10
ATTENTION:
Figure that these totals for the dead loads are
in addition to the actual live load as well as other dead load
requirements for the speci
fi
ed site’s proposed
fl
oor. Only the
MASON-LITE weights are known. Other weights are estimates
and are subject to material choices of the installer or owner.
What You Will Need
You will
fi
nd that the MASON-LITE Fireplace is designed to be
completely assembled on-site, consisting of interlocking precast
parts. The parts of the
fi
replace are made of Mason-Lite’s
incredibly strong blend of specialty cement and a light weight
aggregate.
IMPORTANT! When applying mortar, it is imperative that the
concrete blocks be maintained moist (not soaking) so they don’t
absorb the water out of the mortar and cause adhesion to fail.
Frequently run a damp sponge to the parts before mortar is
applied!
The installation of an anchor plate/damper is required but not
supplied. You may purchase it from any chimney manufacturer
or MFI. Also, an optional combustion air inlet MFP4-AK can be
obtained from MFI.
Refractory Firebrick Liners also need to be installed. These
should be a minimum of 1-1/8” (one and one-eight inches) thick.
The liner will be applied within the walls and hearth area of the
fi
rebox. These are available from MFI. See page 27.
Tools needed for installations:
One 4’ level
Roto-hammer with ½” drill bit
(needed for concrete slab
install only)
Drill motor with mixer blade (to mix Mason-Lite Mortar)
Two empty 5 gallon buckets (to mix Mason-Lite Mortar)
One wheelbarrow
and shovel to mix concrete.
Grout bag
Triangular masonry trowel
Rubber hammer
Sponge and water bucket to wipe down and moisten parts
prior to applying mortar.
Materials needed for concrete slab installations
MGFP39:
Six (6) pieces 3/8” rebar x 36” long (included with unit)
Six (6) pieces of rebar x 12” long (included with unit)
MGFP44/49:
Eight (8) pieces 3/8” rebar x 36” long (included with unit)
Eight (8) pieces of rebar x 12” long (included with unit)
ALL UNITS:
Epoxy for securing rebar in footing / foundation.
Three (3) - 90 lb. bags of Ready-Mix Concrete with 1/4” or
smaller aggregate.
Materials needed for wood floor installations
MGFP39:
Six (6) pieces 3/8” rebar x 36” long (included with unit)
Six (6) ea. All-thread x 12” long (with nuts and washers)
MGFP-44/49:
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
●
Eight (8) pieces 3/8” rebar x 36” long (included with unit)
Eight (8) ea. All-thread x 12” long (with nuts and washers)
ALL UNITS:
Three (3) - 90 lb. bags of ready mix concrete with 1/4” or smaller
aggregate.
SURFACE CRACKS - The MASON-LITE FIRE-PLACES are
manufactured using high quality materials. During the
drying process, surface cracking may occur. These small
cracks (under 1/16” will not affect the fi replace safety or
performance). During the assembly process, fi ll surface
cracks with thin-set mortar and brush when drying for a
smooth surface fi nish.
Field Assembly Procedures
Mixing the MASON-LITE mortar – The mortar comes
premixed and should be dry. Be sure to use clean water and
work it up into a mixture that is pasty but not lumpy. If it’s too
thin and the surfaces don’t stay moist, the components will
not adhere. Load the mixture into a standard grout bag.
Apply about ½” (one-half inch) thread of mortar. The mortar
bead should be approximately ½” (one-half inch) away from
all edges. The mortar has a considerable amount of holding
power so do not overload the components with too much
mortar. Keep the components moist at all times!
Some mortar will “ooze out” when placing components
together, this is normal. Wipe excess away with a trowel. Do
not cover component surfaces completely with mortar. Do
not apply the mortar in thick bands even if the component
you are working with is larger than the rest. You will want to
apply “stripes” of mortar in these situations.
Make sure components are level. It’s extremely important
that you pay careful attention to how you are assembling
the Mason-Lite Fireplace since every component builds on
the next. If you have to make any kind of an adjustment,
do not try to do it “by loading an opening” with mortar, this
will only result in a
fi
replace that will not be plumb or level.
Use wood shims instead.
You will fi nd these small wood
shims supplied with the Mason-Lite Fireplace
and
you can nudge them in between openings to achieve the
precision you need in making component adjustments.
Once you have removed any shims, you will want to cover
any gaps that may have resulted with the mortar.
a)
b)
c)
d)
