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SUSPENDED CEILING
SYSTEMS INSPECTION
Building Division
The information provided in this document is general and intended as a guide only. Each project is unique and
additional requirements may be enforced as deemed appropriate.
REQUIRED ITEMS
All existing tenant improvement suspended ceiling systems installed prior to January 1,
2008 in areas affected by renovation, structural repair, or alterations must be upgraded to
meet seismic requirements set forth in CISCA 3-4/UBC Standard 47-18. (See CISCA Guidelines
for Seismic Upgrade requirements following checklist)
PLANS/SHOP DRAWINGS/ICC ES REPORT
Contractor shall provide City of Palo Alto Inspector with engineered heavy duty suspended
ceiling system plans/shop drawings/manufacturers installation requirements at time of
inspection.
Plan must include engineering specifications for compression struts, wall attachments, and
layout for seismic joints when areas in excess of 2500 square feet.
Provide inspector with current ICC ES Report for suspended ceiling system.
SPECIAL INSPECTION
City of Palo Alto adopted policy #15 on 07/09/2009 of ICC Tri-Chapter Uniform Code
Committee - Special Inspection is not required for suspended ceiling.
MINIMUM CODE REQUIREMENTS
Suspended Ceilings (2010 CBC 2506.2.1/ASCE 7-05 13.5.6)
o Seismic Design Categories D requirements for Suspended Ceiling Systems shall be
designed and installed in accordance with ASTM C635, ASTM C636, and the CISCA for
Seismic Zones 3-4 as modified by the following:
A heavy duty T-bar grid system shall be used.
The width of the perimeter supporting closure angle shall be not less than 2 inches.
Approved perimeter seismic clips may be used in lieu of 2 inch wall angle and shall be
installed per manufacturers instruction and ICC-ESR reports information.
In each orthogonal (orthogonal means "involving right angles") horizontal direction, one
end of the ceiling grid shall be attached to the closure angle.
The other end in each horizontal direction shall have a 0.75 inches clearance from the
wall and shall rest upon and be free to slide on a closure angle.
o For ceiling areas exceeding 1,000 ft2, horizontal restraint of the ceiling to the structural
system shall be provided.
The tributary areas of the horizontal restraints shall be approximately equal.
(Manufacturer may required vertical post every 12 square feet)
EXCEPTION:
Rigid braces are permitted to be used instead of diagonal splay wires.
Braces and attachments to the structural system above shall be adequate to limit
relative lateral deflections at point of attachment of ceiling grid to less than 0.25
inch for the loads prescribed in Section 13.3.1.
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Fire ratings shall comply with the requirements of the 2010 California Building Code chapter
7, UL listing, Office of the State Fire Marshals listing, and installation per the manufacturers
suspended ceiling system installation manual.
o The components and installation details must conform to the U.L. or SFM approval for the
design number specified.
o Custom designs which combine components from different approved designs but have not
been tested as a complete assembly are not acceptable.
o For schools and Essential Services Buildings, bracing assemblies are required for each 96
square feet.
o The first bracing assembly is required not more than four (4) feet from each wall.
o A minimum of one bracing assembly is required between any two adjacent expansion cutouts on runners being braced.
Fire Separation Marking and Identification Requirements
Fire walls, fire barriers, fire partitions, smoke barriers and smoke partitions or any
other wall required to have protected openings or penetrations shall be effectively
and permanently identified with signs or stenciling. (2010 CBC section 703.6)
O Such identification shall:
Be located in accessible concealed floor, floor-ceiling or attic spaces;
Be repeated at intervals not exceeding 30 feet measured horizontally along the wall or
partition; and
Include lettering not less than 0.5 inch in height, incorporating the suggested wording:
"FIRE AND/OR SMOKE BARRIER-PROTECT ALL OPENINGS," or other wording.
Exception: Walls in Group R-2 occupancies that do not have a removable decorative
ceiling allowing access to the concealed space.
ABOVE CEILING INSULATION
Concealed installation. Insulating materials, where concealed as installed in buildings of
any type of construction, shall have a flame spread index of not more than 25 and a smokedeveloped index of not more than 450. (2010 CBC section 719.2)
o Facings. Where such materials are installed in concealed spaces in buildings of Type III,
IV or V construction, the flame spread and smoke-developed limitations do not apply to
facings, coverings, and layers of reflective foil insulation that are installed behind and in
substantial contact with the unexposed surface of the ceiling, wall or floor finish. (2010
CBC 719.2.1)
Exception:
All layers of single and multilayer reflective plastic core insulation shall comply with
Section 2613.
Exposed installation. Insulating materials, where exposed as installed in buildings of any
type of construction, shall have a flame spread index of not more than 25 and a smokedeveloped index of not more than 450. (2010 CBC 719.3)
Surface insulation or other purposes shall be considered interior finish if they cover 10
percent or more of the wall or of the ceiling area, and shall not be considered decorative
materials or furnishings. (2010 CBC 806.1)
o Paper faced insulation is not permitted in exposed above ceiling areas, the open side of
furred spaces, and ventilated interstitial spaces due to the potential of embers igniting the
paper.
o Quilted foil-backed or un-faced fiberglass batts and blankets are better suited to conditions
of potential fire hazards.
o Use approved quilted foil-backed insulation such as Reflectix Insulation in areas where a
vapor barrier is required and use as a fix when paper back insulation is exposed.
