BS EN 13964:2014

BS EN corrigendum
Incorporating 13964:2014
May 2014

BSI Standards Publication

Suspended ceilings —
Requirements and test
methods
BS EN 13964:2014 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of EN 13964:2014. It
supersedes BS EN 13964:2004+A1:2006 which will be withdrawn on
31 December 2015.
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee B/548, Suspended ceilings.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained
on request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2014.
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2014
ISBN 978 0 580 86418 6
ICS 91.060.30
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the Standards
Policy and Strategy Committee on 31 March 2014.
Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication
Date Text affected
Correction to supersession details in national foreword
 BS EN 13964:2014

EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 13964

NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM March 2014

ICS 91.060.30 Supersedes EN 13964:2004

English Version

Suspended ceilings - Requirements and test methods

Plafonds suspendus - Exigences et méthodes d'essai Unterdecken - Anforderungen und Prüfverfahren

This European Standard was approved by CEN on 29 August 2013.

CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same
status as the official versions.

CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania,
Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United
Kingdom.

EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION

COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2014 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 13964:2014 E
worldwide for CEN national Members.
BS EN 13964:2014
EN 13964:2014 (E)

Contents Page

Foreword ..............................................................................................................................................................6
Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................7
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................8
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................9
3 Terms and definitions ........................................................................................................................ 12
3.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 12
3.2 Suspended ceiling and substructure components (see Figure 1) ................................................ 13
3.2.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 13
3.2.2 Fixing, connections and supports .................................................................................................... 14
3.3 Ceiling membranes and ceiling membrane components ............................................................... 14
3.4 Typical suspended ceiling systems using volume or thin gauge materials ................................ 16
4 Requirements ...................................................................................................................................... 20
4.1 Dimensions and tolerances – General ............................................................................................. 20
4.2 Modular dimensions ........................................................................................................................... 20
4.3 Mechanical resistance and stability of load bearing components ................................................ 29
4.3.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 29
4.3.2 Substructure........................................................................................................................................ 29
4.3.3 Suspension components and fasteners .......................................................................................... 31
4.3.4 Resistance to fixings .......................................................................................................................... 31
4.3.5 Wind load resistance .......................................................................................................................... 31
4.3.6 Impact resistance................................................................................................................................ 31
4.3.7 Seismic resistance ............................................................................................................................. 31
4.4 Safety in case of fire ........................................................................................................................... 32
4.4.1 Fire resistance..................................................................................................................................... 32
4.4.2 Reaction to fire .................................................................................................................................... 32
4.5 Hygiene, health and environment – Toxic gases and dangerous substances ............................ 33
4.5.1 Release of Asbestos (content) .......................................................................................................... 33
4.5.2 Release and/or content of formaldehyde ......................................................................................... 34
4.5.3 Other dangerous substances ............................................................................................................ 34
4.5.4 Susceptibility to the growth of harmful micro-organisms ............................................................. 34
4.6 Safety in use ........................................................................................................................................ 34
4.6.1 Shatter properties ............................................................................................................................... 34
4.6.2 Flexural tensile strength .................................................................................................................... 35
4.6.3 Mechanical strength, safety against failure – baffles ..................................................................... 35
4.6.4 Electrical safety................................................................................................................................... 35
4.7 Acoustics ............................................................................................................................................. 35
4.7.1 Test specimen preparation ................................................................................................................ 35
4.7.2 Sound absorption ............................................................................................................................... 35
4.7.3 Sound insulation ................................................................................................................................. 36
4.7.4 Direct field of application ................................................................................................................... 36
4.8 Durability ............................................................................................................................................. 36
4.8.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 36
4.8.2 Dampness ............................................................................................................................................ 36
4.8.3 Service life requirements ................................................................................................................... 37
4.8.4 Classification of ceiling exposure conditions ................................................................................. 37
4.8.5 Corrosion protection .......................................................................................................................... 37
4.8.6 Contact corrosion protection ............................................................................................................ 38
4.8.7 Durability of non-cellular PVC profiles ............................................................................................. 38
4.8.8 Durability of wooden products .......................................................................................................... 39
4.9 Colour, light reflectance and gloss factor for suspended ceiling components ........................... 39
4.9.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 39

