S-5!™ Non-Penetrating Clamps for Standing Seam Roofs

Attach just about anything to standing seam metal roofs without piercing the panel! S-5! is the way to attach almost anything to a standing seam roof - without piercing the panel. The non-penetrating clamp attachment of S-5! products will slightly dimple, but not pierce the panel seam material. Because the S-5! attachment is mechanical instead of adhesive, the holding strength is predictable and does not change over time.

Alpine SnowGuards is a leading distributor of S-5! clamps and snow retention systems - ColorGard®, SnoRail™ and SnoFence™.

In addition to being a leading distributor of S-5! clamps and snow retention systems, Alpine SnowGuards manufactures additional models of snow guards using the S-5! clamp to the seam technology. Visit our Standing Seam Snow Guard page for more information on these made in the USA snow guards that clamp to metal standing seam roofs without penetrating the panel.

"S-5! clamps attach to the panel seam by the tightening of two 'bullet-nosed' stainless steel setscrews against the seam material. (This is usually done with an industrial grade screwgun.) The round point setscrews compress the seam material against the opposite wall of the clamp. They will 'dimple' the seam material, but will not penetrate it. Threaded holes in the clamp (stainless hardware is provided) enable the easy attachment of various ancillary items to the clamps."

Some S-5! clamps have up to four setscrew locations to make the clamp more versatile. Only two setscrews are used per clamp.

Determine how to position the clamp and which side of the clamp to load the setscrews into. When attaching to machine-folded seams (regardless of panel profile and geometry), S-5! clamps are designed to engage the seam as shown (4). For horizontal seam applications, the setscrews must be accessible from the top for tightening (1). On many snap-together type seams, the setscrews are opposite the open (or overlap) side of the seam (2). On some seams, this aspect of clamp orientation is not critical (3,5).

Take care that:

• the bolt hole is in the desired (upslope or downslope) orientation.
• the setscrews are on the correct side of the seam.

Position the clamps appropriately on the panel seam. Both setscrews should be in the same side of the clamp.

NOTE: Some horizontal seams may require additional hand crimping at the clamp location. Consult your S-5! distributor for tool information.

Using a 3/16" allen wrench attachment tip (on a 1/4" drive screwgun), tighten and retighten setscrews as the seam material compresses.

Load testing of S-5! clamps is done with setscrews tensioned at 115 inch pounds (24 gauge steel and all other metals) or 150 inch pounds (22 gauge steel profiles). When relying upon published load values, for maximum holding strength, setscrews should be tensioned and re-tensioned as the seam material compresses. Screw tension should be verified using a calibrated torque wrench between 160 and 180 inch pounds when used on 22ga steel and between 130 and 150 inch pounds for all other metals and thinner gauges of steel. Please use the Load Table from the S-5! Web site to determine the proper screw tensions and holding strength.

Caution: Battery-operated guns may not deliver consistent screw tension. Drywall guns may not deliver adequate tension.

From the S-5! Web Site

S-5-PV Kit

The S-5-PV Kit mounts to any of the S-5! Mini clamps. The patented attachment clamp and round-point setscrews enable the entire installation without a single penetration through the standing seam metal roof surface. With the S-5-PV Kit and the S-5! Mini clamps, mounting a leak-free solar assembly is a quick and easy process.

(The S-5! Mini clamps are a handy way to install everything from the PV frames to the electrical chases. The PV Kit and Mini Clamps are each sold separately.)

• S-5-PV Kit Brochure[.pdf]
• S-5-PV Kit Installation Instructions [.pdf]

Which Clamp Should I Use?

There are hundreds if not thousands of variations of manufactured standing seam roofs. S-5! clamps will fit many but not all seams. Below is some general information on which clamp to use. It can be confusing, call us for help but please have all the information you can about your standing seam.

Standard Double Lock Seams

The S-5! U clamp will fit about 85% of double lock seams. U stands for universal and the clamp is shaped like an upside-down U. The opening for the seam is just about a 1/2 wide and just under an inch high. There is a lip a the bottom that narrows the opening to about 3/8" See the diagram below for the exact measurments. The narrow lip on the bottom of the clamp may make additional cripming necessary Alpine uses the U clamp for our #33, #34, #2000 and #4000. We sometimes refer to these as the U models but usually they are just referred to as the regular model. We do carry the E clamp for use with ColorGard or as a utility clamp but do not use it for any of our pipe or pad-style snow guards.

Single Lock Seams (Upside-Down L)

The S-5! U can be used on some single lock seams. If the horizontal edge is less than .5" the U clamp will fit in the regular postion. If the horizontal edge is more than .625" the U clamp can be fit on sideways. If the horizontal edge is more than .5" and less than .65" the manufacturer suggests additionally crimping the seam 180° and using the E clamp. You may want to use the T2K clamp instead, see below. For single lock seams with a horizontal edge more than .65" use the T model of Alpine SnowGuards clamp to the seam snow guards: #33T, #34T, #2000T, #4000T.

Tee Seams & some Single Lock Seams

For Tee seams and single lock seams that cannot be additionally folded use the T2K (S-5-T) clamp. This is a two-piece clamp with a T shaped opening. Alpine models #33T2K, #34T2K, #2000T2K and #4000T2K are available for these seams.

Zip Ribs

Snap On Type Seams

For snap on type seams the S-5! U clamp may work. The set screws on the clamp must fully engage both the male and female parts of the seam. The set screws cannot be installed on the overlap only. This must be determined in the field, we cannot say if the clamp will work on the seam or not.

Copper Standing Seam Roofs

The S-5-B SF clamp is specifically designed for use on standard double folded copper standing seams. Please note the version of the brass clamp that Alpine SnowGuards distributes is the S-5-B SF, it can be used for SnoRail, SnoFence as a utility clamp and we use it for the #33B, #34B and #2000B snow guards.

S-5! U Clamp for standard double-lock seams and single lock seams > .65" horizontally.

S-5! B Brass Clamp for Copper Standing Seam and Some Batten Roofs.

S-5! E Clamp for double-folded standing seams - Butler's MR24.

S-5! T (Alpine T2K) Clamp for Tee Seam Standing Seam Roofs.

S-5! Z (Alpine Z2K) Clamp for Zip Rib Standing Seam Roofs.