The environment and the metal ceiling
The environment and the metal ceiling
Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), a major issue
We spend most of our time inside buildings. The air we breathe has a direct impact on the quality of life and health of the occupants, particularly on at-risk populations such as children and the elderly.
Healthy air prevents the development of chronic diseases.
In order to allow for indoor air quality control, construction and decoration products must therefore be provided with a label that indicates, in a simple and legible manner, their emission level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs)*.
The product's emission level is indicated by a class ranging from A+ (very low emissions) to C (high emissions), according to the principle already used for household appliances or vehicles. Plafometal metal ceiling solutions obtain, with or without acoustic veil glued to the back of the panels, the best of the A+ health labeling classifications.
*The values communicated are likely to change depending on additional tests. It is up to the user to check the values in force before using the product.
Indoor Air Quality with PLAFOMETAL
Emission tests are carried out according to the standards:
- ISO 16000-9 (emission test chamber) with a formaldehyde analysis ISO 16000-3
- VOC (Volatile Organic Compounds) ISO 16000-6.
To meet the standard En 13964 annex E, Plafometal ceilings are tested. They have obtained the E 1 classification (best possible class for formaldehyde emissions).
CE marking
We have a CE marking for our suspended ceiling, which is:
- A passport for their free movement within the European Union.
- A commitment to comply with the requirements of the EN 13964 standard (suspended ceiling product standard)
In Europe, since July 1, 2013, construction products covered by a harmonized standard or compliant with their European technical assessment must be accompanied by a declaration of performance (DOP). The DOPs of our products can be downloaded via the "Advice and Documentation" section.
Life Cycle Analysis (LCA)
Building life cycle
Taking into account the life cycle, LCA consists of analyzing all flows (materials, energy, etc.) entering and leaving the building to assess the associated environmental impacts.
It allows for objective quantification of the use of energy and raw materials, air emissions, water emissions, and waste generation.
An FDES is characterized by 3 elements
The results of the LCA are summarized in a document called FDES (Environmental and Health Data Sheets)
Its functional unit: Either the reference unit in an LCA. It is used to express the impacts on an element of the construction during a typical service life (DVT). The DVT of a Plafométal product is similar to that of a building (50 years).
Example of functional units: 1m², 1 kg, etc.
Its scope: From the cradle to the factory exit OR from the cradle to the grave (preferred by Plafometal)
The origin of its data: They are provided either by the manufacturer and in this case they are specific to the origin of its product data and issued under its responsibility. Or these data come from professional unions based on average data from manufacturers on the market.
In France, the validity period of a DEP/FDES is 5 years.
The benefits of an FDES
An FDES has several benefits: it is objective, qualitative and quantitative, and issued according to a standardized format.
An FDES is intended to help project owners, designers and construction companies to:
Choose their materials
Calculate the environmental impact of their project, taking into account the FDES of each product used in the same project
Obtain environmental certification of the building, given that the FDES allows you to earn points according to each standard.
PLAFOMETAL FDES
Since 2017, Plafometal tanks have had an FDES verified by a third party. These FDES are available on the inies database or in the Documentation / FDES tab
Environmental certifications
Certain regulations and a market shift towards more sustainable buildings have led to the development of environmental certifications.
The use of a certification is not mandatory.
It is a voluntary approach decided by the building owner in order to build a building that is more respectful of the environment and the health of the occupants.
Please note: these certifications only concern buildings and not products.
The most widespread certifications are BREEAM® (United Kingdom), LEED® (US/Canada), NF HQE™ (France), VERDE® (Spain), CASBEE (Japan), DGNB (Germany), Green Star (Australia).
In France, the three certifications used are: NF HQE™, BREEAM® and LEED
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a system for evaluating the environmental quality of buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council in 1998 in the United States.
Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM®) is a certification standard of British origin developed by the Building Research Establishment in 1990.
The NF HEQ™ (High Environmental Quality) certification is an environmental management system developed in France in 1997 by the HEQ association.
HEQ approach
Plafometal ceilings, part of the suspended ceiling market, meet 11 of the 14 targets of the High Environmental Quality approach.
Harmonious relationship
We highlight the freedom of shapes that can be adapted to site and architectural constraints.
Processes and products
We offer 100% recyclable products indefinitely, for example 40% of the steel comes from recycling.
Low-nuisance construction site
Our products are delivered to size and with cut-outs for the integration of equipment, thus allowing rapid assembly while limiting noise pollution. In addition, the deconstruction of our products is clean and recovered, without landfilling.
Energy management
The light reflection of the coatings reduces the need for artificial light.
Care and maintenance
Our durable ceilings and our removable solutions allow sustainable access to the plenum equipment, thanks to products such as the metal tray for example. Maintenance is reduced to simple cleaning with no frequency limit.
4 types of comfort
- Hygrothermal comfort: Our suspended ceiling combined with rock wool type acoustic insulation facilitates the thermal insulation of the ceiling.
- Acoustic comfort: Acoustic metal ceiling solutions (perforated and trimmed products) make it possible to achieve the acoustic requirements requested in absorption and lateral attenuation.
- Visual comfort: The light reflection of the coatings allows the diffusion of the daylight received and contributes to the supply of natural light.
- Olfactory comfort: Our materials are odorless and the integration solutions of our ceilings contribute to the operation of ventilation equipment.
The health qualities of indoor air
The coatings used are inert and cannot promote the development of bacteria and mold. They are easy to clean and maintain.
