In terms of the NCC and relevant Australian Standards, most building classes need to be designed for seismic activity. That includes not only the primary structural frame, but also the non-structural components and fastenings, including suspended ceilings.

Siniat’s suspended ceiling systems were tested for seismic performance and compliance at a leading facility in the USA. Here our systems were subjected to rigorous testing in real-world, large-scale conditions. Our systems passed and surpassed Australian standards and the results have given us a better understanding of how our seismic ceiling solutions perform under seismic load.

Siniat is the only Australian manufacturer of lightweight building solutions to supply full plasterboard and metal systems to the market, and complete systems were tested in the US. We are the only Australian manufacturer to offer fire rated and non-fire rated seismic solutions to the market.

Siniat can offer three types of internal suspended ceiling solutions suitable for different ceiling sizes and applications that comply with seismic requirements.

Type A (Fire rated and Non-fire rated): One side fixed and the opposite side sliding.

Type A can be used in small to medium rooms. It is also suitable for long corridors without the need for plenum bracing, e.g. in shopping centres or hospitals. The design is used for fire rated and non-fire rated applications.

Type B (Fire rated and Non-fire rated): Two adjacent sides fixed and two adjacent sides free.

Type B is typically used in small to medium rooms. During an earthquake the ceiling will move with the wall on the fixed sides, but move freely on the free sides. The design is used for fire rated and non-fire rated applications.

Type C (Fire rated and Non-fire rated): 2-way plenum brace with four sides free.

The main advantage of this installation is that it can be used in ceilings of all sizes. The Type C design solution does not rely on any perimeter fixing but rather uses a ceiling plenum bracing system to stabilise the ceiling during a seismic event. The design is used for fire-rated and non-fire rated applications.