Radiant Heat Film for Floating Floors INSTALLATION AND OPERATION INSTRUCTIONS For use under floating laminate, engineered wood, and floating tile flooring CAUTIONS: THIS EQUIPMENT SHALL BE INSTALLED ONLY BY QUALIFIED PERSONNEL WHO ARE FAMILIAR WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION OF THE APPARATUS AND THE RISKS INVOLVED. THE INSTALLATION OF THIS HEATING PRODUCT SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANUFACTURER’S INSTRUCTIONS AND LOCAL AND NATIONAL CODES.
Radiant Heat Film for Floating Floors Installation and Operation manual 2500 Old Hadar Road Norfolk, NE 68702 888-379-9695 • FAX 402-379-9737 info@mpglobalproducts.
Radiant Heat Film for Floating Floors INSTALLATION AND OPERATION The Radiant Heat for Floating Floors system works just like the sun. When the thermostat calls for power, the heating element warms the floating floor or laminate finished flooring surface by providing radiant heat, the same type of heat that warms you on a cool spring day. Although the air is cool, the radiant heat from the sun keeps you warm.
25 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY MP GLOBAL PRODUCTS, LLC (THE “MANUFACTURER”) WARRANTS TO THE ORIGINAL PURCHASER (THE “OWNER”) THAT THIS RADIANT HEAT FILM FOR USE UNDER FLOATING OR TILE FLOORS (THE “PRODUCT”) will be free of defects in workmanship and materials and will conform in all material respects to any written specification that the Manufacturer provided to that customer before the purchase.
TABLE OF CONTENTS Safety Information................................................................................................................................ iii Section 1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1 How To Use This Manual .......................................................................................................................... ...1 Features ....................................
TABLE OF CONTENTS (continued) Section 4. Inspection and Testing .......................................................................................... .......11 Visual Inspection ..................................................................................................................... ..................11 Electrical Test .............................................................................................................................. ..............11 Ohms resistance chart.........
SAFETY INFORMATION Throughout the manual you will see Cautions and Notes. These notices highlight conditions, procedures, or other information that require special attention to prevent damage to the mats, to your flooring, or possible injury. For a safe and functional installation of Radiant Heat for Floating Floors, read and follow these important safety precautions. Failure to comply with these items may result in injury or damage to the mats.
SECTION 1. Introduction Radiant Heat Film for Floating Floors is a unique heating system that is installed below floating flooring materials to create warm, comfortable floors and provide supplementary or primary heat. Radiant Heat Film consists of low heat density film heating mat sets that cover the majority of the open floor area to ensure optimum thermal comfort.
1. Introduction Continued NEVER Do the Following: ALWAYS Do the Following: • Install in wet areas such as showers. This system is only for use in areas considered dry locations by National Electrical Code. • Never fold or alter the heating mats. • Never install mats under walls or partitions, or in locations where they will be covered by floor hugging furniture or fixtures. Call for instruction before proceeding. • Never place futons, beanbag chairs, or similar furniture on heated floors.
SECTION 2. Designing the Installation Radiant Heat for Floating Floors is made up of four major components: the heating mats, the wiring, the control device and the floor structure. These components work together to create a system that provides comfortable, trouble free floor warming or as primary heat when appropriately specified. Designing a Radiant Heat Film system is straightforward. The following instructions will ensure a trouble-free design and full compliance with the warranty requirements.
2. Designing the Installation Continued All heated areas must be protected by a GFCI in either the thermostat or at the service panel. The fuse or circuit breaker used to protect the circuit supplying power to the Radiant Heat Film system must be rated for a maximum of 20 amperes (no greater than 16 amp load). If a lower rated fuse or circuit breaker is used, it must be rated at least 25% greater than the heating system load attached to it.
SECTION 3. Installation Preparing the Job Site Make sure that the job site is neat and clean before working with the Radiant Heat for Floating Floors. Nails, screws, and other sharp debris can damage the mats. Any mats which become torn or otherwise damaged must be discarded. NOTES: The installation of this heating product shall be in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions. Improper installation can result in mats that do not work, poor heating, and can void the manufacturer’s warranty.
3. Installation Continued Electrical Installation Step 1. GFCI Installation Radiant Heat Film Radiant Heat for Floating Floor mats must be protected by a ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). This can be done either by the internal GFCI in the thermostat (as long as it directly controls the mat), or by a GFCI protected circuit breaker. Follow all local building and electrical codes. Typical Amperage Requirement: 120 VAC Radiant Heat Film 0.1 amps per square foot, or 10 amps per 100 square foot of mat.
3. Installation Continued Thermostat Junction Box Wall Stud Connection Junction Box Romex 12/2 Conduit Lead Wire Conduit To Bottom Plate Wall Stud Sensor Wire NOTE: Drill into Base Plate as needed to allow Lead and Sensor Wires to be run to Thermostat Leads From Elements Leads From Elements Sensor Wire Alternatively, you can use the notch method. Cut/chisel a notch in the bottom plate to allow clearance for Lead and Sensor Wires.
