Fire System Application Guide

Application

METAL LATH

The entire deck surface should be covered with the 2.5 galvanized metal lath. Lath shall be installed over horizontal edge of all metal flashing. All seams in the lath shall be tight, with no gaps or overlap.

Preparation:

1. Pull sheets of metal lath off the bundle in the same direction and lay side by side.
2. Seams in the metal lath must be a minimum of 3" away from a parallel joint in the plywood.
3. Using a few galvanized roofing nails, fasten the lath in place to prevent the metal lath from moving while stapling.

Application:

1. Using a 16 gauge, minimum 1" crown and minimum 5/8" leg galvanized staple, begin to staple in the middle of the sheet and work toward the edges.
2. Staple in a checker pattern using approximately 20-25 staples per square foot.
3. Adjust next sheet and repeat process.
4. After all sheets have been fastened, staple all seams at a rate of one staple per linear inch. Use galvanized roofing nails in any areas where the staple gun will not reach. If flat drip edge flashing is used instead of low rise drip edge flashing, hold the metal lath back 1/2" from outside edge and slope to the edge with Excel-Crete.

EXCEL-CRETE UNDELAYMENT

Mixing:

1. With a drill motor and mixing attachment, mix 1 bag of Excel-Crete (half bag at a time) with 1 gallon of Excel-Crete Additive.
2. Continue mixing until both parts are thoroughly combined and a uniform consistency is achieved (approximately 2 minutes).
3. You may add up to 1/2 gallon of additional additive for easier troweling.
4. To prevent aerating the mixture, do not take the mixing attachment out of the material until the blade has completely stopped.

Application:

1. Starting at the perimeter of the deck, apply Excel-Crete over the metal lath with a steel-finishing trowel.
2. Apply uniformly at 1/4" thickness. One bag of Excel-Crete should cover approximately 20-25 square feet.
3. Do not squeegee or float Excel-Crete. Use a trowel only.
4. All material to cure approximately 24 hours. Dry times may vary.

WATER TEST

1. Once the Fire System underlayment (lath and Excel-Crete) has been installed, the deck surface needs to be checked to ensure water slopes to drain. Any additional fill or sloping that is necessary shall be done before the application of the membrane, texture and top coats have been applied.
2. Additional fill or sloping may be achieved using Excel-Crete. Refer to the Excel-Crete Data Sheet and Application Guide for additional information.

EXCEL-COAT #1

Preparation:

1. With a grinder, level out any imperfections or trowel marks in the Excel-Crete surface.
2. Patch any minor imperfections with Excel-Coat Patching Compound.
3. Excel-Coat hides only small imperfections, so care must be taken to assure the surface is completely clean, free from all dirt, oil, grease, old coatings, and debris.
4. It is recommended that where possible run the fiberglass up the vertical flashing or down the fascia, use a separate 4"-6" strip of fiberglass for the 90° turn. A strip of fiberglass is easier to work with and will mold/adhere better to the wall-to-deck interface. When this strip is cured, lay out the horizontal fiberglass and laminate as usual.
5. A bead of caulk can be used at the wall-to-deck interface to soften the angle.

Application:

To ensure proper adhesion, surface must be dust free and clean of debris, wax, dirt and oil.

1. Cover deck surface with fiberglass mat.
2. Butt the edges of the fiberglass together, but do not overlap.
3. Fiberglass should cover the edge of the flashing terminating 1/2" from outside edge. If necessary, fiberglass may be turned up the metal flashing or down the fascia edge for extra protection.
4. With a 4" brush generously apply the material around the perimeter of the deck. It is essential that the material cover all the flashing at the walls and doorjambs.
5. Saturate the fiberglass mat with Excel-Coat #1.
6. Fiberglass should be laminated into the mouths of all drains. Cut an X into wet fiberglass at drain mouth; let fiberglass fall into drain.

7. With a 3/4" nap roller, apply Excel-Coat #1 at a rate of 50 square feet per gallon.
8. Laminate center of section by pouring approximately 1/2 gallon of Excel-Coat #1 on top of fiberglass.
9. Using moderate pressure, work puddle of Excel-Coat #1 into fiberglass mat until thoroughly saturated. Excel-Coat #1 must penetrate through mat and into substrate.
10. Roll puddle toward you.
11. Before moving to the next section of the deck, go over the wet laminated area with a metal fiberglass roller to smooth out fibers, roll down bubbles and wrinkles, and bring resin to top of glass for pinhole-free membrane.
12. Allow material to dry approximately 6-8 hours. Dry times may vary.

Trips & Tricks

• Do Not Dry Roll:
  Dry rolling is dipping roller into pail and rolling out instead of pouring material onto deck. Resin will not penetrate fiberglass or bond to surface of deck. Dry rolling causes pinholes and air bubbles.

• Bubbles:
  While wet, if there is foreign matter under fiberglass causing a bubble, cut fiberglass open and remove it. Brush or roll the strands back down.

• Wrinkles:
  While wet, wrinkles can be repaired by using a utility knife, cutting directly across top of wrinkle, and brushing or rolling area back down.

• These repairs should be done with a metal fiberglass roller.

DECK DRAINS & SCUPPERS

Deck drains and scuppers shall be set in caulk and securely anchored. Copper drains shall be anchored with copper nails only. Metal lath shall be held back _-3/4 inches from outside edge of copper drain to avoid contact of dissimilar metals.

