10/30/2008

ROOFS

FUNCTIONS

1 2

WEATHER PROTECTION
• Protect a building from the damaging effect of rain, wind,
snow and heat.
• Ingress of rain and snow can damage decorations and
structural damage to timber and other materials due to attack
by fungus and insects.
• Wind may be deflected around a building, resulting in the
occurrence of suction on the windward slope of a roof

the functional requirement of a roof

3 4

STRUCTURAL STABILITY GOOD APPEARENCE

• Is necessary in order to provide
a means of support for the roof
covering
• The roof might be a major visual element in the design of
a building.
• Actually three type of roof was classified base on shape
Traditional roof shape

• Must take into account the span of

structural members. If the span of a Modern roof shape
joist or other structural member is
too great, it will bend
Different treatments for eaves and verge

5 6

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 10/30/2008

TRADITIONAL ROOF SHAPE MODERN ROOF SHAPE

7 8

DIFFERENTTREATMENT THERMAL INSULATION

• The roof constitutes a substantial proportion of external surface area of a
building and consequently has considerable potential for heat loss
• Roof insulation consists of either :-
Flexible materials ( such as glass-fiber quilting )

Boards ( such as expended polystyrene )

Loose granules ( such as perlite )

• Thermal insulation for pitched roofs

Insulation above rafters
Picture
Insulation between ceiling joist

• Thermal insulation for roofs

Eaves ventilation for pitched roof
Picture
Insulation above decking of flat roof
9 10

THERMAL INSULATION FOR THERMAL INSULATION FOR

PICTHED ROOFS ROOFS

11 12

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 10/30/2008

SOUND INSULATION PROTECTION FROM FIRE

• The degree of sound insulation offered by roofs of domestic building is usually
adequate to reduce external noise ( such as aircraft ) to an acceptable level A roof could contribute to the spread of fire
either:
• In areas which suffer from excessive levels of noise interface, special forms of
roof construction may be necessary.

• A concrete roof, being of dense material, will provide a noise reduction similar
to that of typical brick or block external walls. Within a building

• Most domestic timber roof constructions will provide a noise reduction less
than that of a brick or block wall, but somewhat better than of a single-glazed
window. From one building to another

13 14

FROM ONE BUILDING TO

WITHIN A BUILDING
ANOTHER
• Some factory roofs consist of a covering material, separated by an air
space from a layer of insulation material. Fires within such buildings could
spread through the air space causing burning pieces of insulation material
to fall elsewhere in the building
• Roof constructions are designated with two letter A (good) to D
• Measure design to combat this problem include : (poor) in accordance British Standard Test (BS 476: PART 3: 1958)
To resistance to external penetration from fire.
Using non-combustible insulation material
To resistance to spread of flame over the outer
Restricting the area of air gap

Fixing the insulation in such a way that no air gap exists

15 16

DRAINAGE SYSTEM DRAINAGE SYSTEM

PITCHED ROOFS FLAT ROOF
During heavy storms, large quantities of water fall on a roof. Water falling down the Flat roofs are designed and built to slope slightly in one direction. This slope is
surface of a pitched roof is collected at the lower end in a gutter. known as the ‘Fall” of a roof. At the lower end of the fall, a gutter and down pipe

A vertical pipe connected to the underside of the gutter Alternatively, the edge of the roof could
(Down pipe) carries the rain-water to ground level be raised, which in effect forms a gutter.
In this case, the down pipe is installed
The lower end of the down pipe discharges the rain- inside the building.
water into a ‘gully’ which is a clayware or plastic
chamber installed below ground level. Whilst it is usual to calculate the sizes of
The down pipe is connected to the upper end of gully, and gutter and down pipes for roofs of large
the lower end of the gully connects to the drain. buildings, a typical domestic pitched roof
would usually require 100 mm diameter
The gullies are ‘trapped, ( shape with a bend which gutters and 62 mm diameter down pipes
allows water to remain in the gully
The trap prevents the escape of any noxious gases from the
drain, which otherwise could rise up the down pipe and into
the open air 17 18

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 10/30/2008

ROOFING STYLE…. MANSARD

A couple planed hip roof.

CROSS GABLE ROOF

Pair of gable roofs set a right angles to each
other

HIP ON GABLE
A partial hip applied to the peak of gable roof

SHED
A roof that starts at the eaves of the existing
roof and continues at a lower pitch

GABLE
19 Two pitch roof, back to back,forming a 20
rectangular roof.

