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Suspended Ceilin

What is Suspended
ceiling?

A suspended ceiling is a secondary ceiling, hung below the main (structural)

ceiling. They may also be referred to as adrop ceiling,false ceiling, or
dropped ceiling, and are a staple of modernconstruction and architecture.

The area above the dropped ceiling is called the plenum space, as it is
sometimes used forHVACair return. The plenum space is also very commonly
used to concealpiping,wiring, and/orductwork.

A typical dropped ceiling consists of a grid-work of metal channels in the shape of

an upside-down "T", suspended on wires from the overhead structure. These
channels snap together in a regularly spaced pattern - typically a 2x2 foot
square grid or 2x4 foot rectangular grid, or 600 x 600mm grid.

Each cell is filled with lightweight

grid.

Tiles can be selected with a variety of materials, including wood,

plastic, or mineral fibres, and can come in almost any colour.

"tiles" or "panels" which simply drop into the

metal,

Components of Suspended
Ceiling

There are five key parts of a suspended

ceiling system

Main runners, the primary support

members, are arranged in parallel rows that

run the length of the room. Main runners
come in a variety of finishes and shapes.

Cross runners are lighter-gauge

supports that fit between the main runners at
right angles.

Hangers are lengths of lightweight

(usually 18-gauge) wire. One end of each
hanger hooks into holes in the main runners,
while the other end attaches to the ceiling
joists.
Ceiling panels fit into the grid created by
the runners. The panels can be square or
rectangular and come in a variety of sizes
and patterns.

Wall moulding is a metal channel

Types of Suspended
Ceiling
EXPOSED GRID
Exposed grid varieties are the most common
type of suspended ceiling. They consist of long metal
strips, called "mains," which are interconnected with
shorter metal pieces known as "tees." Together, the
mains and tees form a grid system of 2' by 2' or 2'
by 4' squares, which are then filled with acoustical
ceiling tiles. These exposed grid systems feature a
standard 15/16" wide metal frame around each tile,
though wider and narrower versions are also
available.

CONCEALED GRID
Concealed grid systems use the acoustical tiles to
hide the grid system from view. This creates a
smooth, clean look that many find to be aesthetically
pleasing. The tile used in a concealed system has a
small groove built into it's perimeter, which slides
over the mains and tees to cover them. This type of
system is more expensive than an exposed system,
and can make it difficult for maintenance personnel

Types of Suspended
Ceiling
BANDRASTER
Bandraster systems are one of the most versatile
types of suspended ceilings. They are comprised of
metal tees and mains of varying lengths, which can
be used to form a variety of patterns. These systems
are often used by building owners who want to create
a certain look with their ceiling, as they can be
arranged in many different ways. Bandraster ceilings
require the use of specially-sized tile to fit within the
unique grid patterns.

SUSPENDED DRYWALL CEILINGS

Some suspended ceiling systems do not require
the use of metal grid, and instead use wires and
hangers to suspend sheets of drywall below the
ceiling. These systems are an easier alternative to
the extensive framing and hat channel that are
typically required to create drywall arches or
ceiling structures. Flat sheets of suspended
drywall or panels may also be hung below ceiling
level to provide acoustical or aesthetic benefits .

Uses of Suspended
Ceiling

1. They are used to cover up air ducts and maintenance areas of

2.

Light fixtures
HVAC airgrilles
Speakers
Fire sprinkler
The suspended ceiling was originally developed to conceal the underside of the
floor above and to offer acoustic balance and control in a room.

Dropped ceiling, after installation. Light

fixtures,
a
speaker
grill,
smoke
detectors, and an air grill are all visible.

Interlocked panels can be "slid" across and out of

the grid

Advantag
es fire safety

Very good for

, you can get ceiling tiles
that are made from certain mineral fibres or fire proof
fibres that will meet fire codes around the world and
possibly save you or others lives.

Another advantage of a dropped ceiling is that the

easily-removed ceiling panels offer instant access
to the plenum, greatly simplifying repairs or
alterations.The tiles and other parts of a drop ceiling

are easily removed to allow access to the area above

the grid to do any necessary wiring or plumbing
modifications.

Nearly all components the grid can be

and reassembled somewhere else.

dismantled

Gives thermal insulation.

As a design element. Numerous colours and

patterns thus making the space look good.

To soundproof rooms such as meeting rooms,

auditoriums, etc, which require a quit environment.

Disadvanta
ges

One disadvantage with this ceiling system is reduced headroom.

Clearance is required between the grid and any pipes or ductwork above to install
the ceiling tiles and light fixtures. In general, a minimum clearance of four to eight
inches is often needed between the lowest obstruction and the level of the ceiling
grid.
Dropped ceilings are frequently used byslumlord to hide structural and
cosmetic damage, loose wiring, insect/rodent infestation, avoiding the need to
carry out any repairs or maintenance.

