IBC Requirements
Purpose of Installation Requirements for Suspended Ceilings
- Suspension systems strong enough to resist lateral forces imposed upon it without failing
- Prevent border panels from falling from the ceiling plane
| IBC Category | IBC Installation Requirements | |
|---|---|---|
| A, B | Ceiling installation should conform to basic minimums established in ASTM C636. |
|
| C | Installed to ASTM E580 Seismic Design Category C Minimum 7/8" wall molding Suspension system must not be attached to the wall molding Minimum 3/8" clearance on all sides Minimum 3/8" overlap of the suspension system on the wall molding Ends of main beams and cross tees must be tied together to prevent their spreading Safety wires required on light fixtures |
|
| D, E, F | Installed to ASTM C636 and ASTM E580 Minimum 2" wall molding Suspension system must be attached to two adjacent walls – opposite walls must have a 3/4" clearance Ends of main beams and cross tees must be tied together to prevent their spreading Heavy-duty suspension system Ceiling areas over 1,000 SF must have horizontal restraint wire or rigid bracing Perimeter support wires within 8" |
Ceiling areas over 2,500 SF must have seismic separation joints or full height partitions Ceilings without rigid bracing must have 2" oversized trim rings for sprinklers and other penetrations Changes in ceiling plane must have positive bracing Cable trays and electrical conduits must be independently supported and braced Suspended ceilings will be subject to special inspection |
NOTE: Consult your local code professional for information specific to your region.
California projects may be governed by DSA and OSHPD.
Seismic Codes and Requirements Resources:
Seismic Separation Joints
ASCE 7 Section 13.5.6.2.2 mandates that ceiling areas greater than 2500 SF must have seismic separation joints. Armstrong has done full-scale testing which confirms that a ceiling fitted with our Seismic Joint Clip for Main Beams (SJMR) and Seismic Joint Clip for Cross Tees (SJCG & SJCSI) performs as well as a field fabricated separation joint. Additional benefits to these seismic-tested separation joints:
Seismic Joint Clip – Main Beam (SJMR)
- Gives architects and designers a clean look (not visible from the floor)
- Saves contractors time with a reliable installation method
- Easily installs in minutes at main beam splice
- Maintains integrity of ceiling module, unlike field assembled alternatives
- Allows for full acoustical panel at the joint
- Easier to keep the ceiling system square
Seismic Joint Clip – Cross Tee (SJCG & SJCSI)
- Gives architects and designers a clean look (not visible from the floor)
- Saves contractors time with a reliable installation method
- Installs in minutes, no need to cut the face of the grid to install clip
- Eliminates the need for additional hanger wires
- Maintains integrity of the ceiling module, unlike field assembled alternatives
- Allows the use of full size panels
- Works with our PEAKFORM grid (SUPRAFINE, PRELUDE) and square bulb grid (SILHOUETTE and INTERLUDE)
ICC-ES
ICC-ES Evaluations
ICC-ES does technical evaluations of building products, components, methods, and materials. The evaluation process culminates with the issuance of technical engineering reports that directly address the issue of code compliance. These reports are extremely useful because regulatory agencies use evaluation reports to help determine code compliance and enforce building regulations; and manufacturers use reports as evidence that their products (and this is especially important if the products are new and innovative) meet code requirements and warrant regulatory approval.
ICC-ES employs a large staff of professionally licensed architects and civil, structural, mechanical, and fire protection engineers. The members of the ICC-ES technical staff are experts in the application of model codes, and also have access to historical information relating to product evaluation. When developing acceptance criteria, ICC-ES routinely seeks input from building industry experts through a process of open public hearings. These hearings are conducted by an independent committee composed of code officials who actually enforce building regulations.
IAPMO
IAPMO Evaluations
IAPMO performs technical evaluations of building products, components, methods, and materials. The evaluation process culminates with the issuance of technical engineering reports that directly address the issue of code compliance.
These reports are extremely useful because regulatory agencies use evaluation reports to help determine code compliance and enforce building regulations; and manufacturers use reports as evidence that their products (and this is especially important if the products are new and innovative) meet code requirements and warrant regulatory approval.
The Uniform Evaluation Report helps the code official know the product has undergone the highest levels of third party scrutiny available. It also documents that the product undergoes IAPMO’s continuous compliance inspection program.
All the relevant code compliance information is summarized in the report to assist you in selection and the code official in verifying code acceptability. Although an evaluation report is not a guarantee, those products without such a report risk having to supply pertinent information to each code official.
