ORTAL Skamotec 225 User manual

Ortal
Front Facing Clear 200 & 200H
Skamotec 225 Installation Guide
Revised: December 22, 2016

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SKAMOTEC 225 Installation
Please review the following information before starting.
All the material you require to build your fireplace enclosure is constructed from Skamotec 225.
We have simplified things by providing the following:
Tool & hardware requirements
Material requirements
Assembly instructions
Tools & Hardware Required
Tools
Screws
#8 x 2-½” Coarse Thread Construction Screws
Note: Use a fastener spacing of 6” – 8” with an minimum edge distance of 3/4” - 1”
Adhesives
Recommended Construction Adhesives:
(US) Loctite - PL® Premium® 3X
(Canada) LePage - PL® Premium® 3X
Key Installation Points
All joints must be attached using the recommended construction adhesive & construction screws.
All joining SKAMOTEC 225 surfaces must be moistened with water before assembly. This is to
prevent the adhesive from drying out too quickly & adhering incorrectly. Please take care that
water does not spill on Ortal unit.
Always maintain a minimum of 1/8” clearance from all window frame surface. Always maintain a
minimum of 1/8" clearance from the Wall Standoff (framing the glass panel) and 2" from all other
surfaces. See Ortal Installation Manual for more details and all of the clearance requirements.
Do not fasten any part of Skamotec 225 to the fireplace structure
IMPORTANT
Before you begin please watch our SKAMOTEC 225 Installation Video
Toll Free & Fax: [phone] Skamol Americas Inc.
E-mail: [e-mail] www.skamotec225.com

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Plan Layout
In order to simplify & quicken the installation process, it is important to plan your layout.
Create a cut-list, then determine the location of your access panel & your method of heat release.
Min. 24’’ clearance from
cavity ceiling to top of
firebox opening
Min Height:
Double Glass: 9 -5/8’’
Screen Protection: 8-1/8’’
Min: 87.7’’
Min: 21.5’’

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Heat Release
Per Ortal Installation Manual, a method of Heat Release is required for all Ortal built in fireplace models. It must be
located at the top of the fireplace cavity; maximum 6 inches below the fireplace cavity ceiling. It can be located on
the front, sides or back of the fireplace chase so long as it is being released into an interior space and not outdoors.
A minimum air space is required per series:
Series 250: Minimum 200 sq. in. of free air space.
This is the minimum required but can always be greater. The heat release could be a louver or as a reveal (see
option #2). If using a louver, please make sure that the free airspace allowed in the louvered area is equal or greater
than the minimum square inches required per unit.
Option #1
Option #2
Air Intake –Double Glass Models
Per Ortal Installation Manual, Ortal fireplaces with double glass fan assisted feature require an air intake located
below the elevation of the firebox. The air intake can be either a grill or louver or an opening in the underside of
cavity. The minimum free air space required per series is:
Series 250:Minimum 200 sq. in. of free air space
Vent Opening: See below of
Min sq. in.
Min. 1.5’’

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Fireplace Clearances
Access Panel is required for all Ortal fireplaces. We recommend a minimum 10” x 10” access panel. The
location & design of the access panel should not disturb the aesthetic incorporation of the fireplace to its
surrounding living space.
Please refer to Ortal Installation & Operation Manual.
Fireplace Clearances
Minimum Clearances to Combustible Materials
Appliance and Vent Clearances
Please refer to Ortal Installation & Operation Manual.

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Material Requirements –Basic Overview
#6 - Top Panel (s)
#4 –Bottom Front Panel
#3 –Front Side Panels
#8 –Joint Plate
#2 –RH–Side Panel
#7 - Support Blocking
#8 –Joint Plate (if multiple pieces)
#2 –LH –Side Panel
#7 - Support Blocking
#8 –Joint Plate (if multiple pieces)
#1 - Back Panel
(May be several pieces)
#5 - Middle Front Panel
#8 –Joint Plate
#9 –Cavity Support Blocking

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Pre-Assemble of Panels
Before you start assembling your SKAMOTEC 225 enclosure, it is recommended for easy of
installation to sub-assembly a few of the panels.
Note: Please re-measure the fireplace to confirm sizes are correct.
Assembly instructions
Before attaching support blocking moisten all joining surfaces
Fastened using 2 1/2” screws & construction adhesive
Maintain a fastener spacing of 6” – 8”
#2 –RH - Side Panel Assy #2 - LH - Side Panel Assy
Length to be
determined
Length to be
determined
Support Blocking
1-1/2’’ x 1-1/2’’
Min. 1-1/2’’
Min. Width 20’’ or
to suit
Min. Width 20’’
or to suit
Joint Plate
When combining two pieces
Min 4’’ Wide

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#5 –Middle Front Panel Assy
Full Size Skamotec 225 board
Assembly instructions
Before attaching support blocking moisten all joining surfaces
Fastened using 2 1/2” screws & construction adhesive
Maintain a fastener spacing of 6” – 8”
Min Width: 5’’
Dim. To suit
Max Height 80.31’’
77.7’’
t
Dim to Suit.
Max 48’’
Joint Plate
Min 4’’ Wide
#3 –LH Front Side Panel Assy
#3 –RH Front Side Panel Assy
Joint Plate
Min 4’’ Wide
Min Width: 5’’

