FLEX-GRID® Crack Isolation System

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System Bulletin (Acrobat PDF Format)

Product Description
General Polymers FLEX-GRID® is a crack isolation system for use beneath General Polymers Terrazzo or Standard systems. It utilizes 3552 EPO-FLEX® 100% solids flexible epoxy which combines the toughness, adhesion and durability of epoxies with the degree of flexibility common to alternative systems. Flexibility is achieved without the use of plasticizers or other additives which can separate or migrate out of the epoxy complex as the material ages or is degraded due to environmental conditions.

Through the incorporation of fiberglass scrim into the FLEX-GRID system, a point of maximum tensile strength is created. This helps prevent substrate reflective cracking.

Advantages
•Bridges hairline cracks, thereby aiding in suppression of cracks reflecting through the system due to substrate movement
•Zero VOC (Volatile Organic Content)
•Excellent adhesion
•Compatibility
•Waterproof
•Fiberglass scrim optional for maximum tensile strength
•Thermal shock resistant

Uses
•Through the protection of the Terrazzo or standard systems from substrate movement, the FLEX-GRID system protect soils from contamination or prevents leakage to occupied space below. Typically, epoxy systems would include but not limited to TPM, AGGRE-COLOR, CERAM, and TRAFFICOTE systems.

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Part 1 - General

1.01 Work Included

A. Furnish necessary material, labor, and equipment required to prepare designated areas and install a Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System for Terrazzo or Standard Systems.

1.02 Related Work

A. Drawings and general provisions of contract including General and Special Conditions and Division I, excepting special Submittal and Quality Assurance provisions in this section.

1.03 Quality Assurance

A. Manufacturer’s Qualifications
Obtain Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System materials from a single manufacturer with a minimum of _____ years verifiable experience providing materials of the type specified in this section.

B. Contractor’s Qualifications
Installation must be performed by a manufacturer certified contractor with skilled mechanics having not less than three (3) years satisfactory experience in the installation of the type of system as specified in this section, and must be certified in writing by the manufacturer of the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System.

C. Floor System Thickness Verification
At the owner's discretion and under his supervision the contractor shall take _____ 1" random cores per 1,000 sq. ft. through the system into the substrate to verify proper system thickness. Cored areas less than specified thickness shall be removed and replaced or increased in thickness by the installing contractor, in a manner that does not affect the performance or integrity of the system. Cored areas which comply with the recommended system thickness shall be built-up to match the surrounding surface elevation prior to applying the seal coat(s). Cores taken and patched will be noticeable; therefore, cores should be taken from areas where aesthetics are less critical. Cost associate with repair of cored areas that comply with specification thickness are the responsibility of the owner.

1.04 Warranty

A. The contractor and the manufacturer shall furnish a standard guarantee of the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System for a period of one year after installation. The labor and material guarantee shall include loss of bond and wear-through to the concrete substrate from normal use.

B. Not included in the warranty are damage due to structural design deficiencies including but not limited to slab cracking from lateral, vertical or rotational movement, and gouging or other damage due to fork lifts, other equipment, delamination caused by vapor transmission, Acts of God, or other elements beyond the scope of protection of this system nor causes not related to the system materials.

C. In case of a warranty claim, the owner will notify the manufacturer and contractor in writing within 30 days of the first appearance of problems covered under this warranty. The owner will provide free and unencumbered access to the area during normal working hours for warranty rework. Property protection is also the owner’s responsibility. Remedy is limited to direct repair of the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System.

1.05 Submittal

A. System Data
Submit manufacturer’s specifications on cured system and individual components of the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System, including physical properties and performance properties and tests described in part 2.01 B and submit Material Safety Data Sheets. Each individual component of the system will be evaluated on the basis of these standards. For any tests not listed in the manufacturer’s standard nationally published data, the manufacturer must supply the missing data accompanied by the independent testing laboratory’s test results which prove compliance in accordance with the referenced standard(s). Furnish _____ sets of this information. Manufacturer’s standard color chart shall also be submitted and must afford the owner color selection from at least _____ standard colors and computerized custom color matching shall be available upon request. Furnish ____ sets of this information.

B. The contractor shall submit a 6" x 6" cured system sample which the contractor has made for verification purposes and finish texture approval.

C. Contractor Experience
The contractor shall furnish a list of projects using either specified material or equivalent that they have installed during the last _____ years. Information shall include: project name, square footage, owner contact name with owner’s address and phone number. Also, the contractor shall furnish resumes detailing the experience of key project personnel including supervisors and mechanics.

D. It is the intention of this Section to provide the products as named. Substitutions will be considered only when received by the Architect, Engineer or Design Professional through a bidding Prime Contractor at least ten days prior to the date set for receipt of bids. Upon receipt of any such submission, the Architect, Engineer or Design Professional will determine whether or not the proposed product is an equal. In the event the Architect, Engineer or Design Professional determines that a proposed system is an approved equal, he will issue an addendum and notify all bidders at least 48 hours prior to receipt of bids. No substitutions will be considered after contract bid date.

E. The contractor shall submit a copy of the manufacturer’s packing slip, tagged for this specific job, along with calculations, signed by an officer of the primary material supplier demonstrating that the quantity of material furnished for the project will achieve the specified coverage and mil thickness.

