Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
451 East Coshocton Street Johnstown, OH 43031
T: (800) 848-0496 | F: (740)
967-1478 | E: info@steelceilings.com
PROCESS
www.steelceilings.com
RADIANT OVERVIEW
RADIANT ENERGY
—A TIME-TESTED SOLUTION
The concept of heating by radiant energy has been
around for thousands of years, dating back to the time
of the Romans. Now, with modern manufacturing
technology, hydronic radiant ceiling panels are
providing designers and engineers with new solutions
for their projects.
In the 1950s, Airtite Contractors developed, supplied
and installed some of the first lightweight aluminum
radiant heating and cooling ceiling systems in the
United States. These systems were installed in a
variety of venues, including offices, schools, hospitals,
convention centers, airports and universities.
We’ve come a long way since our first systems,
having developed even more innovative and efficient
methods to provide radiant energy. Today, Steel
Ceilings has elevated its use into sophisticated panels
that work well in many types of designs, providing
unparalleled, clean comfort qualifying for greenbuilding projects.
Our six flexible types of panels offer architects and
engineers a solution that fits the look, space and
energy requirements for many kinds of applications.
COMFORT, AESTHETICS,
FLEXIBILITY
Imagine an environment with no drafts—just quiet,
clean and consistent heating and cooling, usually at a
cost well below traditional systems.
For decades, people have recognized that a radiant
heated environment is one of the most comfortable
and green-friendly options available. The reason?
It’s all about heating surfaces versus transferring
energy by natural or forced convective air currents. By
elevating room surface temperatures close to the room
air temperature, occupants enjoy greatly improved
comfort levels.
temperatures to transmit heat to colder surfaces. In
turn, surfaces—including the people in the room—
absorb and re-radiate the heat, keeping a consistent
level of warmth inside.
In radiant cooling, radiant ceiling panels use reduced
surface temperatures to absorb heat from windows,
room surfaces and occupants, again, making for an
extremely comfortable living environment.
Radiant energy, the transmission of
electromagnetic waves, travels through
the air in straight lines. When it reaches
an object, it’s absorbed and converted
into heat. Surfaces in the room receive
and re-radiate the energy until the
room temperature reaches equilibrium.
Cold water circulating through radiant panels carries
off the sensible heat absorbed by the panels. The
entering water temperature is kept above the dew
point of the space to avoid condensation.
A BETTER DESIGN OPTION
Steel Ceilings Airtite Radiant Panels also give designers
a welcome alternative when planning spaces.
Traditional perimeter baseboard systems and radiators
require extra floor space and present limitations
in furniture placement, in order to avoid blocking
convective airflow. But radiant ceiling panels eliminate
any of these concerns, instead bringing the solution to
the space above.
The six types of panels Airtite offers, available with
variations, will complement your design and fit into
nearly any kind of ceiling, including acoustic ceilings,
gyp board and soffits—and even open or no-ceiling
configurations. They can be painted almost any
color and repainted in the field. Installation, too, is
straightforward: The panels can be field modified,
allowing them to be cut, notched or mitered.
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
INSTALLATION
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
Because it’s more efficient to transfer energy through
water than air, hydronic radiant energy provides
additional fuel savings over all air systems, whether
heating or cooling. And the mechanical simplicity of
the system results in minimal maintenance costs.
AR-X, AR-D, AR-L & AR-C
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Panels are designed with cross-bracing near each end
of the panels with additional cross-bracing (number of
braces is based on the length of the panel) spread out
between the ends of the panel.
SMART HEATING AND COOLING
TECHNOLOGY
AR-M & AR-B
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
Installation options include within
a suspended
featuring& concealed
Radiant Ceiling Systems
ceiling, mounted in visible sections,
installation above a perforated panel or drywall for a
PANTONE
monolithic appearance.
In heating applications, the Steel Ceilings Airtite
Radiant Panels use ceiling panels with elevated surface
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
RADIANT OVERVIEW
ADVANTAGES AND BENEFITS OF HYDRONIC
RADIANT HEATING AND COOLING PANELS
SUPERIOR COMFORT Because surfaces are uniformly heated or cooled, occupant comfort
is achieved at lower winter design temperatures and higher summer
design temperatures.
ENERGY Energy consumption is reduced by using hydronic heating/cooling and
CONSUMPTION design temperatures as described above.
AESTHETICS Panels provide excellent architectural appearance with a large array of
existing and new design creations.
FLEXIBILITY Can be incorporated in various ceiling types: lay-in, drywall, soffits,
concealed grid, cloud systems, wall-to-wall metal ceilings and with no
ceilings, providing unrestricted floor space.
DURABILITY Ceiling panels avoid being scratched, bumped or dented.
CONTROL RESPONSE Efficient, lightweight radiant panels will heat up and cool down quickly.
