SDC “C“ Seismic System

Seismic System
The new Seismic Suspension System from Knauf AMF

Knauf AMF has developed a 24 mm Seismic grid system to meet the requirements of IBC Seismic Design Category C.

The Knauf AMF system uses the tried and tested VENTATEC® grid technology with an enhanced Intermediate
Duty Main Tee and Cross Tees. These tees sections have been tested at Intertek’s York PA laboratory to confirm
compliance with ASTM C635/C635M and ASTM E580/E580M.

To ensure code compliance care needs to be taken during installation, and this guide must be followed.
Further installation information can be found in ASTM E580/E580M.

If in doubt, a qualified Seismic or Structural Engineer with knowledge of the local requirements should be
consulted.

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Contents
1. Substructure system from Knauf AMF  04

2. What is Seismic Design Category?  04

3. How do I use the Seismic Design Category to determine a ceiling layout?  04

4. Small ceiling areas  04

5. Key requirements for the SDC C ceiling from ASTM standards  05

6. Knauf AMF SDC C testing  05

7. Product details  06

8. Ceiling Layout  07

9. Wire hanger details  08

10. Perimeter details  08

11. Light fittings - Key requirements for the SDC C ceiling  10

12. Sprinklers and other services  11

13. Suitable tiles  11

14. FAQ’s  14

Questions? Product properties and advantages

Contact your local sales office „„ Uses known VENTATEC® Technology

(see back page) or our technical „„ Complies wide ASCE 7-10 code requirements
information service AMF direct „„ Easy to install
„„ No need for bracing or seismic joints

3
 1. Substructure system from Knauf AMF

This data sheet describes the 24 mm VENTATEC® grid solution to meet Seismic Design Category (SDC) “C”.

2. What is Seismic Design Category?

The International Building Code 2012 (IBC)1 defines Seismic Design Category as:
A classification assigned to a structure based on its risk category and the severity of the design earthquake ground
motion at the site.
Therefore the risk level is a combination of site specific factors and can be simply shown as:
expected earthquake intensity + soil conditions + building use = risk level
The SDC has a direct effect on the suspended ceiling gird components and the method of installation. This is
shown in the table below.

Seismic Design Category Seismic Vulnerability Implication for suspended ceiling

A Very low No special conditions apply follow local and national
B Low to moderate standards and codes
C Moderate Follow this guide
D High
Contact AMF Technical Department
E and F Very high

Chapter 16 of IBC gives details of how to determine the correct Seismic Risk Category for any particular building
and site location. This chapter should be used by a suitably qualified engineer to determine the correct SDC for the
proposed ceiling installation.

3. How do I use the Seismic Design Category to determine a ceiling layout?

The American Society of Structural Engineers (ASCE) has prepared a standard ASCE 7-102 “Minimum Design
Loads for Buildings and Other Structures”. This standard defines the requirements for suspended ceilings for the 6
Seismic Design Categories shown above.
Chapter C13 of the standard gives an interpretation of the standard’s requirements and for suspended ceilings this
is detailed in Table C13.5.6.1. The table then refers the reader to ASTM C635/C635M and ASTM E580/580M where
full details of the component to be used and installation methods can be found.

4. Small ceiling areas

For SDS C ceilings below 93 m2 there are no special material or installation requirements. However, for some
corridors, and other areas, it may be advisable to follow the requirements in this guide.
1)
2012 International Building Code, Copyright International Code Council. Inc. - ISBN:978-1-609-040-3
4 2)
Published by American Society of Civil Engineers - ISBN 978-0-7844-7785-4 - www.pubs.asce.org
 5. Key requirements for the SDC C ceiling from ASTM standards

