Installing #1 & #2 panels

Prior to installing panel #1, install the 2x end plate into the end of the panel. The panel OSB and the end spline will form the outside corner. Refer to drawing #38-103. Use foam sealant and adhesive mastic as noted on the drawing and nail or staple the end plate in position. Measure electrical chase location(s).

Locate the chase locations on the installed sill and drill through. Apply a continuous bead of foam sealant to the top of the sill plate and continuous beads of caulk along the upper edge of each side of the sill. Lift the panel onto the sill; adjust its location, level, and brace. Locate panel #2; note its dimensions and the location(s) of electrical chases. Confirm that the installed sill plate is long enough and drill wire chase locations. Refer to detail drawing #38-103, which illustrates two alternative methods of making a corner connection. Use #14 Rough neck screws to attach panel corners together up the vertical edge of the overlapping panel into the butting panel. 2x should be inserted to ensure square and ridged corner for continuing panel erection. Before attaching Panel #2 to panel #1, check both panels with a bubble level. Use caulk on all wood-to-wood connections and foam sealant on all EPS to plate connections. When both panels are in place, nail or staple both first and second panels 6" o.c. along their sill and end plates. If # 14 panel screws are used, space screws 24" o.c. Before installing #3 and subsequent panels, determine which type of panel-to-panel connection will be used. Note detail drawings #38-101 and #38-102, which depict the surface spline connection and 2x spline connections respectively.

The surface spline connection and The 2x spline

If the surface spline connection will be used, cut sufficient spline stock to make two continuous splines that extend from the top of the sill to the bottom of the top plate (the top plate is installed after the panel is installed). Apply caulk to the inside edge of both sheets of OSB on both panels. Insert the splines into panel #2. Apply a continuous bead of foam sealer in a serpentine pattern along the end of the foam in panel #2. Apply continuous beads of caulk to each side and a bead of foam sealer to the top of the sill plate under panel #3. Frequently it will be necessary to install a secondary plate(s) in order to achieve a specific wall height. This secondary plate(s) can be located either as an additional sill plate, useful in situations where a treated 2x plate is needed to protect the wall panel from a concrete floor, as an additional top plate, or in some circumstances both secondary sill and top plates may be required. If additional plates are used, they should be at least as wide as the overall panel width and allow both OSB skins to fully bear the load supported by the panel.

Trimming the last panel of a run

The last panel of a run of panels will generally need to be trimmed to length. To do this, temporarily install the final panel (X), level and brace. Then temporarily install the first panel of the new intersecting run (A), positioning the panel so that it is abutting panel X. Using a bubble level, level panel A and mark the intersection line of the two panels on panel X. Remove both panels. Trim panel X back to the intersection line with a saw and form a cavity in the EPS with a "hot knife". Install the end plate in panel X. Complete the corner connection using either of the connections detailed in drawing #38-103.

Copyright: 05/04/2007