INDOOR AIR QUALITY Reduced air quantities in cooling mode used for ventilation and
dehumidification, with 100% outside air allow for high-quality filtration.
DISEASE CONTROL Wet coils used in traditional cooling—which provides breeding areas
for bacteria and viruses—are eliminated. “Once-through” air systems
eliminate cross-contamination of infectious airborne diseases.
SPACE Slab-to-slab height can be reduced, resulting in smaller ducts, reduced
REQUIREMENT plenum heights and lower air flows. Mechanical equipment rooms
are smaller and the radiant system is located in the ceiling, giving full
utilization of floor space.
CONSTRUCTION Mechanical construction costs are reduced by utilizing smaller air
COOLING SAVINGS handlers, smaller duct sizes, and elimination of VAV systems. In
addition, reduced slab-to-slab heights are realized.
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
used by all Radiant Ceiling Systems
OPERATING COSTS Hydronic systems generally require 20% of the energyfeaturing
air systems. Since there are no moving parts in the radiant system,
maintenance costs are minimal.
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LIFE-CYCLE COSTS Radiant systems previously evaluated against other typical HVAC
systems have shown to have a life-cycle cost advantage.
NOISE CONTROL Perforated panels with insulation can provide noise reduction levels
that are higher than standard acoustical ceilings.
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
GREEN BUILDING A combined radiant panel cooling system designed with a dedicated
DESIGN outdoor air mechanical system offers the potential to earn LEED
PANTONE
certification points.
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
RADIANT PANELS AND DIFFUSERS
AR-X
E X T R U D E D R A D I A N T PA N E L
The combinations of
available standard
extrusions can be
assembled in various
configurations and
widths
4 SINGLE TUBE
5 SINGLE TUBE
This extruded aluminum hydronic panel not only
transfers hot and cold radiant energy efficiently,
but also is aesthetically pleasing. Its efficiency is
due to a transfer saddle that covers more than half
the circumference of the copper tubes on the back
of the panel, delivering optimum hot and cold
energy conveyance.
As with all Steel Ceilings
Airtite Radiant Panels, there’s
no need for perimeter
baseboard, covers or other
floor-mounted heating
systems, so you’ll enjoy
greater design freedom.
Panel widths are available from 4” to 36”—and
even wider, if required—with maximum lengths
up to 16’. Extensive testing indicates the Airtite
AR-X panel performance is on a par or better than
any other radiant panel, including those
with larger tube diameters. The
fluted face of the AR-X panel also
enhances the finished interior detail.
Hydronic perimeter radiant
systems provide a more comfortable environment
by heating surfaces, not air. In fact, ASHRAE has
found that thermostat set pointsManufacturer
can beof3Metal
to Ceilings
4 and Specialty Systems
featuring
degrees lower than traditional heating systems.Radiant Ceiling Systems
Owners will enjoy increased comfort, lower energy
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costs and lower maintenance costs over the
life of
the system.
6 SINGLE TUBE
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
6 DOUBLE TUBE
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
4 SINGLE PROCESS
4 SINGLE
TUBE VERTICAL
TUBE BULLNOSE
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
RADIANT PANELS AND DIFFUSERS
AR-D
D I F F U S E R PA N E L
The AR-D Diffuser Panel is the perfect
complement to a clean-line ceiling arrangement.
Best of all, this combination radiant diffuser panel
generally has lower material and installation
costs than separate heating and linear air diffuser
systems.
Like the AR-X system, the AR-D offers the same
kind of piping and flexibility advantages.
This design incorporates an integral
hydronic radiant panel with
BATT INSULATION
a linear air diffuser. There’s
no separate assembly of an air
diffuser radiant panel, making for
a more seamless, streamlined
and aesthetic look.
AIR SLOT
The AR-D also offers a two-fold benefit: longer,
continuous extruded panels that often can extend
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
wall to wall without joints and increased
total
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
output due to air flowing across the
panel, boosting
total heating capacity by as much as 35 percent.
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Designers also will appreciate that the pattern
controller can be located anywhere along the slot,
with supply plenums directly above the diffuser
section. Air pattern controllers can range
from 1’ to 5’ long with vectoring for left,
ACOUSTICAL
CEILING TILE
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
right or vertical air flow.
Together, these
Radiant Ceiling Systems
features providefeaturing
for maximum
EXPOSED
design flexibility and lab-tested,
T-BAR
GRID
PANTONE
proven airflow efficiency.
AIRTITE
RADIANT PANEL
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
RADIANT MODULAR PANELS
AR-M
M O D U L A R PA N E L
These panels are designed and manufactured to
fit standard ceiling grids, with a look that matches
acoustical ceilings. Airtite’s AR-M modular panels
fit seamlessly into traditionally designed ceilings,
at the same time providing the efficiency of
hydronic heating and cooling.
