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ASTM E 1264 Classification for Accoustical Ceiling Products
This standard applies to ceiling products that provide acoustical performance and interior finish in buildings and assists in the selection of acoustical ceiling products. This classification classifies acoustical ceilings by type, pattern, and certain ratings for acoustical performance, light reflectance, and fire safety.

ASTM C 423 Reverberant Room Sound Absorption
This test measures the ratio of sound energy absorbed by a surface to the energy striking the surface from all angles. This numerical measure of the ability to absorb sound is known as an absorption coefficient. Coefficients can take on any numerical value from 0 to 1.0. Coefficients are generally presented for six standardized test frequencies over the range of 125-4000 Hz. The single figure rating for a material is the average of four coefficients from 250-2000 Hz inclusive. This is the Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC). The NRC is expressed to the nearest multiple of .05. It should be noted that a difference in NRC of less than .10 is seldom detectable in a completed installation.

ASTM E 1414 Ceiling Sound Attenuation
This test provides a measure of the ability of an acoustical ceiling material to attenuate (weaken) the intensity of sound energy passing from one room to another via the pathway formed by a plenum space shared by two adjacent rooms. Sound energy covering the frequency range of 125-4000 Hz is generated in one of the test rooms and the resulting difference in sound pressure levels between the two rooms at 16 standardized center frequencies is measured. The resulting values are known as sound attenuation factors. These data are used to calculate the Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC) in accordance with ASTM E 413.

ASTM E 119(UL 263,UBC 7-1, NFPA 251) Fire Resistance
This testing method measures the ability of a construction to prevent the spread of fire from one building compartment to another while retaining the structural strength properties of the assembly. Fire resistance classifications are given in terms of the length of test time elapsing before one or more limiting criteria are reached. It is important to remember that classifications are established for entire system designs and not for individual components within the design.

ASTM E 84(UL 723,UBC 8-1, NFPA 255) Surface Burning Characteristics
This test procedure is often referred to as the tunnel test method. The purpose of this test is to determine, under controlled laboratory conditions, the comparative surface burning characteristics of the material under test. The flame spread and smoke developed values which are determined by this test method are expressed as single number designations comparing the test sample performance with that of red oak which is 100 and inorganic reinforced cement board which is taken as 0.

Observations of flame spread distance and time are recorded. The smoke density at the outlet end of the tunnel is recorded during the test period and is used to calculate the smoke developed values. Fire data provided is determined under controlled laboratory conditions using the ASTM E 84 standard and may not be predictive of the materials performance in actual use.

ASTM E 1477 Light Reflectance
This test method describes the evaluation of light reflectance of acoustical material where the application is primarily for designing the level of room illumination.

ASTM C 635 and ASTM C 636
Composition and Installation of Metal Ceiling Suspension Systems for Acoustical Tile and Lay-in Panels
These two ASTM specifications cover the structural properties of metal ceiling suspension systems and the proper installation techniques for these systems.

CertainTeed Testing and Product Performance Values
CertainTeed has its products tested at the CertainTeed Technical Center which has full scale testing capabilities for many of the ASTM tests outlined in this book and is accredited under the National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program (NVLAP) for ASTM C 423 and E 1414. Test data published for the various products, listed in this book, were obtained from the Center or from established commercial test laboratories. The Center facilities are calibrated to National Institute of Standards and Technology standard samples. And periodically, the Center test results are compared, on same samples, with Geiger & Hamme (CAC) and Riverbank Laboratories (NRC).

Size Tolerances
Celotone tiles are manufactured to size tolerances consistent with the fibrous nature of the product. When installing the tile, the tolerances can become cumulative. Concealed Suspension System selection should include provisions for positioning the suspension members to accommodate the inherent gain or loss that may occur in continuous runs of tile.

Consult CertainTeed for further information.