--- title: "7. Site Inspection & Job Plan | HIMACS Fabrication Guidelines" slug: "7-site-inspection-job-plan" description: "Effective job planning, site inspection, and accurate templating are key to successful HIMACS installations, minimising waste and ensuring durability." tags: ["HIMACS Sheets", "Job Planning", "Site Inspection"] updated: 2026-01-27T13:26:23Z published: 2026-01-27T13:26:23Z --- > ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://himacs-fabrication.lxhausys.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # 7. Site Inspection & Job Plan > [!NOTE] > Good preparation through site inspection, accurate measurement, and the use of templates will help create a successful job plan. Careful planning can reduce material waste and save time. The characteristics of HIMACS sheets should be taken into account and incorporated into the job plan to prevent failure and to avoid shortening the lifetime of the finished products after installation. ## **1. Site Inspection** **Installation site accessibility** is one of the key factors in determining the **size of semi-finished products** produced in the workshop. Before starting any fabrication, **LX Hausys** recommends checking and analysing the following information about the installation site: - **Parking and unloading areas** - All **entrances** along the delivery route: doors, windows - **Hallways**, lifts/elevator cars, stairs, and **ceiling heights** - **Hallway corner angles** - Any other **site conditions** that could create difficulties during **delivery or installation** ### **Installation requirements** The following information must be identified in advance to prevent **structural issues** and **installation defects**: - **Wall condition**: flatness, cleanliness, slope, and any obstacles - **Furniture condition**: correct levelling and stability of the frame structure - **Electrical, plumbing, and heating element positioning** - **Sufficient space** for the installation at the site - Any other **site conditions** that could cause difficulties during installation ### **Detailed furniture evaluation (cabinets)** Verify that all furniture is installed in compliance with **industry best practice**: - **Flatness**: Check and control the flatness of **base furniture**. Any deviation must be corrected before installation - **Structural integrity**: Ensure the furniture can support the **weight of HIMACS**, as well as accessories such as sinks, cookware, and kitchen fittings, without compromising **safety for the end user** - **Ventilation**: Dust covers, solid cabinet tops, corner cabinets, and “Lazy Susan” cabinets must be ventilated to prevent **trapped air**. In each case, the tops of these cabinets should be removed as much as possible without compromising the **structural integrity** of the cabinet ### **Template materials** Templates with strips are not essential for most general work with HIMACS sheets. Digital templates can also be used. For simple flat walls or straightforward countertop shapes, an accurate sketch with precise measurements is often more useful. However, if accurate measurements and sketches cannot be guaranteed, for example due to irregular walls or complex furniture shapes, templates with strips are often the simplest, most accurate, and most efficient method for planning the job. ### **Points to Check for Templates and Sketches** The first step in **templating** is usually to sketch a **plan view** of the job, including: - [ ] **Sink identification and location(s)** - [ ] **Cooktop identification and location(s)** - [ ] **Appliance identification** (e.g., slide-in range, refrigerator, dishwasher) and location(s) - [ ] **Finished edge(s)** - [ ] **Overhang(s) less than 150 mm** (six inches) at base cabinets - [ ] **Overhang(s) more than 150 mm** (six inches) at base cabinets requiring support - [ ] **Overhang(s) more than 150 mm** (six inches), including peninsulas that require support - [ ] **Inside and outside corner(s)** including radius measurements - [ ] **Pass-through location(s)** and edge treatment(s) - [ ] **Backsplash and side splash type** (loose or coved) and dimensions - [ ] **Special cut-outs** and any unusual conditions - [ ] **Allowances for thermal expansion** ### **Template materials** Choose **rigid, lightweight materials** that are easy to handle, do not shrink, warp, or deflect, and offer a **long service life**. They should also be thicker than the **template guide**. Suitable materials include: - Templates must be **strong enough** to maintain their **accurate shape** during transport from the site to the workshop without distortion. - **Plywood strips** - **Hardboard** - **Heavy cardboard sheets** - **MDF strips** - **Digital templates** (where possible) ### **Example of Kitchen Countertop Templating** 1. Cut the **template material** to length and place it close to the wall. 2. Note the **largest gap** between the template strip and the wall on the template, and inform your customer of any **wall**Warping. 