GAMBREL ROOF
A gable type roof with breaks in the
planes Gable
A very triangular roof, the gable allows rain
and snow to run off easily.
PYRAMID
A hip roof built on a square base with
eaves of the same length

HIP AND GABLE

A combination hip and gable where the hip
end partially up the gable.

HIP WITH CROSS GABLE

A central hip with crossing gables.
21 22

Flat
Cross Gable A flat roof is exactly that - flat. It is easy to build and uses
This is like the gable roof, but has two parts that cross. few materials.

23 24

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 10/30/2008

Mansard
Hipped
A French gable roof. The difference is that the mansard has a
flat area at the top instead of being perfectly triangular. A low-pitched roof that Cross Hipped
These are common in French Chateau houses and Second allows rain and snow to Similar to a hipped
run off easily, the hipped roof, but this roof
Empire style houses.
roof also allows for large has two parts that
eaves on a building. cross .

25 26

Barrel vault
Barrel vault are commonly installed in commercial and
Pyramidal industrial buildings as well as large public buildings such as
A hipped roof that forms a pyramid shape.
hall and factory.

27 28

Saltbox
Shed
Similar to a gable roof, but the two sides of
Similar to a gable roof, as it allows rain and snow to run
it are not symmetrical.
off easily. This is one of the easiest roofs to build.

Gambrel
This roof looks more bell-like than triangular when viewed from the
side. It is like a flattened gable roof. Many farms have gambrel
roofs.
29 30

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 10/30/2008

Roof Classification
STEEP ROOFS
• Roofs can be covered with many different materials.
These can be arranged into two groups:
• Water drain quickly, giving wind and
1. Steep / Pitched roofs,
10°< angle of slope < 70° notes: angle of slope above 70 ° gravity little opportunity to push or
classified as wall
pull it through the roofing material.
2. Low-slope / Low-pitched roofs (flat roof), • They can therefore be covered with
angle of slope < 10°
materials that are fabricated and
applied in small, overlapping units:
– shingles of wood or slate
– tiles of fired clay or concrete
31 32

STEEP ROOFS STEEP ROOFS

– repair of localised
damage to a roof is
• Advantages of slates and tiles:
easy
– many of them are inexpensive
– water vapour vents
– the small, individual units are easy to itself easily from
handle and install the interior of the
– the effects of thermal expansion and building through the
contraction, and of movements in the loose joints in the
structure that supports the roof, are roofing material
minimised by the ability of the small – steep roofs can be
units to move with respect to one aesthetically
another 33
pleasing
34

LOW-SLOPE ROOFS LOW-SLOPE ROOFS

• Low-slope roofs have none of the
previously mentioned advantages...
– water drains relatively slowly
– small errors in design and/or
construction can cause puddles of
standing water
– slight structural movements can tear
the membrane that keeps water out of
the building
– water vapour pressure from within the
building can blister and rupture the
• Advantages:
– a low-slope roof can cover a building
of any horizontal dimension while a
steep roof becomes uneconomically tall
when used on a broad building
– a low-slope roof has much simpler, and
often cheaper, geometry
– they can also serve as balconies, decks
patios and even landscaped parks when
35
appropriately detailed. 36

membrane

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LOW-SLOPE ROOFS
• A low-slope roof is a complex,
highly interactive assembly of
several components:
– Deck
– Thermal insulation
– Vapour barrier
– Membrane
– Drainage
1 Roof Decks
• For a durable low-slope roof
installation, it is important that the
deck be:
– adequately stiff under expected roof
loadings
– fully resistant to wind uplift forces
• The deck must also slope towards
drainage points at an angle sufficient
to drain reliably despite the effects
of structural deflections (min. slopes
of 1:100 - 1:50 recommended).
39
1 Roof Decks
• If a roof is insufficiently sloped,
puddles of water will stand for
extended periods of time in the low
spots leading to premature
deterioration of the roofing materials
in those areas.
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10/30/2008
1 Roof Decks
• Many different forms of construction
may be used to create structural
decks ordinarily used under low-
slope roofs:
– plywood over wood joists
– solid wood decking over heavy timber
framing
– corrugated steel decking
37 – in-situ concrete 38
– pre-cast concrete
1 Roof Decks
• To produce these slopes:
– the beams that support the deck may
be sloped by shortening some of the
columns
– a tapered fill of light-weight insulating
screed may be poured over a dead-
level structural deck to create the
required slopes
– a system of tapered boards of rigid
insulation may be laid over the deck 40
1 Roof Decks
• If water accumulates in low spots
caused by structural deflections,
progressive structural collapse
becomes a possibility
• If large in extent, the deck should be
provided with enough movement
joints to control the effects of
expansion and contraction on the
41 roof membrane. 42
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 10/30/2008