The VENTATEC® Main Tees must be Intermediate Duty as defined by ASTM C635/635M.
The maximum ceiling weight is 12.2 kg/m2 including lights and grid etc. Knauf AMF seismic grid weighs
approximately 1.2 kg/m2. Therefore the combined weight of the tiles and any additional material supported by
the grid must be less than 11.0 kg/m2. See section 13.
The ceiling must be free floating and not be rigidly fixed to the perimeter trim, walls or the building structure.
The ceiling must be independent of any partitions i.e. the ceiling must not support the partition and the
partition must not support the ceiling.
At the perimeter there must be a 10mm gap between the end of the grid and wall. If the tee is supported on
the perimeter trim the overlap must also be 10mm. To allow for some cutting tolerances Knauf AMF
recommends a 24 mm horizontal table width wall trim. Alternatively wire hangers can be used at the perimeter
if the wall trim is not used for support (see section 10).
There must be stabiliser bars at all the perimeter walls, installed at a maximum distance of 175 mm from the wall
Minimum hanger wire diameter is 2.7 mm (fixed hangers must not be used).
Lights must be installed as detailed in section 11.
Sprinklers and other items must be installed in accordance with section 12.
There must be a 10 mm gap between the ceiling tiles and grid and any solid protrusion through the ceiling
to allow free movement of the ceiling.
To ensure compliance only Knauf AMF VENTATEC® Seismic grid can be used.

IF IN DOUBT CONSULT A SUITABLY QUALIFIED STRUCTURAL ENGINEER

6. Knauf AMF SDC C testing

To ensure compliance Knauf AMF has undertaken a test programme at Intertek ATI York, PA, USA to evaluate the
main tees and cross tees.

ASTM C635/635M Load-Carrying Capabilities – Main tee classified as Intermediate duty as defined by table
2 of the standards.
ASTM E580/580M Tension and Compression – Main tee splice and cross tee connection achieved greater
than 27kg. Tests were conducted in compliance with the standard and included the 50 offsets to left, right,
front and back.
ASTM E580/580M wire pull out – exceeded the 40 kg specified minimum load requirement.

In addition to these tests Knauf AMF has performed full scale shake table tests at Structural and Earthquake
Engineering and Simulation Laboratory (SEESL) University at Buffalo.

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 7. Product details

Units Requirement per m2 ceiling

Tile e.g. THERMATEX®, TOPIQ® or HERADESIGN® square edge

1 Pcs 2.78
or SK or rebated VT 24 maximum weight 11.0 kg/m2 (See note *)

VENTATEC® Seismic Main runner T24/38 Intermediate duty 3,600 2 Lin m 0.84

VENTATEC® Seismic Main runner T24/38 Intermediate duty 3,700 2 Lin m 0.84

VENTATEC® Seismic Long cross tee T24/38 GK 3 Lin m 1.67

VENTATEC® Short cross tee T24/38 GK 4 Lin m 0.84

0.60
L-wall angle RWL 24/24 metal (other are available on request) 5 Lin m
Dependent on room shape

0.60
Ven 600 Stabiliser bar 6 Lin m
Dependent on room shape

0.60
Ven 1,200 Stabiliser bar 7 Lin m
Dependent on room shape

2.7 mm soft annealed galvanised steel wire (12 gauge) 8 Pcs 0.67

Hanger centres 9 m 1.20

Main runner centres 10 m 1.20

* Allowance must be made for other services in the ceiling

1 8

6
6 8

4
2
3 5
5
6 6
4

10 4 3 2

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Knauf AMF Seismic grid is only available in 24 mm wide grid with joggle (GK) cross tee connection

Main tee and cross tee

38 mm
T24/38

24 mm

Wall trim RWL 24/24

24

24 Cross tee Joggle (GK)

8. Ceiling Layout

To allow the ceiling to free float the tees must NOT be attached to the perimeter trim or the walls. This allows the
detail any
whole ceiling to move as a single unit during an earthquake and eliminates 1 significant forces building within

the grid system. m

17 ax.
5m
Inspection of ceilings following earthquakes has shown that damage often occursmat the perimeter as the tee
detail 1 tiles can fall from the ceiling.
sections spread open. Once the perimeter tees have opened the cut perimeter
To prevent the cut tees opening at the perimeter stabiliser bars must be used onmaall the walls as shown below.
17 x.
5m
The Knauf AMF Seismic system requires the wire hangers to be at 1,200 mm centres m or less.

detail 1
detail 1
m
17 ax. m
5m 17 ax.
m 5m
m

detail 1

detail
detail 1 1

detail 1

Ven 600 Stabiliser bar

Ven 600 Stabiliser bar

steel wire hanger

steel wire hanger
7

Ven 600 Stabiliser bar

 9. Wire hanger details

Minimum wire diameter is 2.7 mm.

