Performance - Genesis Ceiling Panels

Fire Rating

All Genesis ceiling tiles have a ‘Class A’ FSI and SDI fire rating per ASTM E84.

Our tiles are rated for surface burning characteristics, flame spread, and smoke development.

Significance and Use

4.1 This test method is intended to provide only comparative measurements of surface flame spread and smoke density measurements with that of select grade red oak and fiber-cement board surfaces under the specific fire exposure conditions described herein.
4.2 This test method exposes a nominal 24-ft (7.32-m) long by 20-in. (508-mm) wide specimen to a controlled air flow and flaming fire exposure adjusted to spread the flame along the entire length of the select grade red oak specimen in 51/2 min.
4.3 This test method does not provide for the following:
- 4.3.1 Measurement of heat transmission through the tested surface.
- 4.3.2 The effect of aggravated flame spread behavior of an assembly resulting from the proximity of combustible walls and ceilings.
- 4.3.3 Classifying or defining a material as noncombustible, by means of a flame spread index by itself.

1. Scope

1.1 This fire-test–response standard for the comparative surface burning behavior of building materials is applicable to exposed surfaces such as walls and ceilings. The test is conducted with the specimen in the ceiling position with the surface to be evaluated exposed face down to the ignition source. The material, product, or assembly shall be capable of being mounted in the test position during the test. Thus, the specimen shall either be self-supporting by its own structural quality, held in place by added supports along the test surface, or secured from the back side.
1.2 The purpose of this test method is to determine the relative burning behavior of the material by observing the flame spread along the specimen. Flame spread and smoke developed index are reported. However, there is not necessarily a relationship between these two measurements.
1.3 The use of supporting materials on the underside of the test specimen has the ability to lower the flame spread index from those which might be obtained if the specimen could be tested without such support. These test results do not necessarily relate to indices obtained by testing materials without such support.
1.4 Testing of materials that melt, drip, or delaminate to such a degree that the continuity of the flame front is destroyed, results in low flame spread indices that do not relate directly to indices obtained by testing materials that remain in place.
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
1.6 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes that provide explanatory information. These notes and footnotes, excluding those in tables and figures, shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.
1.7 This standard is used to measure and describe the response of materials, products, or assemblies to heat and flame under controlled conditions, but does not by itself incorporate all factors required for fire-hazard or fire-risk assessment of the materials, products, or assemblies under actual fire conditions.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.9 Fire testing is inherently hazardous. Adequate safeguards for personnel and property shall be employed in conducting these tests.

Moisture

Genesis ceiling tiles are waterproof. Our panels are guaranteed not to water-stain, bow, swell or rot. They are ideal for use in moist and humid environments like basements.

Mold & Mildew Resistant

Genesis ceiling tiles are constructed from materials that inhibit mold and mildew. This means our panels can be installed in a variety of environments where moisture is a concern. They are manufactured from PVC with a smooth or decorative, embossed surface texture. PVC panels solve the problems of water damage and mold or mildew that are traditionally experienced with fiber-based lay-in panels.

No water stains, no moisture-related sagging, no rot
Mold and mildew resistant
Nonporous, nonabsorbent
Hygienic, easy to clean, easy to disinfect

Food Safety – FDA and USDA Compliant

Our rigid PVC tiles comply with FDA and USDA regulations for use in food preparation and serving areas. This means that our tiles can be installed in areas where sanitation and cleanliness is a must. Though the USDA, State Health Department, and FDA do not approve specific products for ceiling use, they do supply an outline of requirements that must be met by any ceiling tile installed in areas where food is prepared. Genesis Ceiling Tiles are fully compliant with USDA, State Health Department, and FDA requirements. Genesis tiles are also compliant with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

