Ease of Erection

Wall Panel Installation:

Checking the Slab/Foundation:

The first step in the installation process is to check the slab/foundation for “square”, to determine what if any modifications will need to be made during the panel installation process. This activity should be done well in advance of the arrival of the home package, so that decisions can be made, and a strategy developed before the framing crew arrives to begin construction of the home.



If the slab/foundation is square, and the dimensions match those contained in the construction documents, nothing needs to be done, and the installation can proceed with dimensions matching those in the plans.

If the slab/foundation is not square, work with your contractor and framer to decide how best to position the home, so that no panels will need to be altered.

Wall Location, Slab: With the plans provided, indicate the position of the exterior wall line, snap a chalk line to identify the interior surface of the exterior wall. Select a starting point, and begin measuring and locating all interior walls from the inside face of the exterior wall. Snap a chalk line to indicate both sides of every partition wall you indicate, as this will make the panel installation much easier. The dimension of the interior wall framing is 3 5/8”. NOTE: Always use a tape long enough to provide the total dimension necessary. This will greatly increase your dimensional accuracy.

With all of the lines snapped for the partition locations, check to insure that the plumbing was correctly located when the slab was poured. If there are incorrectly placed water and or waste lines, have your plumber relocate them prior to beginning the framing process. It will be much easier to do it now, and you will avoid potentially damaging the framing later.

Using the Panel Placement Plan in the construction documents as a guide, locate the beginning point of each panel, and write the panel number between the snapped chalk lines. Use a large tip permanent black “Sharpie” marker for this, and it will make the installation easier. At the same time, place a large “X” within the chalk lines next to the panel number to indicate the left side of the panel to be installed. With these steps completed, you will be ready to receive your home package, and begin the installation process.

When the first truckload of material arrives, position the truck in an open area, so that there is access to all sides of the truck for unloading. Be certain that you have an adequate number of people to unload the truck. The driver will normally allow 1 – 2 hours for the off loading process, and after that will charge for additional time on the job-site. These costs will be the customers responsibility, so planning will save you money.

Release the tie-downs, and begin the off loading of the panels. It is recommended that you utilize the slab or floor system as a pre-staging platform to stack the panels in a clean and accessible area. It will make the process go more smoothly, if you orient the panels the same way, with the panel numbers in the lower left hand corner of each stack.

When the panels have been neatly stacked, with the panel numbers showing, begin the inventory process. The shipping documents that accompany each load, indicate all items that are on that truck. Check off all items to insure that the complete package has arrived. Clips, brackets, screws etc. will arrive in boxes, with the contents clearly labeled in them. Inventory the boxes for item quantity, and to insure the contents are undamaged.

With the panels stacked and ready, the next step is to stage the panels for installation. At this point, double check the panels locations and numbers you have put on the slab referencing the Panel Layout Plan to insure that everything is correct. Select a beginning point, most often this will be an exterior building corner. Using the Panel Layout Plan, stage the exterior wall panels in sequence along the exterior wall in the proper location.

At this point, with the panels properly located, mark the location of any penetrations that will need to be made in the bottom plate of the panel for plumbing etc. that will be located in the exterior walls. Mark the location of the anchoring devices specified in the construction documents on both the panel and the slab.

Cutting the Penetrations: With the pilot holes located for the plumbing pene - trations in the panel bottom plate, Use a “Saws-All” with a metal cutting blade to cut the openings for the plumbing. NOTE: To avoid injury or damage to the panels, hold the material securely during the cutting pro - cess. Wear both eye and ear protection during this process.

With the cutting process complete, the panel is now ready to be moved back into alignment for the beginning of the assembly process. Repeat process for all penetrations and anchoring device locations.

Using a Sill Seal: Prior to the installation of the first panel, it is recommended, but not required, that you install a closed cell, “sill seal” cushion material under the sill of the wall panel. This will provide a seal at the base of the panel, and act as a thermal break, eliminat - ing the transmission of cold from the slab to the steel wall framing. As no slab is perfectly flat, this product will compress into any voids in the concrete and provide an air seal as well. To avoid problems during installation, it is recom - mended that a mastic be used to hold the “sill seal” in place during the panel setting process. NOTE: If possible, install the “sill seal” the entire length of the wall before setting any panels, this will greatly speed up the process. With this step completed, go to the beginning point and start the actual panel installation process.

Installing the Wall Panels: Select the first wall to be installed at the corner, and stand it in position making sure that it lines up with the chalk lines you have snapped on the slab. While the wall is held in place, drill the hole with a masonry bit for the first anchoring device, through the pilot hole drilled earlier. Install the anchor. Brace the first panel to the ground, and position the next corner panel that is 90 degrees to the first one. Repeat the anchoring process, and tie the two panels together, making sure they are plumb and square. Attach the two panels at the top, mid-point and bottom with two (2) TEK fasteners provided with the package.

Continue setting the walls in order, making sure that they are lined up with the chalk lines snapped earlier. Keeping the walls straight at this point will make the installation of the interior walls go much faster.

Attach each consecutive panel to the previous with the TEK screws provided, (2) at the top, middle and bottom of each panel. Whenever possible, install the intersecting interior wall panel that abuts the exterior wall to provide bracing. Attaching these walls will also keep the exterior wall plumb and straight.

Continue with the installation, insuring that the panels are firmly attached to each other, and that they are straight. Attach with (2) TEK screws top, middle and bottom At the end of the first run of wall, install the next corner panel perpendicular to the wall just completed. Insure that the walls are plumb and square, and attach the pan - els with (2) TEK screws top, middle and bottom supplied with the package. Be sure to anchor the panels to the slab with the specified anchoring devices.

Plumb the exterior wall with the interior wall and secure both to the slab with the specified anchoring devices. NOTE : Whenever you install an interior wall panel, insure that no other panels need to go in the space defined. If there are panels to be installed in this space, move them into this area before closing it off.

Plumbing penetrations in the interior wall panel bottom plates are addressed in the same way as those in the exterior walls. Follow the steps described earlier in this section on page 4. NOTE : The concrete is usually quite rough around interior plumbing penetrations, it is recommended that you scrape this area as smooth as possible to insure a flat “seating” for the panel.

Installing the Wall Panels: Sort and group the trusses with like numbers. Be sure there are enough people on the jobsite to handle the trusses safely and to avoid damage to the trusses. After the trusses have been sorted and staged for installation, move the bracing and assorted miscellaneous material to a convenient location.

It is recommended to install the rim track and girder trusses first. The 2.0 clips for the truss to girder connections can be fastened to the girder prior to installation; this will make floor truss installation faster and easier. Begin installing floor trusses, referring back to the layout and the construction document details as necessary. As the floor trusses are being installed, it is important to check they are right side up, in the correct orientation, and all connections are being completed before moving on to the next truss.

Check the installation documents for any required lateral and web bracing. Install the temporary and permanent bracing as you go, being sure to finish all connections before moving on to the next truss. After all trusses have been installed, double check all connections have been completed, and layout is correct.

Using the truss layout, measure and mark the top track accordingly. Double check all odd spaces. Refer to the construction document details for that specific project for all truss to top track connections, and all other truss connections. Stand the first truss and brace it in several locations securely so that it may support the next several trusses that are installed. After the first truss is installed and braced, begin standing the next group of trusses. If there is a hip elevation, the 2.0 clips for the truss to girder connection can be fastened to the girder prior to installation. The jack trusses can also be attached to the girder on the ground, and the whole unit may be lifted in place with a boom truck or fork lift. Make all connections completely before moving on to the next truss.

It is recommended to check each truss with a level. Refer back to the layout for placement, and the construction document details for connections. As the roof trusses are being installed, it is important to pay attention to interior load bearing walls, and the orientation of the trusses. After a few trusses are stood and level, begin putting in temporary and permanent bracing. Check the installation drawings for any required lateral and web bracing. Always brace and finish all connections as you go along.