Drop ceiling code#

You have 2 viable choices vinyl coated and solid vinyl, Unfortunately, vinyl coated tiles are easy to damage and if their vinyl wrapper breaks or peels (which is common), you are left with health code violations. The Health Department requires you to have flat, smooth, white, cleanable ceiling tiles in all areas where food and drink are prepared.

There is more work involved to make MEP systems attractive enough to be aesthetically pleasing.Īlthough exposed ceilings can raise monthly costs, the modern design is eye-catching and creates a spacious feel.Restaurants, Kitchens, Food Processing and Bottling Plants, Hotels, Bars and anywhere Food & Drinks are prepared, offered and served:.The additional space means there is a larger area to heat and cool, raising energy expenses.There are options to create a sound barrier in spaces with open ceilings, though this requires additional planning and labor. Without the barrier of panels, sound travels and echoes with exposed ceilings.The industrial look is no doubt an appealing design, but open ceilings have disadvantages as well. With exposed systems, MEP maintenance is easily attended to.There is also the option for more natural light with exposed ceilings, either with skylights or large windows.MEP systems can be painted or customized to become design elements, and there is more room for creativity with lighting fixtures. Exposed ceilings have a modern aesthetic appeal.The additional space of the exposed ceiling creates a vast and open feel in the office or retail area.Here are some of the advantages that come with exposed ceilings: With exposed ceilings, all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing installations are exposed. One way to easily attain this style is with exposed, or open, ceilings. The industrial look is gaining more popularity in both residential and commercial spaces. While suspended ceilings conceal MEP systems, they also hide any issues that may arise.Įven with the disadvantages, drop ceilings remain a popular option because they cover MEP installations while providing easy access, and help keep energy costs low.Panels can sag over time and will show stains from water damage or discoloration.Drop ceilings lower the ceiling, making the room feel smaller.Here are some things to consider with drop ceilings: Of course, the design of drop ceilings doesn’t come without disadvantages. The drop ceiling creates a smaller space to be heated or cooled, reducing energy costs and making it easier to maintain a comfortable temperature.Suspended ceilings provide an extra layer to block exterior sounds, which is especially beneficial in multi-floor buildings.Panels can be easily removed when the maintenance of an MEP system is required.The panels conceal all mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) installations.Instead, it is made up of panels or tiles that hang below the roof.ĭrop ceilings have been used for many years due to these benefits: The drop ceiling is not a part of the structural foundation of the building. Drop CeilingsĪ drop ceiling, also called a suspended ceiling, is what typically comes to mind when you think of ceilings in an office space, retail store, or school classroom. Keep reading to learn about the advantages and disadvantages of each. In commercial buildings, drop and exposed ceilings are the most common ceiling types. Ceilings can change the look, feel, and even energy costs for a space.