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Acoustic
- This
ceiling type is the most common found in commercial buildings
and in most office areas. It is porous and basically appears smooth with small pinholes
and crevices. The
primary function of all acoustical tile is for sound control.
There are, however, many types of acoustical tile, each
with unique functions.
Standard system - This
acoustical tile is used for noise absorption and as a
decorative overhead surface.
The standard system tile is made of wood fiber, mineral
fiber or metal pan. This ceiling is stapled, cemented or suspended in metal
framework to the existing ceiling structure.
Wood fiber tiles will absorb between 45% and 65% of
the sound, which strikes their surface, mineral fiber
ceilings, 55% to 80% and metal pan (perforated aluminum or
steel below a mineral pad) 80% to 90%.
Time
design rated system
- This system is used as a fire protective barrier for
structural steel building components. They are always made of incombustible mineral fiber and are
usually of denser composition than standard acoustical
material. This
ceiling tends to require
less cleaning since it does not allow the passage of
dirt-laden air to pass through it, as do standard tiles.
Time design tiles are the only acoustical ceiling
tiles, which can be painted with no effect on their acoustical
or fire protective performance.
Ventilation
system
- This
system is designed to distribute conditioned air (heating and
cooling). The entire ceiling delivers this conditioned air via
perforations, which run through the entire thickness of the
tile. This
conditioned air is fed continuously into a sealed area above
the ceiling called the plenum where it builds up in pressure.
This pressure forces the air into the room through the
ceiling perforations. Ductwork and vents are not required with
Ceramic
system
- This
system is used in locations, which are exposed to high
moisture conditions. These
areas include indoor swimming pools, food processing
facilities, outdoor amphitheaters, and parking garage s. These
ceiling tiles are composed of an inert composition which will
not expand, contract or weaken under prolonged exposure to
moisture.
Multi-functional
integrated system
- This system combines into a single assembly all the
necessary provisions for room lighting, air distribution, and
acoustical control. All
components - mechanical, electrical, and structural - are
blended together to create a unified visual effect.
This design reduces above ceiling congestion.
Special
purpose systems -
There
are a few specialized types of ceilings, which have been
designed to meet the requirements of unique environmental
conditions. The hospital is an example of one of these locations where
unique conditions exist.
In many parts of a hospital, the interior surfaces must
be scrubbed and disinfected on a weekly basis or even more
often to discourage the growth of bacteria. Except for ceramic
ceilings, traditional acoustical ceiling tiles cannot
withstand the moisture and scrubbing necessary in this
environment. Two
ceiling systems have been designed to meet the cleaning
requirements of this type of environment.
The first system is a standard acoustical tile, which
has a Mylar membrane covering the tile, but attached only to
the outer edges. The
face of the tile is free to vibrate. When a sound strikes the surface it passes through the Mylar
and is absorbed by the tile.
The membrane allows for repeated wet cleanings. It
should not be painted. The
other specialized system in this environment is
self-sanitizing," which relies on a chemical substance
in the tile, which destroys bacteria.
This system does not require wet cleaning to control
bacterial growth. It
does, however require periodic vacuuming to remove dust, which
can harbor bacteria. This
tile should not be painted, since this would destroy the
bacteria resistance. Glacier
- This
ceiling is constructed of acoustical ceiling material.
However, it
looks
much like icicles. Glacier ceilings must be sprayed with
ceiling cleaning solution from four different directions to
assure complete coverage of the surface. Popcorn
- This ceiling is sprayed onto a previously existing
non-acoustical type ceiling already in existence.
The result is a stucco-like surface.
The disadvantage of this system is that if a stain
occurs, there is no tile to replace it. Burlap
- Burlap is very similar to acoustical ceilings.
However, it has a greater tendency to absorb dirt
directly into the fiber making it difficult to clean the tiles
with one cleaning. Vinyl-wrapped
sheetrock
- This is normal sheetrock or wallboard painted with enamel,
latex or flat paint. The
enamel and latex paints allow the spray/wipe technique to be
used. Flat paint
ceilings should be repainted when they become soiled since the
flat paint can be removed with mild agitation or detergents. Ceiling Cleaning Procedures
For non-porous tiles a vertical process of wall washing
can be used. For porous tiles a specialized enzyme/detergent based chemical is sprayed
onto the tiles with the use of a pressure sprayer that only
reaches 200 300 psi, or by using a 2-gallon pump sprayer.
This enzyme/detergent will break up complex dirt molecules and
loosen them from the wall surface.
The "broken" dirt molecules later fall from
the wall as dry soil and are cleaned up through normal
vacuuming, dust mopping, and dusting procedures.
Set up "Floor Caution" signs at entrances
into area being cleaned. Cover
all electronic equipment, fabrics that might
"bleed," paper and other natural fabrics with
paper/plastic drop cloths.
Keep the paper side facing upwards.
The paper prevents over-spray solution from running
onto other surfaces. Items such as desks, tables, chairs, and
other furniture need not be covered with drop cloths, however
it is faster and more efficient to cover these items than it
is to wipe over-spray off of them during the clean up
procedure.
Prepare ceiling by removing dust, soot and carbon from
the ceiling, air diffusers, lighting lens covers and speaker
grills. This is
accomplished by vacuuming these areas.
Place the ceiling cleaning spray machine or the
2-gallon pump sprayer in the center of the room.
Fill a 5-gallon rinse bucket with warm.
Put on impermeable gloves, splash goggles, and place
a paper respirator mask over your nose and mouth.
This will prevent over-spray mist from being inhaled.
The solution is shipped in 2 parts (activator and cleaner). Follow
directions EXACTLY or the enzyme/detergent
process will not work.
Place the mixed solution into either the ceiling
cleaning spray machine or 2 gallon sprayer.
Perform
the porous/non-porous test by spraying the solution onto the
ceiling surface. If
the solution is absorbed by the surface, it is porous.
If the solution is not absorbed, it is non-porous.
Non-porous surfaces must be wiped dry while porous
surfaces do not.
Begin
the cleaning process by starting along the edges of the
ceiling. Avoid spraying solution on the wall. A second crewmember can wipe excess solution from the wall
area. This is performed by following the sprayer using a
sponge held by a holding clamp on a 6-foot extension pole.
After the perimeter is completed, repeat
this procedure towards the center of the room. |
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