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How to mount data cabinet into brick?

I have a data cabinet I want to mount in my garage, all the walls are brick.

Some people have said it's ok to use the expansion bolts that the cabinet came with, others say bolt some ply onto the brick.

I am confused on how to mount it.

Any advice appreciated, I want it up high near the ceiling/cornice

Was going to put it in the corner, but the alarm sensor is located

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MitchellMc

Hi @Booki,

I'd recommend bolting it directly to the wall.

I’m not really sure what the benefit of mounting plywood would be in this situation. The ply would still need to be bolted to the brick with expansion bolts, and then the cabinet screwed into it. Since you could only use screws when fixing to the ply, you’re limited by the ply’s thickness (usually around 18mm), which isn’t going to be as strong. You'll also only be able to use 18mm long timber screws, which can potentially be ripped out.

Bolting the cabinet directly into the brick with longer expansion bolts will be much more secure. If you’re worried about them holding, you can squeeze a little Ramset 300ml Chemset UltraFix Plus into the holes before inserting and tightening your expansion bolts. That way, they’ll be glued in as well as gripping mechanically.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

Mitchell

Booki

Thanks Mitch!

What kind of bolts do you reccomend?

Does the mounting options change pending the weight of the cabinet or location ?

Mounting the ply was to try and prevent the brick from cracking due to the expanding bolts, but as you pointed out the wood would be bolted the same way, so I think its irrelevant

MitchellMc

Could you show us the expansion bolts the cabinet came with, @Booki? They would likely be the correct kind for mounting the unit.

If the cabinet is going onto brick, you'd use Dynabolts (expansion bolts). Four Dynabolts will be more than adequate for the weight of the cabinet and contents. The fixing method would only change if, say, you were attaching to a plasterboard wall with timber studs.

Mitchell

Booki

These are the bolts it came with.

I am planning to run a Poe switch, ups, Nas, I would estimate about 35kg of equipment in the cabinet.

MitchellMc

That's a considerable amount of weight, @Booki. You should check the specifications from the manufacturer to ensure the cabinet and fixings are capable of supporting it. Personally, I'd also pop a couple of stay brackets under it to ensure it holds.

Four Dynabolts fixed into brickwork correctly are capable of holding the weight. However, you also need to take into account anything else. Say you're up a ladder accessing it and lean on the front lip for support. All of a sudden, you've just added 40kg of force to the top Dynabolts, which could cause them to fail. Additionally, the 35kg of equipment in the cabinet does not represent 35kg of force on the fixings, as it won't be concentrated at the back of the cabinet against the wall; instead, it will be distributed across the cabinet's footprint. Any of that weight towards the front of the cabinet is exponentially more force on the fixings.

Mitchell

Booki

I was worried about the leverage from the equipment, being the cabinet is 600 deep.

Maybe I can drill a few more holes in the cabinet with some extra dynabolts for added security.

Which bolts specifically would you reccomend ? How long should they be?

MitchellMc

I'd be using similar-sized expansion bolts to those that came with the unit, @Booki. Something like 60mm Dynabolts should be fine.

Mitchell

Booki

Will the dynabolts be ok in a hollow brick? I'm.assuming these are just common bricks for houses that are approx 15 years old.

Or should I consider a chemical anchoring system?

I wouldn't want to crack the brick work but like the ease of the dynabolts

JacobZ

Hi @Booki,

Sometimes they work fine, other times they can struggle. It really comes down to the specific bricks and where you drill into them.

Adding chemset, like @MitchellMc mentioned above, will help, but if you want to be really certain you'll get a good hold, I'd suggest using the system shown in Ramset™ UltraFix PLUS Polyester Anchoring Kit.

You will need Ramset Multifit Sieves, Chemset UltraFix Plus and M8 x 110mm Galvanised Anchor Studs.

This system will ensure you get a nice, solid fix, and you leave nothing to chance.

Let me know what you think and if you have further questions, please don't hesitate to ask.

Jacob

Booki

Would something like this do the job?

https://www.bunnings.com.au/ramset-8-x-60mm-galvanised-ankascrew-masonry-anchor_p2260262

MitchellMc

Hi @Booki,

I'd just like to double-check with the Ramset technical team on whether those fixings are suitable. I'm awaiting their response now and will update you as soon as I have some more information. However, I believe the response will be that due to the hollow nature of the bricks, they require the sieve method Jacob has recommended.

Mitchell

MitchellMc

Hi @Booki,

I have confirmed with Ramset that the Ramset 8 x 60mm Galvanised AnkaScrew Masonry Anchor is suitable for hollowcore bricks.

Mitchell

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