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EN 13964:2014 (E)

4.9.2 Measurement method of colour composition .................................................................................. 39

4.9.3 Measurement method for light reflectance ....................................................................................... 39
4.9.4 Measurement and value of gloss factor ............................................................................................ 39
4.10 Thermal insulation ............................................................................................................................... 39
5 Loading capacity of substructures components – Test methods.................................................. 39
5.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 39
5.2 Bending test of metal substructure profiles ..................................................................................... 40
5.2.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 40
5.2.2 Procedure for testing .......................................................................................................................... 40
5.2.3 Assessment of results ........................................................................................................................ 41
5.2.4 Test report ............................................................................................................................................ 42
5.3 Testing of metal suspension and connecting components ............................................................ 43
5.3.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 43
5.3.2 Static test.............................................................................................................................................. 47
5.3.3 Functional test ..................................................................................................................................... 48
5.3.4 Assessment of test results (static test) ............................................................................................ 48
5.3.5 Test report ............................................................................................................................................ 48
5.4 Acceptance factor kσ ........................................................................................................................... 49
6 Evaluation of conformity .................................................................................................................... 50
6.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 50
6.2 Initial type testing ................................................................................................................................ 50
6.3 Factory production control (FPC) ...................................................................................................... 51
6.3.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 51
6.3.2 General requirements ......................................................................................................................... 51
6.3.3 Product specific requirements ........................................................................................................... 51
6.3.4 Initial inspection of factory and of FPC ............................................................................................. 55
6.3.5 Continuous surveillance of FPC ........................................................................................................ 56
6.3.6 Procedure for modifications............................................................................................................... 56
7 Marking, labelling and packaging ...................................................................................................... 56
7.1 Marking and labelling .......................................................................................................................... 56
7.2 Packaging ............................................................................................................................................. 56
8 Technical documentation ................................................................................................................... 56
Annex A (informative) Guidance for installation ............................................................................................ 57
A.1 Introduction .......................................................................................................................................... 57
A.2 Manufacturer’s instructions ............................................................................................................... 57
A.3 Site conditions ..................................................................................................................................... 58
A.4 Supply and storage of materials ........................................................................................................ 58
A.5 Measurement and maximum deviations ........................................................................................... 58
A.5.1 Level mark ............................................................................................................................................ 58
A.5.2 Flatness ................................................................................................................................................ 58
A.5.3 Squareness .......................................................................................................................................... 58
A.5.4 Alignment of linear components ....................................................................................................... 58
A.5.5 Cut to size membrane components ................................................................................................... 58
A.5.6 Fire resistant ceilings.......................................................................................................................... 59
A.5.7 Top fixing and perimeter trim fixing .................................................................................................. 59
A.6 Mechanical resistance and stability of load bearing components ................................................. 59
Annex B (informative) Selection of top fixing and perimeter trim fixing ..................................................... 61
Annex C (informative) Wind load resistance .................................................................................................. 63
Annex D (normative) Impact resistance ......................................................................................................... 64
D.1 Scope .................................................................................................................................................... 64
D.2 Definitions ............................................................................................................................................ 64
D.3 Test apparatus ..................................................................................................................................... 64
D.3.1 Balls ...................................................................................................................................................... 64
D.3.2 Ball gun................................................................................................................................................. 64
D.4 Mounting of structural elements ........................................................................................................ 65

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EN 13964:2014 (E)

D.5 Test procedure .................................................................................................................................... 65