FDA Food Code: Chapter 6 – Physical Facilities

Indoor Areas

6-101.11 Surface Characteristics

Except as specified in (B.) of this section, materials for indoor floor, wall, and ceiling surfaces under conditions of normal use shall be:
1. SMOOTH, durable, and EASILY CLEANABLE for areas where FOOD ESTABLISHMENT operations are conducted;
2. Closely woven and EASILY CLEANABLE carpet for carpeted areas; and
3. Nonabsorbent for areas subject to moisture such as FOOD preparation areas, walk-in refrigerators, WAREWASHING areas, toilet rooms, mobile FOOD ESTABLISHMENT SERVICING AREAS, and areas subject to flushing or spray cleaning methods.
In a TEMPORARY FOOD ESTABLISHMENT:
1. If graded to drain, a floor may be concrete, machine-laid asphalt, or dirt or gravel if it is covered with mats, removable platforms, duckboards, or other APPROVED materials that are effectively treated to control dust and mud; and
2. Walls and ceilings may be constructed of a material that protects the interior from the weather and wind-blown dust and debris.

Cleanability

6-201.11 Floors, Walls, and Ceilings

Except as specified under § 6-201.14 and except for anti-slip floor coverings or applications that may be used for safety reasons, floors, floor coverings, walls, wall coverings, and ceilings shall be designed, constructed, and installed so they are SMOOTH and EASILY CLEANABLE.

6-201.12 Floors, Walls, and Ceilings, Utility Lines

Utility service lines and pipes may not be unnecessarily exposed.
Exposed utility service lines and pipes shall be installed so they do not obstruct or prevent cleaning of the floors, walls, or ceilings.
Exposed horizontal utility service lines and pipes may not be installed on the floor.

USDA Electronic Code of Federal Regulations: Title 21 – Food and Drugs

§ 110.20 Plant and Grounds

Plant construction and design. Plant buildings and structures shall be suitable in size, construction, and design to facilitate maintenance and sanitary operations for food-manufacturing purposes. The plant and facilities shall:
1. Be constructed in such a manner that floors, walls, and ceilings may be adequately cleaned and kept clean and kept in good repair; that drip or condensate from fixtures, ducts and pipes does not contaminate food, food-contact surfaces, or food-packaging materials; and that aisles or working spaces are provided between equipment and walls and are adequately unobstructed and of adequate width to permit employees to perform their duties and to protect against contaminating food or food-contact surfaces with clothing or personal contact.
2. Provide adequate lighting in hand-washing areas, dressing and locker rooms, and toilet rooms and in all areas where food is examined, processed, or stored and where equipment or utensils are cleaned; and provide safety-type light bulbs, fixtures, skylights, or other glass suspended over exposed food in any step of preparation or otherwise protect against food contamination in case of glass breakage.

Return on Investment

Return on Investment is important to every business, especially in today’s lean economy.

Due to the nature of mineral board ceiling tiles being vulnerable to water and humidity in a variety of facility environments, mineral board tiles need to be replaced frequently due to water damage and staining. The average facility completely replaces mineral board tiles about every five years due to water damage and staining.

The investment in mineral board ceiling tiles therefore becomes ongoing, both in terms of materials and labor costs. With Genesis tiles, not only will you never have to replace the tiles again due to water damage and staining, but you will realize a significant savings over time. Costs shown in the graph below include labor.

You can pay for a quality solution now and realize an ongoing return on your investment, or you can continue paying for ceiling tiles year after year.

Indoor Air Quality

We are dedicated to indoor air quality. Over the last several years, much attention has been focused on air pollution. Until recently, few scientists paid much attention to the quality of air within homes and other buildings, despite the fact that U.S. government research indicates that people spend approximately 90% of their time indoors.

In many cases, the air within buildings can actually be more polluted than the air outside. Given the amount of time most people spend inside, the potential exists for a health related disaster.

Causes of Indoor Pollutants

Poor indoor air quality can be caused by asbestos, formaldehyde, household cleaning chemicals, lead, nitrogen dioxide, radon, tobacco smoke, breathable particles and biological pollutants like bacteria, mold, mildew and fungus.

Part of the Solution

Our Genesis Panels emit no volatile organic chemicals (VOCs) including formaldehyde, respirable particles, ozone, carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, and carbon dioxide. See this VOC and Offgassing Report about our products.

