FALSE CEILING

• FALSE CEILINGS – Suspended ceiling systems.

• Suspended ceilings are used all over the world today. Not only are they useful in providing a kind of ambience to the space, they also have various other advantages that has made this system useful and popular. False ceiling is an undercover to the real ceiling. It is usually suspended but can also be secured to the actual ceiling.

WHY ARE FALSE CEILINGS USED?

 • Provide a visual surface of required appearance using

combinations of pattern, texture or color.• Conceal services and under side of the structural frame or

provide a void through which services can run whilst providing access to them. It also hides ugly trusses.

• Sound absorption reduces noise levels and reverberation within the area covered by the ceiling. Echo reduction as in Cinema or Concert Halls.

• Reduction of heat loss or gain through the structure or the control of condensation and humidity.

• Ventilation by ducts in the void with outlets in the ceiling surface • Lighting units can be fitted.• Provide fire resistance to the structural system.• It also adds in lowering the overall volume of the space which

reduces air conditioning cost.

 • TYPES OF FALSE CEILING SYSTEMS … The most common are:Gypsum Board & P. O. P. • Others materials are:-• Mineral Wool Board • metal• Fiber-board • cloth• P.V.C. • wood• Polystyrene

ELEMENTS OF A FALSE CEILING

A suspended ceiling system consists of 3 parts:• Primary Members• Secondary Members and • Main Ceiling Material or Tiles (e.g. acoustic boards,

cloth etc.)These primary and secondary members are called the

structural members and form the framework on which the boards, lighting fixtures, A.C ducts etc. are fixed. The diagram below depicts all the important parts of a false ceiling (suspended ceiling) system:

•1)Main Runners 3)Perimeter section 5)Tile•2)Secondary members 4)hanging member

STEPS FOR FIXING FALSE CEILING• 1) First Step: The first step is to consider, the space, the area

and the dimensions of the space as also the function. The framework grid dimensions and the material used in the system arise out of these aspects. The most common grid dimensions available are 600 mm X 600 mm; 600 mm x 1200 mm.

• 2) Second step: The second step is to work out the layout of the room with special attention given to the placing of AC ducts, beams etc. Once the layout of the furniture is finalized (w.r.t. the lighting and AC ducts), the grid of the framework is finalized. Important points to be considered are• Position of beams and columns• Position of AC ducts• Position of light fixtures• Placing of sprinkler system as well as smoke detectors

• 3) Third Step: Once the grid and working drawings are in place, actual construction work can begin. The level of the false ceiling is marked on the walls with the help of thread dipped in ink. The main runners as well as the secondary members are suspended from the soffit with the help of hangers (preferably adjustable), which are attached to the soffit with the help of either expansion bolts or hold alls.

•  • 4) Fourth Step: Once the frame work is up, the tiles can be

places as well as the lighting fixtures, AC ducts etc. The perimeter of the entire ceiling system can be ‘finished’ using either POP moldings or wood/metal angles, depending upon the aesthetic taste or desires.