D.5.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 65
D.5.2 Calibration of the ball gun apparatus ............................................................................................... 66
D.5.3 Testing of ceiling elements ................................................................................................................ 66
D.6 Evaluation ............................................................................................................................................ 66
D.7 Test report ........................................................................................................................................... 66
Annex E (normative) Formaldehyde classes and associated test methods .............................................. 68
Annex F (normative) Membrane components – Flexural tensile strength test ......................................... 70
F.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 70
F.2 Test equipment ................................................................................................................................... 70
F.2.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 70
F.2.2 Test frame ............................................................................................................................................ 70
F.2.3 Loading equipment ............................................................................................................................. 71
F.2.4 Test room/chamber............................................................................................................................. 72
F.2.5 Balance ................................................................................................................................................ 72
F.3 Test conditions ................................................................................................................................... 72
F.3.1 Environmental conditions .................................................................................................................. 72
F.3.2 Restraints/boundary conditions........................................................................................................ 72
F.4 Test specimen ..................................................................................................................................... 73
F.4.1 Size and characteristics ..................................................................................................................... 73
F.4.2 Number of specimens ........................................................................................................................ 73
F.4.3 Conditioning ........................................................................................................................................ 73
F.5 Test procedure .................................................................................................................................... 73
F.5.1 Types of loading of the specimen ..................................................................................................... 73
F.5.2 General ................................................................................................................................................. 73
F.5.3 Test without loading (minimum normative requirement) ............................................................... 73
F.5.4 Test with additional load .................................................................................................................... 74
F.6 Test report ........................................................................................................................................... 75
F.7 Extended field of application ............................................................................................................. 76
Annex G (normative) Suspension component – Functional test ................................................................ 77
Annex H (normative) Perimeter trim component- Functional test, determination of load bearing
capacity ................................................................................................................................................ 80
H.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 80
H.2 Basic test for perimeter trims ............................................................................................................ 80
H.2.1 Test installation................................................................................................................................... 80
H.2.2 Fixing the perimeter trims .................................................................................................................. 81
H.2.3 Test load .............................................................................................................................................. 81
H.2.4 Number of tests................................................................................................................................... 82
H.2.5 Application of the load ....................................................................................................................... 82
H.2.6 Perimeter trim thickness .................................................................................................................... 83
H.2.7 Alternative testing............................................................................................................................... 83
H.2.8 Test report ........................................................................................................................................... 83
Annex I (normative) Reaction to fire test - Mounting and fixing ................................................................. 85
I.1 Dimensions of the test rig in accordance with EN 13823 ............................................................... 85
I.2 Ceiling membrane components ........................................................................................................ 85
I.2.1 Mounting and fixing in accordance with EN 13823 ......................................................................... 85
I.2.2 End use application rules .................................................................................................................. 92
I.3 Substructure components ................................................................................................................. 92
I.3.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 92
I.3.2 Mounting and fixing in accordance with EN 13823 ......................................................................... 93
I.3.3 End use application rules .................................................................................................................. 94
I.4 Reaction to fire requirements for small products and components ............................................. 95
I.4.1 Principles ............................................................................................................................................. 95
I.4.2 Small kit components ......................................................................................................................... 95
I.4.3 Small constituents .............................................................................................................................. 95
I.4.4 Linear joint kit components ............................................................................................................... 96
I.4.5 Embedded constituents ..................................................................................................................... 96

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EN 13964:2014 (E)

I.4.6 Provisions accompanying performance declarations ..................................................................... 96

