Installation Guide Norament Flooring Systems Section 1 Handling & Storage Section 2 Subfloor Recommendations       A. Wood       B. Concrete       C. Steel       D. Existing Subfloors Section 3 Adhesive Coverage Section 4 Norament Installation with Polyurethane (PU) Section 5 Norament Installation with Contact Adhesive Section 6 Optional Cold Welding Section 7 Norament Installation w/Conductive PU (ESD-Protection) Introduction Every endeavor has been made to ensure the information given herein is true and reliable. It is given only for the guidance of our customers and for use with our recommended tools/adhesives. The company cannot accept any responsibility for loss or damage that may result from the use of this information, due to the possibility of variations of processing or working conditions and/or workmanship beyond our control. Users are advised to confirm the suitability of this product by their own tests.   1 Handling & Storage Material Checklist 1. Check Nora deliveries for accuracy with orders. 2. Do not mix different batches of a color within the same area. 3. Nora flooring products, all adhesives, and accessories must be site conditioned at room temperature for two (2) days prior to installation. Temperature must be 68° F + 5° F during installation and curing time. 4. Store in a weather-tight enclosure. 5. Do not stack pallets. 6. Do not stack tiles more than: 125 high on Norament 925/926/928 / 150 high on Norament 825 / 50 high on Norament 992 S as originally packaged - See order information sheet. 7. Norament flooring is packed back-to-back, face-to-face. Always handle in this manner. 8. Norament floor and border tiles with a slight edge surface blemish (Up to 4 1/4" in from the edge) are marked accordingly. These tiles are intended for perimeter use. Border tiles may be up to 5% of the shipment.   2 Subfloor Recommendation A Wood Subfloor Recommendations Types of Wood Subfloors Single Plywood - This type of subfloor construction should be installed according to APA specifications. APA underlayment GRADE plywood should be used and installed according to APA recommendations. NOTE: Not recommended wood subfloors - tempered hardboard, untempered hardboards, particle board, wafer board, strand board, fire retarded plywood and board. Precautions - Wood Subfloors Norament flooring should not be laid on wood subfloors that are directly in contact with concrete subfloors on or below grade, even if built on sleepers. All suspended wood floors should have adequate underfloor ventilation. NOTE: All responsibility for warranties and performance rests with the Plywood Manufacturer. Preparation 1. If an underlayment is not used, the surface of the suspended wood floor should be clean from paint, wax, varnish, oil or old adhesive. 2. If you want to underlay over a floor with paint, wax, varnish, oil or old adhesive, a layer of polyethylene plastic sheeting should be attached between the subfloor and the new underlayment being installed. 3. All floors should be prepared for smoothness by planing or sanding. 4. All nails should be punched down or removed. 5. Loose boards should be nailed down or removed and patched. 6. All gaps and uneven places must be filled. B Concrete Subfloor Recommendations Types of Concrete Subfloors Many different types of concrete subfloors exist, however the only recommended concrete subfloor is heavy weight - American Concrete Institute "ACI" 302 Class 4, 5 & 6. Light and Medium Weight concrete is not acceptable. They must have at least 1" topping of heavy weight concrete before installation. Precautions - Concrete Subfloors The slab temperature of concrete subfloor must be between 68° F+ 5° F. Slab temperature is critical to the set-up time of adhesive. A slab temperature below 68° F will slow down the initial tack of the adhesive, making it necessary to re-roll the flooring at 90 minutes rather than the recommended 60 minutes. A slab temperature above 75° F will increase the initial tack of the adhesive, making it necessary to re-roll the flooring within 30-45 minutes rather than the recommended 60 minutes. An acceptable concrete subfloor must also meet the following requirements: 1. All concrete subfloors must be dry and clean. 2. A moisture condition of 3 lbs. per 1,000 sq.ft. per 24 hours a day is maximum. One test should be performed for each 1,000 sq.ft. - mandatory for slabs below and on grade. Nora moisture test kits can be purchased from Freudenberg Building Systems, Inc. 3. A neutral pH is necessary for installation. If the pH is greater than 9, it must be neutralized prior to installation. NOTE: Tests for moisture and pH must be conducted as outlined in ASTM-F-710. 