Installation Guidance Note: StepGeneral Advice
The appearance, performance and durability of the installed floorcovering will be determined to a large extent by thequality of the prepared subfloor and the conditions in which they are laid.
The installation of Surestep and Safestep should be carried out in accordance with the national code of practice for theinstallation of resilient floor coverings if applicable. Areas to receive flooring should be clean, free from other trades, fully
enclosed and weather tight. Subfloors should be clean and free of contaminants, smooth, sound and permanently dry.
The open time of the adhesive will depend on site conditions and porosity of the base. It is best practice to conduct anadhesive bond test before starting the installation. Bond testing will assist in identifying both the working characteristicsof the adhesive (waiting and working time) for the site conditions, and any potential bonding problems.
Always conduct moisture tests on all substrates. All ground based level floors should have an effective moisture barrier.
Areas to receive flooring shall be adequately lit to allow for proper inspection of the substrate, installation and for final
inspection.
It is essential that the laying area is at a steady temperature of 18 to 27ºC for 48 hours prior to, during, and for 24 hours
after installation. The material and adhesive should be conditioned in the same environment for at least 24 hours prior to
the installation. Where the floorcoverings have been stored or transported immediately prior to delivery in temperatures
below 10ºC the acclimatisation period should be extended to 48 hours.
Ensure that all recommendations for substrate and jobsite conditions are met prior to beginning the installation.
Beginning the installation is an implied acceptance of site conditions by the parties involved and liability for any failure
directly related to inadequate site conditions becomes the responsibility of the installer and/or flooring contractor.
Prior to installation rolls should be checked to ensure that the correct colour, batch number and quantity have been
received and that the material is in good condition. No claim will be accepted for incorrect colour, pattern or obvious
damage if the material has been fitted.
Use material from the same batch/dye lot and install in roll number sequence. The use of different production batches
will always result in visible shade differences. The batch number is clearly marked on the material packaging and must bechecked before commencement of installation.
As with all newly installed floor coverings Step should be protected from heavy traffic, particularly high point load
wheeled traffic, for 72 hours and must not be washed for 48 hours after installation.

Underfloor heating
Forbo flooring products may be installed over underfloor heated floors providing the maximum surface temperature of
the substrate does not exceed 27°C under any condition of use. To enable a secure bond of the adhesive to the substrate,
the underfloor heating system should be turned off, or set to the lowest temperature, for a minimum of 48 hours prior toinstallation of the Forbo flooring material. The temperature of the substrate must not exceed 18 °C during the installationof the flooring material. If necessary, an alternate heating source should be used to maintain the room temperature at aminimum of 18°C prior to, during, and for 72 hours after installation. The temperature of the underfloor heating system
can be increased 72 hours following the installation. When raising the floor temperature, do so gradually so the substrateand flooring material can adapt to the temperature change together. A rapid temperature change could result in bonding
problems.

Step 01-2019

Adhesive Recommendations and application
When installing Step a low emission EC1 adhesive is recommended, such as Forbo Eurocol ‘640 Eurostar Special’. If alternative
products are to be used consult with the supplier for more information, guidance and warranty.
Use the appropriate trowel recommended by the adhesive supplier to apply the adhesive.
Note: Trowels will wear during use, check the trowel both before and during use to ensure that the proper, specified trowel notch isused and maintained.
Note: the adhesive must be spread evenly over the entire floor area with particular attention to edges – this will ensure that the sheet
is fully bonded at the perimeters.
Install one length of sheet at a time, making sure to place the material into wet adhesive and roll afterwards with a 50-70 kg roller,
rolling in all directions to ensure a firm bond. It is important to only spread sufficient adhesive that can be covered within the open
time of the adhesive.
Areas that cannot be rolled with the large roller e.g. abutments such as door frames or skirting boards should be rolled with a handroller or pressed into the adhesive with a rubbing hammer.
Always clean away excess adhesive with a damp cloth before it is allowed to dry.
Direction of laying
The following installation advice should be followed in relation to direction of sheet laying.
All over/Uni designs; Surestep - Original, Star, Steel, Material, Laguna Safestep - R11, R12, Aqua
Reverse installation of alternate sheet lengths is required.
Directional designs: Surestep – Wood
Sheet lengths should be installed in the same direction. A separate guidance document is available for seaming of Forbo
Surestep and Eternal wood design commercial vinyl.
The recommended installation direction for each design is also confirmed in the product brochures and packaging andprinted on the underside of each roll.
Coved Skirtings
Step can be used in conjunction with standard PVC set in coved skirtings or site formed using standard techniques with a 20mm or
35mm radius cove former.
If site formed coving is being used with Surestep Wood designs, the optimum visual effect will be achieved by laying with a bordercove either in the same design with the plank lengths running parallel to the wall around the perimeter of the room or with acontrasting uni colour /all over design.
Installation
Always check the recommended direction of laying before cutting sheet length (see “Direction of laying above).
Cut the sheet material to the required lengths and then back roll each cut length before cutting to fit
in order to release any roll tension from the winding of the sheet (see below).
Back rolling
Sheet vinyl products are tightly rolled in the factory. The tension caused by this process will mean that the goods will shrink a little in
the length when unrolled. It is recommended to reduce the effect of shrinkage by re-rolling the cut lengths of sheet back onthemselves and allowing to stand in this state for 15 minutes prior to unrolling again and commencing fitting.
It is recommended that the roll lengths are rolled out and laid out flat in the installation area to acclimatise for 24 hours at a minimum
temperature of 18ºC prior to commencing fitting the sheet.