Annex J (normative) Mechanical strength, safety against failure – baffles ................................................ 97
J.1 General ................................................................................................................................................. 97
J.2 Test equipment .................................................................................................................................... 97
J.2.1 Loading brackets ................................................................................................................................. 97
J.2.2 Conditioning chamber ........................................................................................................................ 97
J.2.3 Loading device .................................................................................................................................... 97
J.3 Test specimen ...................................................................................................................................... 97
J.4 Number of specimen ........................................................................................................................... 97
J.5 Conditioning ........................................................................................................................................ 97
J.6 Test set up (see Figure J.1) ................................................................................................................ 98
J.7 Test procedure ..................................................................................................................................... 99
J.8 Performance criteria, assessment, evaluation and expression of the test result ...................... 100
J.9 Test report .......................................................................................................................................... 100
Annex K (informative) Reaction to fire performance - Classified without the need for further
testing (CWFT) ................................................................................................................................... 101
Annex L (informative) Guidance on the choice of attestation of conformity system .............................. 102
Annex M (informative) Significant technical changes between this European Standard and the
previous edition ................................................................................................................................. 105
Annex ZA (informative) Clauses of this European Standard addressing essential requirements or
other provisions of EU Directives .................................................................................................... 106
ZA.1 Scope and relevant clauses ............................................................................................................. 106
ZA.2 Procedure for attestation of conformity .......................................................................................... 111
ZA.2.1 Systems of attestation of conformity .............................................................................................. 111
ZA.2.2 EC certificate of conformity and EC declaration of conformity.................................................... 117
ZA.3 CE marking ......................................................................................................................................... 119
ZA.3.1 General ............................................................................................................................................... 119
ZA.3.2 Examples of CE marking for suspended ceilings products according to EN 13964.................. 119
ZA.3.3 Examples of CE marking for products according to EN 13964 and at the same time
according also to (an)other harmonized technical specification(s)............................................. 126
Bibliography .................................................................................................................................................... 128

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BS EN 13964:2014
EN 13964:2014 (E)

Foreword
This document (EN 13964:2014) has been prepared by Technical Committee CEN/TC 277 “Suspended
ceilings”, the secretariat of which is held by NBN.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of an identical
text or by endorsement, at the latest by September 2014, and conflicting national standards shall be
withdrawn at the latest by December 2015.

Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. CEN [and/or CENELEC] shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

This document supersedes EN 13964:2004.

Changes introduced in this document compared with the previous version have been indicated in Annex M.

This document has been prepared under a mandate given to CEN by the European Commission and the
European Free Trade Association, and supports essential requirements of EU Directive(s).

For relationship with EU Directive(s), see informative Annex ZA, which is an integral part of this document.

According to the CEN-CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of the following
countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech
Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece,
Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal,
Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and the United Kingdom.

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 BS EN 13964:2014
EN 13964:2014 (E)

Introduction
Diagram 1 shows the relationship between this European Standard prepared by CEN/TC 277 ”Suspended
ceilings” and other European Standards prepared by CEN/TC 241 “Gypsum products” and CEN/TC 112
“Wood-based panels”.

Diagram 1

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BS EN 13964:2014
EN 13964:2014 (E)

1 Scope
This European Standard covers membranes, individual substructure components, substructure kits and
suspended ceiling kits intended to be placed on the market. It covers suspended ceilings sold as a complete
kit, substructures placed on the market as kits, individual components (products) of such substructures, and
membrane components. It includes test methods and methods of assessment, as well as provisions for the
evaluation of conformity and for the marking of the products to the requirements of this European Standard.

In the absence of any other European Standard, this European Standard specifies dimensions, tolerances
and, where relevant, performance requirements, for commonly available ceiling substructures and membrane
components.

This European Standard covers the following characteristics:

 reaction to fire;

 fire resistance (suspended ceiling kits only);

 release and/or content of dangerous substances:

 release of asbestos (content) (suspended ceiling kits and membrane components only);

 release of formaldehyde (suspended ceiling kits and membrane components only);

 other dangerous substances;

 shatter properties (safe breakage)/impact resistance (for suspended ceiling kits and membrane
components of brittle materials in suspended ceiling kits only);

 flexural tensile strength;

 load bearing capacity, tolerances and dimensions;

 electrical safety (as adequacy of the product to avoid electrocution from installations that may be part of
the assembled ceiling, using electricity, such as ventilation devices and lighting);

 direct airborne sound insulation (suspended ceiling kits only);

 sound absorption (suspended ceiling kits and membrane components only);

 thermal conductivity (suspended ceiling kits and membrane components only);

 susceptibility to the growth of harmful micro-organisms;

 resistance to fixings (relevant for components that are mechanically fixed);

 durability of flexural tensile strength and load bearing capacity against moisture.

This European Standard also covers the following requirements:

 colour and light reflectance;

 installation.