4. An on-or-below grade concrete floor should have an acceptable moisture barrier, according to industry standards. If no moisture barrier is present, then one must be installed. Contact Freudenberg Building Systems, Inc. for information. 5. The concrete subfloor must be flat to a tolerance of 1/8" in ten linear feet. 6. All steel troweled (slick) finished concrete floors need to be properly roughened up to ensure adhesion. WARNING!! Materials should not be installed over building expansion joints. NOTE: The aforementioned recommendations concern only the bonding characteristics of Nora flooring products to concrete subfloors. The performance of the subfloors should be established according to industry standards (American Concrete Institute "ACI" 302 Class 4, 5 & 6). Underlayment Overall, concrete underlayments should be heavy weight, conventional aggregate concrete (American Concrete Institute "ACI" 302 Class 4, 5 & 6), or a manufacturer's guaranteed cement mix, installed according to manufacturer's specifications. If the subfloor surface is noticeably uneven or out of level, then it should be properly leveled by an experienced underlayment contractor. The leveling materials must be portland cement based and should provide a minimum 3,500 PSI compressive strength (ASTM C-109) and sufficient bond to existing subfloor surface (i.e. Ardex, Laticrete, Duralox, Mapei, or equivalent). Preparation All concrete subfloors should be prepared according to ASTM-F-710-92, preparing concrete floors and other monolithic floors to receive resilient flooring. 1. Patching cracks, depressions, and concrete control joints should be thoroughly cleaned and filled using Nora PU adhesive, or one of the above mentioned levelling compounds according to the manufacturer's specification. 2. Concrete floors shall be dry, clean, smooth, level, and structurally sound. They should be free of dust, solvent, paint, wax, oil, grease, asphalt, sealing compounds, old adhesive, and other extraneous materials. 3. All curing, hardening, and breaking compounds must be removed. Only mechanical methods for removal are acceptable (i.e. Blastrac, Grinder-Vac or similar equipment). 4. An Adhesive Bond Test should be performed. Apply material cuttings every 50 feet utilizing standard installation methods. Examine after 72 hours to see if bond is solid and no moisture is present. C Steel Subfloor Recommendations For information about acceptability and preparation of steel subfloors, please contact Freudenberg Building Systems, Inc. at 1-800-332-NORA. D Existing Floor Subfloor Recommendations Permanent Floor Finishes Terrazzo, Quarry Tile, Ceramic Tiles, Marble. Types of Bonding Agents Mud Cement Setting - This is a suitable bonding agent for permanent floors. Application may be made over such a subfloor. Epoxy Adhesive Setting - This can be a suitable subfloor. The bond must be carefully checked. Look for loose spots and check tiles for bond. If a considerable amount of loose tiles exists, remove and clean the surface. Thin Set - This is not a suitable bonding agent. Remove tiles and clean the surface. Preparation 1. All glazed or uneven ceramic tiles, quarry tile, terrazzo, marble, etc. should be ground or sanded for a rough and level surface. 2. All paint, wax, varnish, old adhesive, etc., should be cleaned or sanded off. 3. All sealer and dressing should be cleaned away. 4. An Adhesive Bond Test should be performed. Use the same procedure as listed under "Concrete Subfloor Preparation." 5. Level all grout joints and depressions with Nora PU adhesive or underlayment, according to manufacturer's specifications. Non-Permanent Floor Surfaces Vinyl Asbestos Tile (VAT), Vinyl Composition Tiles (VCT), Asphalt Tile, Vinyl Tile & Sheet Goods. NOTE: These ARE NOT Acceptable Subfloors. They are not permanent, and bonding is difficult. Any installation over these floors becomes the responsibility of the owner. CAUTION: Existing floor covering may contain asbestos (federal, local and state restrictions must be followed). Recommendation Remove and clean any contaminants from the subfloor. Mechanical methods for removal are preferred (i.e. Blastrac, Grinder-Vac, or similar equipment).   