1.1 ABOVE GROUND APPLICATION
(DRAWING NO. SF-101 [TB22], SF-104 [TB28], & SF-107 [TB32])

1. Determine which model footing form and construction tube size is required for your application. Using a saw or hand snips, remove excess rings above the ring diameter required for the chosen tube.

2. Attach the required length of construction tube to the Sound Footings™ footing form with four 3/4 inch - 1 inch (1.91 cm - 2.54 cm) long wood screws.

3. If the construction tube frays inward when cut with a handsaw remove the excess frayed tube material with a utility knife for ease of application.

4. Drill 3/8 inch (0.95 cm) holes on a 45 degree angle in the footing form as indicated on the drawing to accept a minimum of 12 inch (30.48 cm) spikes.

5. Place the footing form on undisturbed soil and drive spikes at a 45 degree angle inwards to prevent footing form from movement when concrete is being poured.

6. If the combined height above ground exceeds 3 feet (0.91 m), the tube must be braced in accordance with Drawing No. SF-103 (TB22), SF-106 (TB32), SF-109 (TB32).

7. The total combined height of the footing form must not exceed 5 feet (1.52 m).

8. When ready to pour use a footing form inverted on top of the construction tube to act as a funnel.

2.0 BELOW GRADE APPLICATION
(DRAWING NO. SF-102 [TB22], SF-105 [TB28], & SF-108 [TB32])

1. Determine which model footing form and construction tube size is required for your application. Using a saw or hand snips, remove excess rings above the ring diameter required for the chosen tube.

2. Attach the required length of construction tube to the Sound Footings™ footing form with four 3/4 inch - 1 inch (1.91 cm - 2.54 cm) long wood screws.

3. If the construction tube frays inward when cut with a handsaw remove the excess frayed tube material with a utility knife for ease of application.

4. Place the Sound Footings™ footing form in the excavation on top of undisturbed soil or 4 in. - 6 in. (10.16 - 15.24 cm) of compacted crushed stone. Level and have inspected by a Building Inspector if necessary. Backfill in accordance with Drawing No. SF-102. Notes 4, 5 and 6.

5. When backfilling avoid dropping or placing heavy rocks or heavy wet clay on footing form.

6. If the tube height above grade exceeds 3 feet (0.91 m) the tube must then be braced in accordance with Drawing No. SF-103 (TB22), SF-106 (TB32), SF-109 (TB32).

7. Height Restrictions

1. The total combined height of footing forms must not exceed 13 feet (3.96 m).
   
2. The maximum tube height for the 8 inch (20.32 cm) construction tubes must not exceed 4 feet (1.22 m) above grade and braced.
   
3. The maximum tube height for the 10 inch (25.4 cm), 12 inch (30.48 cm), 14 inch (35.56 cm), 16 inch (40 cm), and 18 inch (45.72 cm) construction tubes must not exceed 8 feet (2.44 m) above grade and braced.
   
4. Backfill must not exceed 5 feet (1.52 m).

8. When ready to pour use a footing form inverted on top of the construction tube to act as a funnel.

2.0 CONSTRUCTION TUBE PIERS

Construction tubes exceeding 8 feet (2.44 m) in height above grade must be approved by a Professional Engineer and require external vibration. Place "top of concrete" grade line with piano wire to designed height of the piers from the batter boards.

With Above Ground Applications loosely place construction tube on the collar of the footing form and mark the concrete level. Remove the construction tube, mark the concrete level with a wrap-around template and saw off the excess construction tube squarely. If the construction tube frays inward when cut with a handsaw, remove excess frayed tube material with a utility knife for ease of application. Lay construction tube on a level area and attach four 1 inch (2.54 cm) X 3 inch (7.62 cm) X 8 inch (20.32 cm) scab boards on the top of the construction tube on the outside at the four quarter points, with two or more screws from inside the construction tube walls (See Drawing SF-103 (TB22), SF-106 (TB32), SF-109 (TB32)). Place the construction tube on the footing form collar and attach with a minimum of four 3/4 inch - 1 inch (1.91 cm - 2.54 cm) long wood screws. Place and screw the four bracing boards to the top of the pier scab boards and to the four "2 X 4" anchor stakes. (See Drawing SF-103 (TB22), SF-106 (TB32), SF-109 (TB32)). Level and plumb the pier, check the "top of concrete" level mark, adjust if necessary, attach and secure the bracing boards. RECHECK!! Then fasten the Sound Footings™ footing form to the ground as detailed in Section 1.1 (Items 4 and 5) "Above Ground Application".

