SOUNDSCAPES ® Blades ™
I n s ta l l a ti on I nst ruc t i ons
IT E M S : 3920 – 10" x 46" x 2"
3921 – 10" x 94" x 2"
3922 – 22" x 46" x 2"
3923 – 22" x 94" x 2"
S U SPE N S ION I T E M S :
Prelude® XL® 360° Painted Grid (Black or White)
730136 – HD Main Beam
734036 – 48" Cross Tee
732036 – 24" Cross Tee
780036 – 7/8" Wall Angle
360° Painted Grid – Made-to-order Colors
56418 – 144" HD Main Beam
56421 – 48" Cross Tee
56419 – 24" Cross Tee
7800 – 7/8" Wall Angle
Aircraft Cable
AC1210 – 10' Aircraft Cable
AC1215 – 15' Aircraft Cable
AC1220 – 20' Aircraft Cable
ACHC – Height Adjustable Hardware
Standard Wire
7891 – 12 Gauge Hanger Wire
DO NOT REMOVE BLADES™ PANELS FROM THE
CARTON UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS
IN THEIR ENTIRETY.
1 . 0 GE N E RAL
1 . 1 P r o d u ct D es c ri p t i o n
SoundScapes® Blades™ panels are vertical, acoustical
fiberglass panels designed to be suspended from a
Prelude® XL® Heavy-duty suspension system or independent
cables/wires.
SoundScapes Blades panels are engineered for use in
seismic areas only when indicated components are used and
installed in accordance with these installation instructions.
1 .2 Mat e rials and F inis he s
SoundScapes Blades panels are made from fiberglass and
finished on both sides and edges seen from below with
DuraBrite® acoustically transparent membrane.
There are 14 standard color options for the finished
Blades™ panels. Field painting will void the product warranty.
1 .3 De s ign Co ns ide rat io n f o r S ag
SoundScapes Blades panels might exhibit a natural bow
that may be noticeable when installed 2" or less apart, end
to end. Deflection up to 1/8" has been documented in some
cases. Do not butt Blades™ panels end to end.
1 .3 .1 P r e c au tio n ar y Me as u r e s : During the installation,
be certain that the work site is well ventilated and avoid
breathing dust. If high dust levels are anticipated during
installation such as with the use of power tools, use an
appropriate NIOSH designated dust respirator. Avoid contact
with skin or eyes. Wear long-sleeve, loose fitting clothes,
gloves, and eye protection.
1 .3 .2 F ir s t A id Me as u r e s : If contact occurs, flush eyes and
skin irritation with plenty of water for at least 15 minutes
and remove contaminated clothing. After installing material,
wash with warm water and mild soap. Wash work clothes
separately from other clothing. Rinse washer thoroughly.
Refer to Armstrong MSDS (which includes information on
established occupational exposure limits) which are available
from Armstrong or your employer.
1 .4 S t o rage and Handling
Blades™ panels shall be stored in a dry interior location and
shall remain in their original cartons prior to installation to
avoid damage. The cartons shall be stored in a flat, horizontal
position. The vertical panels should not be removed from
the carton until the suspension system is installed. Proper
care should be taken when handling Blades™ panels to
avoid damage and soiling. White cotton or latex gloves are
recommended for handling. It is recommended that two
installers handle 94" Blades™ panels.
NOTE: Colored Blades™ panels are paper wrapped. Do not remove
paper wrapping until installation is complete, to avoid fingerprints.
1 .5 T e mpe rat ure During Ins t allat io n
SoundScapes Blades panels can be installed where the
temperature is between 40°F (4°C) and 120°F (49°C). Panels
cannot be used in exterior applications, where standing water
is present, or where moisture will come in direct contact with
the blades panels.
2 .3 S us pe nding S ingle Blade s ™ P ane ls f ro m t he Deck
1. 6 Fi re Per f o r ma n ce
SoundScapes® Blades™ panels may obstruct or skew the
existing or planned fire sprinkler water distribution pattern, or
possibly delay the activation of the fire sprinkler or fire detection
system. Designers and installers are advised to consult a
fire protection engineer, NFPA 13, and their local codes for
guidance on the proper installation techniques where fire
detection or suppression systems are present.
2. 0 INS T AL L AT ION
2.1 Susp e n s i o n S y s te m s
There are two types of suspension options for use with
SoundScapes Blades panels. Blades™ panels can be
suspended individually from the deck with 12 gauge hanger
wire or aircraft cable, or from a Prelude® XL® Heavy-duty
suspension system.
2 .4 Blade s ™ Hanging Kit – Inde pe nde nt S us pe nsion
2. 2 Gen e r a l
SoundScapes Blades panels can be independently suspended
using 12 gauge hanger wires or aircraft cables and quick
release adjusters.
SoundScapes Blades panels may require two people to align
and install each vertical panel safely.
1. Determine the location to hang the Blades™ panels.
SoundScapes Blades panels cannot be used to support
any other material. The suspension system chosen must be
fastened to the structure per code in your area. Each
vertical panel has embedded attachment clips along the top
of each panel.