As the manufacturer of Genesis Ceiling Tiles, we recognize that preserving natural resources by minimizing adverse environmental impacts is vital, and we are committed to providing all of our customers with high quality, environmentally friendly products. We have a longstanding commitment to conserving natural resources and protecting the health and well being of our customers.

Environmental Policy

As a responsible corporate citizen, ACP – the manufacturer of Genesis Ceiling Tiles – is dedicated to protecting human health, natural resources, and the global environment. This commitment extends beyond compliance with the law to encompass integration of sound environmental practices into our business decisions.

Member: United States Green Building Council

Manufacturing

Our manufacturing facilities continuously pursue methods to further reduce operating emissions, recycle all waste material, and use the safest raw materials with the least environmental impact.

Personnel

Every employee receives sustainability training pertinent to his/her job responsibility. All plastic, paper, aluminum and wood is recycled in every department.

Products

We will supply products that promote sustainability. This includes supplying products that are low-emitting, contain recycled material, require low-energy to produce, and are easily maintained. All of our products are 100% end-of-life recyclable.

Sustainability accomplishments

Building reuse
Manufacturing Waste Management – 99% of manufacturing waste is recycled
Recycled content – up to 60% depending on product
Regional materials
Some rapidly renewable materials
Low-emitting adhesives and sealants
Low-emitting, water-based paints and coatings
Low-emitting materials
Low-emitting, water-based inks

Recycling

We are dedicated to environmental sustainability and preservation. Our recycling policies at our factory and the recyclability of our products are just a few ways that we demonstrate that dedication. The benefits of recycling/recyclability are numerous, such as the reprocessing of used materials prevents needless waste from being sent to landfills and reduces the consumption of raw materials.

Free Recycling/Buy Back Program

Now recycle any Genesis Maintenance-Free Ceiling Panels for free

ACP, the manufacturer of Genesis Ceiling Tiles, will pick up and ship your old or used Genesis Ceiling Tiles to be recycled and re-purposed. To qualify, the ceiling tiles must be Genesis Maintenance-Free Ceiling Panels only.

You Benefit

No landfill fees or dumpster costs. We’ll pick up your old ceiling tiles
Achieve LEED^® credits by including ceiling recycling in your construction waste plan
Show your commitment to the environment

The Environment benefits

Less landfill impact
Preserves our natural resources
Closed-loop process enables old ceilings to become new again with post-consumer content; saves on use of virgin materials

How to package used tiles for shipment to ACP

Be sure your project is approved by the ACP Recycling Center before you begin removal of the ceiling tiles. A return authorization will be issued on your project. Please contact your ACP representative or call 800-434-3750.
No wood, metal, construction waste, or hazardous material of any kind may be included.
Stack tiles on 4′ x 4′ shipping pallets with bottom slats. Stack 4′ or 6′ tall. Make sure the pallets are sturdy enough to handle the load. Secure tiles on pallets with stretch wrap or banding.
Label each pallet per ACP return authorization requirements.
All tiles should be straight on pallets and secured within the trailer to prevent loads from shifting during transit or when unloading pallets. Material must be tightly stretch-wrapped and the banding secure so that pallets remain stable. Load locks may be necessary in the trailer.
If you have special loading or removal circumstances, please contact your ACP representative or call 800-434-3750. We will be as flexible as possible to accommodate your project needs.

Amount of material needed for recycling

We require a minimum of one full pallet (4’ x 4’ x 4’) to pick up at no charge to you. We can accommodate any size job in most locations.

Why should you care about recycling?

In addition to saving the environment, purchasing a 100% recyclable product has many benefits. Because Genesis ceiling panels are 100% locally recyclable, when you are disposing of old tiles no special landfill or recycling fees are required.

You can also achieve LEED credits by including ceiling tile recycling in your Construction Waste Management Plan. For more information on LEED credits, please see below or refer to the U.S. Green Building Council Website.

LEED Credits

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is an internationally recognized certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that measures how well a building or community performs across many environmental metrics. LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building solutions.

