Fire Ratings

Surface Burning Characteristics, Flame Spread, and Smoke Development

Ceiling Tiles and Panels with Pass-Through Sprinklers

Drop-Out Ceiling Tiles and Panels Beneath Sprinklers

Surface Burning Characteristics, Flame Spread, and Smoke Development

Class A

Ceilume ceiling tiles and panels are Class A rated for surface burning characteristics, flame spread, and smoke development per ASTM E84 - 14 Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and in accordance with CAN/ULC-S102-10 Standard Method of Test for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials and Assemblies.

  • Flame Spread Rating = < 25
  • Smoke Developed Classification = < 450

California State Fire Marshal LISTING No. 2200-1622:100 (PDF)

Euroclass Rating B-s2-d0 for 0.013" Thick Material

Ceilume's 0.013" thick ceiling panels were tested in accordance with EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 and are classified B-s2-d0 - "B" in relation to their reaction to fire behavior, "s2" in relation to smoke production, and "d0" in relation to flaming droplets/particles.

Download Report No. WF 384846.

Euroclass Rating B-s1-d0 for 0.030" Thick Material

Ceilume's 0.030" thick ceiling tiles were tested in accordance with EN 13501-1:2007+A1:2009 and are classified B-s1-d0 - "B" in relation to their reaction to fire behavior, "s1" in relation to smoke production, and "d0" in relation to flaming droplets/particles.

Download Report No. WF 376545.

Flame Class V-0

Ceilume ceiling tiles and panels are Flame Class V-0 per UL 94 Standard for Safety of Flammability of Plastic Materials for Parts in Devices and Appliances.

  • Burning Time = < 10 seconds

Ceiling Tiles and Panels with Pass-Through Sprinklers

Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels are Class A interior finish lay-in panels for use in approved suspended ceiling framing systems in non-fire-resistance-rated floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling assemblies. The panels comply with Section 803 of the IBC.

IAPMO UES Evaluation Report 310

Summary of evaluation report is shown below. For full text, please Download Evaluation Report 310.

1.0 Recognition

Empire West, Inc's Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels recognized in this report have been evaluated for use as interior lay-in panels for ceilings. The interior finish classification, thermal stability, and physical properties of the Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels comply with the intent of the provisions of the following codes and regulations:

  • 2021, 2018, and 2015 International Building Code® (IBC)

3.0 Product Use

  • 3.2.3 Installation with Ceiling Sprinklers Penetrating Tiles - Oversized Hole

    Tiles and Panels, in both nominal thicknesses of 0.013 inch (0.33 mm) and 0.03 inch (0.76 mm), may be installed by themselves. Sprinklers shall be located a maximum of 3 inches (76 mm) below the ceiling grid. Standard trim rings/escutcheons may be used at sprinkler penetrations. When trim rings/escutcheons are used, corresponding openings in panel tiles shall be a minimum of 0.25 inch (6.3 mm) larger than the outer diameter of the trim ring/escutcheon to enable tiles to fall from the ceiling grid without becoming entangled with the sprinkler or interfering with its operation. When escutcheons are not used, the opening in panel tiles shall be a minimum of 0.25 inch (6.3 mm) greater than the sprinkler head.

  • 3.2.4 Installation with Ceiling Sprinklers Penetrating Tiles - Refacing Mineral Fiber - Penetrations Only:

    At sprinkler penetrations, panels in nominal thickness of 0.03 inch (0.76 mm) shall be installed beneath mineral fiber tiles. Sprinklers shall be located a maximum of 3 inches (76 mm) below the ceiling grid. Standard trim rings/escutcheons may be used at penetrations. When trim ring/escutcheons are used, corresponding opening in panel tiles shall be 0.25 inch (6.3 mm) smaller than the outer diameter of the trim ring/escutcheon. When trim rings/escutcheons are not used, the opening in panel tiles shall be a minimum of 0.25 inch (6.3 mm) larger in diameter than the sprinkler head.

  • 3.2.5 Installation with Ceiling Sprinklers Penetrating Tiles - Refacing Mineral Fiber - Full Ceiling:

    Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels in 0.03-inch (0.76 mm) thickness may be installed beneath mineral fiber tiles throughout the ceiling and shall be installed beneath mineral fiber at sprinkler penetrations. Standard trim rings/escutcheons shall be used at sprinkler penetrations, in accordance with Section 4.2 of this report.

Drop-Out Ceiling Panels Beneath Sprinklers

Ceilume's approved drop-out ceiling panels can be installed beneath fire sprinklers. When exposed to heat from a developing fire, drop-out ceiling panels soften, distort, and fall from the ceiling grid. Heat from the growing fire activates the sprinkler which, unimpeded by the panels, controls or extinguishes the fire.

