Installation Details

Site Conditions

 It is essential that site conditions are suitable for the installation of the Profloor Activ Batten and laying should not commence until the correct conditions are achieved. Sub-floor Profloor Activ Batten is suitable for
use on Concrete and Timber Frame sub-floors. The sub-floor must be dry and swept clean, generally level and the surface should be such that Profloor Activ Batten can be laid flat.

Care of Materials

 Profloor Activ Batten should not be delivered to site until dry storage is available, preferably in the area where it is to be laid. As a general recommendation, we would advise that a moisture resistant type of flooring is used in conjunction with Profloor Activ Batten system.

Commencement of laying

All windows should be installed and glazed, wet trades completed and sufficient time allowed for thorough drying out.

1. Laying Procedure

The Profloor Activ Batten System should be laid in accordance with BS 8201:1987. Copies of the laying procedures are available to every site. Relevant trades must follow these carefully to ensure a satisfactory installation.

2. Perimeter Battens

Place a single row of Profloor Activ Batten around floor perimeter maintaining 50mm gap between wall and batten.

3. Spacing of Battens

Batten spacing to be in accordance with flooring manufacturer's recommendations - Commonly: 400mm centres (450mm max) for 18mm chipboard and 600mm centres (max) for 22mm chipboard.

4. Batten Stagger

Batten joints in adjacent rows should be staggered by a minimum
of 600mm.

5. Mounting Partitions

Where non-loadbearing partitions are to be mounted on the finished floor, install a double row of Profloor Activ Batten along the line of the partition (see figure 2). Particular care must be taken in the batten layout. Alternatively, use short lengths of Profloor Activ Batten as noggins between adjacent battens, at centres to suit flooring board thickness, to create a 'ladder' under the partition line. Partitions may also be taken off the sub-floor (see figure 3).

6. Fixing Flooring

The specified flooring boards should be placed lengthways across the battens ensuring board ends are supported by a batten. Ensure the ends of the boards in adjacent rows are a minimum of 400mm apart. Apply a line of Profloor Adhesive to the top of Profloor Activ Batten prior to installing flooring boards (on timber frame floors, plasterboard plank or similar gypsum based board should be adhered to the top of Profloor Activ Batten. Spot bond the flooring boards using Profloor Adhesive to the plasterboard plank. Offset all joints of the flooring boards from the joints of the plasterboard plank). Apply Profloor Adhesive to the groove joints of all flooring boards before fitting them together following flooring board manufacturers instructions. No further fixings are necessary, but if required, preferably screws (or annular ringed shank nails) may be used in the normal manner*. It is important that the fixings do not penetrate the batten and foam to the sub-floor. Remove any surplus adhesive from the surface, before it dries, with a damp cloth. Adequate gluing will help reduce potential squeaks.

*Seek the advice of the flooring board manufacturer for details of fixings.

7. Expansion of Flooring Materials

Allow for possible expansion of the flooring material by allowing a gap between the free edge of the floor boards and the perimeter wall or other abutment. This gap should be calculated as 1mm per linear metre of flooring and in no circumstances should be less than 10mm.

8. Gap at Wall or Door Frame

Ensure that the floor boarding does not make contact with any part of the wall structure including door frames and the like. Use Profloor Flanking Strip at all perimeters and abutments to ensure this separation.

9. Services within Flooring System

Service runs should be parallel or perpendicular to batten direction and in banks of 200mm* maximum, with a minimum of 400mm separation between adjacent banks. Ensure a minimum of 150mm between services and any perimeter wall.** Do not notch battens, instead, cut battens through and install either side of service run ensuring the batten ends do not come into contact with the services. Isolate all services coming through the floor using Profloor Flanking Strip. Where access is required to services below the flooring system, the necessary hatch can be cut in the floor finish material. Additional battens should be placed around the perimeter of the hatch to support the main floor and the hatch. The floor finish is fixed to the battens in the normal manner. Ensure void is sufficient to accommodate services, ensuring services are no deeper than the thickness of the timber element of Profloor Activ Batten (usually 59mm). *in cases of Robust Detail constructions, the gap between batten ends where battens have been cut to accommodate perpendicular service runs should be no more than 50mm.

**other than radiator legs.

10. Supporting Noggins

Where ends of flooring boards fall between lines of battens, place a continuous length of batten for support with each board securely fixed to it, following advice given in 6. Fixing flooring.

11. Doorways

Continue the perimeter Profloor Activ Batten TF past the door opening. Where butt joints are formed at thresholds, place a continuous length of Profloor Activ Batten directly beneath the joint of adjacent boards with each board securely fixed to it. The joint must be glued and where deemed necessary for a secure fix, screws should be used to secure both edges of the butt joint to the same batten. Allow a gap between the batten, flooring and doorframe for the Profloor Flanking Strip. Care should be taken to ensure that fire stops are fitted to the same standard as that required for the fire doors. Technical advice can be provided for individual projects.

12. Skirting Boards

Fold the Profloor Flanking Strip onto the flooring board and fix the skirting so that it rests on the flanking strip. Trim the edge of the Profloor Flanking Strip flush with the skirting (see figure 1)

13. Kitchen/Bathroom (areas of increased loadings)

When a concentrated floor loading is in excess of 1.5kN/m2, (i.e. kitchens, bathrooms, cupboards containing water heaters etc it is necessary to modify the batten installation to provide additional support. Profloor Activ Batten should be installed with spacing closed to 300mm centres. It is also recommended that hallways, both internal and common, be treated in the same manner to accommodate the combination of high foot traffic and small floor areas. Where night storage heaters are to be supported off the floating floor, additional battens should be installed to sufficiently support the increased load. Contact The A. Proctor Group Techdesk for further advice.

14. Protection

To prevent damage by following trades, the finished floor should be covered with a protective layer immediately after installation.

Tiling onto Profloor Batten Systems

The floor finish (usually chipboard or plywood) must be rigid, stable and capable of supporting additional load without flexing, for this reason it is recommended that batten centres do not exceed 300mm. Sufficient ventilation below the flooring should also be provided. Follow the installation advice given in the User Guide with respect to board fixing. There are three basic alternative methods to follow: -

1. Overlay the floor finish with 6mm (minimum) dry exterior grade plywood, which has been fully sealed. Screw down the plywood at 300mm intervals, ensuring fixings do not penetrate the resilient layer or come into contact with the subfloor (alternatively, adhere using an appropriate adhesive). Ensure all junctions are supported. Use a category C2 (flexible) adhesive.

2. Overlay the floor finish with a proprietary decoupling membrane and use a category C2 (flexible) adhesive.

3. Overlay the floor finish with a proprietary tile backer board and install following the manufacturers’ instructions. Use a category C2 (flexible) adhesive.

A CG2 (flexible) grout is recommended with all of the above methods. There are many factors to consider when deciding which method is best suited for your particular circumstances, please consult the manufacturer of the tile, adhesive & grout for further recommendations.

Tiling should be installed in accordance with BS 5385. If in any doubt, seek professional advice.