DELIVERY AND STORAGE

A. Delivery:

All material is to be delivered in original unopened packages bearing the name of the manufacturer, the brand and proper Underwriters’ Laboratories, Inc. label for fire resistance classification.

B. Storage:

The material shall be kept dry until ready for use. Packages of material shall be kept off the ground, under cover and away from sweating walls and other damp surfaces. All bags which have become wet before use shall be discarded. Stock of material is to be rotated and used before its expiration date.

STEEL AND CONCRETE SURFACES

A. Prior to application of fireproofing, an inspection shall be made to determine that all steel surfaces are acceptable to receive fireproofing. The steel shall be free of oil, grease, excess of rolling compounds or lubricants, loose mill scale, excess rust, non-compatible primer or other substances that will impair proper adhesion. Where necessary, the cleaning of steel surfaces to receive fireproofing shall be the responsibility of the general contractor.

B. The project architect shall determine if painted or primed steel to receive fireproofing has been tested in accordance with ASTM E-119, to provide the required fire resistance rating.

C. Fireproofing shall be applied to the underside of roof deck assemblies only after roofing application is complete and roof traffic has ceased.

D. No fireproofing shall be applied prior to completion of concrete work on steel decking.

PUMP STATION

A. Placement

The entire working and storage area should be covered from rain and construction water. The material must be stored high enough to prevent any contact with water on the floor. ALL WET BAGS MUST BE DISCARDED.

B. Equipment

Type 7GP^TM Fireproofing can be pumped with either rotor stator (progressive cavity) or piston pumps. Rotor stator type pumps (typically a 2L4 or 2L6 size) have produced good field performance when pump hoses can be kept to less than 50 feet. Longer pumping distances require piston pumps to obtain satisfactory pumping rates.

Plaster type mixers with rubber wiper blades that scrape the sides clean are recommended for Type 7GP^TM Fireproofing. Mixer speed should be adjustable and the clutch should permit frequent start and stop operation.

C. Set Up

The pump should be as close as possible to the application location. This permits utilization of shorter hoses. Locate the mixer next to and above the pump hopper. It should be high enough to permit full discharge of the mixed material. Wash water should be drained away from the pump area.

MIXING PROCEDURE

It is important to obtain a uniform mix of 45-52 pcf density in order to maintain a consistent mixing and spraying operation. To obtain the proper density, follow this procedure:

A. Make sure the mixer blades are clean.

B. Adjust the mixer speed to 30-40 rpm for best yield.

C. Place water in the mixer with the blades turning (approximately 8.5 to 9.5 U.S. gallons for each bag of Type 7GP^TM)This is recommended as an initial starting point of water use. Water is to be clean, fresh and suitable for domestic consumption and free from such amounts of mineral or organic substances as would affect the set of the Portland cement material. DO NOT USE HOT WATER.

D. Keep the blades turning while adding bags of Type 7GP^TM fireproofing.

E. Mix for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the batch size. The mix will initially look dry and will gradually "cream out". The mix is usually correct when the grainy look begins to disappear.

F. Stop mixer and check the material for a density of 45-52 pcf (15 – 17.5 net lbs. in a 10 qt. pail). If mix is not within this range, restart mixer and adjust density by adding water, varying the mixing time or the speed of the blades (a longer mixing timer or increased mixing speed will lower the density).

DO NOT MIX TOO LONG! Mixing longer than about 3 minutes can increase density, increase pumping pressure and cause loss of yield.

G. After the mixing time and amount of water are determined, subsequent mixes will give similar results and "Step F" need not be repeated.

H. Restart the mixer for approximately 10 seconds to re-blend before dumping. Dump the entire batch to empty the mixer and avoid leaving any old mix to be included in the next new batch.

MIXING NOTES

1. Scrape the inside wall of the pump hopper as it empties to avoid build-up.

2. Wait until enough material has been pumped out of the hopper to allow sufficient room for the addition of the entire new batch from the mixer.

3. If the pump hopper will not take an entire new batch, stop the mixer until the remaining material will fit. Restart the mixer for 10 seconds and dump the remaining material.

4. MIXING BY HAND IS NOT ACCEPTABLE FOR TYPE 7GP^TM FIREPROOFING. Small quantities for patching can be mixed with electric drill "mud" type mixers.

5. Type 7GP^TM Fireproofing should not be reworked. Normal working time is 1 – 2 hours at 75⁰F (24⁰C). Clean mixer to prevent contamination of fresh material with partially set material.

