Seismic compliance refers to the use of approved systems and designs that meet the seismic design requirements of a building project to provide life safety to occupants and maintain building function during and after an earthquake. Nonstructural components represent a high percentage of a project’s capital investment. Failure of these components in an earthquake has the potential to cause harm, block egress and impede rescue efforts, and can disrupt the building’s function. The basic objectives of seismic design for nonstructural components are to provide life safety, minimize property loss and prevent functional loss.
The following are all the IBC Category D, E, and F2 Code Requirements for lay-in acoustical panels and direct-hung acoustical tiles. The specifications below are for standard applications. View an alternate solution that delivers additional options.
| Basic Connections, Perimeter, and Lateral Splay Bracing | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Minimum intersection strength limits @ MT / CT | 180 lbs |
| Vertical hanger wire 12-gauge @ 4' o.c. | Required |
| Connection device from vertical wire to the structure above must sustain min 100 lbs | Required |
| Main tee classifications | Heavy-duty |
| 1 in 6 max plumb of vertical hanger wires | Required |
| Perimeter vertical hanger wires not more than 8" from wall | Required |
| Grid end/wall clearance | Min 3/4" |
| Perimeter closure (molding) width | Min 2 " |
| Grid connection to perimeter attached on two adjacent walls | Required |
| Perimeter tee ends tied together | Required |
| Horizontal restraint (splay wires or rigid bracing) within 2" of intersection and splayed 90° apart at 45° angles | Required |
| Compression posts (struts) 12' o.c. in both directions, starting 6' from walls | Required |
| Splay bracing connection strength 200 lbs or the design load, whichever is greater | Required |
| Partition attachment | Bracing independent of ceiling splay bracing |
| Seismic separation joint4 | Required for areas > 2,500 sq. ft. (or full height partition) |
| Rigid bracing for ceiling plane elevation changes | Required |
| Light Fixture Attachment | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Light fixture (all types) mechanically attached to grid NEC 410-16 (two per fixture unless independently supported) | Required |
| Surface-mounted fixtures attached to grid | Not required |
| Pendant-hung fixtures directly supported from structure with 9-gauge wire (or approved alternative) | Required |
| Rigid lay-in or can light fixtures | - |
| ? 10 lbs – one wire to structure (may be slack) | Required |
| 11 to 56 lbs – two wires from housing to structure (may be slack) | Required |
| ? 57 lbs – supported directly to structure by approved | Required |
| Light Fixture Supplementary Hanger Wires | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Intermediate Duty Main Tees with cross tee rating below 16 lbs./LF | Required |
| Min. 12-gauge hanger wires must be attached to the grid members within 3 inches of each corner of each light fixture. | - |
| Heavy Duty Main Tees with cross tee rating below 16 lbs./LF | Required |
| Min. 12-gauge hanger wires must be attached to the supporting cross tee within 3 inches of the corner of each light fixture. | - |
| Supplementary hanger wires for Heavy Duty Main Tees with cross tee rating equal to 16 lbs./LF | Not Required |
| Service Application | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Air terminals | - |
| ? 20 lbs – positively attached to grid | Required |
| 21 to 56 lbs – positively attached to grid and two wires to structure (may be slack) | Required |
| ? 57 lbs – directly supported to structure | Required |
| Sprinkler heads and other penetration clearance | Min 2" dia. opening or a swing joint |
| Cable trays and electrical conduit independently supported and braced | Required |