Drop-out ceilings have several significant advantages:

  1. They offer a visually uncluttered appearance.
  2. They provide protection for the sprinklers - making them less prone to accidental knocks, tampering, and the potential water damage that can result.
  3. They simplify sprinkler design at clouds and other design features as the sprinklers are located above the dropped ceiling.
  4. They're cost effective as they eliminate the need to "drop" (lower) the sprinklers, make sprinkler positioning simple so installers only make one trip instead of two, allow for the use of less costly, non-appearance grade sprinklers, and eliminate the need for trim rings/escutcheons.

Suspension systems for drop-out panel installations must:

  • Support all panel edges.
  • Provide no more than 3/8-inch horizontal edge support.
  • Comply with ASTM C635, Heavy-Duty Classification (16 pounds per lineal foot).

Consult with your local building/fire officials to make sure that your intended use will conform with the appropriate local codes.

IAPMO UES Evaluation Report 310

Summary of evaluation report is shown below. For full text, please Download Evaluation Report 310.

1.0 Recognition

Empire West, Inc's Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels recognized in this report have been evaluated for use as interior lay-in panels for ceilings. The interior finish classification, thermal stability, and physical properties of the Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels comply with the intent of the provisions of the following codes and regulations:

  • 2021, 2018, and 2015 International Building Code® (IBC)

3.0 Product Use

  • 3.2.6 Installation with Ceiling Sprinklers above Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels - Concealed Sprinklers - Full Ceiling:

    Panels, 0.013 inch (0.33 mm) thickness, may be installed by themselves throughout the ceiling below sprinkler heads, pursuant to Sections 2.3 through 2.13 of this report.

IAPMO UES Listing Report UEL-5021

Summary of listing report is shown below. For full text, please Download Listing Report 5021.

1.0 Scope of Listing

Empire West, Inc's Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels recognized in this listing report have been tested for use as interior lay-in drop-out tiles and/or panels for ceilings in accordance with FM 4651 and UL 723S. Empire West, Inc's Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels are also recognized in a Uniform Evaluation Service (UES) Report ER-310 for interior finish classification, thermal stability, and physical properties. This listing recognizes Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels as complying with the criteria of:

  • Factory Mutual Approval Standard No. 4651 - Plastic Suspended Ceiling Tiles
  • UL 723S - Drop-Out Ceiling Installed Beneath Automatic Sprinklers

3.0 Product Use

  • 3.1 General

    Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels are for use in approved suspended ceiling framing systems in non-fire-resistance-rated floor-ceiling or roof-ceiling assemblies.

  • 3.2 FM 4651

    Empire West, Inc's Ceilume vinyl ceiling tiles and panels comply with the intent of Factory Mutual Approval Standard No. 4651 in any profile, perforated or solid, with a thickness of 0.013 inches meet the requirements of FM 4651 for plastic suspended ceiling tiles when installed as follows:

    1. Under wet or dry sprinkler systems
    2. With or without uplift prevention clips
    3. With or without EZ-On Grid Covers

4.0 Product Description

The Empire West Ceilume Ceiling Tiles and Panels recognized in this listing comply with the intent of Factory Mutual Approval Standard No. 4651 for Suspended Plastic Ceilings and UL 723S for Drop-Out Ceiling Installed Beneath Automatic Sprinklers. Plastic suspended ceilings of translucent or opaque tiles or panels are used to conceal ducts, sprinkler piping, lighting fixtures, or for decorative purposes. ER-310 provides more information for code recognition. Ceiliume Ceiling tiles and panels are designed to move out of their settings when exposed to heat from below before actuation of the automatic sprinklers, so as to allow the sprinkler system to function without interference.

FM Global

Summary of report is shown below. For full text, please Download Approval Class 4651 and the Certificate of Compliance.

0.013" thick ceilling panels are designed to be heat sensitive, promptly moving out of their setting, and will not significantly interfere with the operation of automatic sprinklers located above. When other building components and occupancy do not require sprinkler protection, these products may be used without creating such a need.

National Fire Protection Association (NFPA)

Ceilume ceiling panels listed by either UL LLC and/or FM Approvals meet the requirements of NFPA 13 for use as drop-out ceiling panels installed below ceiling sprinklers.

For more information, please Download the Analysis Concerning the Use of Drop-Out ceiling tiles and NFPA 13.

Underwriters Laboratories, Inc.® (UL)

Summary of report is shown below. For full text, please Download File Number R4036.

0.013" thick ceiling panels in Premiere and Transluminous colors may be used beneath Standard Response (SR) sprinkler systems rated with an activation temperature of 165°F or above, where allowed by local fire safety authorities.