INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE

SITE CONDITIONS, STORAGE & HANDLING INSTALLATION

It is the responsibility of the ceiling to deteriorate, irrespective of the Cartons of wood veneer and metal tiles Installation of Armstrong ceiling It is recommended that mineral best achieved using aviation snips,
contractor to ensure that materials material. Long grid and trim cartons should be stored with the tiles standing tiles should be conducted in the fibre tiles are cut with a sharp knife. electric shears, or a high speed jig or
delivered to the installation site are should not span between points as on their sides (vertically). appropriate site and environmental Unnecessary breakage of tiles should bandsaw. The cut edge should then be
safeguarded from the time of purchase any load applied mid-span may cause conditions as described above and be avoided. Newtone, Madera wood masked by an appropriate perimeter
All cartons may be stacked on wooden
until the finished ceiling is handed product damage. as per Armstrong’s manufacturer’s products and Axiom aluminium section and held down using wedges
pallets and secured with shrink-wrapping
over. However, it is usually the main recommendations (see pages 42-43). extruded sections are best cut using or spring clips as necessary.
Mineral fibre tiles are packed as cartons for transportation but when on the
contractor who is responsible for the Due consideration should be given a powered saw with the correct blade
with a cardboard sleeve and then installation site they should never be Care is necessary when handling and
conditions on site and so both parties to the relevant British and European for the material.
shrink-wrapped; however the stacked higher than when originally installing tiles, especially metal and soft
must be aware of the requirements of Standards, COSHH and health &
shrink-wrapping is not waterproof. delivered to the site. Metal tiles are painted with a highly fibre tiles, to prevent finger marking
suspended ceilings for flat, dry, clean safety regulations and the use of the
Grid sections, soft fibre tiles, wood durable polyester powder coat finish of the surface from soiled or greasy
and safe storage conditions. Consideration should be given to the correct personal protective equipment
veneer tiles and metal tiles are all which provides a paint surface that hands, and where appropriate, clean
advice of the Health & Safety Executive (PPE).
Armstrong packaging of ceiling tile and packed in full cardboard cartons. does not readily chip, crack or flake cotton gloves should be worn.
(HSE) regarding the manual handling of
grid varies from material to material, Cartons should be opened carefully as can be associated with ‘wet’ paint
Cartons of mineral fibre and soft fibre heavy cartons. An assessment should Ceilings that are required to provide
but all is designed to withstand careful with the cardboard sleeve on mineral finish to metal tiles. Metal tiles will often
tiles should be stored and stacked be made of any associated risks and if structural fire protection must be
site handling. However, poor or rough fibre cartons released to ensure need to be cut at room perimeters
with the tiles face up (horizontally) and necessary mechanical lifting equipment installed in accordance with the
handling, rolling or dropping of cartons that tiles can be removed without or junctions with columns and when
without any other heavy objects on top should be used. relevant fire test report.
on their corners or edges may cause damaging the edges of the tiles. this is necessary it is important that
of them. (see fire resistance page for further information).
damage to the product or the product a flat clean cut edge results. This is

