Ceilings
Suspended Ceilings Grids and Ceiling Tiles
Suspended, or drop ceilings, allow access above your ceiling so that you can reach ductwork, wiring, or plumbing.
Suspended ceilings are often created using a suspended ceiling grid typically made up from a combination of metal interlocking sections which are connected together with open areas left to insert ceiling tiles.
Some suspended ceiling grids have very narrow profiles and rebates in which the ceiling tiles sit. Where this is the case, any vibration or movement in the grid could result in the ceiling tiles becoming dislodged or even falling out.
There have been a few incidents of falling tiles in Bradford schools over recent years.
A heavy suspended ceiling tile fell injuring a teacher at a Bradford school recently. The accident was a result of roof works which were being carried out at the time of the incident. Vibrations from the works loosened the ceiling tile which were installed
within a metal ceiling grid, that had narrow rebates. The incident happened at the end of the day when all pupils had left but this could have been a very different story, if the it has happened during school hours.
To avoid this, it is recommended that all suspended ceilings are reviewed, regularly checked for movement and where necessary replace the ceiling bar grid to ones with a larger profile and heavy ceiling tiles replaced with lightweight tiles.
For further information and guidance, please contact bts.helpdesk@bradford.gov.uk