Installing Adhesively Applied Acoustical Ceiling Tiles

THOUGH THE INSTALLATION OF ADHESIVELY APPLIED ACOUSTICAL CEILING TILES IN HISTORIC BUILDINGS IS NOT IN GENERAL CONFORMANCE WITH THE SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR’S GUIDELINES, IT WAS A COMMON PRACTICE IN MANY BUILDINGS. PRE-DATING THE SUSPENDED CEILING SYSTEMS COMMONLY USED TODAY, BOTH OF THESE SYSTEMS WERE POPULAR FOR THEIR SOUND-ABSORBING CHARACTERISTICS. THIS TYPE OF WORK SHOULD ONLY BE PERFORMED IN A MANNER WHICH CAUSES MINIMAL DAMAGE TO THE EXISTING HISTORIC FABRIC AND IS REVERSIBLE.

PART 1—GENERAL

1.01 SUMMARY

1. This procedure includes guidance on installing acoustical tile ceilings, adhered to a substrate such as concrete or plaster. Such tiles were often retrofitted into existing spaces before the advent of the “suspended grid” acoustical tile ceilings, but are generally out of favor at the present time.
2. This product, though generally not recommended has some advantages over the “suspended grid”, especially in spaces where detailing in the upper portion of the room contributes to the character of the space and would otherwise be obscured by a drop ceiling. Some advantages include 1) minimal reduction in the ceiling height, and 2) retention of detailing such as ceiling cornices, picture molding, door transoms and other distinctive ornament. These character-defining aspects of a space are often adversely impacted by the installation of suspended ceiling systems.
3. See 01100-07-S for general project guidelines to be reviewed along with this procedure. These guidelines cover the following sections:
   1. Safety Precautions
   2. Historic Structures Precautions
   3. Submittals
   4. Quality Assurance
   5. Delivery, Storage and Handling
   6. Project/Site Conditions
   7. Sequencing and Scheduling
   8. General Protection (Surface and Surrounding)

These guidelines should be reviewed prior to performing this procedure and should be followed, when applicable, along with recommendations from the Regional Historic Preservation Officer (RHPO).

1.02 REFERENCES

1. American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) www.astm.org

1.03 SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

1. Performance Requirements:
   1. Fire Performance Characteristics: Provide acoustical ceilings that are identical to those tested for the following fire performance characteristics, per ASTM test method indicated below, by UL or other testing and inspecting organizations acceptable to authorities having jurisdiction. Identify acoustical ceiling components with appropriate markings of applicable testing and inspecting organization.
      1. Surface Burning Characteristics: As follows, tested per ASTM E84 and complying with ASTM E1264 for Class A products.
         1. Flame Spread: 25 or less.
         2. Smoke Developed: 50 or less.

1.04 SUBMITTALS

1. Product Data: Submit product data for each type of product specified.
2. Samples: Samples of each type of exposed finish required, prepared on samples of each size indicated below and of same thickness and material indicated for final unit of work. Where finishes involve normal color and texture variations, include sample sets showing full range of variations expected.
   1. Full-size samples of each tile type, pattern, and color required.
   2. Set of 12-inch-long samples of exposed moldings for each color and system type required.

1.05 QUALITY ASSURANCE

1. Qualifications:
   1. Installer Qualifications: Engage an experienced installer who has successfully completed acoustical ceilings similar in material, design, and extent to that indicated for project.
   2. Single-Source Responsibility for Ceiling Units: Obtain each type of acoustical ceiling unit from a single source with resources to provide units of consistent quality in appearance and physical properties without delaying progress of the work.

1.06 DELIVERY, STORAGE AND HANDLING

1. Packing and Shipping: Deliver acoustical ceiling units to project site in original, unopened packages and store them in a fully enclosed space where they will be protected against damage from moisture, direct sunlight, surface contamination, and other causes.
2. Acceptance at Site: Handle acoustical ceiling units carefully to avoid chipping edges or damaging units in any way. Materials which have been damaged shall be replaced with new units at no additional cost.
3. Storage and Protection: Extra Materials: Deliver extra materials to contracting officer. Furnish extra materials described below that match products installed, are packaged with protective covering for storage, and are identified with appropriate labels.
   1. Acoustical Ceiling Units: Furnish quantity of full-size units equal to 2.0 percent of amount installed.