Step 01-2019

Cutting and fitting
Each sheet should be scribed to fit and the factory edge removed before cutting the seam. Seams should be overlapped andunder-scribed or cut with a seam cutter to form a close butt joint. See below.
Scribe the long side of the sheet to the wall first. Place the sheet back against the wall. With the sheet fitted correctly in position
along the length, and the ends riding up the end walls, trim the factory edge on the opposite side of the sheet using a seam cutter
or by striking a chalk line and cutting through the sheet following this line with a straight and utility knife.

Trace the line of the trimmed edge onto the subfloor with a pencil. This line acts as a guide line.
Place a ruler or straight edge, at right angles to the sheet. Across the edge of the sheet draw a cross check on both material andsubfloor (Fig. 1). Fold one end of the sheet back on itself, pull the other end clear by about 25mm from the wall (fig.2). Position thesheet to lie flat on the floor, with the edge true to the guide line (B). Set the bar scriber at the distance that the cross check has
opened up (fig. 3).
Tip: As an alternative to pulling the sheet length back, the roll core may be placed under the sheet to create the necessary gap
between the sheet end and the wall. This will also help to prevent creasing the sheet during when pulled back.
Keep the scriber parallel to the guide line and scribe the end of the sheet (fig.4). Cut the material along the scribe line. Check fit to
the wall, with the aid of the cross checks and the guide line.
Scribe and cut the other end of the sheet using the same method.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Fig. 3Fig. 4

Step 01-2019

Fitting long lengths
During the manufacture of sheet vinyls the material is stretched slightly in the length. Often the first opportunity it has to relax fully
is when it is unrolled, scribed and folded back for the spreading of the adhesive.
If the length being fitted is a long one, this relaxation can be significant enough for slight shrinkage to occur, leaving the fitted end
a little short of the wall once folded down again into the adhesive.
To avoid this, scribe and fit one end of the sheet and then stick all but the last 1½ to 2 metres at the other end before scribing andfitting this end. Any relaxation during the folding back of such a short length will not be significant. The full length must be stuck
and rolled while the adhesive is still active.
Lay the next sheet alongside the first fitted sheet with the sheet ends lapping up the wall and the edge of the sheet overlapping thepreviously fitted sheet by approximately 2cm. Trim the factory edge of the opposite side of this sheet as above and trace the line ofthe trimmed edge onto the subfloor with a pencil.
Scribe and cut each end of this length as for the first sheet.
Cut the seam using a seam cutter or under scriber to form a close butted seam.
Repeat this process for each subsequent sheet length. The final length which abuts the opposite wall should be cut and fitted using
the method described for the first length.
Note: factory edges should always be trimmed to form a true edge for seaming
Seam cutting for Eternal Wood designs
Eternal Wood ranges are manufactured with a selvedge on both edges of the roll. Adoption of the following advice will assist inachieving the optimum seam visual and minimise wastage.
There is usually a narrow selvedge on one side of the sheet and a wide selvedge on the other – this is intentional to allow for edge
trimming (fig.1). The narrow selvedge should be trimmed to within 2 to 3mm of the print line or along the print line of the plankdepending on the installer’s preference for the location of the welded seam (fig.2). The wider selvedge on the opposite side of thesheet should have a minimal trim (fig.3).

Note: if the print line is visible on the wider selvedge side of the sheet trim the sheet along the print line.
After trimming, the plank that contains the welded seam may be slightly narrower than the main body. This will be lost in theoverall design of the finished floor.
Whether the welded seam is cut along the print line or adjacent to it, pattern matching of the plank design on side seams is notneccessary.

Step 01-2019

Cross Seams - Lay out the next roll aligning the plank design as shown below. Adjust the depth of the ovelap to form a cross seamwith continuity of pattern match of the plank design across the width of the sheet.

Correct

Incorrect

Unless agreed otherwise and where the setting out allows cross seams should be staggered for best visual effectFollowing these recommendations will give the installer the best opportunity to manage the open and working time of the adhesiveand ensure that the flooring material is placed into wet adhesive.