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ELECTRICAL
Abandoned cables are not permitted to remain. CEC 800.52 (b
Junction boxes and similar enclosures shall be accessible and shall have required working
clearances CEC 314.29, 110.26(a)
Cables and raceways shall not be supported by ceiling grids. CEC 300.11(a)
CEILING MOUNTED AIR TERMINALS
Air terminals weighing less than 20 pounds shall be positively attached using sheet metal
screws. Minimum of two screws are to be installed on each side of the terminal, near the
corners, and fastened into the main runners.
Air terminals weighing 20 lbs but not more than 56 pounds, in addition to the above, shall
have two #12-gage hangers connected from the terminal or service to the ceiling system
hangers or to the structure above. These wires may be installed with limited slack.
Air terminals weighing more than 56 pounds shall be supported directly from the structure
above by approved hangers.
RETURN AIR PLENUMS
Verify that all materials meet the applicable flame spread rating for return air plenums and
ducts noted as plenum rated.
Equipment and devices shall be permitted only when necessary for their direct action upon, or
sensing of, the contained air. CEC 300.22 (b)
Verify that fire damper is clear and operational. CBC
Communication plenum rated cable (CMP) shall be listed as suitable for use in ducts,
plenums and listed as having adequate fire resistant and low smoke producing characteristics.
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DETAILS
REFERENCES
STANDARDS
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EXISTING SYSTEMS
Systems installed prior to Jan 1, 2008 shall be upgraded to meet 1997 Standards 47-18.
1988 EDITION
47-18
(c) Msin Runners. Main runners shall be installed so that they are all level lO
within Y. inch in 12 feet.
Where main runners are supported directly by hangers, leveling shall be performed with the support.ing hanger taut.
Local kinks or bends shall not be made in hanger wires as a means of leveling
main runners.
In installations where hanger wires are wrapped through or around main runners,
the wire loops shall be tightly wrapped and sharply bent.
(d) Cross Runners. Cross runners shall be supported by either main runners or by
other cross runners to within X2 inch of the required center distances. This tolerance
shall be noncumulative beyond 12 feet.
Intersecting runners shall form a right angle.
The exposed surfaces of two intersecting runners shall lie within a vertical distance
of 0.015 inch of each other with the abutting (cross) member always above the continuous (main) member.
(e) Splines. Splines used to form a concealed mechanical joint seal between adjacent tiles shall be compatible with the tile kerf design so that the adjacent tile will be
horizontal when installed. Where splines are longer than the dimension between
edges of supporting members running perpendicular to the splines, place the splines
so that they rest either all above or all below the main running members.
(f) Assembly Devices. Abutting sections of main runner shall be joined by means
of suitable connections such as splices, interlocking ends, tab locks, pin locks, etc. A
joint connection shall be judged suitable both before and after ceiling loads are imposed if the joint provides sufficient alignment so that the exposed surfaces of two
abutting main runners lie within a vertical distance of 0.015 inch of each other and
within a horizontal distance of 0.0 IS inch of each other.
There shall be no visually apparent angular displacement of the longitudinal axis
of one runner with respect to the other.
Assembly devices shall provide sufficient spacing control so that horizontal gaps
between exposed surfaces of either abutting or intersecting members shall not exceed
0.020 inch.
Spring wire dips used for supporting main runners shall maintain tight contact
between the main runners and the carrying channels when the ceiling loads are imposed on the runners.
(g) Ceiling Fixtures. Fixtures installed in acoustical tile or lay-in panel ceilings
shall be mounted in a manner that will not compromise ceiling performance.
Fixtures shall not be supported from main runners or cross runners if the weight
of the fixtures causes the total dead load to exc~ed the deflection capability of the
ceiling suspension system. In such cases, the fixture load shall be supported by supplemental hangers within 6 inches of each corner, or the fixture shall be separately
supported.
Fixtures shall not be installed so that main runners or cross runners will be eccentrically loaded except where provision is inherent in the system (or is separately provided for) to prevent undesirable section rotation or displacement, or both. In any
case, runners supporting ceiling fixtures shall not rotate more than 2 degrees after
the fixture loads are imposed.
Where fixture installation would produce rotation of runners in excess of 2
degrees, install fixtures with the use of suitable accessory devices. These devices shall
support the fixture in such a manner that the main runners and cross runners will be
loaded symmetrically rather than eccentrically.
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U.B.C. STANDARDS
47-18
2. Ceilings constr11ctrd of l~th and plaster or gypsum board. screw or nail attached to
I
suspcndrd members tlmt support a ceiling on one level extending from wall to wall.
