Drop-Out Ceilings

Drop-Out Ceilings beneath Sprinklers

Drop-out (sometimes called "drop-away", "melt-out", or "melt-away") ceiling tiles and panels are approved for installation beneath fire suppression 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.

Advantages of Drop-out Ceilings

  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. This makes sprinkler positioning simple, allows for the use of less costly, non-appearance grade sprinklers, and eliminates the need for trim rings/escutcheons.

Related Articles

Ceilume's Drop Out Ceiling Tiles and Panels

Ceilume's Feather-Light series ceiling tiles and panels are rated, listed, and approved for installation beneath fire sprinklers in drop-out ceiling installations.

They meet the requirements of NFPA 13, and have been tested in accordance with FM Approval Standard No. 4651, UL 723S, and ASTM E84.

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

Evaluations

Listings & Approvals

Drop-out vs. Mineral Fiber - A Cost Study

A cost study featuring a 110,000 sq. ft. office building in Oklahoma City found that Ceilume's drop-out ceiling panels installed beneath sprinklers would be significantly less expensive than mineral fiber panels with penetrating sprinklers. Two scenarios found that the Ceilume approach generated savings ranging from $3.29 to $0.72 per sq. ft.

Another case in point: Small Batch Organics, a specialty granola-making company in Vermont, installed drop-out panels during their factory remodel. They utilized the building’s existing fire sprinklers without alteration, and the cost savings allowed them to pay for the entire ceiling. Their installation is featured in the Walls & Ceilings article "The Drop-out Ceiling That Paid for Itself".