Wire should be galvanised mild steel, soft-annealed.
Connection to the tees must have a minimum of 3 turns within 75 mm of the grid.
Top fixing for the wire must be capable of carrying 40 kg. urn
s
3t
um
Hangers must not be bent round other items in the ceiling void. nim
Mi
Hangers must not be more than 1:6 out of perpendicular, except as shown
on the perimeter detail.

max. 75mm
Note: To enable the ceiling to float during an earthquake fixed
“Nonius” or “Butterfly” type hangers are not suitable.

s
urn
10. Perimeter details 3t
um
nim
Mi

To ensure proper support of the cut tees there are 3 options specified in ASTM E580/E580M. Each of these
installation methods allow the ceiling to float and use stabiliser bars to prevent the tees spreading.
max. 75mm

max.175mm
min.10mm Ve
L-wall angle
Options to ensure the proper support of the cut tees there are given in ASTM E580/580M. 3 Alternative
RWL 24/24mm options are
given below. It is permissible to use different solutions on different walls of the same ceiling.
min.10mm

Using a Knauf AMF RWL 24/24 wall trim to support the cut tees.
Option 1
Supported on Perimeter Trim
The tee must be cut so that there is at
max.200mm
least 10 mm gap between the end of the
max.175mm tee and the trim. Option 2
perimete
min.10mm Ven 600 Stabiliser bar with a ma
L-wall angle
RWL 24/24mm In addition, the tee must be resting on the slope of 1

perimeter trim by at least 10 mm.min.10mm

min.10mm T24/38 cut
T24/38 cut of L-wall angle
main teerunner
T-Main The perimeter trim
RWL must
24/24mmbe securely fixed
or cross
or tee tee
T-cross or other wall trim
to the wall. T24/38 cu
T-Main ru
or T-cross

max. 10°

max.200mm
Option 1 vertical
Option 2 fixed to to building soffit
perimeter wall
with a maximum
slope of 1:6 2 alternative wire
8 hanger options
min.10mm
L-wall angle
Where the perimeter is not used to support the cut tee.
Option 2
Free hanging from wires from soffit
max. 10°
Additional wire hung from the soffit at a
max.200mm
Option 2 vertical maximum angle to the vertical of 10°.
max. 10°
to building soffit

max.200mm
Option 2 vertical
A 10 mm gap must be maintained
2.7mm wire fixed
to building
as in section 9
soffit between the end of the tee and the wall
min.10mm
L-wall angle 2.7mm wire fixed The wire must be fixed as shown in
RWL 24/24mm as in section 9
or other wall trim min.10mm section 9.
T24/38 cut
T24/38 cut of
L-wall angle main teerunner
T-Main Ven 600
RWL 24/24mm or cross
or teetee
T-cross Stabiliser bar
or other wall trim
T24/38 cut of
T-Main runner Ven 600
or T-cross tee Stabiliser bar
Option 3
Freemax.200mm
hanging from wires from soffit
Option 3 fixed to
perimeter wall 6
with a maximum
max.200mm slope of 1:6 1 Additional wire hung from the wall at a
Option 3 fixed to
perimeter wall 6 maximum angle to the vertical of 1:6
2.7mm
with wire fixed
a maximum
as in of
slope section
1:6 9
min.10mm 1
L-wall angle
A 10 mm gap must be maintained
RWL 24/24mm 2.7mm wire fixed
as in section 9
between the end of the tee and the wall
or other wall trim min.10mm
T24/38 cut of
L-wall angle Ven 600
RWL 24/24mm
T-Main runner
or T-cross tee Stabiliser bar
The wire must be fixed as shown in
or other wall trim
T24/38 cut
cut of
section 9.
T24/38
main
T-Mainteerunner Ven 600
or
or cross teetee
T-cross Stabiliser bar

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 11. Light fittings - Key requirements for the SDC C ceiling

All lights must be positively fixed to the ceiling in compliance with local regulations, or independently hung.
The light fitting shall have a minimum of 2 independent fixings; Knauf AMF recommends 4, one at each corner.
Only modular lights 600 x 600 shall be used.
Electrical conduits to the lights must be flexible to allow for ceiling movement.
In addition to the fixing above, each light fitting shall have safety wire(s) of minimum diameter 2.7 mm to
independently support the light fitting in the event of a ceiling failure. The number of wires depends on the
weight of the light fitting, and is shown on the diagrams below. It is not necessary for the safety wires to be
taut, but they must be fixed independently to the building structure.

