A tight shot of backplate failure on an Aluminum Faceout for Grid. This fixture was not alone in its shortcoming. This chain had previously used super heavy-duty fixtures that I would have adjudged capable of withstanding nuclear attack. The heavy-duty look was even part of their store branding. This appears to be an attempt to keep the large fixture scale and heavy look, while saving money on the material. Though in many cases an equivalent aluminum structure will be more expensive than steel (SOURCE cineventions). And as a generality, a “strength-equivalent” aluminum plate will require 1-1/2 times the thickness of steel plate (SOURCE: AlumVSsteel).
For noteworthy fixture failures SEE…
“Misshapen Aluminum Hooks”
“Aluminum Fixture Strength and Cost”
“Malleable Aluminum Grid Hooks”
“So Sorry. Aluminum Hook in Play”
“Faceout Failure on Slatwire”
“Failed Reverse Waterfall Hook”
“How to Avoid Frontwire Sag”
“Plastic Grid Hooks Fail”
“Rare Hook Lug Failure”
“Hook Lug Failure Redux”
“Plastic Hook Innovates But Falls Short”
“Hook has Two Monkey Load Limit”
“Plastic Hooks Beyond Limits”
“Anti-Theft Fixture Failure”
“Productstop Fails Christmas Crush”
“Label Holder Wrecks Store Image”
“Sidesaddle Label Holder Fails”
“Ideas Wanted: Retail Guard Rail”SEARCH “Aluminum” for all occurrences of these fixtures have attracted my attention. Or SEARCH “Failed” for inadequate hardware regardless of material. SEARCH “Best Practices” for fixture tips.