3 Adhesive Coverage Product Size Coverage Flat Back Coverage Coned Back PU Nora 310 1/2 Gal.-10 lbs. 1 Gal.-14 lbs. 2 Gal.-28 lbs. 55-65 SF 110-130 SF 220-260 SF 25-35 SF 50-70 SF 100-140 SF PU Nora 314 1 Gal.-14 lbs. 2 Gal.-28 lbs. 110-130 SF 220-260 SF 50-70 SF 100-140 SF Contact Nora LR 1 Gal.-13 lbs. 3.5 Gal.-42 lbs. 65-70 SF 230-245 SF N/A   4 Norament Installation Polyurethane Adhesive Installation Checklist Before work is begun, every site should be inspected for items listed below. 1. Electricity for lights and power should be available. 2. Hoisting service, if necessary, should be provided. 3. Proper ventilation should be provided. 4. In all instances, adequate temperature should be maintained where the material is to be stored and installed - recommend 68° F + 5° F. This temperature should be maintained for forty-eight (48) hours before installation, during installation, and after installation. In winter, materials should be stored not less than two (2) days at installation temperature. 5. All subfloor conditions must be checked and corrected as per aforementioned instructions. WARNING!!! MATERIALS SHOULD NOT BE INSTALLED OVER BUILDING EXPANSION JOINTS. NOTE: If subfloor is radiant heated, contact Freudenberg Building Systems, Inc. Installation Procedure Equipment Checklist Approved Polyurethane Adhesive Utility Knife Carpenter's Square Straight Edge Electric Drill with Mixing Paddle Chalk Line and Chalk Tape Measure 150 lb. Roller - coned back 100 lb. Roller - flat back Sandbags Recommended Trowels: Coned back material: (1/8" x 1/8" x 3/32" Gundlach U-notched, or equivalent) Flat back material: (1/16" x 1/16" x 1/16" Center-Square Notched) Material Layout of Tiles 1. Locate the center point of each end wall and connect these points by striking a chalk line down the middle of the room. 2. Locate the center of this line and, using a carpenter's square, draw a perpendicular line. On this perpendicular line strike a chalk line connecting the two sidewalls. The room will be divided into quarters. 3. A line indicating the proper space for fitting border tiles should be made. Measure the distance to each wall to provide a half tile or larger border for the completion of the installation. 4. Tiles can be installed using the following methods:     a. Ashlar or staggered joints     b. Corner to corner (point to point) After the first row is laid, align the row using a straight edge or tight cord. 5. Second row seams should be offset by one-half tile, keeping top surface pastilles in alignment. This installation pattern is called ashlar or staggered joints. NOTE: Material layout should be recommended by Architect, Designer, or end user. Fitting of Tiles 1. With the room measured properly, you can use these measurements to measure over a convenient starting place. An outside wall, doorway or center of the room will do. 2. Dry laying the installation is the preferred method. This allows more working time, as the PU adhesive can set up rather quickly. 3. Norament tiles have embossed arrows on the back of the tile. Lay the tiles so that all arrows point in the same direction. 4. After the first row is laid, align the row using a straight edge or tight cord. 5. Second row seams should be offset by one-half tile, keeping top surface pastilles in alignment. This installation pattern is called ashlar or staggered joints. 6. After fitting is complete, pull up enough tiles to correspond to the spread rate of one unit of adhesive. CAUTION: Proper trowel with proper notches must be used to ensure sufficient bond. CAUTION: Pressure fitting of rubber tiles can cause peaking seams. Mixing the Adhesive 1. Check first to make sure you are mixing all Part A with all Part B units. Puncture top of can (Part B) with a long screwdriver completely through can top (Figure A). Raise top and allow all of Part B to drain into large can, Part A (Figure B). Figure A Figure B Figure C 2. Mix the entire contents of both units to a consistent gray color (Figure C). Power mixing with a benter mounted on a 1/4" electric drill operating at 300-600 r.p.m. or similar mechanical mixer is recommended. Pot life is 30 minutes. The pot life will be shorter at higher temperatures. 3. For ease of installation and longest working time, pour the adhesive on to the installation areas as soon as possible and spread out. Polyurethane has longer life out of pail. Adhering the Floor 1. Spread the adhesive with recommended trowel (see "Equipment Checklist") equal to one adhesive unit at one time. 2. When spreading the adhesive, overlap the seam area with adhesive to ensure sufficient bond of seams. 