They tend to show their age quickly (and are sometimes discoloured by
excessive smoking), are damaged easily and are somewhat lacking
aesthetically.

The space between the true ceiling and the suspended ceiling gets very
dusty over a period of time.

Materials
1. GYPSUM BOARD (GYPBOARD)

Lightweight, flexible and fire and

moisture resistant, gypsum is most commonly
used for false ceiling.
Gypsum board panels are tough,
versatile and economical, and are fast replacing
other ceiling materials such as POP.
Gypsum board can be used while
constructing false ceiling. as well as to renovate
old ceilings.
The material is fire-resistant,
waterproof, as well as soundproof, which is why
it is the most preferred material for false
ceiling.
A gypsum panel could have tapered or
square edges. Panels with tapered adage are
used for ceiling since the gap between each
edge can be filled, to give a smooth surface.
Square-edges board can be used. Where
visibility of the joints is a requirement.
A suspended Gypsum board ceiling can
be constructed by nailing Gypsum board panels
to each other, or by fixing the panels in a metal

Materials
GYPSUM CEILING ARE POPULAR
BECAUSE:

The dry construction eliminates the use

of extra water while making the ceiling. This also
keeps the building clean.

Gypsum board is quite flexible. It allows

for various shapes and design-such as plain,
curved, stepped, coffered, pelmet, drop design,
etc.

Gypsum board has high impactresistance and is very strong. It is possible to

suspend a load of up to 15 kg from the ceiling
without any difficulty.

A Gyp board ceiling suspended on a

metal grid forms a strong ceiling design.

The ceiling can be easily decorated with

wallpaper or paint, 24 hours after it is
constructed.

Glass fibre-reinforced gyp board makes

excellent insulation material.

Gypsum ceilings are non-resonant which

makes then good soundproofing.

When exposed to fire, gypsum gives out

Details : gypsum board

fixing

Details : gypsum board

fixing

Details : Clip in Ceiling System

Details : Lay in Ceiling System

Details : Furring Ceiling System

Materials
2. METAL CEILING PANELS

Metals ceilings are suitable for a large

Range of applications. The false ceiling is
constructed with metal panels. Which are
coupled with insulating materials to make
them soundproof.

They are ideal for concealing ducts

and wiring, since they can be easily installed
and maintained.

Aluminium or steel panels,

600mm600mm in size, are generally used.

The panels can be laid on a visible

steel grid with T-sections or cross-sections that
are suspended from the ceiling by rods. This
result is strong, long-lasting surface, which is
easy to access.

The panels can also be clipped to each

other or clipping into a suspension system
having springs. That method prevents the
panel edges from being seen.

The third method is to stretch the metal

sheets to form various shapes, which can be
suspended form the ceiling. This treatment is

Materials
ADVANTAGES OF METAL CEILING:

They reduce overall cost, since they

are easy to install and access.

Hidden services can be easily

accessed since the panels are removable.

They are ideal for workspaces which

require clean environments and services
that require maintenance such as the
machinery rooms, the AHU, etc.

They have a monolithic look.

They give the space a very modern

look and blend well with glass.

Materials
FIBREBOARED AND FIBRE/MINRAL
REINFORCED TILES

False ceiling can be made with fibre or mineral

reinforced tiles and fibreboard.

Fibre reinforced tiles are strengthened with

wood vegetable fibre, wood waste, reed paper and
agricultural wastes.

Mineral tiles are Ceramics reinforced with

natural stone, wood, vegetable fibre, bitumen and
tars. This process increases the insulation capacity
of the product.

FIBREMINERAL-REINFORCED MATERIALS ARE

USED BECAUSE:

They have high insulation against sound and

fire.

The fibre increases the hardness and the

toughness of the material.

The material can be decorated with paint or

other finishes improving the aesthetics of the room.

Water repellents and preservatives can be

added to increase the life of the product.

Materials
PLASTER OF PARIS

Plaster of Paris (POP) is commonly

used for constructing false ceilings.
Gypsum, which gives out water when
heated, makes POP.
Post-heating, gypsum softens
and is then crushed to form a powder. POP
hardens instantly when water is added to
it.
It is applied to fibreboard or a
wood base, which is then suspended to
form the false ceiling.

ADVANTAGES OF POP

A smooth, uniform finish.

The surface can be recorded or
painted.
POP false ceiling are easy to
construct and maintain.
The ceilings are reality light.

Materials
PLYWOOD

Plywood ceiling are widely used for their

visual appeal.
These ceilings are created with strips of ply
glued or nailed together.
The strips are held together and
strengthened with ply supports at equal
distances.
Ply ceiling are generally used in place with
cold climates.

ADVANTAGE OF PLY CEILINGS

They are strong and look appealing.