Following these recommendations will give the installer the best opportunity to manage the open and working time of the adhesiveand ensure that the flooring material is placed into wet adhesive.
Adhering the sheet
Pull back the sheet length to approximately half way.
Placing the roll core on the sheet at the point of the fold to support the material whilst folded back will help to prevent creasing thesheet whilst spreading the adhesive.
Spread the adhesive using the appropriate notched trowel ensuring that the correct trowel notch in maintained throughout theinstallation – see adhesive guidance above.
Lay the sheet into the adhesive after the appropriate waiting time and rub the sheet with a rubbing board or glider from the centreoutwards to remove any trapped air between the sheet and the adhesive.
Note: Ensure that the sheet does not move during this process and that the close butt seams are maintained when placing the vinyl
sheet into the adhesive.
Note: All seams should be hot welded with Matching weld cable
Seam forming and grooving
Seams should be grooved to a depth of approximatley 2/3rds of the material thickness. A diamond groover is recommended for
manual grooving of seams, however, automatic or power groovers may be more productive on larger installations.

Step 01-2019Welding
Switch on the hot air gun and allow 5 to 7 minutes for it to reach the selected temperature. Step should be welded at a temperature of
approximately 450°C. (see weld gun manual for setting details). Fit the welding nozzle before switching on the hot air gun.
If the gun is resting on the floor ensure that the nozzle is not directed at the floor or anywhere dangerous.
Weld guns will vary, so it is always advisable to practice weld techniques first on a piece of waste material to match the correct air gun
temperature with welding speed. Step should be welded with a 5mm Speedweld nozzle.
Make sure the groove is thoroughly cleaned before beginning to heat weld. Make sure that all electrical cables are laid out without
tangles and that there are no obstructions along the seam to be welded.
Cut the welding cable to a consistent and generous length or unwind sufficient weld rod from the reel and put the reel in a position
where you are working towards it. Have the power cable ahead of you if possible.
Start at a wall. Thread the cable through and weld moving backwards, away from the wall, maintaining a slight downward pressure sothat the weld nozzle will force the weld cable into the groove. Do not let the cable melt in the nozzle.
A good weld is obtained by the correct combination of temperature, speed and downward pressure. The weld cable should beallowed to melt enough so that the melted rod reaches the bottom of the groove.
Trimming
Note: To avoid unintended damage to the floor covering Forbo recommends to use the Mozart knife for trimming the weld cable. If asharp spatula is being used special care should be given to avoid damaging the sides of the seams.
While the cable is still warm trim off most of the top half of the cable down to approximately 0.5mm using a Mozart knife which fits
over the cable or a sharp spatula and slide. This enables the cable to cool more quickly and enables a quick first cut to be madewithout risk of gouging the material.
The welding cable will dish slightly (concave downwards) as it cools. Wait until the material is completely cool before trimming flushwith the surface of the sheet with a Mozart knife or a sharp spatula angled slightly across the line of cut.

SpatulaSlide

Mozart knife

Note: Making the final trim while the welding rod and material is still warm can result in the weld cable dishing of the weld cable. This
may result in subsequent seam soiling problems or cause permanent damage to the surface of the flooring.
Joining up a weld
To join a weld in the middle of a seam trim off the loose ends and chamfer down the section to be overlapped with a hand groover.
Ensure hot air gets into the groove and heats the cable. As the gun travels over the un-welded section apply pressure and carry theweld on over the section to be joined. Allow to cool and trim as normal.

Step 01-2019

Perimeter sealing
In areas subject to wet spillages or cleaning methods the following advice should be followed:
Where the floor covering is flat laid without coved skirtings the perimeter edges should be sealed with a suitable waterproof andmould resistant flexible sealant. This should also be applied at abutments such as architraves together with any areas where pipes, etc.
come up through the floorcovering.
Wet rooms
An additional guidance document is available for the installation of Step products in wet rooms.

On completion of the installation
First impressions may have more impact on the client than hours of skilled fitting.
The completed installation should be cleared of scrap material and debris, the floor swept or vacuumed and any traces of adhesive
residues removed from the floor and skirtings.
If the floor covering is to be protected from other trades or site traffic prior to project completion, a protection product should bechosen that is appropriate for the type and level of traffic likely to be experienced and the potential for impact, scratching orindentation damage.
In many cases it is customary for the initial floor preparation to be left, or subcontracted, to a professional cleaning and maintenancecontractor who will have the staff and equipment to do the job thoroughly.
If the optimum performance of any new floor covering is to be achieved, it is important that the correct cleaning and maintenanceprocedures are used from day one. Cleaning and maintenance guides for all Forbo Flooring products are available for download at:www.forbo-flooring.com/floorcare
Cleaning and maintenance guides should be passed onto the main contractor, client or end user as appropriate on completion of theinstallation, and before any hand over clean is started.

If in any doubt contact us:
contact@forbo.com

Step 01-2019