A suspended ceiling consists of a metal grid that holds lightweight ceiling panels. It's an alternative to drywall ceilings. Popular Mechanics claims that suspended ceilings provide a better sound barrier than drywall ceilings. In addition, a suspended ceiling offers easy access to ducts, pipes and cables behind it that need repair. Despite its benefits, suspended ceilings also have hazards.
Insufficient Head Clearance
A suspended ceiling is not an ideal solution for every space. It requires sufficient head clearance to provide a viable ceiling option. Popular Mechanics suggests installing a suspended ceiling in a room with at least a 7 1/2-foot ceiling height, which is within the guidelines of most building codes. Installing the ceiling in a shorter ceiling space is a physical hazard as a taller person can bump his head on the ceiling.
Falls Down from Faulty Installation
You need to use the right fasteners, such as nails or screws, to secure the metal grid in place that are strong enough to support the weight of the ceiling panels. Different fasteners work better for certain surfaces. For example, you can use nails to secure the grid if you are installing it in a wood-framed drywall. However, you cannot effectively use nails to secure the grid into a cement ceiling. In this instance, you must use masonry screws, otherwise the ceiling can collapse from the added weight of the panels.
Prone to Collapse During an Earthquake
A suspended ceiling is a nonstructural building element that can fall, break or slide during an earthquake. California requires schools to ensure that each ceiling panel of a suspended ceiling is securely fastened to the grid. The same applies for ceilings suspended beneath a roof or other ceiling material. Government officials recommend using four-way bracing wires and compression struts to reduce the chance of the ceiling falling and blocking exits or causing injury when an earthquake strikes.
Children Can Fall Through the Ceiling
Although rare, two separate incidents were reported involving children falling through a suspended ceiling. Both incidents occurred in New Zealand retail stores where each child gained access to the ceiling and upon navigating across it the ceiling gave way, causing the child to fall to the floor below. The ceiling panels involved were unable to support the weight of each child. Upon receiving word of these incidents, the New Zealand Department of Labor issued a warning in February 2010 to citizens and businesses warning them of the hazard.
Tags: suspended ceiling, ceiling panels, drywall ceilings, each child, metal grid, nails secure, nails secure grid