Fireplace Installation

You will find that the Grand Meridian Fireplace is designed to be completely assembled on-site, consisting of interlocking precast parts. Included is a thin- set type mortar for bonding. The parts of the fireplace are made of FMI’s incredibly strong blend of specialty cement and a light weight aggregate.

IMPORTANT: When applying mortar, it is imperative that the concrete blocks be maintained moist (not soaking) so they don’t absorb the water out of the mortar and cause adhesion to fail. Frequently run a damp sponge to the parts before mortar is applied!

The installation of an anchor plate/damper for either masonry chimney or pre-fabricated chimney is required but not supplied. See Accessories on page 33.

The installation of a seismic strap kit is required but not supplied. See Accessories on page 33.

An optional outside air kit can be used. See Accessories on page 33.

Refractory Firebrick Liners also need to be installed. These should be a minimum of 1⅛" thick. The liner will be applied within the walls and hearth area of the firebox. See Accessories on page 33.

Tools needed for installation:

•One 4 ft. level

•Roto-hammer with ½" drill bit

•Drill motor with mixer blade to mix Mortar

•Two empty 5 gallon buckets to mix Mortar

•One wheelbarrow and shovel to mix concrete

•Grout bag

•Triangular masonry trowel

•Rubber hammer

•Sponge and 2 water buckets to wipe down and moisten parts prior to applying mortar

Materials needed for installation:

•Epoxy for securing rebar in footing / foundation

•Three (3) - 90 lb. bags of ready mix concrete with ¼" or smaller aggregate

Materials included:

MM33, MM39, MM44, MM49:

•8 - ⅜" Rebar x 28" Long

•8 - ⅜" Rebar x 12" Long

•1 - 50 lb. bucket Mortar

•20 - Small Wood Shims

MM63:

•10 - ⅜" Rebar x 36" Long

•10 - ⅜" Rebar x 12" Long

•2 - 50 lb. bucket Mortar

•20 - Small Wood Shims

Field Assembly Procedures

Mixing the mortar – The mortar comes pre-mixed and should be dry. Be sure to use clean water and work it up into a mixture that is pasty but not lumpy. If it’s too thin and the surfaces don’t stay moist, the components will not adhere. Load the mixture into a standard grout bag.

When applying, use about ½" thread of mortar. The mortar bead should be approximately ½" away from all edges. The mortar has a considerable amount of holding power so do not overload the components with too much mortar. Keep the components moist at all times by wiping them down with a clean wet sponge.

Some mortar will “ooze out” when placing components together, this is normal. Wipe excess away with a trowel. Do not cover component surfaces completely with mortar. Do not apply the mortar in thick bands even if the component you are working with is larger than the rest. You will want to apply “stripes” of mortar in these situations.

Make sure components are level. Checking levelness after each layer. It’s extremely important that you pay careful attention to how you are assembling the Grand Meridian Fireplace since every component builds on the next. If you have to make any kind of an adjustment, do not try to do it “by loading an opening” with mortar, this will only result in a fireplace that will not be plumb or level. Use wood shims instead. You will find these small wood shims supplied with the Fireplace and

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