Technical
Document Seismic Technical Guide
Partition Attachment
Code Requirements1 The International Building Code (IBC) defines the requirement for the lateral
bracing of non-structural partitions also known as partition attachment.
Generally, partition attachment and their supports and attachments must be defined in the project
drawings. However, there are exceptions and the actual construction of partition attachment in a
seismic design category can meet code requirements in different ways.
Partition extending from floor to structure
structure
suspended ceiling
partition partition
Partition attached to suspended ceiling
structure
suspended ceiling
partition partition
1
See last page for Seismic Code Reference Standards
Guidelines
Partition Attachment
Categories D, E, F
The following data applies to Seismic Design Category D, E, F. In Seismic Design Category C, the ceiling system
shall not provide lateral support for walls or partitions. Walls or partitions shall only be attached to ceiling
suspension provided they allow the ceiling membrane to move laterally to accommodate the required clearance,
minimum 3/8 in. (9 mm).
Requirements Partitions that are tied to the ceiling and all partitions greater than 6 ft (1.8 m) in height shall be laterally braced
to the building structure. Such bracing shall be independent of any other ceiling splay bracing. Bracing shall be
spaced to limit horizontal deflection at the partition head to be compatible with ceiling deflection requirements.
– Partitions that are tied to the ceiling shall be laterally braced to the building structure.
– Partitions greater than 6 ft (1.8 m) in height shall be laterally braced to the building structure.
– Partitions may not be supported by the braced suspended ceiling alone unless designed by an engineer.
– Lateral force bracing for the partition must be independent of the bracing of the suspended ceiling.
– Plenum depth should not exceed 10 ft.
Exceptions Partitions that meet all of the following conditions are exempt from the above requirement:
1. The partition height does not exceed 9 ft (2.7 m).
2. The linear weight of the partition does not exceed the product of 10 lb (0.479 kN) times the height (ft)
of the partition.
3. The partition horizontal seismic load does not exceed 5 psf.
USG recommends that the design team, consulting engineers and code officials work together to analyze
these factors and determine the appropriate construction and application of partition attachment. Because codes
continue to evolve, check with a local official prior to designing and installing a partition bracing system.
Options 1. Two min. 12 gauge splay wires installed at maximum 45° from horizontal axes in opposite directions,
perpendicular to partition at a maximum 8 feet on center.
2. Rigid bracing, minimum 25 gauge (18 mils) metal studs installed at maximum 45° from horizontal axes at
maximum 8 feet on center, alternating sides.
3. Connection to the suspension system with two min. 12 gauge splay wires installed at maximum 45° from
horizontal axes in opposite directions, perpendicular to partition along with a vertical strut at a maximum
4 feet on center.
4. A perpendicular intersecting wall may substitute for a rigid brace.
5. Support by a suspended drywall ceiling. Drywall suspension ceiling must be flat and extend from load bearing
wall to load bearing wall.
6. Approval by engineer of record to use the suspension system of a lay-in ceiling for partition support.
Note: Non-structural partition bracing requirements must be independent of any other suspended ceiling bracing requirement.
When required they are installed in addition to the other suspended ceiling bracing elements.
2 Partition Attachment
Construction
Patition Attachment
Independent Bracing Two splay wires One rigid brace
structure structure
max. 10' one rigid brace at max. max. 10'
8' o.c. at alternate sides
max. 45˚ max. 45˚ max. 45˚
suspended ceiling suspended ceiling
partition partition
Connection to Overivew
Suspension System
vertical strut structure vertical strut
12 gauge splay wires or stabilizer bar or stabilizer bar
installed at maximum
45˚ from horizontal axis
in opposite directions and
perpendicular to partition 12 gauge splay wires
installed at maximum
suspended ceiling 45˚ from horizontal axis
in opposite directions and
perpendicular to partition
partition partition
Detail
vertical strut
or stabilizer bar
12 gauge splay wires installed
at maximum 45˚ from horizontal
axis in opposite directions and
45˚ max. 45˚ max. perpendicular to partition
positive attachment
of ceiling track to ceiling track
suspension system
partition
Partition Attachment 3
Construction
Partition Attachment
Connection to Ceiling track screw attached to tee from bottom
Suspension System,
continued vertical strut
or stabilizer bar 12 gauge splay wires installed
at maximum 45˚ from horizontal
axis in opposite directions and
max. 45˚ max. 45˚ perpendicular to partition
ceiling track screw
fastened to tee
ceiling track
partition
Ceiling track screw fastened from bottom with sliding bolt
vertical strut
or stabilizer bar 12 gauge splay wires installed
at maximum 45˚ from horizontal
axis in opposite directions and
max. 45˚ max. 45˚ perpendicular to partition
ceiling track screw
fastened to tee
ceiling track
partition
4 Partition Attachment
Construction
Partition Attachment
Partition Attachment Square edge panels Square edge panels – Detail
Clip
vertical strut
or stabilizer bar 12 gauge splay wires installed
at maximum 45˚ from horizontal
axis in opposite directions and
max. 45˚ max. 45˚ perpendicular to partition
partition attachment ceiling track screw
track (for square fastened to tee
edge panels) ceiling track
partition
Reveal edge panels Reveal edge panels – Detail
vertical strut
or stabilizer bar 12 gauge splay wires installed
at maximum 45˚ from horizontal
axis in opposite directions and
max. 45˚ max. 45˚ perpendicular to partition
partition attachment ceiling track screw
track (for reveal fastened to tee
edge panels) ceiling track
partition
Note: The attachment clip shown above is manufactured by Revoe Manufacturing of Canada (www.revoe.com) and can be
purchased through USG.
Partition Attachment 5
Seismic Code Reference Standards
Installation Guidelines for Suspended Ceilings
International Building Code (IBC) 2003 IBC 2006 IBC 2009 IBC 2012 IBC
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) ASCE7-02 ASCE7-05 ASCE7-05 ASCE7-10
Ceilings Interior Systems Construction CISCA Zones 0-2 CISCA Zones 0-2 CISCA Zones 0-2 ASTM E580
Association (CISCA) CISCA Zones 3-4 CISCA Zones 3-4 CISCA Zones 3-4
or
ASTM International (ASTM)
International Building Code (IBC) defines Seismic Design Categories A, B, C, D, E, and F.
www.iccsafe.org
ASCE/SEI 7 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures
American Society of Civil Engineers/Structural Engineer Institute (ASCE/SEI)
www.asce.org
Guidelines for Seismic Restraint for Direct-hung Suspended Ceiling Assemblies (Zones 3-4)
Recommendations for Direct-hung Acoustical Tile and Lay-in Panel Ceilings (Zones 0-2)
CISCA Ceilings & Interior Systems Construction Association (CISCA)
www.cisca.org
ASTM Internationl E580/E580M Standard Practice for Installation of Ceiling Suspension Systems
for Acoustical TIle and Lay-in Panels in Areas Subject to Earthquate Ground Motions.
ASTM International (formerly American Society for Testing and Materials)
www.astm.org
Further References USG Seismic Ceiling Resource Center
Seismic Technical Guides
seismicceilings.com
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