3. If the customer wants the **countertop to fit directly against the wall**, trim the template strip to fit. Check and trim again if necessary. 4. If the customer prefers to finish with **filler** such as **silicone sealant**, do not trim the strip; keep the template strip straight. 5. Repeat the process for all **wall sides**. 6. Lay out the remaining strips on the **cabinet** to match the exact size and shape of the **countertop**. 7. Once laid out, **secure the strips together** with hot-melt glue to form a single piece. 8. Ensure the **size, shape, and angles** are correct before gluing. 9. Add **diagonal strips** to strengthen the shape. > [!NOTE] > **Notes:** > > - Record all **important information** on the **template**. > - Refer to the section [**Check Points for Templates and Sketches**](/main/docs/7-site-inspection-job-plan#points-to-check-for-templates-and-sketches)in this document and add any relevant notes. > - **Mark seam locations**. When deciding seam placement, refer to the section [**Job Planning**](/main/docs/7-site-inspection-job-plan#2-job-planning). > - **Simulate the moving path** using the assembled template to determine the correct **semi-finished product size** with sufficient clearance. > - Refer to the section [**Site Inspection**](/main/docs/7-site-inspection-job-plan#1-site-inspection). ![](https://cdn.document360.io/182b9fdb-2e1d-49a1-8920-10138c8bc239/Images/Documentation/image(112).png) ## **2. Job Planning** Good job planning is essential for a successful installation. Careful planning is required to calculate the correct quantity of HIMACS products, and it is strongly recommended to minimise the risk of installation failure. Site inspection results, templates, and accurate measurements are key factors in effective job planning. In addition, material characteristics and seam locations must also be considered. All this information should be thoroughly reviewed and incorporated before starting your order, fabrication, or installation. ### **Thermal expansion and contraction** One of the main characteristics of **HIMACS sheets**, and solid surface materials in general, is their tendency to **expand and contract** with temperature changes. HIMACS sheets **expand** as the temperature rises and **contract** as the temperature falls. This property is expressed as the **thermal expansion coefficient value**. - Thermal expansion coefficient value for HIMACS sheets is: **4.5 × 10⁻⁵ or 45 × 10⁻⁶** > This is the **average value** for HIMACS sheets; please refer to the **material test report** for each colour for more detailed information. If **thermal expansion** is not considered, HIMACS sheets may **crack, break, or distort** after installation. Always ensure that the material can **expand and contract freely** without any barriers during installation. Providing the **correct gap** between the structure and the HIMACS sheets is the solution. Before fabrication or installation, calculate the expected **expansion and contraction** of the HIMACS sheets and determine the **appropriate gap**. When performing this calculation, take into account: - The **thermal expansion coefficient value** of HIMACS sheets - The **temperature variation** within the building - The **overall size** of the finished product - Refer to the following **example for the calculation** **Example Calculation** **Conditions:** 1. Thermal expansion coefficient value (α) = 4.5 × 10⁻⁵ 2. Temperature difference (ΔT) = 60 °C (range from -15 °C to +45 °C) 3. Product length (L) = 1,000 mm **Formula:** ΔL = α × ΔT × L **Calculation:** ΔL = 4.5 × 10⁻⁵ × 60 × 1,000 ΔL = 2.7 mm per 1,000 mm length This means a **minimum gap of 1.35 mm per edge** is required. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/182b9fdb-2e1d-49a1-8920-10138c8bc239/Images/Documentation/image(113).png) Expansion gaps on a Kitchen countertop ### **Seam and Cut-out Positioning** Proper seam and cut-out positions are essential for optimising **material yield** and ensuring the **durability of the installation**. Avoid placing seams in risky areas that may cause problems with performance or design. Position seams where they will minimise **HIMACS sheet usage**, following the recommendations below. Refer to Fig. Seam and Cut-out Position for guidance. **Recommendations:** - Never place a seam over a cut-out or in a **heat** or **wet zone** such as above a heating device, dishwasher, or washing machine. - Keep seams at least **100 mm** away from any sink or other cut-out. - Keep seams at least **300 mm** away from a hob cut-out. - The distance from a hob cut-out to a **backsplash or**upstand should be at least **50 mm**. - The distance from a hob cut-out to the **wall** should be at least **60 mm**. - When laying out and fabricating a countertop, maintain a **minimum seam distance of 50 mm** from any inside corner. - **Radius all inside corners** of “L” and “U” tops to a minimum of **5 mm**. - Never join small pieces to extend the length of a countertop if the total length does not exceed the standard **HIMACS sheet length of 3,680 mm**. ![](https://cdn.document360.io/182b9fdb-2e1d-49a1-8920-10138c8bc239/Images/Documentation/image(114).png) ### **Spare Material Consideration** Always allow for some spare HIMACS sheet quantity when planning fabrication and preparing materials. If you face a shortage of HIMACS sheets during fabrication or installation and need to order additional products, it is not guaranteed that the distributor will have sheets from the same LOT number. Using sheets from the same lot number ensures the best possible colour match at the joints. > [!NOTE] > This guideline has been created to provide technical information for successful fabrication and installation of [HIMACS](https://www.lxhausys.com/eu-en/himacs), and it is intended to be used in a safe environment considering their own discretion and risk by who has technical skill for fabrication and installation of HIMACS. > > This guideline is continually revised to provide reliable and up-to-date information, replacing all previous versions of the guideline and technical information, however the usage and conditions of use are beyond[](https://www.lxhausys.com/eu-)[LX Hausys](https://www.lxhausys.com/eu-en) control, LX Hausys cannot guarantee the suitability of material, fabrication and installation for all usage and conditions of use. Users should not regard or rely on this guideline as a complete, sole, up-to-date or absolute information. HIMACS users, fabricator and installer should review whether the design for HIMACS, fabrication method, installation method and required performance are suitable for the intended use and conditions of use. LX Hausys shall not be liable for any direct or indirect, commercial damages or losses caused by the fabrication and installation results of HIMACS using any or all these guidelines. In addition, the results of joining with other materials, and the fabrication and installation guidelines for other materials shall not be covered by LX Hausys. > > This guideline does not encourage to violate any laws, patents and licenses, and cannot be used as a basis for legal liability. All works on / from HIMACS must be performed in accordance with related laws and regulations. > > LX Hausys reserves the right to change the technical information and disclaimers in this guideline for technical development and further information, and the use of HIMACS or this guideline is considered to accommodate the information and changes provided in this guideline. Therefore, please check the changed details of this guideline from time to time. > > LX Hausys reserves all information in this material, and no reproduction or alteration is permitted in any way for all or any part of the information without the official written permission of LX Hausys. Deviation of the sheet from a perfectly flat plane; acceptable limits: 12 mm sheets ≤ 2 mm/m, 20 mm sheets ≤ 2.5 mm/m. Adhesive used to temporarily secure basins or templates during routing. Vertical surfaces at the back or side of a countertop, often for water protection and aesthetic finish. Unique identifier printed on the edge of each sheet, used to track production batch and ensure colour/pattern consistency. ## Attachments - [7- FABRICATION GUIDELINES - SITE INSPECTION & JOB PLAN.pdf](https://cdn.document360.io/182b9fdb-2e1d-49a1-8920-10138c8bc239/Images/Documentation/7- FABRICATION GUIDELINES - SITE INSPECTION & JOB PLAN.pdf)