Acoustical Ceiling Seismic Instructions

Log Out | Topics | Search Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Author Message Loretta Sheridan Senior Member Username: leshrdn Post Number: 9 Registered: 11-2021 Posted on Monday, March 21, 2022 - 03:56 pm:    I came across some text that I am pretty sure is old: ALL LAY-IN PANEL CEILINGS SHALL COMPLY WITH THE CEILINGS AND INTERIOR SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION (CISCA) MANUAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIRECT-HUNG ACOUSTICAL TILE AND LAY-IN PANEL CEILINGS FOR ZONES 0 - 2. Now, out-of-the-box MasterSpec only references CISCO in terms of pressurized plenums. Seismic installation references ASCE/SEI 7. Googling the phrase, I came across a number of 5 digit section, plus some manufacturer provided specs that have it phrased differently. I also came across the CISCA Seismic Construction Handbook (which refences seismic categories A-F.) Looking for suggestions on updating this note. Phil Kabza Senior Member Username: phil_kabza Post Number: 700 Registered: 12-2002 Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 - 09:40 am:    Loretta: I'm glad you asked the question - it's been sitting in the back of my mind and it is way past time for us to update our masters. The CISCA Handbook is still out there, updated to ASCE 7-10 at least. There is an ASTM E580 cited in UFGS 095100 2020. ASTM E580-20 still cites UBC and BOCA. I'd like to know about the MasterSpec writer's decision to delete the CISCA reference in Part 3. The current MasterSpec is from 9/14 so is way overdue for an update. Part 3 does not cite an installation standard now, only referring to an assumed Delegated Design under Performance Requirements which strikes me as naive: how many small and modest sized projects in seismic zones require delegated seismic design by a PE, and why would those engineered seismic designs differ significantly from manufacturer and CISCA practices? I hope we can get some helpful comments here. Phil Kabza FCSI CCS AIA SpecGuy Specifications Consultants www.SpecGuy.com phil@specguy.com Dan Helphrey Senior Member Username: dbhelphrey Post Number: 85 Registered: 12-2018 Posted on Tuesday, March 22, 2022 - 02:36 pm:    It's technically only applicable to projects under their jurisdiction, but the California Division of the State Architect has a great handout with a pretty comprehensive set of standard notes and details for ceilings: https://www.dgs.ca.gov/-/media/Divisions/DSA/Publications/interpretations_of_regs/IR_25-2.pdf David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1901 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Wednesday, March 23, 2022 - 02:26 pm:    Here in the Pacific Northwest we use the Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau's Technical Document 401 'Suspension Systems for Acoustical Lay-In Ceilings Seismic Design Catagories D, E &F'. It is available here: https://www.nwcb.org/uploads/1/3/4/3/134308777/401_revised_1218.pdf This document is a little out of date and the NWCB is currently working to update it. David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC Loretta Sheridan Senior Member Username: leshrdn Post Number: 10 Registered: 11-2021 Posted on Thursday, March 24, 2022 - 09:23 am:    After a fair amount of googling around, I think this may be closing in on the updated phrasing. I think the current CISCA recommendations may now be published “The Seismic Construction Handbook” but I am waiting to hear back from them. One of the challenges I have found is finding the current, correct publication title. I emailed Armstrong, CISCA, and UGS. I heard back from Armstrong so far. (I am sure CISCA and UGS will get back to me.) I cannot find a publication on the CISCA website called "Guidelines for Seismic Restraint of Direct-Hung Suspended Ceiling Assemblies--Seismic Zones 3 & 4." There are publications called “The Ceilings Handbook,” and “The Seismic Construction Handbook,” either of which may contain the guidelines. After googling around, I found a 2000 publication available at Builders Booksource. I also found an older version of ASTM E580 that appears to have incorporated it. (It is listed in its references.) I found another reference published around 2012-2013 The NWCB Technical Document references “CISCA Seismic Zones 3-4” but not where that is defined. (The other references are to specific publications; CISCA is just the organization.) So…. Assuming I am correct about where this information is currently published, (pending a response from CISCA), possible updated phrasing could be: “Comply with recommendations for seismic installation as outlined in CISCA’s “The Seismic Construction Handbook” for CISCA Zones 0-2.” (Or the applicable CISCA Seismic Zone.) (Once I hear back from CISCA, I will probably purchase the applicable publication, but I want to wait until I know which one it is.) David G. Axt, CCS, CSI ,SCIP Senior Member Username: david_axt Post Number: 1903 Registered: 03-2002 Posted on Thursday, March 31, 2022 - 02:18 pm:    FYI, the NWCB Document 401 that I mentioned earlier has been updated. You can find it here: https://www.nwcb.org/blog/2022-revisions-to-the-nwcb-401-document David G. Axt, CCS, CSI, SCIP Specifications Consultant Axt Consulting LLC Loretta Sheridan Senior Member Username: leshrdn Post Number: 12 Registered: 11-2021 Posted on Saturday, April 02, 2022 - 11:35 am:    David G/ Axt: That is very helpful. Also interesting that CISQA was taken out in the revision. Thank you very much for sharing this!