Light fitting less than 5 kg Light fittings between 5 kg and 25 kg

1 safety wire 2 safety wires

Light fitting greater than 25 kg

hang independently

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 12. Sprinklers and other services

Sprinklers and other services (speakers etc.) can be attached to the grid provided they are installed as below.

The total ceiling weight remains below the maximum specified 12.2 kg/m2 unless additional safety
hangers are used.
For units up to 9 kg they must be positively fixed to the main tees with suitable fixings.
For units from for 9 kg to 25 kg they must be positively fixed to the main tees with suitable fixings
and have 2 x 2.7 mm diameter safety wires attached to the building structure.
Units over 25 kg must be independently hung.
Service connections must be flexible allowing the units to float with the ceiling.
The installation must also comply with any additional local or national code requirements.

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 13. Suitable Knauf AMF tiles

The following Knauf AMF tiles are suitable for use in a SDC C ceiling when used in accordance with this installation
guide. Knauf AMF square edge tiles SK, and rebated edge tiles VT are suitable for use in the ceiling.

TOPIQ® – Soft Fibre tiles Edge Configurations

Thickness Weight Edge Module
Product
[mm] [kg/m²] Configurations [mm] SK
SK
TOPIQ® Efficient 15 2.0 600/600
Product programme

VT-S 24
VT-S 24
TOPIQ®

SK
TOPIQ® Efficient pro 20 2.6 600/600
VT-S 24

SK
TOPIQ® Efficient pro Hygena 20 2.6 600/600
VT-S 24

HERADESIGN® – Wood wool acoustics Edge Configurations

Thickness Weight Module
Product Edge Configurations
[mm] [kg/m²] [mm] SK-04
me HERADESIGN®
Product program-

HERADESIGN® superfine 15 7.8

SK-04 600/600
HERADESIGN® fine 15 8.2

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THERMATEX® – Mineral wool tiles Edge Configurations
Thickness Weight Edge Module
Product
[mm] [kg/m²] Configurations [mm]
15 4.0 SK
THERMATEX® Plain 600/600
19 5.3 VT 24
15 4.0 SK SK
THERMATEX® Fine Stratos 600/600
19 5.3 VT 24
15 4.0 SK
THERMATEX® Fine Stratos micro perforated 600/600
19 5.3 VT 24
15 4.0 SK
THERMATEX® Star 600/600
19 5.3 VT 24
SK
THERMATEX® Laguna 15 4.0 600/600
VT 24
SK
THERMATEX® Laguna micro perforated 15 4.0 600/600 VT 24
VT 24
15 4.0 SK
THERMATEX® Mercure 600/600
19 5.3 VT 24
15 4.0 SK
THERMATEX® Fine Fresko 600/600
19 5.3 VT 24
15 4.0 SK
THERMATEX® Fresko 600/600
19 5.3 VT 24
SK
THERMATEX® Alpha 19 3.3 600/600
VT-S 24
SK VT-S 24
THERMATEX® Alpha ONE 24 4.0 600/600
VT-S 24
Product programme THERMATEX®

THERMATEX® Alpha black /coloured 19 3.0 SK 600/600

SK
THERMATEX® Acoustic 19 4.6 600/600
VT 24
24 8.4 SK
THERMATEX® dB Acoustic 600/600
30 10.5 VT 24
THERMATEX® Silence 43 10.8 SK 600/600
SK
THERMATEX® Acoustic RL 19 5.4 600/600
VT 24 on request
SK
THERMATEX® Thermofon 15 2.6 600/600
VT-S 24
SK
THERMATEX® Aquatec 19 5.2 600/600
VT-S 24
THERMATEX® Thermaclean S 15 4.0 SK 600/600

THERMATEX® Acoustic Hygena 19 4.6 SK 600/600

SK
THERMATEX® Alpha Hygena 19 3.0 600/600
VT-S 24
SK
THERMATEX® Thermofon Hygena 15 2.6 600/600
VT-S 24
15 4.0 SK
THERMATEX® Schlicht Hygena 600/600
19 5.3 VT-S 24
SK
THERMATEX® Varioline/- Metal /Wood /Motif 19 3.1 600/600
VT-S 24
THERMATEX® Symetra SK
15 4.0 600/600
Rg 4-16; Rg 4-10; Rg2,5-10; Rg 4-16/4x4 VT 24
SK
THERMATEX® Symetra RS 15-20 19 5.3 600/600
VT 24
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 14. FAQ’s

How do I determine the ceiling Seismic Design Category (SDC)?

