Fire and Sag Resistant Acoustical Panel and Substantially Clear Coating Therefor

Abstract

A ceiling panel structure which includes a fire retardant mat, a scrim and a substantially clear scrim coating. The fire retardant mat includes a fire retardant fiber component and a binder material which binds the fibers. The fire retardant fiber component includes natural fibers treated with a fire retardant. The scrim being attached to a surface of the mat and the substantially clear coating is applied to the surface of the scrim opposite a surface of the scrim positioned next to the mat. The ceiling panel structure has flame spread index of 25 or less and a smoke generation index of 50 or less, as measured by ASTM E 84 that is uniform throughout the mat.

1 . A ceiling tile structure comprising:
 a fire retardant mat and a scrim attached to a surface thereof, wherein the fire retardant mat comprises a binder and a fiber component, the fiber component including natural fibers treated with a fire retardant material; and   a substantially clear coating on a surface of the scrim opposite a surface of the scrim positioned next to the fire retardant mat, the coating comprising a fire retardant, a binder, a clay, a dispersant, and a defoamer;   wherein the fire retardant mat having a fire rating that is uniform throughout all planes of the fire retardant mat, and wherein the fire rating includes a flame spread index value of 25 or less and a smoke generation index value of 50 or less, as measured by ASTM E 84.   
   
   
       2 . The ceiling tile structure of  claim 1 , comprising a coating on a surface of the fire retardant mat opposite the scrim. 
   
   
       3 . The ceiling tile structure of  claim 1 , wherein the flame spread index value is 10 or less and the smoke generation index value is 10 or less, as measured by ASTM E 84. 
   
   
       4 . The ceiling tile structure of  claim 1 , wherein the fire retardant material is di-ammonium sulfate. 
   
   
       5 . The ceiling tile structure of  claim 4 , wherein the flame spread index value is 10 or less and the smoke generation index value is 10 or less, as measured by ASTM E 84. 
   
   
       6 . The ceiling tile structure of  claim 1 , wherein the density of the fire retardant mat in the range from about 4 to about 8 lb/ft3. 
   
   
       7 . The ceiling tile structure of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the fire retardant mat in the range from about 0.25 to about 2 inches.