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Step 1 –Construct Fireplace Platform
Can be constructed using combustible material
Step 1(a) –Confirm clearances
Assembly Guide
Minimum 2’’ from Skamotec 225 to Ortal unit
Max Width: 84.7’’
Min. Width 18.5’’

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Step 2 –Install #1 Back Wall panel
Position Back panel (s) directly to wall & level. Back panel can be several pieces.
Moisten SKAMOTEC 225 surface, then apply construction adhesive
Fastened using 2-1/2” construction screws
Maintain a fastener spacing of 6” – 8”
Step 3 –Install Fireplace, Venting & secure in position
Min Width: 84.7’’
Dim. To suit

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Step 4 –Install #2 LH & RH –Top Side Panels Assy
Position Side Panel directly to Back Wall
Moisten SKAMOTEC 225 surfaces, then apply construction adhesive
Fastened using 2-1/2” construction screws
Maintain a fastener spacing of 6” – 8”
#2 - LH - Top Side Panel
#2 - RH - Top Side Panel

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Step 5 –Install #3 –Front Side Panel Assy
Position Front Panel directly to Side Walls
Moisten SKAMOTEC 225 surfaces, then apply construction adhesive
Fastened using 2-1/2” construction screws
Maintain a fastener spacing of 6” – 8”
IMPORTANT
Maintain a minimum of 1/8” clearance from the window
frame & fireplace structure; this is to allow for the expansion
of the fireplace.
Do not fasten Skamotec to any part of the fireplace structure

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IMPORTANT
Maintain a minimum of 1/8” clearance from the window
frame & fireplace structure; this is to allow for the expansion
of the fireplace.
Do not fasten Skamotec to any part of the fireplace structure
Step 6 –Install #4 Bottom Front Panel
Position Bottom Front Panel in between Front side panels and directly to fireplace platform
Moisten SKAMOTEC 225 surfaces, then apply construction adhesive
Fastened using 2-1/2” construction screws
Maintain a fastener spacing of 6” – 8”
#4 –Bottom Front Panel
Width: 77.7’’
Height: To suit

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Step 7 –Install #5 Middle Front Panel Assy.
Position Front Middle Panel in between Front Side panels and attach to joint plate
Moisten SKAMOTEC 225 surfaces, then apply construction adhesive
Fastened using 2-1/2” construction screws
Maintain a fastener spacing of 6” – 8”
IMPORTANT
Maintain a minimum of 1/8” clearance from the window
frame & fireplace structure; this is to allow for the expansion
of the fireplace.
Do not fasten Skamotec to any part of the fireplace structure

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Step 8 –Install #9 Cavity Support Blocking.
Position to back wall and joint plate of Middle Front Panel Assy and Front Side Panel Assy
Moisten SKAMOTEC 225 surfaces, then apply construction adhesive
Fastened using 2-1/2” construction screws
Maintain a fastener spacing of 6” – 8”
Joint Plate
4’’ Wide Min
Back Blocking
4’’ x 4’’ Min
Attach to horizontal
Joint Plate
Required
Optional
Recommend when applying stone

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Step 9 –Install #6 –Top Panel (s)
Position Top Panel (s) directly to Side Walls
Moisten SKAMOTEC 225 surfaces, then apply construction adhesive
Fastened using 2-1/2” construction screws
Maintain a fastener spacing of 6” – 8”
Finished Installation

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FINISHING APPLICATIONS
Preparing the Surface for Paint
Prepare the surface by thoroughly moistening the surface with water; apply using a sponge
Now, applying All Purpose Joint Tapping Drywall Compound to the desired areas, includes all
joints
Then apply your joint tape
paper tape - low temperature areas
nylon mesh tape –high temperature
Now, re-apply All Purpose Joint Tapping Drywall Compound over the joint tape
To apply corners beads, apply more All Purpose Joint Tapping Drywall Compound to the corners
Then apply paper or metal Corner beads
Then re-apply All Purpose Joint Tapping Drywall Compound as required
Note: Corners beads are not recommended around edge of fireplace opening due to High
temperatures
Paint
Using a ¼” (5mm) roller apply a thin coat of 100/% acrylic latex primer
(This will help the paint to properly attach to the material)
Sand in-between coats
Then apply a second thin coat of 100/% acrylic latex primer (building up your layers)
Apply finish coat
Note: Do not use a primer/sealer mix, as this is too thick & will not bond to Skamotec 225
Tile
Prepare the surface by moisten the surface with water, use a sponge
1st apply a scratch coat of All Purpose Thin-Set Mortar to the area to be tiled
Then, apply your nylon mesh joint tape
Using a notch trowel apply a layer of All Purpose Thin-Set Mortar with on the backside of the tile
Install tile
Stone/Brick Surface
Skamotec advantage is that no tar paper or metal lath is required
Prepare the surface by thoroughly moistening the surface with water; apply using a sponge
Now, apply a scratch coat, use All Purpose Thin-Set Mortar to the area to be stoned
Tip: We recommend using All Purpose Thin-Set Mortar rather than mason/mortar mix typically
known as “Type S” because it adheres better, and will not dry-out too quickly
Then, apply your nylon joint mesh tape
Then, apply a layer of All Purpose Thin-Set Mortar to the backside of the stone
Now, install your stone
Refer to our website: www.skamotec225.us and watch our SKAMOTEC 225 Finishing Installation Video