The .040” formed aluminum
panel is available in 2’ x
2’ and 2’ x 4’ standard
sizes, with a 1” batt
of insulation. The
lightweight design has
six-pass sinuous coils
metallurgically bonded/
soldered to the back of the
aluminum panel, providing optimal heat transfer.
These panels can be silk screened to match
Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
adjacent acoustical ceiling tiles. Manufacturer
Customofsizes
can
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
be made on request.
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Airtite’s modular panels
are a welcome choice for
those looking for options
in acoustical ceilings, recess
mounts in drywall or surface
mounts. Most ceiling grids will
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
support the panels
which, when
filled with water,featuring
weigh less Radiant Ceiling Systems
than 2 lbs. per square foot
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and require no additional
suspension.
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
RADIANT MODULAR PANELS
AR-B
P E R F O R AT E D M O D U L A R PA N E L
The AR-B panels are architectural perforated metal
ceiling panels that can be designed for various
suspension systems such as Torsion Spring, Lay-In,
etc. The panels can be provided in
various sizes, metals, thicknesses,
and perforation patterns. Typically
the panels are fabricated with
aluminum which provides the best
heat transfer and hence the best
radiant performance.
The panels are made “active” by
bonding aluminum extrusions
(heat transfer rails) incorporating
integral sinuous copper coils to
the back of the panels. Fleece can be installed
between the extrusions for both appearance
of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
and noise reduction. With this orManufacturer
other insulation
featuring
(such as fiberglass or recycled Radiant Ceiling Systems
cotton), these architectural
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perforated panels can achieve
high NRC values that exceed
typical standard mineral tile
ceilings. Flexible braided SST hoses
with oxygen barrier and push
fit fittings (ideal for installation
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
and facilities personnel)
are used
With some suspension systems—such as Torsion
featuring
to
interconnect
the
panels
andRadiant Ceiling Systems
Spring— panels can be “hinged down” providing
connect to the piping supply and
complete access to the plenum, and therefore are
ideal for the facilities personnel of property owners/
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return.
managers. In addition these panels provide the
aesthetics, acoustics, durability , and life cycle
advantage of an architectural radiant metal ceiling.
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
RADIANT + CONVECTION MODULAR PANELS
Copper Tubes
AR-L
AR-C
R A D I A N T + C O N V E C T I O N PA N E L
L
I
N
E
A
R
P
R
Copper Tubes
Conduction
Thermal Radiation
Natural Convection
O
F
I
L
R A D I A N T + C O N V E C T I O N PA N E L
E
C
U
R
V
E
D
P
R
O
F
I
L
E
COMBINATION RADIANT AND CONVECTION PANELS THAT
DELIVER
HIGH
AND
HIGH EFFICIENCY
Thermal Radiation
Natural Convection
Conduction
Natural BOTH
Convection Return
to Room CAPACITY
Cross Brace
By separating the linear radiant elements with a
gap, the AR-L and AR-C couple the radiant cooling
effects of standard radiant panels with a high
convective component.
cloud ceiling areas. Special design options such as
hinged modules, sprinklers, lighting openings, air
intake, etc., are available.
Chilled AR-L and AR-C ceilings create
natural convection by cooling the
surrounding air as it passes over the
surface facing the plenum.
Multiple
profiles in
assembled
unit
As the denser air falls into the occupied
zone, warmer air is pulled over the
element, combining the increased
convective cooling capacity of the AR-L
and AR-C with the radiant capacity
of the cool surface. The approximate
breakdown of heat transfer of the
chilled radiant system is 30% by thermal
radiation and 70% by natural convection.
Copper
Tubes
When used for heating
the
AR-L and
AR-C transfer heat mainly through
thermal radiation with room surfaces,
where they increase the average
unheated surface temperature of the
room.
AR-L and AR-C can be installed in a
variety of applications including full or
0.625" O.D.
(0.50" nominal)
copper tubing
Conduction
rails
Cooling fins
Conduction
Thermal Radiation
Natural Convection
1" typical gap
between profiles
5" typical
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings
and Specialty
profile
width Systems
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
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Variable lengths available to suit virtually any application
TYPICAL PROFILE ASSEMBLY
Natural Convection Return to Room
Cross Brace
Copper Tubes
Conduction
AR-C shown, with three profiles and single Manufacturer
copper tubeof Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
Thermal Radiation
featuring
Natural Convection
Radiant Ceiling Systems
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Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
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Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
PANTONE
Image courtesy of North Carolina State University
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
PROCESS
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
PANTONE
Image courtesy of North Carolina State University
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
PROCESS
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems
featuring
Radiant Ceiling Systems
PANTONE
Manufacturer of Metal Ceilings and Specialty Systems