STANDARD EIF SYSTEM
APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

FOREWORD These instructions have been compiled with the sincere wish that it will contribute to an installation that achieves maximum technical and aesthetic performance of the Preswitt System. Detailed drawings are located at the bottom of this section. Care is taken to ensure that our products leave the plant in perfect condition and equal care should be shown handling and storing them on site. We would strongly recommend that all crewmembers have access to a copy of these application instructions and are totally familiar with the contents. A copy should be available on site at all times for reference.

We invite constructive criticism and commit the company to adopt all suggestions that would enhance the performance of the System.

PRODUCT DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING

1. Store packaged materials in original containers with manufacturer’s seals and labels intact, each production lot being identified by batch number. All lots with same batch numbers shall be stored together.

2. During shipping, handling and storage protect materials from damage.

3. Store products in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight, protected from the elements.

4. Temperatures must be maintained above 5°C (40°F) during shipping and storage.

SITE CONDITIONS

1. Ambient temperature must be no less than 5°C (40°F) during installation and until the adhesive and coating are dry (minimum 24 hours).

2. Construct proper free standing scaffolds 460 mm (18") from the wall surface to allow continuous uninterrupted application.

PROTECTION

1. Protect adjacent areas from damage resulting from the installation of the System. All finish work shall be protected at the end of the day or completion of a section.

2. Wind, rain, humidity, extremes in cold and heat, all affect the proper installation of the System. The work must be protected from adverse weather conditions during the application and until the coating are dry.

3. Co-ordinate with other trades to ensure that flashings, caulking, etc. are installed as soon as possible after the System installation to prevent water penetration.

INSPECTION 1. Before commencing ensure that environmental and site conditions are suitable for the installation of the System.
2. The substrate shall be a type approved by Preswitt Manufacturing Ltd. Where exterior gypsum sheathing is the specified substrate, ensure that it meets the required standard, is properly fastened and shows no sign of deterioration or defects.
3. All areas over which the Systems are to be applied must be sound, clean, dry, even and devoid of surface irregularities. Substrates must be free of ice and frost. 4. Ensure that all surfaces are free from loose particles, foreign materials, form oil and traces of any other releasing agents. 5. All discrepancies must be reported to the Architect or General Contractor, and rectified before work proceeds. Commencement of work indicates acceptance of conditions.

EQUIPMENT 1. ½" (13mm) Electric drill, (500 RPM) and paddle. 2. Staple gun/staples. 3. Sharp knife/putty blade. 4. Steel trowel/plastic float/detail trowels. 5. Hammer and nails/saw. 6. Electric router/hot wire knife 7. Measuring tapes (metric and imperial). 8. Hand rasp or sander (36-grit paper). 9. Hand brush/roller and pan 10. Extension cords 11. Level. 12. Masking material. 13. Water hose.
The above list of equipment represents a minimum of tools required. Several companies, for example Wind-lock Corp. and Demand Products Inc., carry a full line of tools to be used for these installations. ADHESIVE Remove the lid from the pail and drill/stir the material to evenly disperse solids that may have separated during shipping and storage. Pour half the contents into a clean empty pail. Add an equal weight of fresh Portland cement, in small increments, stirring constantly. After mixing, a small quantity of water (1 cup) may be added to improve workability. Other additives are forbidden. The working time of the mixture is comparable to cement mortar but it will vary depending on the temperature and humidity. Gauge quantity of material mixed to size of crew and site conditions. Do not mix more than can be handled at any one time.
BY WEIGHT 50% CEMENT 50% ADHESIVE

INSULATION BOARD

Prior to installing the insulation board, fasten strips of reinforcing mesh to substrate at wrap-around detail areas. Strips should be wide enough to have 3" embedded onto the surface and 4" embedded on the surface of the installation.

Start the installation of the board from a firm, level, horizontal base. A wood or steel stud temporarily fixed to the substrate can be used for this purpose.

Apply the adhesive to the board as described and place directly on the surface to be covered. Do not allow a skin to form on the adhesive.

Work the insulation into position and apply firm even pressure to the total surface working from the centre to the perimeter of the board to ensure good contact.

Install the board in a running bond pattern and alternate-lap at corners with factory edges exposed. Care must be taken to keep the vertical corners true and plumb.

