Floor Structure and Finishes Ceiling Functional requirements ‘The functional requirements of ceiling finishes are: 1 To provide additional fire resistance for the structural floor, 2 To provide the required acoustic properties for the room being served. 3 To be aesthetically pleasing. Figure 9 gives some typical examples of ceiling finishes for industrial and commercial premises. Note in Figure 9a the use of suspended ceilings, Suspended ceilings are a convenient way of: 1 Hiding the structural floor. 2 Changing the dimensions of a room. 3. Providing a convenient space in which to run building services, There is a wide variety of suspended ceiling systems available; those illustrated are typical. Access to the ceiling void is via removable tiles. Selection of ceiling finishes Apart from considering the functional requirements, we also need to consider the cost of the ceiling relative to the remainder of the construction, and the frequency and ease of maintenance The need for flexibility in the use of the building may also be an important consideration, 31 8012Floor Structure and Finishes FIGURE 9(a) Ceiling finishes ‘Hessian scrim Plasterboard & skim coat of plaster Expanded metal lathing nailed, shot fired or rawlbolted to structure With 2 coat plaster Hessian scrim and til at joint Thick sprayed mineral fibre finish 32 8012Floor Structure and Finishes FIGURE 9(b) ‘Typical 2 frame and tile system wiodices ‘Suspended callings 33 8012Floor Structure and Finishes FIGURE 9(c) -_. ae = sie Galvanized steel suspended ceiling system Manutactured tom geared steel o BS 2989, 1982 71 ‘ualiy coatna type 6275 ‘Adjustable hangers jor avis For eas and ficient veling Denson 30% 2 5mm length as requred Main bearers Smply cp eto Fargers Dimensions 38 > 11> LS x 5m Furring channels Foruse wt at ah Dmensone 25 % 10 > 1mm x Sen for 9 10 % 15mm > 5m Flat bar Forstebent hangers mensions 30 25mm x 3m or cut to lng roqured ‘Assembly of system Stage 1 pt’ into sot of part asilutrated and tun down. Stage2 Insert coach bolt trough sot of pat‘ and hole of par'R attach washar and ut To al for equal up or down fadustmert cf celing level. ocat bo a certre of Sot n Hanger part’A'can be Bon an in at [iecger pert A can bee iv aserbled hangers to underside of structural sab spplied with straight top —= at centres spoofed, usng a surable method whch mus < ‘ater for des loads per hanger. Gee equvaent oad per anger cn oppeste page) S| parts aera nee curse Fst reer Shi, lustrated, ensure that hangers are vertical. Check bearers: aH fee! bt oy scents anda ange t ‘ces otiens th gomet C N icnfstlahs lobe wed ng chanel tm ~ Stage 2p For dpe offing requirga |, bewes each tersecon wth sme pavande re refer to Yoad per hanger wre as lusrate ‘us cooon fatecia toad per Fay ‘stare be Ged ect oman base chanel, a caaen [ae ths | wtnchawelsat maura coomcones at galyouts nd nooo poe) Maximum adjustment 34 8012FIGURE 9(d) g z z B ae 2 | @ 8012Floor Structure and Finishes FIGURE 9(e) 9 035008 SHVRLSAS NOISN34SmS HOWL SNOWLSHNEY Ualsis Nvas ONO ss YoTOUWANTIVETN 8012 36Floor Structure and Finishes FIGURE 9(f) SUSPENSION SYSTEMS. ] BANDRASTER | 37 8012Floor Structure and Finishes Platform floors Figure 10 gives details of the construction of two types of typical platform floors for use in industrial or commercial premises. Note in each case how the vertical height is achieved, and how the flooring units are constructed, Platform floors are used where itis necessary to provide space particularly forelectrical and ‘communication services. They are installed above the structural floor which needs to have a good, level surface. Any of the structural floors described above could be used as the subfloor for a platform floor. Platform floors are most frequently used in modern offices since they allow the free running, of computer and power cables, and provide for alterations and extensions. If platform floors are to be installed in an existing building, careful consideration needs to be given to the variations in level which will occur at doorways ete. FIGURE 10 Platform floors Floor pane!) cop —___—— | Aerated concrete pedestal block 38, 8012Floor Structure and Finishes Advances in cabling technology (fibre optics, category five cabling), are reducing 300-400 mm floor voids to only 35 mm platform floors. FIGURE 10 (continued) Tyoe CMT/S0M module Galvanised stee! compression plate! Pedestal type 3/20 shown See table opposite for pedestal section ‘Mechanica! fixing it specitiod “Adhesive fixing wubfloor. Courtesy: HH Roberston Summary This paper has dealt with a small selection of the numerous types of floor structures and floor finishes which are currently available, and you are advised to consult trade journals and other literature for more detailed information about these and other techniques. If you are able to examine floors under construction, then try to establish the construction sequence, and the means of ensuring structural integrity, 39 8012Floor Structure and Finishes 40 8012