nora Tile System Installation Guide

Transcription

1 nora Tile System Installation Guide

2 nora Tile System Installation Guide Site Conditions The following shall be achieved prior to installing nora flooring. 1. Service temperature and relative humidity or 68 F ± 5 F and 50% RH ± 10% for 48 hours before, during and 72 hours after the installation. Flooring, adhesives, and accessories must also be acclimated for a minimum 48 hours in advance of the installation. Note: do not use gas fueled blowers. 2. Areas of the flooring subjected to direct sunlight (example: through doors or windows) must be covered using blinds, curtains, cardboard or similar throughout the installation and for a period of 72 hours after the installation to allow the adhesive to cure. Moisture Testing 1. nora systems, Inc. recommends the following test methods for all concrete subfloors regardless of age: ASTM F2170 Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes when tested using Wagner Rapid RH meters, or ASTM F2420 Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity on the Surface of Concrete Floor Slabs Using Relative Humidity Probe Measurement and Insulated Hood. Please visit for copies of the standards. 2. The maximum allowable results shall be as follows: ASTM F2170 = 80 % RH (with Wagner Rapid RH), when using 410, 414, PU 310 and PU 316. ASTM F2170 = 75 % RH (with Wagner Rapid RH), when using PS adhesive and nora dryfix. ASTM F2420 = 70 % RH 3. For all on or below grade concrete subfloors, a permanent effective vapor retarder with a low permeance (less than 0.1) having a minimum thickness of 10 mils, or meeting the requirements of the latest edition of ASTM E1745 (Standard Specification for Water Vapor Retarders Used in Contact with Soil or Granular Fill under Concrete Slabs) and shall be placed directly underneath the concrete, above the granular fill. 4. All on or below grade concrete slabs that do not have a permanent effective vapor retarder underneath will require a Surface Moisture Suppression System. Please contact the manufacturer of the system prior to use to confirm that the permeance is less than 0.1, and for the required coverage (sq. ft. per gallon) and any other specific usage instructions that shall be followed. Concrete Slab Dry Granular Material Vapor Retarder 5. For above grade concrete slabs with moisture readings above the maximum allowed, or slabs that have a permanent effective vapor retarder placed directly underneath with readings above the maximum allowed, use a Surface Moisture Suppression System that is fully warranted to avoid any moisture / ph related failures with the given conditions/test results. Please contact the manufacturer of the system prior to use for confirmation and specific usage and preparation instructions including the required coverage (sq. ft. per gallon) and any other specific instructions that shall be followed. 2

3 Subfloor Preparation Concrete Subfloors 1. Concrete subfloors shall be dry, clean, smooth, structurally sound and prepared per ASTM F710 Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring. Note: all local, state and federal regulations shall be followed. 2. Test for moisture and confirm the slab is permanently dry or take corrective measures. 3. The concrete subfloor shall be smooth and flat to an acceptable tolerance to the end user, who must also be aware that undulations in the subfloor may show through the finished flooring. 4. If required, use a suitable Portland Cement based smoothing compound (minimum 3,000 PSI compressive strength). A primer may be required prior to the smoothing compound. Please refer to the manufacturer s written instructions. 5. All other manufacturer s products used shall be installed according to their written instructions and be fully warranted for product defect, product performance and workmanship. 6. The substrate shall be free of dust, dirt, wax, oil, grease, solvent, residual adhesive, adhesive removers, coatings, sealers, finishes, film forming curing compounds, silicate penetrating curing compounds, alkaline salts, mold, mildew, excessive carbonation or laitance or anything that may affect the adhesive bond. 7. Concrete subfloors shall be porous (this does not mean a skim coat of smoothing compound). To test this, place a droplet of water on the surface of the subfloor (without a skim coat). It should begin to absorb into the concrete within 5 minutes to be considered porous. If the subfloor is not porous, then please contact the nora Technical Department. 8. Do not use chemical removers; please refer to the Resilient Floor Covering Institute s (RFCI) recommended work practices for removal of existing floor coverings and adhesives available on 9. Use water based sweeping compounds or a vacuum. Do not use wax, oil or silicon based sweeping compounds. 10. Mat Bond Tests are always recommended as they can be a useful indicator in determining subfloor compatibility. 11. Saw cuts shall be cleaned and prepared correctly; follow the written instructions of the selected product manufacturer after ensuring that the product is fully warranteed for the intended use. 12. Do not install over any expansion joints. 13. For recommendations on installing over radiant heated concrete, please contact the nora Technical Department. Wood Subfloors 1. nora flooring shall not be laid on wooden substrates that are directly in contact with concrete subfloors on or below grade even if built on sleepers. All suspended wood floors shall have adequate underfloor ventilation and a permanently effective moisture vapor retarder shall be placed on the ground beneath the air space. Note: all local, state and federal regulations shall be followed. 2. American Plywood Association (APA) underlayment grade plywood shall be used and installed as per ASTM F1482 Standard Practice for Installation and Preparation of Panel Type Underlayments to Receive Resilient Flooring. 3. Please note: as plywood may expand and contract due to changes in moisture content and temperature, nora systems, Inc. can not accept any liability of the joints telegraphing through the finished floor. Other Substrates 1. Please contact nora Technical Department for specific recommendations. 3