1988 EDITION
47-18
Each vertical wire shall be attached to the ceiling suspension member and to the support
above with a minimum of three turns. Any connection device at the supporting construe lion
shall be capable of carrying not less than 100 pounds.
Suspension wires shall not hang more than l in 6 out-of-plumb unless countcrsloping
wires are provided.
Wires shall not attach to or bend around interfering material or equipment. A trapeze or
equivalent device shall be used where obstructions preclude direct suspension. Trapeze
suspensions shall be a minimum of back-to-back 11/4-inch cold-rolled channels for spans
exceeding 48 inches.
(b) Perimeter Hangers. the terminal ends of each cross runner and main runner shall be
supported independently a maximum of 8 inches from each wall or ceiling discontinuity
with No. 12 gage wire or approved wall support.
(c) Lateral Force Bracing. Where substantiating design caltulations are not provided,
horizontal restraints shall be effected by four No. I 2 gauge wires secured to the main runner
within 2 inches of the cross runner intersection and and splayed 90 degrees from each other at
an angle not exceeding 45 degrees from the plane of the ceiling. A strut fastened to the main
runner shall be extended to and fastened to the structural members supporting the roof or
floor above. The strut shall be tH.lcquatc to resist the vertical component inutl~:ctl by the
bracing wires. These horizontal restraint points shall be placed 12 feet on center in both
directions with the first point within 6 feet from each wall. Attachment of the restraint wires
to the structure above shall be adequate for the load imposed.
Lateral force bracing members shall be spaced a minimum of 6 inches from all horizontal
piping or duct work that is not provided with bracing restraints for horizonta I forces. Bracing
wires shall be attached to the grid and to the structure in such a manner that they can support a
design load of not less than 200 pounds or the actual design load, whichever is greater, with a
safety factor of 2.
(d) Perimeter Members. Unless perimeter members are a structural part of the approved
system, wall angles or channels shall be considered as aesthetic closers and shall have no
structural value assessed to themselves or their method of attachment to the walls. For tile
ceilings, ends of main runners and .cross members shall be tied together to prevent their
spreading.
(e) Attachment of Members to the Perimeter. To facilitate installation, main runners
and cross runners may be attached to the perimeter member at two adjacent walls with
clearance between the wall and the runners maintained at the other two walls or as otherwise
shown or described for the approved system.
Lighting Fixtures
Sec. 47.1813. Only "intermediate" and "heavy duty" c;eiling systems as defined in
Section 47.1802 may be used for the support of lighting fixtures.
All lighting fixtures shall be positively attached to the suspended ceiling system. The
attachment device shall have a capacity of 100 percent of the lighting fixture weight acting in
any direction.
When" intermediate" systems are used, No. 12 gage hangers shall be attached to the grid
members within 3 inches of each corner of each fixture. Tandem fixtures may utilize
common wires.
Where "heavy duty" systems are used, supplemental hangers are not required if a 48- inch
modular hanger pattern is followed. When cross runners are used without supplemental
hangers to support lighting fixtures, these c;ross runners must provide the same carrying
capacity as the main runner.
Lighting fixtures weighing less than 56 pounds shall have, in addition to the require rnents
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47-18
U.B.C. STANDARDS
outlined above, two No. 12 gage hangers connected from the fixture housing to the structure
above. These wires may be slack.
. Lighting fixtures weighing 56 pounds or more shall be supported directly from the
structure above by approved hangers.
Pendant-hung lighting fixtures shall be supported directly from the stnrcture above using
No. 9 gage wire or approved alternate support wjthout using the ceiling suspension system
for direct support.
Minimum
each
~ t J..J (2)
2. screws
'S C.Q.into
f,2 1.-1..)
"')' mainI\'-.)"tb
runner
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Mechanical Services
. ~nted air terminals or services weighing less' tthan 20
pounds shall be ositivel attache_<;!Jo the ceiling suspension main runners or to cro~.)
runners with the same carrying cap.acity as the main runners.
Terminals or services weighing 20 pounds but not more than 56 pounds, in addition to the above, shall have two No. J2 gage hangers connected from the terminal
or service to the ceiling system hangers or to the structure above. These wires may be
slack.
Terminals or services weighing more than 56 pounds shall be supported directly
from the structure above by approved hangers.
Partitions
Sec. 47.1815. Where the suspended ceiling system is required to provide lateral
support for permanent or relocatable partitions, the connection of the partition to
the ceiling system, the ceiling system members and their connections, and the lateral
force bracing shall be designed to support the reaction force of the partition from
prescribed loads applied perpendicular to the face of the partition. These partition
reaction forces shall be in addition to the loads described in Section 47.181 J. Partition connectors, the suspended ceiling system and the lateral force bracing shall all
be engineered to suit the individual partition application and shall be shown or
defined in the drawings or specifications.
Drawings and Specifications
Sec. 47.1816. The drawings shall clearly identify all systems and shall define or
show all supporting details, lighting fixture attachment, lateral force bracing, partition bracing, etc. Such definition may be by reference to this standard, or approved
system, in whole or in part. Deviations or variations must be shown or defined in
detail.
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