Specifications (2) 13uP 2...00(o_601-141 f '. 4,-'71K-: °� � fit'
2 � ,
4.
. ..ev.41• .`,-
liS
` i,..�48
For More Information... CEILING SYSTEMS J . •
, ; _ s j �
1 877 ARMSTRONG (1 877 276 -7876) ,,.. ! ".?f:�
• Customer Service Representatives ' ,
7.30 a m to 5 00 p m EST, Monday through Friday
+ .► .
• TechLine — Technical information-
8 a m. to 5.30 p m EST, Monday through Friday CEILING SYSTEMS
FAX 1 -800- 572 -8324 or email
techline@arrnstrong corn [ Between us, ideas become reality "']
• Request a personal copy of the Ai mstrong Ceiling
Systems catalog
www.armstrong.com /seismic
• Latest product arid solution news
• Seismic Test Summaries
• • Submittal page
• Specification writing tool
• Literature and samples information '- _ " seismic
• Seismic Design Solution CAD renderings 1 , 44F ',. Installations •
What You Need
-- to Know
. f , ' < . m''°6`
mstrong
CS 3513 50 a 7(03 AM Lemony Co nulled in the Ile :eft Sores of Arnett. Ar
What you need to know
about Current Seismic Code Building Code
Development and Adoption installation Requirements
Purpose of Installation Requirements for IBC CISCA Installation Requirement
. Suspended Ceilings Category Zone
• Provide a suspension system strong enough to A, B O -1 Ceiling installation should conform to
resist lateral forces imposed upon rt without failing basic minimums established in ASTM C
• Prevent border panels from falling from the ceiling 636
plane C 2 To be instated to CISCA Additional Resources
recommendations for areas subject to n SR Codes
a
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) light to moderate seismic activity. and Reequirements
Tocht se at
Seismic performance dunng recent large California • Minimum 7/8" wall molding 1 (1 877 ARMSTRONG 6 7876)
p g • Grid must not be attached to the 11 677 276 7876)
earthquakes prompted FEMA to address several con- anncaoag comiseism:a
wall molding
cenis including suspended ceiling performance during • 3 /8" clearance on all sides %%Itthme
a seismic event. Research and tests demonstrated code related web sites:
• 3/8" overlap of the gnd on the wall ASTM wvnv Ls:m org
that. current industry seismic standards NBC Standard molding ASSC www alas org
25 -2) were not adequate To support individual panels • Ends of man beams and cross tees FEMA www terra gov
around the perimeter, FEMA determined that the key must be tied together to CC rave, =sale org
to good seismic performance is a wider wall molding prevent their spreading uses
on all sides. This led to the International Building Code • No perimeter wires g ohimrds.crusgsgov
requirement for 2 ' wall molding on all sides D, E. F 3 -4 Installation must conform to CISCA
Sro ;cr' PEVA.3:2:NG'ir inr\.c- rrrr,•n. :.ea 'r`n•. ».n tar Sr r n• R rcrU 11:0 rr" Nis recommendations for areas subject to
• Ru+A_ �'.;s [_ d o t•:c•r strut:ium; - severe seismic activity
IBC categories a E and F must also
Adoption of the meet these additional requirements.