1 Roof Decks
• If the building separation joints in
the structure of the building are too
far apart to satisfy the requirements
of the membrane, area dividers,
which are much like separation
joints but do not extend below the
surface of the roof deck, may be
installed.
43
1 Roof Decks
• The roofing membrane must be laid
over a smooth surface.
• If laid directly on the deck, a
wooden deck should have no large
gaps or knotholes.
• Concrete deck should be trowelled
smooth.
• A pre-cast concrete plank deck, if
not screeded, must be smoothed
over with mortar at junctions 44
between planks

1 Roof Decks 1 Roof Decks

• A corrugated • It is extremely
steel deck must important that the
be covered with deck be dry at the
rigid boards time the roofing
(usually made of operations are
insulating undertaken to
material) to avoid later
bridge the flutes problems with
in the deck and water vapour
create a smooth trapped under the
surface. 45
membrane.
46

2 Thermal Insulation and

Insulation below the deck
Vapour Barrier
• Thermal insulation can be installed
in any of 3 positions:
– below the structural deck of a flat
roof
– between the deck and the
membrane
– above the membrane
47 48

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Insulation below the deck
• Insulation of mineral or glass fibre is
installed above a vapour barrier -
either between wooden joists on top
of a suspended ceiling assembly.
• A ventilated air space should be
provided between the insulation and
the deck to dissipate any stray
water vapour.
49
Insulation between deck and
membrane
51
Insulation between deck and
membrane
• However, membranes in this position
are subjected to extreme
temperature variations and any
water vapour in the insulation is
trapped beneath the membrane.
• In cold climates a vapour barrier
should be installed below the
insulation and the insulation should
be ventilated to allow the escape of
any moisture that may accumulate 53
there.
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10/30/2008
Insulation below the deck
• Insulation in this position is
relatively economical and trouble
free, but it leaves the deck and the
membrane exposed to the full range
of outdoor temperature fluctuations.
50
Insulation between deck and
membrane
• Insulation should be in the form of
low density rigid panels or
lightweight screeds to support the
loads on the membrane without the
membrane to be punctured.
• In this position the insulation
protects the deck from temperature
extremes and is itself protected
from the weather by the membrane. 52
Insulation between deck and
membrane
• This is done by installing topside vents
(one per 100 m2) that direct escaping
moisture upward through the membrane.
54
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 10/30/2008

Insulation above the

Insulation between deck and
membrane: the protected
membrane
membrane roof

55 56

Insulation above the Insulation above the

membrane: the protected
membrane roof
• This method of construction offers 2
major advantages:
– The membrane is protected from the
extremes of heat and cold
– The membrane is on the warm side of
the insulation - where it is virtually
immune to vapour blistering problems.
57
membrane: the protected
membrane roof
• The insulating material must be one
that retains its insulating value when
wet and does not decay or
disintegrate in these conditions.
• Expanded polystyrene foam board is
a material that has all these qualities
and is most used in this type of
construction.
58

Insulation above the Insulation above the

membrane: the protected membrane: the protected
membrane roof membrane roof
• The insulating board is either: • It is held down and
– embedded in a coat of hot asphalt to protected from sunlight
adhere it to the membrane below, or by a layer of ballast
– laid loose which may be:
– crushed stone
– a thin concrete layer
factory laminated to the
upper surface of the
insulating board or
59 60
– interlocking concrete

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 10/30/2008

Rigid insulating materials for Rigid insulating materials for

low-slope roofs
• These materials should have:
– a high thermal resistance
– adequate resistance to denting and
gouging
– adequate resistance to moisture decay
– adequate resistance to fire
– an ability to contact hot asphalt without
melting or dissolving
61
low-slope roofs
• No single material has all these
properties and there is increasing
preference for composite insulating
materials which approach the ideal.
62

Rigid insulating materials for

low-slope roofs Vapour barriers
• If insulating
boards are • The vapour barrier must be located
located below the at such a point in the roof assembly
membrane, they that it will always be warmer than
may be fastened the dew point of the air under any
to the deck conceivable condition of use.
mechanically with • Usually this means putting the
nails, screws or vapour barrier below the insulation.
similar fixings or
embedded in 63 64

asphalt.

