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P a g e
Copyright ©Electro Plastics, Inc. / STEP Warmfloor
®
September 2015
INSTALLATION
1. PLAN
Design system, and make a layout. For guidance, see attached layout and wiring
diagram.
When deciding on a snowmelt system it is essential to decide on the purpose of the
system and how effective the system should be. Should the ground be completely dry
or is it acceptable with some snow slush on the ground shortly after a snowfall.
ASHRAE classifications split snowmelt systems into three groups:
o
Snow free ratio 0:
Designed not to melt snow while it is falling, but
afterwards.
o
Snow free ratio 0.5:
50% of snow is melted while falling, the rest afterwards.
o
Snow free ratio 1:
All snow and ice is melted while falling.
When designing a snowmelt system it is essential to know the area conditions;
snowfall days, temperature, surface type, heat loss to ground, atmospheric loss and
perimeter insulations. These are some of the parameters needed to create snowmelt
solutions according to expectations.
An on demand deicing system may be favorable in places with few snowfall days.
Areas with frequent snowfall may benefit from the thermal bed concept which is a low
power deicing system that is switched on prior to frost and kept energized all winter.
Wherever underlying soils are susceptible to frost, pavements will suffer damaging
effects from frost heave and spring breakup. There are different techniques to reduce
frost action, such as:
o
Removing frost-susceptible soil and using thick base courses to spread the load
during spring thaw.
o
Providing adequate drainage for free water through ditching.
o
Placing a layer of insulation in the embankment section to keep sub-grade soil
temperatures above freezing. Maintaining the soil above freezing temperatures by
placing heating elements in the upper soil or pavement section.
Installation should conform to local building codes, ordinances, and trade practices.
2. INSTALL
Heating elements should be installed in ambient temperatures between 40
o
F and
140
o
F (4
o
C and 60
o
C).
Lay the STEP
®
elements onto an even layer of granular material and secure them in
place to prevent displacement of panels.
Avoid heating elements to overlap or touch each other. DO NOT puncture the bus
braids.
Apply subsequent lifts, pavement or soil layers taking care not to damage the heating
elements.