Seismic Design Guidelines AS/NZS 2785

AS 1170.4
NZS 1170.5
- Suspended Ceilings
...

These guidelines are specifically for :

USG Grid and Tile Suspension Systems
USG Plasterboard Suspension Systems

SEISMIC DESIGN OF SUSPENDED CEILINGS

Introduction
Earthquake forces need to be considered for all suspended ceilings in New Zealand and
Australia, to comply with AS2785:2000 Suspended Ceilings Design & Installation.
Earthquake forces can act in the vertical and/or horizontal direction. The most common
method of horizontal restraint is to fix the ceiling to the building structure around its
perimeter. If perimeter fixing is not sufficient or appropriate, the ceiling may be braced by
fixing to the structure above.

It is recommended that seismic design of suspended ceilings is undertaken by a qualified

structural engineer with experience in ceiling design. This brochure is intended to provide
guidance on the minimum information that a structural engineer will require in order to
complete a ceiling design in accordance with AS1170.4, NZS1170.5 and AS/NZS2785.
The engineer may require additional information for specific ceilings.

This document was prepared in conjunction with:

2014
Seismic Design Guidelines
- USG Suspended Ceilings
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Project Name : Project No. :

Design Information Required by Structural Engineer

Building Properties
Building address: _______________________________________________________________________
(or) Indicate building location on a map (attach)
Building height: _______ metres
Number of storeys: ______
Year of construction: __________ (useful if known, can be approximate)
Type of Construction: (tick as appropriate)
Timber frame Steel frame
Concrete frame Tilt-up concrete
Concrete shear wall Reinforced concrete frame with masonry infill
Unreinforced masonry Reinforced masonry
Other: __________________________________________________________________ (specify)
Building Importance Level : Type 2 Type 3 Type 4 (refer Notes on back page for Types)
Ideally, provide construction or as-built drawings of the building.

Ceiling Size, Location, Use

Overall ceiling dimensions: ________ m x ________ m and area: _________m2
(or provide plan if complex shape)
Height of the ceiling above ground: ______ m
Storey/level where ceiling is located: __________
Maximum ceiling height above floor level: _______ m
Primary use/occupancy of room: ________________________________
Estimated maximum number of occupants _________
Any critical equipment below ceiling: _________________________________________________
Plenum depth: maximum = __________ mm, minimum = __________ mm.
Will wall partitions be fixed to the ceiling and be reliant on it for stability? no yes
If yes, provide/attach details of wall construction and extent: _______________________
Is the ceiling required intact for any attached life safety or evacuation systems to remain operational?
yes no (comments: _______________________________________________ )
Extra information if design for wind pressure is also required:
Size and location of openings in room (e.g. openable windows, doors, vents, penetrations etc):
____________________________________________________________________________________
Ideally, provide drawings of the building and ceiling.

2014
Seismic Design Guidelines
- USG Suspended Ceilings
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Project Name : Project No. :

Ceiling Properties
Ceiling type: plasterboard/drywall tiled other (specify): _________________________
Provide details of lining material : thicknesses ___________mm weights: ___________ kg/m
Ceiling tile type(s) :__________________ thicknesses ___________mm weights: ___________ kg/m
Main tees or primary channel: spacing: ________ mm Type: DX 24mm exposed DXT 15mm exposed
Drywall Grid ScrewFix
Cross tees or furring channel: spacing: ________ mm Type: DX 24mm exposed DXT 15mm exposed
Drywall Grid ScrewFix
Metal suspension weight: __________ kg/m
Method of earthquake restraint: (appropriateness to be confirmed by engineer)
perimeter fixed
If perimeter fixed, attach full details of surrounding wall and bulkhead structures
Will there be a nogging line at ceiling fixing level, all around? yes no
braced to structure above
If braced, attach full details of superstructure e.g. roof slab, rafters, purlins, floor above.
Width & location of any gaps around edge of ceiling: ____________________________
Has the grid layout relative to the structure been specified by the architect/designer?:
no yes (if yes, provide details in sketch /drawing format)
Ceiling services: (Tick if present. Comment on weight, location, size. Drawings useful)
Tick if weight supported by ceiling kg/m
Fire sprinklers / sounders: _________________________________________ __________
Air conditioning units: ____________________________________________ __________
Air conditioning ducts / diffusers: ___________________________________ __________
Insulation: (on suspension only, NOT on tiles __________________________ __________
Lighting: _____________________________________________________ __________
Skylights: ____________________________________________________ __________
Partition walls braced by ceiling: ___________________________________ __________
Other: _______________________________________________________ __________

(Ideally, provide drawings/sketches to describe all of the proposed ceiling properties above)

Note: the structural engineer will need to make conservative assumptions about the site subsoil category, building &
ceiling risk category, building and ceiling ductility, and period of vibration based on the information supplied. Additional
information such as geotechnical reports or structural calculations for the building may allow for a more economical
design, if these are available.

2014
Seismic Design Guidelines
- USG Suspended Ceilings
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NOTES :
Building Importance Level Type 2: Normal structures not covered by Types 3 and 4; eg single family dwellings, car parking
AS/NZS 1170.0, Table 3.2 buildings

Type 3: Structures that may contain people in crowds, or contents of high value to the community
or pose risks to people in crowds. eg.
Where more than 300 people can congregate in one area
Day care facilities with a capacity greater than 150
Primary or secondary school facilities with a capacity greater than 250
Colleges or adult education facilities with a capacity greater than 500
Healthcare facilities with a capacity of 50 or more resident patients but not having surgery or
emergency treatment facilities
Airport terminals, principal railway stations with a capacity greater than 250
Correctional institutions
Multi-occupancy residential, commercial (including shops), industrial, office and retail buildings
designed to accommodate more than 5000 people and with a gross area greater than 10,000 m
Public assembly buildings, theatres and cinemas of greater than 1000 m
Emergency medical and other emergency facilities not designated as post-disaster
Power generating facilities, water treatment and waste water treatment facilities and other public
utilities not designated as post disaster
Buildings and facilities not designated as post disaster containing hazardous materials capable of
causing hazardous conditions that do not extend beyond the property boundaries

Type 4: Structures with special post-disaster functions eg.

Buildings and facilities designated as essential facilities
Buildings and facilities with special post-disaster function
Medical emergency or surgical facilities
Emergency service facilities such as fire, police stations and emergency vehicle garages
Utilities or emergency supplies or installations required as backup for buildings and facilities of
Importance Level 4
Designated emergency shelters, designated emergency centres and ancillary facilities
Buildings and facilities containing hazardous materials capable of causing hazardous conditions
that extend beyond the property boundaries

seismicceilings.co.nz

2014 Auckland (Head Office) Wellington Christchurch SG/3-14

Phone: (09) 270-2595 (04 560 4528 (03) 365 4245
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