Apply the Excel-Crete so that it slopes down to the edge of the drain or scupper to create a gradual slope to the drain or scupper. Apply the Excel-Coat membrane into throat of the drain or scupper. For proper drainage, the drain, scupper and grate should be lower than deck surface.
Do not use plastic drains or scuppers.

DETAILING FIBERGLASS

After fiberglass mat has been laminated and allowed to dry, surface must be detailed before proceeding with texture application. Use Excel-Coat Patching Compound to patch seams, feather down edges of fiberglass and correct any other defects on laminated surface.

1. Hollow Spots and Bubbles: Suspect areas will usually have a large number of pinholes in the area of the bubble. Coating may even appear to be raised.
2. Small Bubbles: Bubbles no larger than a half a dollar can be cut out, patched and feathered out with two thin coats of Excel-Coat Patching Compound.
3. Large Bubbles: Large, unbonded areas should be completely removed and re-fiberglassed.
1. Lay a piece of fiberglass mat over area to be removed. The piece should be a little larger than what is being removed.
2. Double cut through both pieces of the fiberglass.
3. Replace bad piece with new piece of fiberglass mat. It should fit perfectly.
4. Laminate patched piece with paintbrush. Let dry.
5. Patch and feather-repair with Excel-Coat Patching Compound.
4. Wrinkles: After Excel-Coat #1 has dried, wrinkles can be repaired by shaving down top of wrinkle until it is flush with deck surface. This can be achieved by using a 4" wide razor scraper. Fill in and feather with two thin coats of Excel-Coat Patching Compound.
5. Patching Seams: Fill gap between the two pieces of fiberglass by applying two thin coats of Excel-Coat Patching Compound with Patching Spreader (a.k.a. "Bondo Spreader"). Squeegee each coat on. Avoid creating a hump over seams.
6. Edges: On decks with flashing on the outer edges, fiberglass should stop 3/8"-1/2" back from outside edges. Feather all edges of fiberglass to edge of deck with Excel-Coat Patching Compound.

EXCEL-COAT # 200 (Texture)

PREPARATION:

1. Use a blower to clean the deck surface of any dirt or debris.

MIXING #200 TEXTURE:

1. Drill motor mix Excel-Coat #200 prior to applying to ensure color consistency.

APPLICATION OF #200 TEXTURE (w / HOPPER):

1. With tape and paper, mask off walls, railings, sliding doors, etc.
2. Set the air pressure in the hopper gun between 8-15 pounds per square inch (the higher the pressure, the smaller the texture).
3. Starting with the perimeter of the deck, begin to apply Excel-Coat #200 at a rate of 75 square feet per gallon. Move the pattern pistol as evenly as possible to create a uniform spray and texture. Avoid spraying thick and thin spots.
4. Allow material to dry approximately 6-8 hours. Dry times may vary.

APPLICATION OF #200 TEXTURE (w / ROLLER):

1. With a 4" brush, apply Excel-Coat #200 Rollable Grade around the perimeter of the deck and drains. It is essential that the material covers flashing at the wall and doorjambs, but do not take it over the fascia edge.
2. With a 1" nap roller, apply Excel-Coat #200 Rollable Grade at a rate of 75 square feet per gallon.
3. Pre-moisten roller cover with water. Spin out any excess water. This will help prevent roller cover from drawing moisture out of coating and will keep coating from clumping on roller.
4. Pour small amounts of Excel-Coat #200 onto deck surface and roll out.
5. To remove clumps of coating, move roller in a circular motion over clump, using moderate pressure.
6. Allow material to dry approximately 6 to 8 hours. Dry times may vary.

EXCEL-CRETE K/D & TINTED ADDITIVE<
(Alternate Texture for increased skid resistance and durability)

MIXING OF EXCEL-CRETE K/D & TINTED ADDITIVE TEXTURE:

1. With a drill motor and a mixing attachment, mix 1 bag of Excel-Crete K/D (half bag at a time) with 1¼- 2 gallons of Excel-Crete Tinted Additive and 1 packet of Excel-Coat Retarder.
2. Continue mixing until both parts are thoroughly combined and a uniform consistency is achieved (approximately 3-4 minutes).

APPLICATION OF EXCEL-CRETE K/D & TINTED ADDITIVE (w/ HOPPER):

1. With tape and paper, mask off walls, railings, sliding doors, etc.
2. Set the air pressure on the hopper gun between 6-15 pounds per square inch (the higher the pressure, the smaller the texture).
3. Starting with the perimeter of the deck, apply Excel-Crete K/D texture at a rate of approximately 300 square feet per batch. Move the pattern pistol as evenly as possible to create a uniform spray and texture.
4. Allow 24 hours to dry. Dry times may vary.

EXCEL-COAT # 300 (Top Coat)

Preparation:

1. With a wallboard razor, lightly scrape off any irregularities in the texture.
2. Use a blower to clean the deck area of any remaining dirt or debris

Application:

1. With a 4" brush, apply Excel-Coat #300 around the perimeter of the deck and drains. The material should cover all flashing at the walls, doorjambs and fascia edges.
2. Apply two thin coats of Excel-Coat #300 by roller or airless sprayer at the rate of 250 square feet per gallon per coat, for a net yield of 125 square feet per gallon total coverage.
3. Allow material 6-8 hours to dry. Dry times may vary.
4. Allow completed system to cure 24 hours before heavy foot traffic is permitted and an additional 72 hours before heavy objects are placed on the surface.