NEWS ARTICLE ARCHIVESSuspended Ceiling Compliance from Dynamic Composite Technologies Drop dead ceilings - Ceiling compliance for food preparation zones. It is not uncommon to see drop-ceiling panels used in commercial food processing areas, and with good reason; they are economical, quick to install and damaged panels can be easily replaced. However, these highly absorbent, porous panels are almost impossible to keep clean. Over time these panels may come to harbour harmful pathogens and spoilage microbes within food preparation areas. In accordance with Australian Standards (AS4674-2004), ceilings in commercial food preparation areas must be appropriately designed and constructed to achieve required hygiene levels. The use of drop-in ceiling panels (false ceilings) is not permitted for use in commercial food preparation areas or over areas where open food is displayed or served to the public. This also applies to suspended acoustic tile ceilings. Ceilings in food preparation zones should be finished with an impervious sealed material that is resistant to wet substances penetrating its surface in any way. The finished ceiling surface should not have any perforations or exposed joints, cracks or crevices so as to minimise microbial niches and to prevent the accumulation of food, dirt and grease. This also ensures that the ceiling is pest proof. Replacing an existing false ceiling to comply with current Australian Standards requirements can be a costly, dirty and time consuming exercise. Retrofitting directly over your existing ceiling with a single fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) panel may prove to be a more time and cost-effective investment. When refurbishing your old drop-in ceiling, proper design and material choices are the key to achieving a long lasting, easy to clean and hygienic finish. Dynamic Composite Technologies (DCT) have a range of FRP ceiling panels called Glasbord which can be mounted directly over an existing false ceiling, as well as walls and slightly curved surfaces in commercial food preparation areas. Glasbord is made of fibreglass reinforced plastic and is a durable, flexible building material that will not harbour fungal growths, mildew, it will never rot, rust, corrode or require painting. It exhibits excellent resistance to mild chemicals and moisture. Tests have concluded that Glasbord presents no colour change after prolonged direct contact to concentrated ammonia-based cleaners and has a Class C rating for flame spread and smoke development when tested to ASTM E-84. Unlike other FRP ceiling panels, Glasbord has a unique surface treatment called Surfaseal. When compared to ordinary FRP's, Glasbord with Surfaseal exhibits up to ten times the cleanability, six times the stain resistance and twice the abrasion resistance of other FRP products tested. Glasbord has a serviceable temperature range from -40°C to 66°C and has been used in European commercial food processing and manufacturing facilities for the past 25 years. Mounting FRP panels can be likened to hanging wallpapering. Using a recommended high grab strength, permanently flexible adhesive is applied to the back of the FRP panel which is then adhered to the existing substrate. Due to the high elasticity and superior adhesion edge, the adhesive can tolerate moderate movement and is the ideal sealant in environments with large temperature fluctuations. Vertical jointing strips can also be used to ensure that the joint is covered perfectly. If required, dowels can also be used to support the Glasbord panels. On installation of Glasbord FRP panels, the first thing customers will notice is how quickly the room has been transformed. Plus Glasbord FRP panels have the added benefit of no unpleasant polyester resin odour which is normally attributed with fibreglass. This means operations can resume quickly, whilst the high grab strength, permanently flexible adhesive continues to strength. Glasbord with Surfaseal can also be used in new builds for both ceilings and walls applications. About Glasbord with Surfaseal
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