The Importance of a PGM Mark on SDS Drill Bits
30 January 2023
Who are PGM?
The Inspection Association and Certification body for Hammer drill bits (SDS Plus and SDS Max) or "PGM". (German: Prufgemeinschaft Mauerbohrer).
What is PGM Certification?
The PGM mark on a drill bit certifies that the product is suitable for the safe installation of anchor fixings. PGM Certified drill bits are used during the testing of anchors with an ETA (European Technical Assessment), so the use of a PGM drill bit assures the user that they will achieve the stated performance.
Details regarding the specific tolerances for these drill bits are outlined in a comprehensive leaflet published by DIBt (Deutsches Institut für Bautechnik).
Only drill bits manufactured using state-of-the-art technology, within strict tolerance limits are granted the use of the PGM mark.
The parameters for issuing a PGM Certification are:
✔️ State-of-the-art manufacturing under the use of a quality assurance system.
✔️ Yearly inspections of the produced drill bits by independent bodies.
✔️ State of the art social and environmental standards.
Benefits of the PGM mark for anchor installers
✔️ Suitable drill bits can be identified easily with the PGM mark.
✔️ Drill bits with the PGM mark originate from a monitored manufacturing plant.
✔️ The PGM mark eliminates the need to check the drill bit diameter on construction sites.
✔️ The PGM mark means that the drill bits comply with the tolerances according to the ETA and the installation instructions.
✔️ Traceability of the drill bits due to unmistakeable marking.
✔️ Prevention of liability problems through the use of non-suitable drill bits.
Potential risks of using drill bits without a PGM Mark:
⚠️ May produced oversized, irregular or uneven holes.
⚠️ Holes may differ from those used under test conditions, potentially invalidating performance data.
⚠️ No indication of how many holes can be drilled before the diameter no longer falls within ETA tolerances.
⚠️ Design performance may not be achieved - of particular concern in safety-critical applications.
Contact our Technical Department
For further information and details regarding the drill bits we stock with the PGM Mark, speak to our friendly technical department on 01233 652 520 or email us on [email protected]