Here are the dimensions and locations of the attachment clips:
11"
24"
11"
Item 3920
24"
24"
24"
11" 24"
11"
11"
10"
10"
46"
94"
22"
11"
Item 3921
24"
24"
11"
10"
24"
46"
4. A
ircraft cables: Slip the quick release adjuster onto the
cable.
lip another quick release adjuster onto the bottom of the
6. S
cable. Then, thread cable or wire through the hole on the
clip.
46"
24" 11"
11"
3. F
asten the appropriate anchor to the structure. You must
have a hole to loop the aircraft cable or wire through on
the anchor.
5. T
hread the aircraft cable through the hole on the anchor,
and back through the other end of the adjuster. If using
wire, tie to secure.
10"
11"
2. Remove the unneeded portion of the clip with tin snips.
24"
11"
11"
7. T
hread the end of the cable back into the other end of
the adjuster or tie the wire to secure the vertical panel. To
release the cable, take all weight off the adjuster, push
the release mechanism, and simply slide the cable out as
needed.
8. L
evel the Blades™ panel and trim the aircraft cable at the
desired length.
94"
11"
22"
24"
24"
24"
11"
46"
22"
Item 3922
11"
24"
24"
94"
24"
11"
22"
94"
Item 3923
Hanging points are 24" on center.
2
2. 5 Atta ch t o Ba r J o i st s – P aral l e l
SoundScapes® Blades™ panels can be wire tied parallel to
the bottom of bar joists. Thread the tie wire through the clip
and then around the bar joist. Twist the wire to complete the
connection.
1. Align the clip tabs in the appropriate route holes.
2. O
nce the clips are engaged, the Blades™ panel will be level
and ready to secure to the suspension system.
2. 6 D i r ec t t o St r u c t u re
Attach the appropriate anchor to structure. Thread the
wire through the clip in the vertical panel, and twist the wire to
complete the connection. Next, thread the tie wire through the
hole in the anchor. Twist the wire to complete the connection.
Tie wires should be plumb. Do not place wires at angles that
cause stress to the clip.
3. Attach to the suspension system with a short framing screw.
NOTE: In order to install Blades™ panels in a location where
a route hole is not present to accept the clip tab, use a
lineman’s pliers and simply bend the tab on the factory clip
away or parallel to the suspension component you intend to
attach to. Once aligned, simply drive a short framing screw
through each clip convenience hole at the location desired
along the suspension component.
IMPORTANT SAFETY AND QUALITY NOTE: Do not allow
any portion of wire or aircraft cable to drop below the top of a
panel while adjusting final height. To do so could cause injury
to the installer or scratch damage to the edge of the panel.
3 .0 S EIS MIC RES T RAINT *
The International Building Code states the ceiling system
connection to structure must allow the ceiling to move 360º
in horizontal plane. Blades™ panels suspended individually
with wire or aircraft cable must not swing more than 18" in
any direction for each vertical panel (9" clearance around all
sides).
2. 7 Bl a d e s ™ Pa n e l P e n e t ra t i o n s The Blades™ panels cannot be field cut for penetrations such
as lighting or sprinklers.
2. 8 Gr o u p In s ta l l a t i o n
Blades™ panels directly attached to suspension systems have
been engineered for application in all seismic areas.
To install SoundScapes Blades on Prelude® XL® Heavy-duty
15/16" suspension system, use the clips on the top of the
SoundScapes Blades. Install on heavy-duty suspension
system components.
*Seismic reaction information is based on full-scale
testing and computer modeling conducted at the Structural
Engineering Earthquake Simulation Lab located at the State
University of New York at Buffalo.
3
4. 0. TOU C H- U P PAIN T
For minor surface and edge scratches on white Blades™
panels, use Armstrong SuperCoat™ Touch-up Paint item
#5761. This paint provides an excellent one coat edge
treatment that will match the original vertical panel.
For minor surface and edge scuffing or scratches on colored
Blades™ panels, use matching Sherwin-Williams® paint from
your local Sherwin-Williams store.
5. 0 C LE AN IN G
Use a clean, dry, soft white cloth to wipe off any dirt or
fingerprints. Regular light dusting of the top side of the vertical
panel is recommended.
This document is also available in Spanish and French on
our website.
Este documento está disponible en español y en francés en
nuestro website.
Ce document est également disponible en espagnol et en
français sur notre site web.
M ORE IN FORM AT I O N
For more information, or for an Armstrong representative, call 1 877 ARMSTRONG.
For complete technical information, detail drawings, CAD design assistance, installation information, and many other
technical services, call TechLineSM at 1 877 ARMSTRONG or FAX 1 800 572 TECH.
For the latest product selection and specification data, visit armstrong.com/soundscapesblades.
Sherwin-Williams® is a registered trademark of The Sherwin-Williams Company
All other trademarks used herein are the property of AWI Licensing Company and/or its affiliates
© 2015 AWI Licensing Company • Printed in the United States of America
BPLA-297844-515