3. Installation Continued 3.3 Installing the Units Installation Sequence The sequence of installation should be as follows: 1. Apply lower vapor barrier if installing over concrete slab using underlayment without a built-in vapor barrier. 2. Install insulating underlayment. 3. Install heating mats. 4. Install finished floor covering. Step 1. Inspect and Test Mats 1. Visually inspect each mat for any signs of damage that may have occurred during shipping. 2.
3. Installing the Units Continued Step 4. Install Thermostat Sensor Cut an area of underlayment to push the sensor down so it is completely level with the mat. Tape the floor sensor to the underlayment in an area at least 1 inches (2.5 cm) from any heated (black stripe) of the heating mat. Do not allow sensor to contact mat. NOTE: Sensor is thicker than the heating mat. If necessary, saw a groove in the underlayment between the mats, to recess the sensor to the level of the mat.
3. Installing the Units Continued Step 6. Install Mats 1. Clear the floor of all debris, nails, etc. so the floor is smooth, clean and dry. 2. Roll out the mats over the floor surface according to the layout created in Section 1, Designing the Installation. 3. Cut out an area of the underlayment and push the connectors down so they are completely level with the mat. Route the cold leads between sections of the underlayment. If necessary, cut a narrow channel in the underlayment to route the cold leads. 4.
SECTION 4. Inspection and Testing A visual and electrical check must be performed on the heating mats prior to activation. The heating test may berequired by the laminate manufacturer based on the type of sub-floor being used (i.e. concrete). Always check with your laminate manufacturer for any restrictions and/or requirements that they have concerning the use of their product in conjunction with floor warming systems.
4. Inspection and Testing Continued 120V Radiant Heat Film Resistance Values Tolerances for resistance measurements are -5% and +10%. To determine nominal resistance for 120V, divide 14,400 by the total wattage. This will equal Nominal Resistance for the 120V material. Next, multiply nominalresistance by 1.1 to equal the high limit. Then, multiply the nominal resistance by .95 to equal the low limit. 240V Radiant Heat Film Resistance Values Tolerances for resistance measurements are -5% and +10%.
120V Size 1.5x1 1.5x2 1.5x3 1.5x4 1.5x5 1.5x6 1.5x7 1.5x8 1.5x9 1.5x10 1.5x11 1.5x12 1.5x13 1.5x14 1.5x15 1.5x16 1.5x17 1.5x18 1.5x19 1.5x20 3x1 3x2 3x3 3x4 3x5 3x6 3x7 3x8 3x9 3x10 3x11 3x12 3x13 3x14 3x15 3x16 3x17 3x18 3x19 3x20 3x21 3x22 3x23 3x24 3x25 Resistance (Ohms) Amps 0.15 0.3 0.45 0.6 0.75 0.9 1.05 1.2 1.35 1.5 1.65 1.8 1.95 2.1 2.25 2.4 2.55 2.7 2.85 3 0.3 0.6 0.9 1.2 1.5 1.8 2.1 2.4 2.7 3 3.3 3.6 3.9 4.2 4.5 4.8 5.1 5.4 5.7 6 6.3 6.6 6.9 7.2 7.
4. Inspection and Testing Continued Documentation The System Checklist and Warranty Registration form records vital information about your Radiant Heat Film installation. Fill out all requested information on BOTH copies. One copy is returned to the manufacturer to register the installation, and the second copy is for the homeowner’s records. This manual must be attached to the service panel so that it is easily accessible to the homeowner and any repair technicians.
4. Inspection and Testing Continued Test for Heating 1. Turn on the breaker and adjust the thermostat so that the system begins heating. 2. After the system has been on for several minutes, run your hand over the heating mats to ensure that they are warm. 3. If the mats do not become warm, double check all wiring and re-perform the electrical tests above (after turning off power at the breaker).
4. Inspection and Testing Continued Complete the Installation 1. Install the finished flooring according to the manufacturer’s instructions. 2. Retest the mats to ensure that the mats have not been damaged during the installation process. If they have been damaged, follow guidelines noted to remedy the situation. NOTE: Install baseboards or trim around the perimeter of the room. This ensures that the floor will not lift, exposing the mats.
SECTION 5. Operation Operating the System Operation of Radiant Heat for Floating Floors is the same as other heating systems. Just set the thermostat to the desired temperature and the system warms your finished floors and the room. Keep the following things in mind: • Since each room has its own thermostat, you can individually tailor room temperatures based on activity or occupancy. For instance, if a room is rarely used, you can set its thermostat lower to conserve electricity.
5. Operation Continued Repair/Remodel Information Before performing any remodeling work near a heated floor, carefully read Sections 1 through 3 of this manual. These sections detail the clearances, procedures, and materials involved as well as the testing procedures required to ensure system safety.
SKETCH GRID Sketch Grid Installation & Owner’s Guide 19
Radiant Heat Film for Floating Floors 2500 Old Hadar Road Norfolk, NE 68702 888-379-9695 • FAX 402-379-9737 info@mpglobalproducts.