International Building Currently 44 States Use the International Building • Minimum 2 wall molding
Code Code
• Grid must be attached to two
• 31 states are effective statewide adjacent walls — opposite walls must
• 12 states have adopted by local government have a 3/4" clearance
• Ends of man beams and cross tees
• 3 states have adopted, but are not yet effective must be tied together to
statewide prevent their spreading
• Penmeter support wires
i'.canno ww \' csol0 onpcnur dc' to arrO oicitioru htr:ei )Doccrrb'er 29. 2003) • Heavy - duty grid system
New Seismic Categories • Ceiling areas over 1,000 SF must
have horizontal restraint wire or ngid
According to the International Building Code, a bracing
Seismic Design Category must be established for each • Ceiling areas over 2 500 SF must
construction project based on have seismic separation joints or full
height partitions
1. anticipated ground motion • Ceilings without ngid bracing must
2. type of soil in a specific geographic area s 2' oversized torn nets for
pnnkleis and d z other penetrations
3. seismic use group designation • Changes in ceding plane must have
• positive bracing
Ask us about our new CES course on current seismic • Cable trays and electrical conduits
code requirements for commercial ceiling systems must be independently supported
Ask your Armstrong rep or call 877- ARMSTRONG for and braced
more information. • Suspended ceilings will be subject to
special inspection
NOTE Conran win local code orolastac, to for oliprnam,r. ,pbcrtic to your rog'crr,
international Building Code y
Allowance For Alternative Designs
And Construction Methods
Code officials may approve other installation designs IBC category C Alternative Installation Test
based upon the following: This test consisted of PRELUDE XL intermediate -duty
-- -- - -- -- - - - -- -- - - - - - -- - - - -- -- -- main beams (7300) and cross tees (XL7342 and
Section 104.11 Alternative materials, design XL7328) and 7/8" wall molding (7800). The system was
and methods of construction and equipment. installed according to the International Building Code
The provisions of this code are not intended to Category C with the following exceptions:
prevent the installation of any material or to prohibit
any design or method of construction not specifically • BERC clips were used and eliminated the need for -
prescribed by this code, provided that any such stabilizer bars _ _, _ r
alternative has been approved. • Grid was installed tight to two adjacent walls and less ,
- - - - - -- - - - - -- -- -- - than 1/4` clearance on the other two walls
Section 104.11.1 Tests. This test demonstrated that the system performs to a 1e.• 1
Whenever there is insufficient evidence of compliance level that is consistent with the requirements of the 2000
with the provisions of this code, or evidence that a International Building Code for Seismic Design Category '.,- .* -.'
material or method does not conform to the C. Consult your local code professional for an -
requirements of this code, or in order to substantiate actual compliance determination.
claims for alternative matenals or methods, the building
official shall have the authority to require tests as For full test details, go to www.armstrong.com/seismic
evidence of compliance to be made at no expense to or call TechLine at 877 ARMSTRONG
the jurisdiction. - — —
Armstrong Testing as Armstrong conducted the following full scale seismic University at Buffalo Research Facility
Evidence of Compliance
tests at the University at Buffalo:
The University at Buffalo's Structural Earthquake
IBC category D, E, F Alternative Installation Test Engineering Systems Laboratory (SEESL), is the
The PRELUDE' XL" suspension system consisted of flagship laboratory in the Multidisciplinary Center for
heavy -duty main beams (7301) and cross tees (XL7348 Earthquake Engineering Research (MCEER).
and XL7328). The system was installed according to
CISCA Guidelines for Seismic Restraint, Direct Hung SEESL has a five degree of freedom shake table,
Suspended Ceiling Assemblies, and the International which means it can move in five different directions
Building Code with the following exceptions (horizontal, vertical, pitch, roll and yawl).
• 7/8" wall molding (7800) instead of 2" wall molding The Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake
Engineering Research ( MCEER) is a national center
• 2" BERC clips (BERC2) were used and eliminated the stabilizer bars of excellence that develops and applies knowledge
need for Ozer
and advanced technologies to reduce earthquake
This test demonstrated that the system performs to a losses.
level that is consistent with the requirements of the 2000 MCEER is principally sponsored by the National
International Building Code for Seismic Design Category Science Foundation. The Center receives additional
D, E, F. Consult your local code professional for an support from the Federal Emergency Management
actual compliance determination. Agency (FEMA).
f
4
p`
Two Ap proaches
to [BC Categories D,E,F
IBC Category D, E, F Alternative Installation
Requirements Attached Wall Attached Wall Using BERC2
• T ox i X X B X —
e• Max.' X X � P ' �• Atta Attached
Wall
X Hanger Wire
Wall 3
r.
v X X X X X�`
X Hanger Wire m o. B BERC2 Clip
c
LFB Lateral Force m m To download CAD drawing details LFB Lateral Force
Bracing go to www.armstrong corn/seismic Bracing
X Perimeter Wires X X Perimeter Wires
— Stabilizer Bars
X LFB X LFB X a Max'
Iv
10 8' Max.