3 Roof Membrane Built-up roof membrane

• These fall into 3 categories: • This is comprised of multiple layers
– Built-up roof membrane of roofing felt bedded in bitumen.
– Single ply membrane • The bitumen is applied hot to merge
– Fluid applied membrane with the saturant bitumens in
the felt and so form
a single-piece
membrane.

65 66

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 10/30/2008

Built-up roof membrane Built-up roof membrane

• The felt is laminated in overlapping
layers to form a membrane that is 2
to 4 plies thick (the more plies used,
the more durable the roof).
• To protect the membrane from
sunlight and psychical wear, a layer
of aggregate (crushed stone or other
mineral granules) is embedded in the
67 surface. 68

Built-up roof membrane Single-ply roof membrane

• Cold applied mastics can be used
instead of molten bitumen.
• These harden by the evaporation of
solvents.
69
• These are a diverse and rapidly
growing group of sheet materials
that are applied in a single layer.
• The obviously require less on-site
labour than built-up membranes and
are usually more elastic and
therefore less prone to cracking and
tearing.
70

Single-ply roof membrane Single-ply roof membrane

• They are fixed to the roof by one of • These materials are developing
several methods: rapidly and the latest manufacturers'
– adhesives literature should be consulted for
– by the weight of ballast current information.
– by fasteners concealed in the seams • The materials used include:
between sheets – neoprene
– if sufficiently flexible - with mechanical – EPDM
fasteners that do not penetrate the
– PVC
membrane.
71
– Chlorinated polyethylene 72

– Polymer-modified bitumens

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 10/30/2008

Neoprene Neoprene
• This is a high performance synthetic • It may be stuck to the roof deck,
rubber compound. mechanically fastened, or laid loose
• It is applied in sheets 0.75mm to and ballasted.
3.0mm thick and joined at the seams • It can be used in a protected
with an adhesive. membrane roof.
• It is vulnerable to UV attack and is
therefore coated with a protective
layer of chlorosolphonated
polyethylene. 73 74

EPDM
• Ethylene propylene diene monomer
• This is the most widely used single-
ply roof membrane.
• It is relatively low cost.
• Thickness 0.75mm to 1.5mm.
• It is joined with adhesive.
EPDM
• It may be laid loose, stuck or
mechanically fastened to deck.
• It can be used in a protected
membrane roof.

75 76

PVC
• This is also relatively low cost.
• Thickness 1.15mm to 1.5mm.
• Seams are sealed either by solvent
welding or by hot air welding.
• It may be laid loose, stuck or
mechanically fastened to deck.
• It can be used in a protected
membrane roof.
Chlorinated polyethylene
and chlorosulphonated
polyethylene
• These are highly resistant to UV
attack.
• It can be manufactured in light, heat
reflective colours.
• It is used mainly on roofs where
ballasting is unacceptable because
of appearance or excessive slope.
77 78

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Polymer-modified bitumens
• These are sheets composed of
bituminous materials to which
polymeric compounds have been
added to increase their flexibility,
cohesion, toughness and resistance
to flow.
• Most are reinforced with fibres,
fibrous mats or plastic films.
• Thickness ranges from 1.0mm to
4.0mm.
Polymer-modified bitumens
• Most are factory-surfaced with
mineral granules, metallic laminates
or elastomeric coatings to protect
against UV deterioration and fire.
• Seams are sealed either by torching
or by using hot asphalt as an
adhesive.
Fluid-applied roof
membrane
• Fluid applied membranes are applied
with a roller or spray gun usually in
several coats - and cure to form a
rubbery membrane.
• Materials applied by this method
include neoprene, silicone,
polyurethane, butyl rubber
and asphalt emulsion.
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10/30/2008
Polymer-modified bitumens
• Some are designed to
self-adhere to the roof
surface
• Others are meant to be
loose laid, bedded in
hot asphalt or softened
on the underside with a
gas fired torch at the
79 moment of application 80
so they will stick to
Fluid-applied roof
membrane
• These are used primarily for domes,
vaults and other complex shapes
that are difficult to roof by
conventional means.
• Such shapes are too flat on top for
tiles but too steep on the sides for
built-up roof membranes - and if
doubly curved are difficult to fit with
81 single-ply membranes. 82
Ballasting
• Ballast serves to hold roof
membranes down against wind uplift.
• It also protects from UV light and
physical wear.
• It contributes to the fire resistance
of a roof covering.
83 84
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 10/30/2008

Traffic decks Traffic decks

• These are installed over flat roof – Low blocks of
membranes for walks, roof terraces plastic on concrete
and sometimes driveways or parking are set on top of
the roof membrane
surfaces. to support the
• Two different details are usually corners of heavy
used: square paving
stones or slabs
with open joints.
85 86

Traffic decks Traffic decks

– In the other, a • In either detail, water falls through
drainage layer the joints in the paving and is caught
of gravel or and drained away by the membrane
no-fines
concrete is
below.
levelled over • The membrane is not pierced in
the membrane either case.
- and open-
jointed paving
blocks are
87 88
installed on top.