A suitably qualified engineer can use Chapter 16 of International
Building code 2012. In order to complete the calculations the exact
building location, soil conditions and building use will need to be known.

Why do I need a special grid?

Only the 24 mm grid system specified in this document is approved for use for Knauf AMF SDC C. This is due
to the required additional load bearing capacity of the main tee, and specific ultimate failure load for the grid
connections.

Can I use any tiles?

To comply with ASTM E580/E580M the total ceiling weight must not exceed 12.2 kg/m2. This includes the weight
of the grid, tiles and any lights. As the grid weighs 1.2 kg/m2 the maximum combined weight of the ceiling tile and
any lights etc is 11.0 kg/m2. There are a number of suitable Knauf AMF tiles shown above.

Do I need to install the grid in a special way?

ASTM E580/E580M is very specific on the method of installation. Users are advised to purchase their own copy for
more details. In addition, any other local or national standards must be complied with.

Do I have to use RWL 24/24? and stabiliser bars?

The cut tees at the perimeter have to be supported during an earthquake.
There are 2 possible solutions in ASTM E580/580M.

Option 1 Use the perimeter as a support.

In this case the tee has to have a minimum support of 10 mm on the table of the wall trim. Since there
must also be a 10 mm gap between the end of the tee and the wall Knauf AMF recommend a 24mm x 24
mm wall trim. Other trims with a larger table can be used.

Option 2/3 Use a hanger wire

A hanger wire either from the soffit or the perimeter wall may be used provided it is installed in
compliance with the standard.

In this case the 10 mm gap still has to be maintained but any wall trim (including a shadowline type) may
be used.
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Do I have to use stabiliser bars?
In an earthquake the whole ceiling moves in both a vertical and horizontal plane. Whilst the tiles in the main
area will normally remain in place, there is a tendency for tiles at the perimeter to fall out unless the cut tees are
prevented from spreading.

For this reason stabiliser bars on all the perimeter edges are required. They should be fixed at a maximum of
200 mm from the wall.

Do I need Seismic expansion joints?

For SDC C there is no defined maximum area for the ceiling and therefore expansion joints are not required.
However, other expansion systems within the building may require some expansion joints, if in doubt a suitably
qualified engineer should be consulted.

Do I need to have bracing?

NO – as defined by ASCE 7 13.6.6.2 no bracing for SDC C is required, not even for larger areas. For SDC C the
ceiling must be free to float in the horizontal plain.

Can this system be used for all earthquake regions?

This seismic gird is based on the requirements of ASCE 7-10 and ASTM E580/E580M. However, local regulations
must be complied with and this is beyond the responsibility of Knauf AMF.

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Service, Support, Logistics –
Centre of expertise in Europe and
on-site sales support networks worldwide

Knauf AMF GmbH & Co. KG

Elsenthal 15, 94481 Grafenau
Germany
Tel.: +49 8552 422-0
Fax: +49 8552 422-32
info@knaufamf.com
www.knaufamf.com

The acoustic ceiling specialist Knauf AMF, with its global sales and service network, Knauf AMF Deckensysteme GmbH
9702 Ferndorf 29
offers on-site, solution orientated and timely advice for architects, specialist contractors, Austria
Tel.: +43 4245 2001-0
distributors and developers. office@heradesign.com
With us, you are always a ceiling solution ahead! www.heradesign.com

No responsibility or liability is accepted for the accuracy of the information provided.

Subject to change without prior notice. 07/2017

This document is only a guide. Users are advised to obtain their own copies of the
relevant standards. In addition, a local, suitably qualified engineer should be consulted
to ensure compliance with all national and local building codes.