“PAF, GAF or Pass?” is a question that designers are often faced with when they need to attach wood or mechanical, electrical, or plumbing (MEP) fixtures to concrete, steel, or masonry structures, because there are several considerations to be made when deciding whether to utilize a direct-fastening solution or to “pass” and utilize a different attachment method. This is Part One of a two-part series discussing power–actuated fasteners and their applications. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s define these acronyms and discuss how these types of fasteners work.