1.06 Material Delivery, Handling and Storage

A. Primary system materials shall be delivered in the manufacturer's undamaged, unopened containers. Each container shall be clearly marked with the following:

•Product name(s) and/or Number(s)
•Manufacturer's name
•Component designation (A, B, etc.)
•Product Mix Ratio
•Health and Safety Information
•CHEMTREC Emergency Response Information

B. Provide equipment and personnel to handle the materials by methods which prevent damage.

C. The contractor shall promptly inspect direct jobsite material deliveries to assure that quantities are correct, comply with requirements and are not damaged.

D. The contractor shall be responsible for materials furnished by him, and he shall replace, at his own expense, such materials that are found to be defective in manufacture or that have become damaged in transit, handling or storage.

E. Store material(s) in accordance with manufacturer's instructions, with seals and labels intact and legible. Maintain temperatures within the required range. Do not use materials which exceed the manufacturer's maximum recommended shelf life.

1.07 Job Conditions

A. The contractor shall visit the jobsite prior to the installation of the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System to evaluate substrate condition, including substrate moisture transmission, quantity and severity of cracking, and the extent of repairs needed. Substrate imperfections should be repaired only after mechanical preparation of the substrate. Surface preparation reveals most imperfections requiring repair. Concrete substrates shall be tested to verify that the moisture vapor transmission of the substrate does not exceed the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System manufacturers' recommendations.  Cost associated with repair, leveling and remediation of the substrate are the responsibility of the provider of the substrate.

B. The contractor should exercise care during surface preparation and system installation to protect surrounding substrates and surfaces, as well as in-place equipment. The contractor shall prepare the substrate to remove laitance and open the surface. This shall be achieved by light brush grit blasting. Surface profile achieved shall be similar to medium grit sandpaper and free from bond-inhibiting contaminants.

C. Subfloor tolerances are specified in Section __________ (in accordance with ACI 302). Each drain in the installation area must be working and raised or lowered to the actual finished elevation of the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Crack Suppression System.

D. System must be protected by the General Contractor or, as a separate bid item, by the installing contractor until it is inspected and turned over to the owner.

E. The minimum slab temperature must be conditioned to 60 degrees F before commencing installation, during installation, and for at least 72 hours after installation is complete.  The substrate temperature must be at least 5 degrees F above the dew point during installation.

F. Maintain lighting at a minimum uniform level of 50 or more foot candles in areas where the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System is being installed. It is the recommendation of the manufacturer that the permanent lighting be in place and working during the installation.

G. Leaks from pipes and other sources must be corrected prior to the installation of the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System.

Part 2 - Products

2.01 Materials

A. System Overview
The Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System consists of 3552 EPO-FLEX Flexible Epoxy as membrane, FS38-4.4 oz. Fiberglass Scrim, and the appropriate system.

B. Typical Physical Properties of 3552

  Part 3 - Execution

3.01 Surface Preparation

A. For thorough instructions regarding preparation of concrete substrates consult "Instruction for Concrete Surface Preparation" (Form G-1).

3.02 Installation

A. Apply each component of the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System in compliance with manufacturer’s written installation instructions and strictly adhere to mixing and installation methods, recoat windows, cure times and environmental restrictions. The Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System is to be installed directly over non-moving control joints and cracks which have been treated with semi-rigid epoxy and the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System will terminate at the edge of isolation and expansion joints as designated by the Architect, Engineer or Design Professional. Integral cove base shall be installed where specified in the drawings.

B. Cracks
After preparation, evaluation of quantity and severity of cracks in concrete will determine the needed repairs. Original bid assumes repair and treatment of ____ linear feet of cracks and control joints. Additional treatment is considered excessive and must be bid on a per linear foot basis. For information pertaining to the treatment of cracks in concrete substrates, consult Manufacturer’s publication Concrete 102.

C. Control Joints
Original bid assumes repair and treatment of ____ linear feet of cracks and control joints. Additional treatment is considered excessive and must be bid on a per linear foot basis. For information pertaining to the treatment of control joints in concrete substrates, consult Manufacturer’s publication, Concrete 103.

D. Isolation/Expansion and Other Joints Subject to Movement
All expansion joints must be honored through the flooring system. For information pertaining to the above, consult Manufacturer’s publication, Concrete 105.

E. 3552 EPO-FLEX Flexible Epoxy as membrane

F. FS38-4.4 oz. Fiberglass Scrim

G. The appropriate system

3.03 Curing, Cleaning and Protection

A. Cure the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System materials in compliance with manufacturer’s directions, taking care to prevent contamination during stages of the installation and prior to completion of the curing process.

B. Protect the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System from damage and wear during other phases of the construction operation, using temporary coverings as recommended by the manufacturer, if required. Remove temporary covering just prior to final inspection.

C. Clean the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System just prior to final inspection, using materials and procedures suitable to the system manufacturer.

D. Some cleaners will affect the color, gloss or texture of your polymer floor surfaces. To determine how your cleaner will perform, first test each cleaner, in a small area, utilizing your cleaning technique. This precaution will demonstrate the effect of your cleaner and technique. If no deleterious effects are observed, continue with the procedure. If deleterious effects do occur, modify the cleaning material and/or procedure. For recommendations regarding types of cleaners, contact the Scrim-Reinforced Flexible Epoxy Crack Suppression System manufacturer.

Revised: 01/03

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