Blending visual sophistication and design simplicity, Chicago Metallic® Corporation’s SpanAir® Torsion Spring Panels are engineered and tested for use in all six seismic design categories (SDCs A-F), as outlined in the International Building Code. The panels integrate seamlessly with factory-slotted suspension grid for efficient and quick installation. Modern, clean lines combine with versatile finish options, high-performance durability and easy point-to-point access in one cost-effective, code-compliant package.

Developed for expansive, interior ceiling systems, ideal applications include lobbies, assembly halls, reception areas and corridors. Creating spanning, monolithic ceilings, SpanAir Torsion Spring Panels integrate into and conceal the suspension grid, while easily incorporating air, fire, audio and other services.

Made of non-combustible material, SpanAir Torsion Spring Panels have a Class A flame spread rating. Noise Reduction Coefficient up to 0.90 can be achieved with acoustical backing materials and a variety of perforation patterns. A wide range of finishes and a full spectrum of colors are available to match nearly any design palette from classic to contemporary styles.

“With SpanAir Torsion Spring Panels, there is no need to compromise on the desired aesthetic in order to achieve the necessary code and performance requirements,” says Edward Williams, an IIDA affiliate, who serves as manager of construction services at Chicago Metallic. Internationally renowned structural and earthquake engineers, Miyamoto International Inc., monitored the testing of the SpanAir Torsion Spring Panels and determined the product’s performance exceeds standard seismic performance requirements for all SDCs.

“With the recent seismic code changes, building and design teams across the U.S. must now take into account these requirements. No longer limited to large, encompassing geographies, SDCs now are project specific. Buildings across the street from one another can have different SDCs depending upon their location, their site’s soil composition, and their occupants’ use,” Williams continues. “SpanAir Torsion Spring Panels can be selected confidently with the knowledge that they are acceptable to code officials.”

California Building Code calls for positive attachment to the suspension, usually requiring additional fasteners or accessory devices. SpanAir Torsion Spring Panels eliminate the need for additional components, as the positive attachment is inherent to the product. Williams explains, “It’s ready to go out-of-the-box. No special skills or tools are required. The Torsion Spring Panels quickly install into grid-based systems. There are no hidden material or labor costs.”

Torsion Spring Panels are constructed of recycled aluminum in a range of standard sizes. Once installed, the plenum may be accessed without disassembling or removing the entire panel. For property managers and maintenance teams, this can mean can fewer trips up and down a ladder and less material handling in the process.

Addressing green design goals and daylighting strategies, the coatings used on Torsion Spring Panels maximize light reflectance, requiring fewer light fixtures and helping conserve energy. The metal used in SpanAir Metal Ceiling Systems contains no volatile organic compounds (no VOCs), which mitigates mold and microbial growth. Further enhancing the environmental attributes, the metal may be specified with a high recycled material content and is 100% locally recyclable.

The use of environmentally responsible building materials is a critical component of the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED® certification process. Supporting LEED goals and documentation, Chicago Metallic includes downloadable resources on its website. Assisting with design and installation details, CAD drawings, Google™ SketchUp models and Revit® 3-D models also are on demand at www.chicagometallic.com.

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