Genesis Panel’s Potential LEED Credits

Energy and Atmosphere

EA Prerequisite 2: Minimum Energy Performance

Intent

To establish the minimum level of energy efficiency for the proposed building and systems to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.

With an average Light Reflectance Rating of 83%, Genesis maintenance-free ceiling panels can help to achieve the Minimum Energy Performance required by the LEED rating system. When properly utilized with efficient and individually controllable lighting, Genesis maintenance-free ceiling panel’s above average Light Reflectance Rating can enhance the efficiency of a building-wide lighting scheme.

EA Credit 1: Optimize Energy Performance

Intent

To achieve increasing levels of energy performance beyond the prerequisite standard to reduce environmental and economic impacts associated with excessive energy use.

Possible Points Available in Credit: 1 – 19

Materials and Resources

MR Credit 2: Construction Waste Management

Intent

To divert construction and demolition debris from disposal in landfills and incineration facilities. Redirect recyclable recovered resources back to the manufacturing process and reusable materials to appropriate sites

Genesis maintenance-free ceiling panels are made of an extremely lightweight plastic, which is shipped in cardboard cartons. Since our tiles pack so economically, up to 160 square feet of Genesis ceiling panels ship in equivalent packaging to 60 square feet of traditional mineral fiber tiles. This makes for significantly less waste at the job site, all of which can be diverted to recycling

Because Genesis ceiling panels are made entirely out of recyclable vinyl, the waste from trimming the tiles can be diverted from the landfill to recycling. Other ceiling tile recycling programs require special arrangement for pickup from the manufacturer, but our tiles can be recycled at any local recycling center.

Possible Points Available in Credit: 1 – 2

Indoor Environmental Quality

IEQ Prerequisite 1: Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance

Intent

To establish Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance to enhance indoor air quality in buildings, thus contributing to the comfort and well-being of the occupants.

Genesis ceiling panels emit no VOCs, airborne dust, or debris. Used in place of more traditional ceiling tiles, which can harbor formaldehyde and produce particulate matter, Genesis ceiling panels can help achieve the Minimum Indoor Air Quality Performance required to earn a LEED certification.

IEQ Credit 3.1: Construction IAQ Management Plan – During Construction

Intent

To reduce indoor air quality problems resulting from construction or renovation and promote the comfort and well-being of construction workers and building occupants.

Genesis ceiling panels emit no VOCs, airborne dust, or debris. During construction, Genesis ceiling panels can be cut without creating any added dust, particles, or airborne contaminants. Our tiles do not need to cure in open air, and therefore will not release contaminants heavily in the first several weeks of use, unlike standard gypsum and mineral fiber ceiling tiles. When using a comprehensive air quality control plan, Genesis ceiling panels can significantly benefit the overall indoor air quality of a building under construction.

Possible Points Available in Credit: 1

IEQ Credit 4.2: Low-Emitting Materials – Paints and Coatings

Intent

To reduce the quantity of indoor air contaminants that are odorous, irritating and/or harmful to the comfort and well-being of installers and occupants.

While Genesis ceiling panels are not directly assumed to be a paint or coating, they are considered a decorative treatment for ceilings. Genesis ceiling panels emit no VOCs, airborne dust, or debris. Used in place of more traditional ceiling tiles, which can harbor formaldehyde and produce particulate matter, Genesis ceiling panels may help a LEED project qualify for points in the Innovation in Design Credit 1.

Possible Points Available in Credit (Innovation in Design Credit 1): 1 – 5

IEQ Credit 8.1: Daylight and Views – Daylight

Intent

To provide building occupants with a connection between indoor spaces and the outdoors through the introduction of daylight and views into the regularly occupied areas of the building.

With an average Light Reflectance Rating of 83%, Genesis ceiling panels can help a building to reach the level of daylight penetration required for the LEED Daylight and Views IEQ credits. When used in conjunction with proper window placement, size, and glare control, Genesis ceiling panels can help to reflect daylight throughout regularly occupied areas to reach the 25 footcandle to 500 footcandle range of daylight illuminance required for IEQ Credit 8.1.