This lecture...
• Functions of Ceilings
CEILINGS • Types of Ceilings
– Exposed Structural and
Mechanical Components
– Tightly Attached Ceilings
– Suspended Ceilings
– Interstitial Ceilings
89 90

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 10/30/2008

FUNCTIONS OF CEILINGS FUNCTIONS OF CEILINGS

• They help control the diffusion of • Ceilings are frequently used to
light and sound about a room distribute:
– conditioned air
• They may also play a part in
– artificial light
preventing the passage of sound
– electrical energy
vertically between rooms
– water supply
• Ceilings are expected to resist the – water supply for sprinkler systems
passage of fire – water waste disposal
• They may also accommodate – communications wiring
sprinkler heads for fire suppression 91 – Sound insulation 92

FUNCTIONS OF CEILINGS This lecture...

• The visual impact of ceilings is • Functions of Ceilings 
influenced by the following aspects: • Types of Ceilings
– colour – Exposed Structural and
– texture Mechanical Components
– pattern
– Tightly Attached Ceilings
– shape
– Suspended Ceilings
– Interstitial Ceilings
93 94

Exposed Structural And

TYPES OF CEILINGS
Mechanical Components
• Exposed Structural and Mechanical • In many buildings it makes sense to
Components omit a finished ceiling surface and
• Tightly Attached Ceilings simply expose the structural and
• Suspended Ceilings mechanical components
• Interstitial Ceilings • This approach offers advantages of:
– economy and
– ease of access for maintenance

95 96

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Exposed Structural And
Mechanical Components
• Many types of roof structures are
inherently attractive if left exposed
(e.g. heavy timber beams, concrete
waffle slabs, steel truss and space
trusses).
• In some buildings the structural and
mechanical elements at ceiling level,
if carefully designed, installed and
painted, can create a pleasing
aesthetic effect of their own.
Exposed Structural And
Mechanical Components
Tightly Attached Ceilings
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10/30/2008
Exposed Structural And
Mechanical Components
• It is worth noting that exposing
structural and mechanical
components rather than covering
them with a ceiling does not
necessarily save money.
• This work is not normally done in a
precise, attractive fashion.
• This work should be expected to
97
cost more than similar operations 98
that are hidden behind suspended
Tightly Attached Ceilings
• Ceilings of various materials (e.g.
gypsum plasterboard, timber) may
be attached tightly to wooden joists,
wooden rafters, steel joists or
concrete slabs.
• Special arrangements need to be
worked out where beams and
girders protrude through the plane
of the ceiling - also for ducts,
conduits, pipes and sprinkler heads
99
that fall below the ceiling. 100
Suspended Ceilings
• A ceiling suspended on wires some
distance below the floor or roof
structure can hang level and flat
despite girders, beams, joists and
slabs above.
• This is even possible where the roof
structure is pitched towards roof
drains.
• Ducts, pipes and conduits can be
contained entirely in the plenum
101 space between the ceiling and the 102
structure.
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Suspended Ceilings Suspended Ceilings

103 104

Suspended Ceilings Suspended Ceilings

• Many suspended ceilings can also
• Lighting fixtures, sprinkler heads,
serve as a membrane fire protection
loudspeakers and fire detection
for the floor or roof structure above
devices may be recessed into
- thus eliminating the need for
ceiling.
intricate, individual fireproofing of
steel joists.
• For these reasons, suspended
ceilings have become a popular and
economical feature of many types of
buildings.
105 106

Suspended Ceilings Suspended Ceilings

• Suspended ceilings can be made of almost
any material- the most widely used are:
– gypsum plasterboard (sometimes skim-
coated with plaster)
– various proprietary boards composed of
incombustible fibres.