Keep adjoining boards flush and tightly butted together using a long straight edge to check for overall planer flatness. Tramp high spots to bring them in line with the remainder of the surface.

Bonding of the board to the substrate may be done in two ways.

1.The Ribbon and Dab Method

Apply the adhesive cement mix to the surface of the insulation board with a notched trowel. The beads shall be 3/8" (10mm) thick.

Use slivers of board to fill any joint gaps. Do not use the adhesive/cement as a filler in such cases.

At wrap around details butter the edges of the board and embed the mesh as previously described. Reinforce boards around windows, doors, etc. with strips of mesh.

Reinforce corners of windows, doors etc. with strips of mesh.

To eliminate unevenness of board joints or other irregularities, sand or rasp the whole surface area. Use a circular motion and do not sand individual joints or localized areas, since such treatment may telegraph through to the finished wall.

24 hours should be allowed, under normal conditions, for initial set of the adhesive cement. Work done on the board, before that time could affect the bond.

Control joints, drip grooves and other features may be cut or routed out only after the board is firmly adhered to the substrate.

Check installed board again with a straight edge and clean off all loose surface material in preparation for application of mesh reinforcement.

BASECOAT AND REINFORCING MESH

Apply 1/12" (2mm) basecoat to the surface of the insulation board. The size of a convenient section to be prepared at one time depends on ambient temperatures and available manpower.

Precut the mesh into workable pieces and apply with the concave side to the wall. Trowel the mesh into the wet basecoat stroking from the centre of the fabric towards the edges to work out the wrinkles. Lap mesh a minimum of 2 1/2" (64mm).

The mesh must be completely enclosed with no mesh remaining visible. In areas where the mesh is not completely embedded apply a skim coat of the basecoat to ensure complete encapsulation.

Where heavy-duty mesh is required for increased impact strength, it shall be embedded in the same basecoat material. Because of its thickness it is butt jointed and not overlapped. Over this apply the standard mesh in the normal manner embedded in a second basecoat. Allow 24 hours, after embedding the HD mesh, before applying the second layer of mesh.

APPLICATION OF FINISH

The basecoat must be dry and hard before the finish coat is applied. Allow a minimum time of 24 hours for basecoat to dry. A longer period will be required during cool and humid conditions. All ridges and high spots shall be sanded off to leave a smooth even surface ready to receive the finish coat.

Examine the surface. The mesh must be completely embedded in the basecoat and not visible. All rough spots, irregularities, ridges, etc. must be smoothed out to prevent imperfections telegraphing through to the finish coat.

Remove the lid from the pail and drill/stir the material to ensure dispersion of solids that may have separated during shipping or storage. A small quantity of potable water (1 cup) may be added, if required, to obtain smooth workable consistency.

Using a steel trowel, apply a coat of material, evenly. The medium and coarse materials shall be applied to a thickness equal to the largest aggregate. The fine to a thickness equal to 1 1/2" times the largest aggregate.

Texturing is achieved with a plastic or steel float.

Maintain a wet edge. Working to a dry edge will result in unsightly joints.

Take these precautions when work must proceed during the following environmental conditions:

RAIN - Protect the surface until the applied finish is dry.

FREEZING - Enclose the area and maintain the temperature above 5°C (40°F) during the application and until cured.

HEAT - Work the cool side of the building. Cool the surface by applying a fog coat of fresh water.

Shade the area from direct sunlight. Plan schedule so that hot areas are only worked in the early morning.

WIND - Hot winds can have the effect of drying out the material too quickly creating application difficulties. Shield the area during these periods.

CAULKING

The following information is for reference only and installation must be in accordance with the caulking manufacturer’s written instructions.

Clean out the area before compressing the foam rod or specified joint filler backing. Use backer rod 30% wider than the expansion joint. Backer rods are available from 5/8" to 2" diameter.

Apply caulking generally to a depth half the width of the joint, all in accordance with the manufacturers written instructions.

SEALANT SYSTEM PRODUCTS

1. Tremco "Spectrem 3" with Primer #23

2. Pecora "Dynatrol II" with Primer P75

3. Tremco "Softrod" Backer Rod

4. Dow Corning "Firestop System"

5. Dow Corning 790/795 Silicone Building Sealant