3. Lay each tile into the adhesive. Concentrate on laying the seam edges into the adhesive. Lay seams together without stress. WARNING!!! 4. Check the transfer of the adhesive to the tile in the following manner: Coned back: Check transfer of adhesive on back of Nora tile by lifting edge to see if cones are completely filled. If cones are not properly filled, the floor will not bond. Flat back: Check for proper adhesive transfer by lifting the edge of the tile. 5. Roll the tiles SLOWLY (within 60 minutes) with a roller. Roll both directions but always DIAGONALLY across tiles. 100 lbs. flat back, 150 lbs., coned back. 6. Excess adhesive should be cleaned off the flooring material with soap and water or rubbing alcohol while adhesive is still wet. WARNING!!! Polyurethane adhesive cannot be removed from the flooring surface once it has cured.   7. Hand roll seam over gently with hand roller to smooth seam. 8. Periodically check tiles for good adhesive transfer. 9. After sixty (60) minutes, re-roll entire area in both directions, DIAGONALLY, with a roller. 100 lbs. flat back, 150 lbs. coned back (see Precautions-Concrete Subfloors "Subfloor Temperature"). 10. Repeat steps until job is completed. CAUTION: When working off installed tiles in fresh adhesive, always work off a piece of plywood (4' x 4') to disperse your weight equally to avoid any tile movement. Final Application Follow Up 1. Check adhesive bond over entire floor. 2. Weight perimeter, seam, and all other areas where necessary. 3. Rope off the area and permit no foot traffic for 6-12 hours. 4. Permit no heavy foot traffic for 24 hours. 5. Permit no heavy equipment or vehicular traffic for 72 hours. 6. Protect laid surface during and after installation from sun, moisture, and other construction trades by covering 1-2 days. 7. Maintain recommended temperature ( 68° F + 5° F) during adhesive curing time. 8. Avoid initial cleaning of finished floor for 72 hours to allow adhesive to fully cure. Clean up Excess adhesive should be cleaned off the surface of the flooring material with soap and water or rubbing alcohol while adhesive is still wet. PU adhesive cannot be removed from the flooring surface once it has cured. NOTE: Cured Polyurethane adhesive will clean off trowels and mixing paddles when coated with a liquid wax before using.   5 Norament Installation Contact Adhesive Installation Checklist See Section 4 - "Installation Checklist," page 4. Installation Procedure Equipment Checklist Use only Nora LR Contact Adhesive Utility Knife Carpenter's Square Straight Edge Chalk Line and Chalk Tape Measure 100 Lb. Roller Hand Seam Roller Sandbags Medium Nap Paint Roller with Pan Trowel 1/32 X 1/32 X 1/32 (Center Square Notch) (Large Areas) Material Layout of Tiles See Section 4 - "Material Layout of Tiles," Fitting of Tiles See Section 4 - "Fitting of Tiles," Stirring the Adhesive 1. Stir the adhesive since some settling may have occurred through storage and shipment. 2. Note that adhesive gives off a vapor. Avoid prolonged breathing of vapor or mist. Read the MSDS sheet before using. 3. Product is non-flammable, but should not be used in areas with open flames, hot or glowing surfaces because of thermal decomposition, which may produce corrosive acid fumes. 4. Provide adequate ventilation. Adhering the Floor 1. Apply adhesive with medium nap paint roller on small areas (stairs and risers); for larger areas use trowel 1/32 x 1/32 x 1/32 center-square notch. 2. Apply adhesive to both the subfloor and the back of the tiles. Full coverage of all surfaces is needed. 3. The applied adhesive should be allowed to dry 10-20 minutes (dry to the touch). A contact bond should then be made between the surfaces, with as much pressure as is practical (see 5. below). Drying time is to allow solvent gases to escape. If contact is made too soon, gases can cause flooring material to bubble and/or peak. NOTE: To test if the contact adhesive is dry, press a piece of paper on the adhesive. If the paper does not stick, the adhesive is dry. 4. Align the first row following chalk lines and proceed with second row. Lay seams together without stress. (Pressure fitting of tiles can cause peaking seams). NOTE: Once tiles are placed into contact adhesive they cannot be repositioned. 5. Roll tile slowly with a 100 lb. roller. Roll in both directions, but always DIAGONALLY. 