9.30.6.

(1) Ceramic tile shall be set in a mortar bed or applied to a sound smooth base with a suitable adhesive.

(2) Panel-type subfloor to which ceramic tile is to be applied with adhesive shall have its edges supported according to Article 9.23.14.3.

(1) When ceramic tile is set in mortar bed, the bed shall be not less than 32 mm thick. A 50 mm by 50 mm galvanized wire mesh shall be placed in the mortar bed, and asphalt sheathing paper, felt or polyethylene film shall be applied under the mortar bed when the mortar is applied over wood subfloors.

(2) The mortar bed described in Sentence (1) shall consist of by volume,

(a) 1 part Portland cement,

(b) 4 parts sand, and

(c) 1 part water.

(3) The tile joints for the ceramic tile in Sentence (1) shall be grouted with cement grout which shall be compressed into joints between the tiles and then wiped smooth.

(1) Except as permitted in Article 9.30.6.4.v1, when ceramic floor tiles are set on panel-type wood sheathing, one of the following assemblies for reinforcing the floor assembly shall be used:

(a) 20 mm thick plywood or waferboard with all edges supported by at least 38 mm by 38 mm blocking with floor joists spaced not more than 400 mm o.c., with 6 mm underlay,

(b) sheathing with a thickness that conforms to Table 9.23.14.5.A. or a rating that complies to Table 9.23.14.5.B. and has an underlay consisting of 15.9 mm plywood or waferboard with offsetting joints, with a 4 mm gap between the sheets, or

(c) subfloor sheathing reinforced with close spaced 38 mm by 38 mm blocking at spacings at least half that of the floor joist spacing.

(1) When ceramic tile is applied to a mortar bed with adhesive, the bed shall be not less than 12.5 mm thick.

(2) The mortar bed described in Sentence (1) shall consist of by volume,

(a) 1 part Portland cement,

(b) 3 parts sand, and

(c) 1 part water.

(3) At least one layer of galvanized diamond mesh wire lath shall be imbedded in the mortar bed.

(4) Joints in the wire lath required by Sentence (3) shall be overlapped not less than 12 mm.

(5) The wire lath required in Sentence (3) shall be fastened to the subfloor with,

(a) lath nails not less than 38 mm length spaced not more than 150 mm o.c., or

(b) staples not less than 38 mm in length spaced not more than 150 mm o.c.

(6) Asphalt sheathing paper, felt or polyethylene film shall be applied between the mortar bed and the wood subfloor.

(7) Floor joists supporting the mortar bed described in Sentence (1) shall,

(a) be spaced not more than 400 mm o.c., and

(b) have no fewer than two rows of 38 mm × 38 mm cross bridging.

(8) The tile joints for the ceramic tile in Sentence (1) shall be grouted with cement grout which shall be compressed into joints between the tiles and then wiped smooth.