b'FEATURE STORY (continued) Use the right toolsGPTP projects cannot be done without a number of spe-cial tools. In addition to the frames/suction cups mentioned earlier, forks and extended forks are needed. GPTP come in oversized crates, so extended forks that are a minimum of 84 are required for proper unloading. Additionally, a large heavy-duty table is critical to support the entire panel for application of the mortar. Special trowels are designed for use with GPTPs that encourage mortar ridge collapse with-out shifting the tile back and forth to collapse the ridges. A square notch trowel would require the panel to be shifted back and forth, which is almost impossible with tile this large. Surface prep and substrate needs For any GPTP project, contractors must review the strict requirements for wall, ceiling and floor substrates set bySpecial rail and suction cup system for safe GPTP handling.the IRC (residential) and IBC (commercial). ANSI.org offers complete information, but here are some tips for a suc-cessful installation: 1. GPTP can never be bonded to a wood-frame surface. Wood-based panels expand and contract with changes in moisture content, which causes an unstable environ-ment for the panels. 2. Substrates must be clean, dry, flat bondable surfaces and conform with IRC/IBC standards, or local building codes. They must also be free of all contaminants such as sealers, cleaning or curing compounds, coatings, oil andloosesurfacematerial.Extremelyflatsubstrate surfaces are a necessity due to the large size and thin-ness of the panels. To avoid failures, see manufacturer instructionsforexactrequirementsandpreparethe substrate accordingly. GPTP in Kent State University mens restroom.3. GPTPscanbedirectbondedtothefollowingwall andceilingbackingboardandpaneltypes:cementi-tiousbackerunit,fiber-cementbackerboard,glass matwater-resistantgypsumbackerboard,fiber-rein-forced gypsum panel and gypsum board/drywall (dryareas only). 4. GPTPs for floors can be direct bonded to clean, sound, dimensionallystableconcreteorcuredbondedand unbonded mortar beds.*Installation products and techniques The popularity of these panels has brought about next-generation mortars. These mortars combine great han-*Mortar bed must conform to mortar bed requirements in ANSI A108.1B. Under normal job conditions, a minimum of 20 hours cure at 70F (21C) is adequate, but longer mortar bed cures up to 10 days are desirable GPTP entrance to remodeled Kent State University mens restroom.222019|TECH'