107 108

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 10/30/2008

Suspended Ceilings Suspended Ceilings

• Each of these materials is supported
on its own special system of small
steel framing members - and the
framing members are hung from the
structure on heavy steel wires

109 110

Suspended Ceilings Suspended Ceilings

• Gypsum board
ceilings are
screwed to
ordinary
light-gauge
channels
suspended on
wires.
111 112

Suspended Ceilings Suspended Ceilings

• Suspended plaster ceilings have
been in use for many years.
• Most suspended ceilings are flat
• Metal lathe is capable of being
formed into non-linear shapes and
this capability is especially useful in
auditoriums, theatres and other
uniquely shaped rooms.
113 114

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Suspended Ceilings
• Fibrous ceilings are delivered to site
as lightweight tiles or panels.
• Ceilings made from fibrous materials
are customarily called acoustical
ceilings because most of them are
highly absorptive of sound energy -
unlike plaster and gypsum ceilings.
115
Suspended Ceilings
• The sound absorption performance
of a ceiling material is measured as
its Noise Reduction Coefficient
(NRC).
• A NRC of 0.85 means that a ceiling
material absorbs 85% of the sound
that reaches it - and reflects only
15% back into the room.
117
Suspended Ceilings
119
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Suspended Ceilings
116
Suspended Ceilings
• NRCs for most acoustical ceiling
materials range from 0.5 to 0.9 -
compared to values below 0.10 for
plaster and gypsum ceiling board
materials.
• The lightweight, porous materials
that produce high NRC ratings allow
most sound energy to pass through
(thus ceiling material with a high 118
NRC generally has a low Sound
Suspended Ceilings
• These ceilings will thus not provide
good acoustic privacy between
rooms unless a suitable full-height
wall separates the rooms - thus
blocking the ceiling plenum.
• Where acoustic privacy is required -
a heavier ceiling material (such as
plaster, gypsum board or a dense
type of lay-in panel) should be used.120
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Suspended Ceilings Suspended Ceilings

• Composite ceiling panels with a • The most economical acoustical
highly absorbent material laminated ceiling systems consist of lay-in
to a dense substrate are panels that are supported by an
manufactured to meet both noise exposed grid.
reduction and sound transmission • Any panel in the ceiling can be lifted
criteria simultaneously. and removed for
• The same result can be obtained by access to
mounting acoustically absorbent tiles services in the
on a suspended ceiling of plaster or 121 plenum space. 122

gypsum board.

Suspended Ceilings Suspended Ceilings

• For a 'smoother' appearance, a
concealed grid system may be used
- but special panels are generally
required for plenum access.
• Acoustical ceilings are often less
expensive than plaster or gypsum
board ceilings and are available in
many different designs (many of
which are rated for fire resistance)

123 124

Suspended Ceilings Suspended Ceilings

• Where a suspended ceiling is used • Air-conditioning grilles must be
as a membrane fireproofing for the isolated from the ducts that feed
structure above, or where it is part them by means of automatic fire
of a fire-resistive assembly, dampers
penetrations of the ceiling must be
detailed so as to maintain the
required degree of fire resistance.
• Lighting fixtures must be backed up
with fire-resistive material. 125 126

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 10/30/2008

Suspended Ceilings Interstitial Ceilings

• Access panels provided for • Many hospital and laboratory
maintenance of above ceiling buildings have extremely elaborate
services must meet requirements for services including:
– air conditioning ducts,
fire resistance.
– water and waste piping,
– electrical and communications wiring
– fuel gas lines,
– compressed air lines,
– oxygen piping,
– chilled water piping,
127 128
– vacuum piping,
– chemical waste piping.

Interstitial Ceilings Interstitial Ceilings

• These ducts and tubes occupy a
considerable volume of space in a
building often in an amount that
virtually equals the inhabited
volume!
• Furthermore, all these systems
require continual maintenance and
are subject to frequent change.
• As consequence, many such 129 130

buildings are designed with

Interstitial Ceilings Interstitial Ceilings

• These are ceilings suspended at a • Its advantage is that maintenance
level that allows workers to travel and updating work can be carried on
freely in the plenum space (usually without interruption to the activities
while walking erect) and is designed below.
to be strong enough to support the
weight of workers and their tools.
• In effect, the plenum becomes
another floor of the building - and
the overall height of the building 131 132

increases accordingly.

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 10/30/2008

This lecture...
• Functions of Ceilings 
• Types of Ceilings
– Exposed Structural and
Mechanical Components

– Tightly Attached Ceilings 
– Suspended Ceilings 
– Interstitial Ceilings  133

23
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