They can be given various finishes, or
painted to get the right look.
They can be treated to increase their
lifespan.
However, ply ceiling are difficult to
maintain, since the are prone to termite
attacks. The room has to be thermally

Safety
issues

The space above the dropped ceiling is

often used as aplenumair return for
ventilation systems, requiring only enclosed
ducts that deliver fresh air into the room
below. Return air enters the ceiling space
through open grilles across the ceiling. In the
event that the dropped ceiling is used as a
plenum, low-voltage cables and wiring not
installed inside conduit need to use a special
low-smoke and low-toxicity wire insulation
which will tend to char and stop burning on its
own. This helps to protect building occupants
so that they are not poisoned with toxic
chemicals sucked through the ventilation
system in the event of a fire, and helps to
prevent fires from spreading inside the hidden
plenum space. This special low-smoke cable is
typically referred to asplenum cable.

Lighting fixtures and other devices

installed in a dropped ceiling are required to be
firmly secured to the dropped ceiling
framework. Binding the fixtures to the
framework assures that if the framework must

How to
install ?

1) PLAN THE JOB

Make a plan-view drawing to determine

the number of cross runners and ceiling panels
you'll need, as well as the lineal feet of the main
runners. Panels are available of different sizes e.g.
24x24-inch and 24x48-inch sizes. The latter works
better if you'll use fluorescent lighting; the panels
fit the standard fluorescent tube length. Smaller
panels require more cross runners, so the job is
more time-consuming. Wall moulding and main
runners are sold in different lengths.
The key to success is making sure marking

2) the
LOCATE
ceiling THE
level BENCHMARKS
across the entire room. Existing

floor and ceiling surfaces may not be level, so

never use them as reference points for measuring.
Instead, establish benchmarks on the walls at
every corner using a water level to ensure that
each benchmark is precisely located.
Benchmarks can be placed at any height,
but a 60-inch height is most convenient. Future
measurements
will
be
taken
from
these
benchmarks.

3)

How to
install ?

DETERMINE THE CEILING HEIGHT

The standard ceiling height is 96 inches;
90 inches is the minimum height for lighting in a
suspended ceiling. Once the ceiling height is
determined, measure up from the benchmarks to
locate the top edge of the wall moulding. Snap a
chalk line between the new marks on the walls
around the perimeter of theroom.

4)

INSTALL THE WALL MOULDING

Using the chalk lines as a placement guide
for the top edge of the moulding, nail moulding to
the walls using nails. Make sure each nail
penetrates a stud. When cutting the wall moulding
to length, remember to account for the thickness of
the adjacent wall angle. Butt lengths of wall
moulding where they meet mid-wall.

5)

How to
install ?

ESTABLISH THE CENTERLINES

Measure the length and width of the room
and divide these measurements in half to get the
centre point of each wall. Use layout strings,
stretching them tightly, to connect opposing
midpoints. With a framing square, check the
intersection of the two strings to make sure they're
square to each other. If not, adjust one or the other
until they are. It's easier to adjust layout strings
when they're attached to nails that can be wedged
behind wall moulding.

6)

ADJUST THE
Plan LAYOUT
the layout of ceiling panels to
minimize the need for small pieces around the
border of the ceiling; this will create a betterlooking job. If the border tiles will be less than
half the width of a field tile, adjust the layout one
way or the other until the border panels on
opposite sides of the ceiling are the same size.

7)

How to
install ?

INSTALL THE GUIDELINES

Plan to install the first main runner
approximately parallel to the wall and at a distance
from the wall equal to the width of the border units.
Measure from the centrelines rather than from the
wall, since the wall might not be square. Stretch a
layout string between the lower edges of the wall
mouldings at these points.

8)

ATTACH THE HANGER WIRES

Start with the joists at either end of the
ceiling. Install a screw eye or a fastener supplied by
the ceiling manufacturer into every fourth joist
directly above the layout string. Twist a piece of
hanger wire through each screw eye so that it hangs
about 6 inches below the layout line. Cut a main
runner to length and hang it from the wires so that
it's just barely above the layout string. Twist the
wires to secure the runner in position.

9)

How to
install ?

INSTALL THE CROSS RUNNERS

Slip the first cross runner between the
main runner and the wall moulding, locking it into
the main runner's prepunched slots. Install the next
main runner by using cross runners to gauge its
spacing; maintain the proper spacing according to
the size of the ceiling panels being used. Continue
to work across the room until all the runners have
been installed.

10) INSERT THE CEILING PANELS

Set each ceiling panel into place by
turning it at an angle and pushing it into the grid
of runners. Use a utility knife and a straightedge
to cut the panels at the borders as needed.
When handling the panels, one should wear
clean, lightweight gloves so one don't smudge
the finished surfaces.