I came across some text that I am pretty sure is old:
ALL LAY-IN PANEL CEILINGS SHALL COMPLY WITH THE CEILINGS AND INTERIOR SYSTEM CONSTRUCTION ASSOCIATION (CISCA) MANUAL RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIRECT-HUNG ACOUSTICAL TILE AND LAY-IN PANEL CEILINGS FOR ZONES 0 - 2.
Now, out-of-the-box MasterSpec only references CISCO in terms of pressurized plenums. Seismic installation references ASCE/SEI 7.
Googling the phrase, I came across a number of 5 digit section, plus some manufacturer provided specs that have it phrased differently.
I also came across the CISCA Seismic Construction Handbook (which refences seismic categories A-F.)
Loretta: I’m glad you asked the question - it’s been sitting in the back of my mind and it is way past time for us to update our masters. The CISCA Handbook is still out there, updated to ASCE 7-10 at least. There is an ASTM E580 cited in UFGS 095100 2020. ASTM E580-20 still cites UBC and BOCA. I’d like to know about the MasterSpec writer’s decision to delete the CISCA reference in Part 3. The current MasterSpec is from 9/14 so is way overdue for an update. Part 3 does not cite an installation standard now, only referring to an assumed Delegated Design under Performance Requirements which strikes me as naive: how many small and modest sized projects in seismic zones require delegated seismic design by a PE, and why would those engineered seismic designs differ significantly from manufacturer and CISCA practices? I hope we can get some helpful comments here.
Here in the Pacific Northwest we use the Northwest Wall and Ceiling Bureau’s Technical Document 401 ‘Suspension Systems for Acoustical Lay-In Ceilings Seismic Design Catagories D, E &F’.
After a fair amount of googling around, I think this may be closing in on the updated phrasing. I think the current CISCA recommendations may now be published The Seismic Construction Handbook but I am waiting to hear back from them.
One of the challenges I have found is finding the current, correct publication title.
I emailed Armstrong, CISCA, and UGS. I heard back from Armstrong so far. (I am sure CISCA and UGS will get back to me.)
I cannot find a publication on the CISCA website called “Guidelines for Seismic Restraint of Direct-Hung Suspended Ceiling Assemblies–Seismic Zones 3 & 4.” There are publications called The Ceilings Handbook, and The Seismic Construction Handbook, either of which may contain the guidelines.
After googling around, I found a 2000 publication available at Builders Booksource. I also found an older version of ASTM E580 that appears to have incorporated it. (It is listed in its references.)
I found another reference published around 2012-2013
The NWCB Technical Document references CISCA Seismic Zones 3-4 but not where that is defined. (The other references are to specific publications; CISCA is just the organization.)
So.
Assuming I am correct about where this information is currently published, (pending a response from CISCA), possible updated phrasing could be:
Comply with recommendations for seismic installation as outlined in CISCAs The Seismic Construction Handbook for CISCA Zones 0-2.
(Or the applicable CISCA Seismic Zone.)
(Once I hear back from CISCA, I will probably purchase the applicable publication, but I want to wait until I know which one it is.)