,411;t4.1:' \ •— 2' o.c —. .— 2' o.c.
�
2 X X X R Unattached
Unattach X I x X Wall
Wall R R R
To download CAD drawing details IBC Requirements Armstrong BERC2 Solution Solution Benefits
go to www armstrong.tpn ✓ seismic • 2• molding • 7/8' molding • Narrow, sleek aesthetic with standard 7/8°
wall molding
• Attached gnd on two adjacent walls • Attached grid on two adjacent walls with • Eliminates installation and aesthetic
• Pop nvets are acceptable the BERC2 NOTE Attaching the BERC2 problems associated with 2' wall
• clip to the wall secures the gnd and molding U
eliminates the need for DOD nvetg through ��
the visible part of the wall molding
• 3/4' clearance at perimeter on unattached ends • BERC2 clip with 1/2 to 5/8' clearance on • BERC2 eliminates visible pop
• unattached ends nvets through the wall angle NEW rerne aP
• Stabilizer bars to prevent the spread of mains beams • BERC2 clip on all four walls • Eliminates time and expense to install
and cross tees pop rivets
• Eliminates stabilizer bars
• Lower cost solution
• Better access to the plenum
• Heavy -duty grid • Heavy -duty grid • Meets code requirement
• lateral bracing • • Lateral bracing t,
F - • Perimeter support wire • Perimeter support wire
�•i
r. til f
Two Approaches
to EEC Categories C
IBC Category C Alternative Installation
Requirements Unattached Wall light Wall Using BERC
B
1
- Stabilizer Bars X X X X
R
X Hanger Wire
r il\0
__B.
Y,
m
Tight Wall
v al
a
a
X X X X--
m
\ III ___B. To download mstr d g.com de ismi X Hanger Wire rawing
go to www.annsaorg.corNsdsmk
(111"111 B BERC Clip
Unattached Wall X X —
(all four sides)
4,1 litoi
ryili
To download CAD drawing details
go to www.armstm g.com/stisrtuc
2 O.C. Z ' O.C.
1/4" Clearance
X X X X--a Wall
C,
Unattached Wall 1/4' Clearance Wall
IBC Requirements Armstrong BERC Solution Solution Benefits
• 7/8' molding • 7/8' molding • Meets code requirement
• 3/8' clearance on all sides • Grid can be ttgttt on two adjoining walls and less • Easy to square up the system
• 3/8' overlap of the grid on the wall molding than 1/4' clearance on other two walls • Faster, tighter gnd installation
• Prevent the spread of mains/cross tees with o BERC Clip on all cut cross tees • Better overall visual
stabilizer bars • Eliminates stabilizer bars
• Lower cost solution
• • Better access to the plenum
• Perimeter wires are not needed • Penmeter wires am not needed • Meets code requirements
• Intermediate -duty gnd • Intermediate -duty gnd
NOTE. Requirements for essential use facilities may be different
Contact TechLine for details.
Preventing Border Panels
From Falling
The case for In full scale seismic test evaluations. the common cause
Perimeter wires
of system failure came from damage to cross tee end
connectors (Armstrong and competitive systems).
Damage occurs in one of two ways.
• Connector clip bends
• Base metal bends
When this damage occurs, it allows unbraced sections
of ceiling to move up to 3/8" at each connection.
- — - l The cumulative effect of damage at the cross tee
connections may move the ceiling more than 2 ".
Darnago at croyloo Consider the following example:
mnnocnons elbw ceding mwunan
4-2' Wall Moldings �2' Wall Molding
..
i . -- INEMOMMIligftagoolimb
0 0
UnaODarmd reo .lbw porch
to drop cut.
Before After
X
\ Braced
A B G D E
� 4'oc —
1
Potential Movement
A B C D E
3/4' . 3/8' • 3/8' r 3/8' + 3/8' = 2 -1/4'
Without penmeter support wires, test results
demonstrate that the load of the ceiling may cause the
main beams and cross tees to move beyond the 2"
wall molding and drop out System failure at the
perimeter does not conform to the requirements of
the code.
..E — --