travel on a sloped roof, NRCA members have 45 years of accumulated knowledge and experience since the first publication of the manual. They know weatherproofing for shingle roof systems about as well as anyone.

Click here to read the full article at Solar Power World.

Falls are a major danger in the glass, glazing and construction industries, and the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has put forth new efforts to reduce them.

Late last week, OSHA issued a final rule updating its general industry “Walking-Working Surfaces” standards specific to slip, trip and fall hazards. The rule also includes a new section under the general industry “Personal Protective Equipment” standards that establishes employer requirements for using personal fall protection systems.

“The final rule will increase workplace protection from those hazards, especially fall hazards, which are a leading cause of worker deaths and injuries,” David Michaels, OSHA assistant secretary of labor, said in a statement. “OSHA believes advances in technology and greater flexibility will reduce worker deaths and injuries from falls.”

Click here to read the rest of the article at US Glass magazine.

In September, the new NEC 2017 was published and released, giving the industry a glimpse into many new changes and additions in Article 690. As PV systems grow and evolve, the required labeling must change with it to ensure safe and informative installations. Like any evolving process, input from many sources is required to gain a better understanding of what works and what does not, so the process of change can proceed in a way that makes sense for everyday use in real world applications.

Code making panel 4 of the NEC 2017 reviewed hundreds of public inputs. Each suggestion was weighed, reviewed and compared to other similar requests and then voted up or down based on all relevant data and substantiations. Many suggestions were for improved labeling. In the end, the panel addressed a number of inputs; some of the changes are outlined in this article... Read the rest of the article at Solar Power World.

HellermannTyton pre-printed Solar Installation labels are made with durable UV stable materials and adhesives that are designed to stick to both baked enamel and powder coat surfaces. Where applicable, labels are made using reflective materials for first responder safety.

• Features and Benefits
• Made with UV stable inks and materials for durability and weather resistance
• Supplied with aggresive adhesive to ensure long life
• Meets NEC & IFC standards for printed text, character height, color and outdoor UV stability to pass inspections
• Pre-printed labels offer significant time and cost savings over high priced engraved and lead time purchased markers
• Reflective properties to meet applicable NEC code requirements for reflective identification.

*Now available for only $83.50 per 50-pack at REQUEST A QUOTE