The importance of fire-rated ceiling tiles

When a fire breaks out in a building, preventing its spread and giving occupants time to escape are the highest priorities. Here’s how your ceiling assembly can help and why fire-resistant tiles are a necessity.

Armstrong Commercial Ceilings

TJDodson@armstrongceilings.com

Contact email: Tiffany J. Dodson

Author: T. Dodson, Armstrong World Industries

Title: The importance of fire-rated ceiling tiles

Short description: When a fire breaks out in a building, preventing its spread and giving occupants time to escape are the highest priorities. Here’s how your ceiling tiles can help and why fire-resistant tiles are a necessity.

Fire-rated ceiling tiles give occupants more time to get out

21 seconds in 2022

If a fire breaks out in a building, preventing its spread and giving occupants time to escape are the highest priorities. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), a fire department in the U.S. responded to a fire every .

Fire-rated ceiling tiles are not just important—they are often a necessity. The requirement for fire-rated ceiling tiles varies by building type. While residential buildings may not always require them, codes for fire-resistant commercial buildings mandate their use.

When building or renovating, consult with your local fire marshal or inspector to ensure compliance with appropriate codes and the installation of the correct materials.

What are fire-rated ceiling tile materials and what does the rating mean?

A fire-resistant ceiling assembly is rated by the period of time a building element, component, or assembly maintains the ability to confine a fire, continues to perform a given structural function, or both. It is classified by the amount of time it fully performs, being 1-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, and 4-hour ratings. Armstrong’s Fire Guard™ products are often used as part of such assemblies.

The ASTM E84 test Standard classifies materials based on their reaction to fire and surface burning characteristics. It measures flame spread and smoke development. The material classification is broken into three categories as seen below:

Class A: Flame spread of 25 or less, smoke developed of 0-450.
Flame spread of 25 or less, smoke developed of 50 or less, if used as part of an air handling plenum.
Class B: Flame spread of 26-75, smoke developed of 0-450.
Class C: Flame spread of 76-200, smoke developed of 0-450.

What is the fire performance of Armstrong ceiling tiles?

Most Armstrong ceiling tiles are classified as Class A. Armstrong’s Fire Guard products can be used as part of fire-rated assemblies. Armstrong’s Fire Guard Grid Systems have patented expansion relief to help maintain the structural integrity of the ceiling.

Fire Performance - Class A: The flame spread rating of a material refers to how well the flame spreads on the surface of the material. Flame spread of 25 or less, smoke developed of 0-450. Class A products have a flame spread of 25 or less, and smoke developed of 50 or less, if used as part of an air handling plenum.

FIRE GUARD™

Fire Guard products are engineered and tested as part of a fire-resistant system, which includes all components of the system including the ceiling tiles, grid, and the structure itself. The performance of the fire-rated assembly can be listed as 1-hour, 2-hour, 3-hour, and 4-hour ratings.

Are ceiling tiles fireproof?

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as fireproof ceiling tiles, however, ceiling products with Class A fire performance prevent the spread of fires and limit the production of smoke. In addition, Armstrong Fire Guard products provide an additional level of performance and can withstand severe fire exposure. This is important because it can help preserve as much of the building as possible, allow occupants to evacuate, and building functions to remain in service longer. It also helps to compartmentalize the fire and prevent the spread of fire to other areas of the building or neighboring buildings.

Protect your space

In the event of a fire, your ceiling materials can make a huge difference in the state of your building and the people in it. Stay safe and compliant. Connect with your local fire marshal or inspector to ensure you install the correct ceiling materials for your space.

Sources:

https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/research/nfpa-research/fire-
statistical-reports/fire-loss-in-the-united-states
NFPA:
https://www.armstrongceilings.com/commercial/en/performance/fire-resistant-
ceilings.html
AWI resource: