Design and Installation Recommendations      

Temperature ­ Humidity
Particular emphasis must be given to the status of all interior wet work at job sites.

Acoustical ceiling products are designed to be interior finish materials suitable for installation within a normal occupancy temperature range of 60°F to 85°F with relative humidity no higher than 70% (certain products can withstand higher temperature and humidity conditions of 104°F (40°C) and 90% relative humidity.) Prior to installation, all plastering, concrete, or other wet work must be completed and dry. All windows and doors must be properly installed. Furthermore, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems should be installed and in operation as necessary to assure proper temperature and humidity conditions before, during, and after installation of the acoustical material.

If using the ceiling plenum as a return air duct, caution should be exercised such that any introduction of outside air does not cause the plenum to exceed the recommended humidity levels.

These ceiling materials should be stored at temperature and humidity conditions not exceeding maximums shown in previous section. Conditioning of material near actual design environment is the ideal situation. Ceiling product cartons must never be used as a substitute for scaffolding or ladders.

Lighting
In considering job conditions and standards which affect the appearance of the completed ceiling installation, it is recommended that the lighting selected be the type that will enhance the ceiling rather than create an adverse or unsatisfactory appearance. Factors influencing ceiling appearance are: intensity of light, height of ceiling, direction of light including outside light through windows, and mounting of fixtures.

The most critical of these is the direction of the light source in relation to the ceiling plane. Low angle light, whether from a fixture or from the building exterior, accentuates normal ceiling plane irregularities adversely affecting the final appearance of the installation.

An unfavorable appearance condition can result early in a ceiling installation before occupancy lighting is in place and in use. Temporary construction lighting seldom provides a satisfactory evaluation of the ultimate finished ceiling appearance. Architects should specify that occupancy lighting is in use before any critical inspection of the ceiling is made. If the normal occupancy use is under artificial light approval/ acceptance inspections should be made only under these conditions.

Concealed Tile for Glue-Up Installation
BPB CELOTEX tiles recommended for adhesive application are: MF-412, MF-416, MC-412 and CM-412. Apply to dry concrete, dry concrete block, gypsum board, dry plastered areas, or well-bonded paints. Do NOT use over wood or metal ceilings, uninsulated roof decks, wallpaper or loose peeling paint. Use adhesive that meets ASTM D1779, Specification for Adhesive for Acoustical Materials.
 

Thermal Insulation Above
Suspended Ceilings*
The practice of installing insulation on the back of suspended ceilings is not advised. The proper location for insulation materials is in the roof structure, because this places the dew point outside of the plenum thereby avoiding condensation damage to the grid, tile, light fixtures, etc. If other job considerations require insulation to be installed on the back of the ceiling, the following points must be carefully considered.

1. If the ceiling must be insulated, a vapor retarder faced insulation must be used with vapor retarder facing down.

2. Rolls are preferable to batts. Rolls span multiple cross tees with only occasional contact with back of acoustical material.

3. Insulation must weigh not more than 0.26 lb./sq. ft. (R19 glass fiber insulation). Acoustical materials are not structural and excessive weight can cause ceiling to sag or even fall.

4. Insulation is to be applied so that the grid carries main load of insulation.

5. Insulation must not be placed on back of Protectone® ceilings.

6. A professional engineer must be consulted for design of plenum venting system to preclude condensation in the plenum.

BPB CELOTEX will not be responsible for damage or failure of the acoustical material, grid, light fixture, structure, etc. due to condensation, or excessive loading on back of ceiling.

*Any high humidity warranted product must not support any insulation.

Installation of Speakers and Spotlights
BPB CELOTEX ceiling panels shall not be used to support the weight of speakers, grills, spotlights and the like, either wholly or in part. Components such as these must be supported independently of the ceiling panels themselves. back to top

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