With Below Grade Applications Attach the construction tube to the Sound Footings™ footing form with four 3/4 inch - 1 inch (1.91 cm - 2.54 cm) wood screws, and lower into the excavated hole. Level, plumb and mark the proposed concrete level on the construction tube. Remove the Sound Footings™ footing form from the hole and lay the construction tube on supports. Mark the concrete level with a wrap-around template and saw off the excess construction tube squarely. If the construction tube frays inward when cut with a handsaw, remove excess frayed tube material with a utility knife for ease of application.

Attach the four 1 inch (2.54 cm) X 3 inch (7.62 cm) X 8 inch (20.32 cm) scab boards on the top of the construction tube on the outside at four quarter points, with two or more screws from inside the tube walls. (See Drawing SF-103 (TB22), SF-106 (TB32), SF-109 (TB32)). Carefully replace the assembled unit in the excavated hole, check for level, plumb, "top of concrete" level mark and then backfill as detailed in Section 4.0 "Backfill for Below Grade Applications.

3. BRACING (DRAWING NO. SF-103 (TB-22), SF-106 (TB-28), SF-109 (TB-32))

Brace the construction tube with four framing boards at the top and nail to stakes and scab boards. Brace the top of construction tubes to each other with spreaders attached to the braces or the scab boards.

4. BACKFILL FOR BELOW GRADE APPLICATIONS

Place Backfill in tow lifts as shown in Drawing SF-102 and consolidate each lift with a manual plate tamper or with a "2 X 4" on end. Then continue backfilling a minimum of 2 feet (60.96 cm) to a maximum height of 5 feet (1.52 m) in 16 inch (40.64 cm) lifts as shown in Drawing SF-102 (TB22), SF-105 (TB28), SF-108 (TB32). Re-check alignment of pier. Do not strike Sound Footings™ footing form with the manual tamper or the "2 X 4". Do not over consolidate so as to distort the shell of the footing form. The backfill is intended to hold the footing form in place and resist concrete uplift, Mechanical plate compaction equipment may also be used to facilitate soil compaction.

5. PLACING CONCRETE

Concrete shall have a minimum of 3000 psi 28-day compressive strength and consist of not more than 3/4 inch (1.91 cm) aggregate. Place concrete with a recommended slump of 5" (12.7 cm) to 6"(15.24 cm) in 10 inch - 16 inch (25.4 cm - 40.64 cm) lifts and 'rod' or probe concrete with a #4 or #5 rebar 10 to 12 thrusts per lift. Do not strike inside the top lip of the Sound Footings™ footing form when rodding the first lift of concrete - rod in center area NOT around perimeter. Complete pouring concrete in equal lifts and rod tamping to the perimeter of the construction tube surface. Level concrete at the top of the construction tube, screed off and place the anchor plate or anchor bolts as specified. Re-check alignment of piers and move to re-align and re-secure braces as necessary before concrete sets.

6. STRIPPING OF FORMS

Stripping of the plastic footing form is not recommended with the Sound Footings™ footing form. Remove wooden braces, cut and remove construction tube 4 inches (10.16 cm) below the finished grade. If the footing form should need to be removed, use form oil inside the footing form before pouring concrete.

7. REINFORCING STEEL

If reinforcing steel is required it must be designed by a qualified professional engineer in accordance with the Building Codes.

8. SPACING OF FOOTINGS

Spacing of the footing forms is dependent on design loads at respective locations.

9. LOADS FOR SOUND FOOTINGS™ FOOTING FORMS

Allowable loads for the various footing forms can be found in Table 2.