1.07 PROJECT/SITE CONDITIONS

1. Environmental Requirements:
   1. Space Enclosure: Do not install interior acoustical ceilings until space is enclosed and weatherproof, wet work in space is completed and nominally dry, work above ceilings is complete, and ambient conditions of temperature and humidity will be continuously maintained at values near those indicated for final occupancy.
   2. Before installing acoustical ceiling units, permit them to reach room temperature and a stabilized moisture content.

1.08 SEQUENCING AND SCHEDULING

1. Coordination of Work: Coordinate layout and installation of acoustical ceiling units and suspension system components with other construction that penetrates ceilings or is supported by them, including light fixtures, HVAC equipment, fire-suppression system components, and partition system.

PART 2—PRODUCTS

2.01 MANUFACTURERS

1. Armstrong World Industries, Inc. www.armstrong.com
2. Celotex Corporation www.celotex.com
3. USG, Inc. www.usg.com

2.02 MATERIALS

1. Acoustical Ceiling Tiles - Mineral-Base, Water Felted such as “Travertone Fissured” (Armstrong World Industries, Inc.), “Celltone Natural Fissured” (Celotex Corp.), “Acoustone F Fissured” (USG Interiors, Inc.), or approved equal.
   1. Provide manufacturers’ standard units of configuration indicated that comply with ASTM E1264 classifications as designated by reference to types, patterns, acoustical ratings, and light reflectances, unless otherwise indicated.
   2. Provide products to match appearance characteristics. For acoustical ceiling units whose appearance characteristics are indicated by reference to ASTM E1264 designations for pattern and not by limiting to the naming of one or more products or manufacturers, provide Architect’s selections from each manufacturers’ full range of standard products of type, color, pattern, and light reflectance indicated.
2. Tile Adhesive: ASTM D1779, type as recommended by tile manufacturer; bearing UL label for Class O - 25 flame spread.
3. Concealed Acoustical Sealant: Nondrying, nonhardening, nonskinning, nonstaining, nonbleeding, gunnable sealant.

PART 3—EXECUTION

3.01 EXAMINATION

1. Examine substrates and structural framing to which ceiling system attaches or abuts, with Installer present, for compliance with requirements specified in this and other sections that affect installation and anchorage of ceiling system. Do not proceed with installation until unsatisfactory conditions have been corrected.

3.02 PREPARATION

1. Testing Substrates: Before installing adhesively applied tile on wet-packed substrates such as cast-in-place concrete or plaster, test and verify that moisture level is below tile manufacturer’s recommended limits.
2. Measure each ceiling area and establish layout of acoustical units to balance border widths at opposite edges of each ceiling. Avoid use of less-than-half-width units at borders, and comply with reflected ceiling plans.

3.03 ERECTION, INSTALLATION, APPLICATION

1. Arrange acoustical units and orient directionally patterned units (if any) in manner shown by reflected ceiling plans.
   1. Install tile with pattern running in one direction.
   2. Install tile with pattern running in alternating directions to form checkerboard layout.
2. Install edge moldings of type indicated at perimeter of acoustical ceiling area and at locations where necessary to conceal edges of acoustical units.
   1. Sealant Bed: Apply continuous ribbon of acoustical sealant on back of vertical leg before installing moldings.
   2. Screw-attach moldings to substrate at intervals not over 16 inches o.c. and not more than 3 inches from ends, leveling with ceiling suspension system to tolerance of 1/8 inch in 12’-0”. Miter corners accurately and connect securely.
3. Install acoustical tile by cementing to substrate, using amount of adhesive and procedure recommended by tile manufacturer including removal of loose dust from backs of tiles by brushing and then priming them with thin coat of adhesive. Install splines in joints between tiles and level to 1/8 inch in 12’-0” tolerance. Maintain tight butt joints, aligned both directions, and coordinate with ceiling fixtures. Scribe and cut tile to fit accurately at ceiling edges and penetrations.

3.04 ADJUSTING/CLEANING

1. Clean exposed surfaces of acoustical ceilings, including trim, edge moldings, and suspension members. Comply with manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and touch-up of minor finish damage. Remove and replace work that cannot be successfully cleaned and repaired to permanently eliminate evidence of damage.