6. The immediate mixing area is likely to be dusty so mixing personnel should wear OSHA Approved dust masks and work in a ventilated area.

PUMP START UP

A. About 2 gallons of water should be added to the mixer with the blades turning, and then dumped into the pump hopper.

B. The first batch of Type 7GP^TM Fireproofing mix should be prepared and the pump started. The mix is dumped into the pump hopper when the last of the water enters the pump intake. DO NOT LET THE PUMP SUCK AIR.

C. Pumping should continue until the water and a small amount of Type 7GP^TM Fireproofing has passed out of the end of the hose (approximately 2 ½ gallons).

D. The nozzle is mounted on the whip hose with the air stem pulled back and the air reduced at the nozzle. This leaves an unrestricted path for material through he orifice.

E. If a blockage occurs at the orifice, the flow of material should be stopped and the rubber cap removed and cleaned. When cleaned, the flow is restarted, the air pressure increased and the air stem is adjusted to give an acceptable spray pattern.

F. Air pressure should be adjusted so that material leaving the nozzle has a density of 55 + 5pcf. (Approximately 20 psi air pressure).

G. Kinking the hose or shutting the ball valve, if used, and leaving the air on whenever there is a break in spraying will help prevent nozzle clogging at restart during the day. If a ball valve is used, be sure it is the same diameter as the nozzle pole.

APPLICATION

A. Minimum air and substrate temperatures of 40⁰F (4.5⁰C) shall be maintained for 24 hours before and after application of fireproofing.

B. After spraying has started, the amount of water should be adjusted so that the product will hang approximately 5/8" in one pass. If the product is too wet and some sliding occurs, do not try to patch by spraying more material until the surrounding material has begun to set (usually about 4 hours). Attempts at patching while the material is fresh usually result in further slides.

Additional passes to build the final thickness can be made only after initial set of the prior coat has occurred (4 to 6 hours). New material should not be applied over previously applied material that is dry. Dry material should be re-wet prior to spraying with fresh material.

C. The texture of the sprayed product can be varied by adjusting the air pressure and orifice size. High air pressure and small orifices (1/2") will atomize the product into a fine lightly textured surface. This will increase the product density and create a slightly harder surface.

Yield loss may occur with increased density. Larger orifices ( 5/8" to 3/4") create a coarser texture and more uneven surface.

D. TYPE 7GP^TM MUST BE SPRAY-APPLIED TO THE SUBSTRATE. DIRECT HAND TROWELLING IS NOT ACCEPTABLE EXCEPT FOR PATCHING SMALL AREAS.

PUMP SHUT DOWN PROCEDURES

THOROUGH WASHING AND FLUSHING IS NECESSARY TO PREVENT MATERIAL FROM SETTING AND ACCUMULATING IN THE FITTINGS. THE IMPORTANCE OF THIS STEP CANNOT BE OVER-EMPHASIZED.

A. After the last mix for the day has cleared the hopper, the pump should be slowed and large amounts of water pumped through the system. A sponge can also be pumped through the line by removing the hose at the pump manifold and placing the sponge directly into the hose.

B. At least 2 minutes of clean, clear water must pass through the nozzle before the pump is shut off.

C. After the pump is shut off, all fittings should be disassembled and cleaned.

CURING

Type 7GP^TM is a Portland cement based material. Like all Portland cement products, it must have adequate water available for proper curing.

Periodic wetting with a water spray may be required in order to avoid early

dry-out during the first thirty days.

Dry Type 7GP^TM is visibly lighter in color, so dry-out can be observed by periodic visual inspections during the first month after application.

An alternate curing provision is spray application of a concrete curing compound after the Type 7GP^TM application of completed.

SAFETY

A. Type 7GP^TM Fireproofing is slippery when wet. The general contractor and applicator shall be responsible for posting appropriate cautionary "SLIPPERY WHEN WET" signs. Signs should be posted in all areas in contact with wet fireproofing material. Anti-slip surfaces should be used on working surfaces such as scaffolding.

B. Read and post the Material Safety Data Sheet.

End of section 2/2005

Southwest Fireproofing Products Company, Albuquerque, NM 87107 Phone: (505) 345-1633

©2004 Southwest Fireproofing Products Co.

Southwest Fireproofing, Type 5GP, Type 5EF, Type 5MD, Type 7GP, Type 7HD, Type 1XR, Type DK, Type HC and Type 7TB

are trademarks of Southwest Fireproofing Products Co.