Seismic restraint of ceilings

Abstract

A seismic restraint system for suspended ceilings has longitudinal ceiling perimeter restraint members each having a longitudinal web, a longitudinal bottom flange extending orthogonally from the web, integrally formed fixed connection apertures and floating connection slots orthogonally orientated with respect to the web. In use a pair of ceiling perimeter restraint members are installed horizontally at opposite sides of a suspended ceiling which has a grid of intersecting structural rails. Each ceiling perimeter restraint member is installed with the web attached to a respective adjacent structure with the bottom flange thereof extending away therefrom and with respective ends of the structural rails resting thereatop. Each structural rail running longitudinally between the ceiling perimeter restraint members is fixed in place at one end using at least one of the fixed connection apertures and slidably affixed at an opposite end using at least one of the floating connection slots.

1 . A seismic restraint system for suspended ceilings, the system comprising longitudinal ceiling perimeter restraint members each having a longitudinal web, a longitudinal bottom flange extending orthogonally from the web, integrally formed fixed connection apertures and floating connection slots orthogonally orientated with respect to the web wherein, in use, a pair of ceiling perimeter restraint members are installed horizontally at opposite sides of a suspended ceiling, the suspended ceiling comprising a grid of intersecting structural rails, each ceiling perimeter restraint member installed with the web attached to a respective adjacent structure with the bottom flange thereof extending away therefrom and with respective ends of the structural rails resting thereatop, wherein each structural rail running longitudinally between the ceiling perimeter restraint members is fixed in place at one end using at least one of the fixed connection apertures and slidably affixed at an opposite end using at least one of the floating connection slots. 
     
     
         2 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the ceiling perimeter restraint member is installed without additional nogging support therebehind. 
     
     
         3 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each ceiling perimeter restraint member further comprises a longitudinal upper flange at an opposite side of the web from the bottom flange and extending orthogonally from the web to the same side as the bottom flange. 
     
     
         4 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the bottom flange extends beyond the upper flange. 
     
     
         5 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the upper flange comprises a lip inclined away from the bottom flange. 
     
     
         6 . The system as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the upper flange and bottom flange are spaced apart according to the height of a structural rail such that an end of the structural rail wedges therebetween. 
     
     
         7 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each ceiling perimeter restraint member comprises a plurality of punched out tabs, each being orthogonal with respect to the web and the bottom flange. 
     
     
         8 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein each tab has an outer edge extending beyond the bottom flange from the web. 
     
     
         9 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein each tab has a respective floating connection slot therealong and at least one fixed connection aperture adjacent to the floating connection slot. 
     
     
         10 . The system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein each tab comprises a pair of fixed connection apertures. 
     
     
         11 . The system as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the pair of fixed connection apertures locate respectively adjacent to either end of the floating connection slot. 
     
     
         12 . The system as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the structural rails are a flush grid of T-rails and wherein webs thereof are connected to respective fixed connection apertures and floating connection slots. 
     
     
         13 . The system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom flange has the integrally formed fixed connection apertures and floating connection slots formed therethrough. 
     
     
         14 . The system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the bottom flange comprises an alternating pattern of at least one fixed connection aperture and floating connection slots. 
     
     
         15 . The system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the bottom flange comprises a pair of fixed connection apertures between adjacent floating connection slots. 
     
     
         16 . The system as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the pattern is an equidistant pattern. 
     
     
         17 . The system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the structural rails comprise top cross rails crossing over furring channels and wherein webs of the furring channels are connected to respective fixed connection apertures and floating connection slots. 
     
     
         18 . The system as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein at least one furring channel is fixed in place at one end using at least one of the fixed connection apertures and slidably affixed at an opposite end using at least one of the floating connection slots. 
     
     
         19 . The system as claimed in  claim 18 , wherein opposite ends of the top cross rails are left floating away from respective adjacent structures. 
     
     
         20 . A longitudinal ceiling perimeter restraint member for seismic restraint of ceilings having a web and an orthogonal bottom flange and integrally formed fixed connection apertures and floating connection slots orthogonally orientated with respect to the web. 
     
     
         21 . The ceiling perimeter restraint member as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising a longitudinal upper flange at an opposite side of the web from the bottom flange and extending orthogonally from the web to the same side as the bottom flange. 
     
     
         22 . The ceiling perimeter restraint member as claimed in  claim 21 , wherein the upper flange and bottom flange are spaced apart according to the height of a structural rail such that an end of the structural rail wedges therebetween. 
     
     
         23 . The ceiling perimeter restraint member as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising a plurality of punched out tabs, each being orthogonal with respect to the web and the bottom flange and wherein each tab has a respective floating connection slot therealong and at least one fixed connection aperture adjacent to the floating connection slot. 
     
     
         24 . The ceiling perimeter restraint member as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein the bottom flange has the integrally formed fixed connection apertures and floating connection slots formed therethrough. 
     
     
         25 . A method of restraining a ceiling comprising top cross rails crossing over furring channels, the method comprising forming a fixed connection to an adjacent structure at one end of at least one furring channel thereof and a laterally-restrained floating connection to a respective adjacent structure at an opposite end thereof using respective longitudinal ceiling perimeter restraint members, each having a longitudinal web, a longitudinal bottom flange extending orthogonally from the web, integrally formed fixed connection apertures and floating connection slots orthogonally orientated with respect to the web, and leaving ends of the respective top cross rails spaced away from respective adjacent structures.