INSTALLATION CONDITIONS AFTER COMPLETION

Armstrong suspended ceilings are The use of thermal insulation on performance for installations and Once a building is handed over to the This may not be possible if the ceiling the risk of condensation occurring
interior finishes and the site conditions the back of a ceiling tile will alter conditions up to 99% RH (max.) enabling client, it is not always occupied at once. is being used to provide passive fire as the temperature falls. The effect
during installation should reflect this. the temperature gradient within a installation in a wider temperature range In this situation heating and ventilation protection to the building. of insulation on the back of the tile
construction and its effect on the (0º-49ºC) and in more extreme humidity may sometimes be decreased or Attention must also be paid to ensuring or in a roof construction also needs
Ceiling tiles should be stored for
position of the dew point must conditions(2). switched off to save energy costs. that the internal conditions are not consideration and sufficient ventilation
24 hours before they are installed, in
be considered. If there is a risk of In these circumstances conditions allowed to exceed those that the ceiling may be required to prevent surface
the area in which they are to be fixed, Armstrong Optima and Nevada soft
condensation, ventilation of the ceiling above and below the ceiling should be tiles are designed to withstand. Heat condensation and a vapour control
within a temperature range of 11º-35ºC. fibre tiles, although only rated as
void and the use a vapour control layer equalised and it may be necessary to build up due to solar gain may need barrier to control the effects of surface
95% RH, are 100% RH dimensionally
The stability of the temperature range between the suspended ceiling and the temporarily remove tiles to facilitate this. dispersing by ventilation to reduce or interstitial condensation.
stable, meaning that they can withstand
is important as this can have a great insulation may be necessary. Advice on
temporary peaks of up to 100% relative
affect on the relative humidity within these matters can be obtained from
humidity.
a space and for products with lower a specialist thermal engineer.
For consistently high humidity
humidity resistance in particular, the
The Armstrong range of ceiling tiles environments Armstrong Ceramaguard
stability of the temperature is critical as
provides the industry with a choice of and Newtone are 100% RH resistant.
an appreciable drop in the temperature
humidity resistance performances which For these conditions they should be
may create humidity conditions which
will affect their suitability for different installed on corrosion resistant grid.
could be detrimental to the ceiling
installation conditions.
materials both installed and uninstalled. Corrosion resistant grid is also
During winter months, heating of the The Armstrong Design range of tiles appropriate for Parafon Hygien tiles if
jobsite may be necessary and the use have 70% (max.) relative humidity (RH) it is intended to subject them to a high
of ‘dry’ heating should be considered resistance while many of Armstrong’s pressure wash regime.
because the burning of fossil fuels most popular plain, textured and
Armstrong Orcal metal tiles provide
produces additional water vapour. performance tiles offer a 10 year
95% RH (max.) performance and
Increased ventilation to eliminate warranted performance when fixed
certain Orcal products are available
the risk of condensation may be and maintained in humidity conditions
back-painted for 100% RH resistance.
appropriate and also in summer months not exceeding 95% RH (max.) providing
to control the temperature fluctuation enhanced building programme flexibility
due to solar gain. and suitability for a wider range of
applications and environments(1).
Dune Supreme and Dune Max provide
a lifetime Humiguard warranted

1) See the 95% RH 10 year Warranty for full details. 2) Please contact Internal Technical Sales for the Dune Supreme/Max 99% RH lifetime Humiguard Warranty.
INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE

MAINTENANCE, REPLACEMENT, REDECORATION & CLEANING

Armstrong mineral fibre tiles are marked Different ceiling tile materials have a ‘Scotch Bright’ abrasive faced foam Metal ceiling tiles should be cleaned as sponge lightly dampened with clean application should be 45º.
on the back for ease of identification and different requirements for cleaning. pad, lightly rubbed across the soiled soon as they become soiled to prevent water. Orcal Clip-In Plain tiles can be Orcal Bioguard tiles should be cleaned in
maintenance. area. Excessive force should not be the dirt becoming ingrained or the high pressure washed when the product the same way as standard Orcal tiles.
Mineral fibre ceiling tiles should first have used otherwise glossy patches may surface stained, otherwise the cleaning is installed with a high resistance silicone Specialist contractors may offer cleaning
Maintenance on suspended ceilings
any surface dust removed using a soft occur. An alternative method of cleaning is less likely to be successful. seal between the joints. The water services using chemical solutions. Where
should only take place after the effect of
brush. Pencil marks, smudges etc. may is with a moist cloth or a sponge Surface dust can be removed by wiping pressure must not exceed 80 bars and these methods are considered, it is
the work on the technical characteristics
be removed with an ordinary gum eraser. dampened in water containing mild with a lightly moist clean soft cloth. For the flow limited to 6-8 litres per minute. recommended that a trial is first carried
of the installation has been fully
Alternatively, a moist cloth or sponge soap or diluted detergent, but abrasive grease and fingerprints use a moist cloth The maximum water temperature should out in a non-critical area of the building
considered.
dampened in water containing a mild cleaners must not be used. The sponge or sponge dampened, with as little water be 40ºC. The nozzle must not be closer so that the result and overall effect can
Ceiling tiles should require no more soap or diluted detergent can be used. should contain as little water as possible as possible, containing a mild soap or than 300mm from the tile and the water be assessed.
maintenance than a painted plasterboard The sponge should contain as little water and the tile then wiped with a cloth detergent. After cleaning, the soapy should be applied in a fan spray (not
ceiling, however, when maintenance as possible and the ceiling must not dampened in clean water to remove any film should be wiped off with a cloth or the jet or cutting mode). The angle of
is necessary, certain procedures be made wet. The process should be soapy residue.
should be followed to ensure that the repeated again in a similar manner with
Parafon Hygien can be high pressure
performance and appearance of the a damp sponge but with clean water
washed, however, the following
ceiling is maintained. only to remove any residual soap or HEALTH & SAFETY
precautions must be observed
Minor damage to mineral fibre tiles can detergent. No abrasive cleaners should
to avoid damage to the tiles and it is Armstrong ceiling products are CE Products should be installed in Reference may also be made to the
be repaired using commercially available be used.
recommended that a small trial area marked with the essential safety accordance with Armstrong’s following:
fillers and Armstrong touch-up paint, The Bioguard paint finishes on should be initially attempted. performance criteria as required by manufacturer’s recommendations, Health & Safety at Work Act 1974
although due to natural aging of the Armstrong Bioguard, Bioguard Acoustic The tiles must be clipped down with EN 13964:2004 (Suspended ceilings - the relevant British and/or European Manual Handling Operations
installation an exact colour match may and Orcal Bioguard products have been the appropriate Armstrong clip using Requirements and test methods) in order Standards and The Control of Regulations 1992 (as amended)
not be possible. tested for resistance to disinfectants with a minimum of 2 clips per 600 edge and to comply with the Construction Substances Hazardous to Health Personal Protective Equipment at Work
different active ingredients: 3 clips per 1200 mm edge. First apply Products Directive (89/106/EEC). (COSHH) Regulations 2002. When Regulations 1992 (as amended)
Similarly when replacing tiles, new
- Hexanios (active agent - Quaternary a coating of cleaning foam, and then For ceiling tiles (membrane components) ceilings are installed in accordance with HSE Guidance Note EH 40/2005
material is likely to introduce colour
Ammonium) ensure it is thoroughly flushed off with these include reaction to fire, release of these instructions, no excessive dust or – Workplace Exposure Levels
variation. This effect can be substantially
- Minncare (active agent - Hydrogen clean water. The water pressure must asbestos and release of formaldehyde. hazards should be created. However, HSE Guidance Note EH 46/1990 –
reduced by redecoration of the entire
Peroxide) not exceed 80 bars and the flow limited For grid (substructure components) they are if excessive dust is created, approved Man-Made Mineral Fibres.
ceiling, or by replacing all tiles in
- Klercide CR B (active agent - Chlorine) to 6-8 litres per minute. The maximum reaction to fire, load bearing capacity respiratory protection complying with
a particular area and using the re-usable
water temperature should be 40ºC. and durability. EN 449 FFP1 or FFP2 should be worn.
existing tiles for refurbishment elsewhere. Ceramaguard and Newtone tiles are Such protection is deemed to be
The nozzle must not be closer than
Most ceiling tiles and grids can be unaffected by moisture and may be required if the total weight of inhalable
300 mm from the tile and the water
redecorated, however, consideration cleaned with increased amounts of dust exceeds 5mg/m3, or 2 fibres/ml,
should be applied in a fan spray (not
should be given to the appropriate type water. As Ceramaguard can absorb when averaged over an 8 hour TWA
the jet or cutting mode). The angle of
of paint to be used and to the effect moisture without detriment to the reference period.
application should be 45º. In hygienic
on the reaction to fire and acoustic stability of the tile consideration should
areas, only permitted cleaning agents
performance. Redecoration by spraying be given to the additional weight
should be used and the pH-value of
is the preferred method, using the of the ceiling and the required centres
the water/detergent mixture should
minimum amount of paint applied in of main runners.
be between 7 and 12. Although water
an even manner. Ceiling tiles should be Soft fibre ceiling tiles can normally be penetrates into the product and around
removed from the grid and laid on a flat easily cleaned if their surface becomes its edges, after 1-2 days the water
surface prior to painting, whilst grid can soiled, however, the frequency of should evaporate. The temperature
be repainted in situ, but with the tiles cleaning should be carefully considered and ventilation of the ceiling void are
removed. Tiles should only be moved or as once any dirt becomes ingrained, or important factors in minimising this time.
replaced once dry and the grid must dry the surface stained, cleaning is less likely This cleaning process should be limited
before replacing the ceiling tiles. to be successful. The choice of cleaning to no more than twice per year.
If a professional firm of decorators is method depends upon the product type
used, assurances should be sought and degree of soiling.
that the necessary performances will be Any surface dust should be removed
maintained. It should be noted that any from the face of the tile using a soft
repainting would invalidate Armstrong’s brush or a vacuum cleaner with a clean
warranty for the product. brush attachment. Pencil marks,
smudges etc. may be removed using

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