4 nora Tile System 1. Vacuum the entire prepared area. 2. The material layout should be decided by the Architect, Designer or end user. However, nora recommends the tiles are installed point to point (corner to corner), with the exception of norament serra. 3. The dry lay method shall be used (no more than what will be installed that day). Locate your center lines using the 3, 4, 5 method or a carpenter s square. Note: Failure to use the dry lay method (no adhesive while laying/cutting the flooring) may result in an incorrect installation. 4. Begin installing the center rows in both directions, including end cuts. The tiles have arrows on the back and these shall all point in the same direction. 5. Install the balance of the area including cuts, without stress (pressure fitting). 6. Carefully uplift a workable area and stack the flooring, making sure not to mix the perimeter tiles as identical replacement into the adhesive will be required. 7. The correct specified adhesive with the correct trowel notch is required; failure to do so will void all warranties. The trowel blade shall be replaced as required to maintain the required adhesive spread rate. ESD flooring installations (ed products) 1. In rooms up to 2,500 sq. ft. in size, a copper strip (minimum 4 ft.) must be applied to the subfloor and extended to a predetermined grounding point (to be connected by a qualified electrician). In rooms larger than 2,500 sq. ft., additional grounding points shall be defined and copper strips installed as mentioned above. 2. nora specified conductive adhesive shall be used for the installation of nora ESD protection flooring, using the recommended adhesive and trowel serration. nora Acrylic 410/414 System It is recommended to use the dry lay method (no adhesive while laying/cutting the flooring). 1. Uplift a workable area and vacuum the subfloor and back of the flooring to remove any debris. 2. The adhesive shall be applied using a 1/16 x 1/16 x 1/16 V-notched trowel (such as Gundlach ACT), without the formation of puddles or any missed patches. Note: do not overlay fresh adhesive over drying adhesive as this will create an adhesive line.. 3. Allow the appropriate open time - a minimum of 10 minutes. Times will vary according to air temperature, subfloor temperature, subfloor porosity, humidity and air circulation. The adhesive must be able to transfer to your finger tips with a light touch and just start to string while the core of the serrations remain wet (resulting in full adhesive transfer). If the adhesive is dry, do not install the flooring - remove and replace the adhesive. 4. Carefully replace the nora tiles into the adhesive and check that you have full adhesive transfer before continuing. Make sure the seams are together without stress; do not pressure fit (force seams together). 5. Using a 100 lb. roller, roll slowly in both directions to remove all air bubbles and result in good adhesive transfer. nora systems, Inc. recommends using carpet off-cuts and double sided tape to cover the roller, which will help remove all air pockets from any dips in the substrate. This is far more effective and will help avoid a punch list. 6. Remove any fresh adhesive from the surface of the flooring with a damp clean cloth (water). Dried adhesive shall be removed with Isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth. 7. Do not allow any foot traffic for 12 hours. No heavy rolling loads to be allowed for 72 hours (hospital beds, operating tables or similar). 4

5 8. If required, protect the flooring using plywood, Masonite, or a similar product ensuring first that the flooring surface is free of all loose debris. Lay the panels so that the edges form a butt joint and tape the joint to prevent excess movement of the panel and to prevent debris entrapment under the joint. nora PU 310/PU 316 System It is necessary to use the dry lay method (no adhesive while laying/cutting the flooring) when using the PU adhesive. Note: All smoothing compounds shall be given a minimum of 16 hours to fully dry/cure. 1. PU 310 adhesive is recommended for specific flooring, when there is a risk of standing water, heavy point loading (forklift trucks, ice rinks, etc.) or when specified. If needed, please check with the nora Technical Department. 2. Uplift a workable area and vacuum the subfloor and back of the flooring to remove any debris. 3. For large areas that cannot be completed in one day, the adhesive finishing line should be straight and half way through a tile so that is may be continued the following day. This is best achieved using painter s tape or a chalk line (image to the left illustrates painter s tape being removed). 4. The adhesive shall be applied using the following trowels: For <4.0mm flooring, use a 1/16 x 1/16 x 1/16 V-notched trowel (such as Gundlach ACT). For 9.0mm flooring, use a 1/16 x 1/16 x 1/16 Square-notched trowel (such as Gundlach FCA). 5. Part A and part B shall be mixed correctly, according to the instructions provided on the adhesive label. 6. The adhesive must be spread uniformly without the formation of puddles or missed patches. 7. Allow the appropriate open time; please refer to the adhesive label. 8. Install the tile into the adhesive. Care should be taken to ensure the flooring goes back into the same position as it was dry laid; do not pressure fit. 9. Using a 100 lb. roller, roll slowly in both directions to remove all air bubbles and result in good adhesive transfer. nora systems, Inc. recommends using carpet off-cuts and double sided tape to cover the roller, which will help remove all air pockets from any dips in the substrate. This is far more effective and will help avoid a punch list. 10. Make sure to remove immediately all adhesive that may have got on the surface using a clean cloth and Isopropyl alcohol. Cured adhesive cannot be removed later. 11. Re-roll about 60 minutes later to ensure all edges are bonded at the time the adhesive cures. If required, use a weight to hold down any corners or lifting edges until the adhesive has cured. 12. Do not allow any foot traffic for 12 hours. No heavy rolling loads to be allowed for 72 hours (hospital beds, operating tables or similar). 13. If required, protect the flooring using plywood, Masonite, or a similar product ensuring first that the flooring surface is free of all loose debris. Lay the panels so that the edges form a butt joint and tape the joint to prevent excess movement of the panel and to prevent debris entrapment under the joint. 5

6 nora dryfix System 1. The nora dryfix tape should be installed prior to dry laying the flooring. 2. Carefully vacuum the required area to remove all loose debris. 3. Unroll the nora dryfix tape into position. If required, it can be repositioned providing no downward pressure was applied. Overlap all seams by at least 1/2 inch and press into place using a broom to remove all air. 4. Allow a minimum of 15 minutes before cutting seams, if the tape has stretched it will return to its original size. 5. Trace cut all seams without damaging the subfloor, resulting in no overlaps or gaps, then remove the excess material. The use of a straight edge is recommended. 6. If required, the tape can now be patched to remove any debris trapped underneath (or repair any short cuts). 7. Dry lay the flooring as detailed in nora Tile System Installation Guide. 8. Uplift a workable area and vacuum the surface of the nora dryfix and ensure the back of the flooring is clean. 9. Remove the protective wax paper, fold or roll the wax paper for ease of disposal. 10. Replace flooring onto the exposed tape and do not stand on it until you are sure of correct positioning, as it is still possible to reposition. 11. Use a carpet covered roller to remove any air bubbles and ensure a good bond. 12. Weld all seams. This can be done immediately. For detailed instructions, please refer to nora Welding Systems Installation Guide available at nora systems, Inc. can not accept any liability for seams that open up or peak due to climate/temperature change when seams are not welded. nora Acrylic PS System (2mm flooring only) 1. nora Acrylic PS adhesive shall not be used on radiant heated floor systems or unconditioned areas (without permanent temperature and humidity controls). 2. The adhesive must be spread uniformly without the formation of puddles or missed patches. 3. The adhesive shall be applied using only a 1/32 x 1/16 x 1/32 fine U-notched trowel (such as Gundlach FFA). Do not use larger notched trowels. 4. Allow the adhesive to dry (no longer white) and place the flooring into the adhesive immediately. 5. Roll slowly with a 100 lb. three section roller in both directions then repeat the procedure for the balance of the project. 6

7 6. Remove any fresh adhesive from the surface of the flooring with a damp clean cloth (water). Dried adhesive shall be removed with Isopropyl alcohol and a clean cloth. 7. Do not allow any foot traffic for 12 hours. No heavy rolling loads to be allowed for 5 days (hospital beds or similar). 8. If required, protect the flooring using plywood, Masonite, or a similar product ensuring first that the flooring surface is free of all loose debris. Lay the panels so that the edges form a butt joint and tape the joint to prevent excess movement of the panel and to prevent debris entrapment under the joint. nora systems, Inc. 94 Glenn Street Lawrence, MA Tel: (800) 332-NORA Fax: (978) info-us@nora.com Internet: 05/2010