6. Excess adhesive should be cleaned off the surface with mineral spirits. NOTE: All seams must be rolled with a hand seam roller to ensure proper bond. Final Application Follow Up 1. Check adhesive bond over entire floor. 2. Weight perimeter, seam, and all other areas where necessary. 3. Protect laid surface during and after installation from sun, moisture, and other construction trades by covering 1-2 days. 4. Maintain temperature control during adhesive curing time ( 68° F + 5° F). 5. Rope off area and permit no foot traffic for 6-12 hours. 6. Permit no heavy foot traffic for 24 hours. 7. Avoid initial cleaning of finished floor for 72 hours to allow adhesive to fully cure. Clean up Adhesive can be cleaned up with rubbing alcohol.   6 Optional Cold Welding Equipment Check List Grooving Tool or Router (Hand or Mechanical) Standard Size Caulking Gun Liquid Floor Wax Steel Straight Edge Smoothing Tool Electric Drill Special Stirring Spindle (Supplied) Nora Cold Weld Compound Unit (A & B) and Plastic Cartridge Seam Preparation If a welded seam installation is required, the next step is to prepare the seam to receive the cold welding compound. Make sure the color of the floor covering matches or coordinates with the color of the cold welding compound being used. 1. To prevent bonding of compound outside seam area, apply wax (approximately 2" wide) to both sides of seam before routing. 2. Use a straight edge to guide the hand grooving tool down the center of the seam area to a depth of 2/3 the thickness of the material. Joint width will be approximately 1/10". 3. Carefully clean routed area, preferably with vacuum cleaner or blower. Mixing of Nora Cold Weld Compound 1. Nora cold weld compound should be brought to room temperature prior to mixing. Recommended temperature for installation is 68° F + 5° F. Pot life time is approximately 30 minutes. A higher room temperature will shorten pot life and a lower room temperature will prolong pot life. 2. Take the lid off the can and keep available. Mix the compound (A) and the hardener (B) thoroughly with electric drill and special stirring spindle until an even, streak-free shade is reached. Please ensure that the compound on the walls and the bottom of the mixing container is also mixed properly. Let compound set for a few minutes to allow any air bubbles to escape. 3. Put the lid back on the can. 4. Cut off the tip of the cartridge. Put the piston end over the press ring in the middle of the lid, push down and fill the mixed welding compound into the cartridge by means of pressing the ring. The welding compound will rise into the cartridge (one can fills two cartridges). CAUTION: Before mixing cold weld, make sure all seam areas are properly prepared. One (1) unit of cold weld covers approximately 120 linear feet of seam. Welding Procedure 1. The prepared compound is applied using a standard size caulking gun into the grooved out seam area, without leaving any gaps. A small bead will develop above the seam and at the end of the seam. Place your finger over the opening of the cartridge and release the pressure on the caulking gun to prevent the compound from leaking on to the floor. 2. Immediately after compound is applied to the seam area, it must be pressed into the seam using the smoothing tool. Hold the smoothing tool as flat as possible to avoid any openings in the seam area. The surplus welding compound will be pressed to the right and left of the seam. 3. The surplus welding compound can easily be removed after approximately 12 hours (depending on the temperature) by using a broom or manually pulling it off with your hands. 4. The joints must not be walked on for approximately 24 hours. 5. Spilled welding compound on non-waxed areas has to be removed immediately. WARNING!!! TRACKED OR SPILLED COMPOUND MUST BE IMMEDIATELY CLEANED. CLEANING AT A LATER TIME IS NOT POSSIBLE.       7 Norament Installation with Conductive PU (ESD Protection) 1. Nora's conductive PU-Adhesive 314 shall be used for the installation of Norament ESD flooring. 2. A 1/2" wide copper foil should be placed in the wet conductive PU-Adhesive and extended beyond perimeter and permanently connected to the grounding point. The point grounding should be repeated approximately every 2,000 square feet. The location of the copper grounding foil is usually determined by the end user. 3. All other instructions as mentioned under Section 4 shall be followed.