October 20, 2025 — The Armstrong MetalWorks Torsion Spring for Behavioral Health Ceiling System is now available to help behavioral and mental health facilities meet standards for reduced patient risk. Designed for the wellness and safety of occupants, ease of installation, and tamper resistance in areas with potential security concerns, the ceiling system provides architects, designers, contractors, and facility managers with a solution for meeting stringent requirements in new construction and renovation projects. The MetalWorks Torsion Spring for Behavioral Health Ceiling System has been tested and approved by the New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS-OMH) and is recommended in its 34th edition Patient Standards, Materials and Systems Guidelines (issued July 2025) in support of the agency’s goal to reduce risk of harm to individuals in in-patient settings.
This newest solution reinforces Armstrong’s ongoing dedication to supporting the healthcare industry in creating safe, healthy spaces that promote wellness and healing.
The healthcare industry is constantly evolving, putting added pressure on facility managers and operators to elevate strategies for prioritizing wellness and safety. Many people look at ceilings for their functionality and design, never considering that, in a mental health environment, they could present risk of self-harm or an opportunity to hide illicit items. In designing our MetalWorks Torsion Spring for Behavioral Health Ceiling System, Armstrong made all the critical considerations to ensure our solution supports each patient’s safety and journey to healing as well as provides their family and staff with peace of mind.
Andy Lake, Sr. Product Manager, Metal Interiors, Armstrong World Industries
Attributes for safety and wellness
The locking clips and stud bracing of the MetalWorks Torsion Spring for Behavioral Health Ceiling System provide an added level of safety by securing ceiling panels in place and preventing unintended removal. The 30″ x 30″ ceiling panels come standard in a Whitelume color, are made of 15% recycled content, and have an ASTM E84 Class A Fire Performance rating. The ceiling system is also part of the Armstrong Sustain portfolio and meets the most stringent industry sustainability compliance standards today.
To further increase indoor environmental quality, MetalWorks Torsion Spring for Behavioral Health ceiling panels offer an M17 perforated option that, when paired with a factory-applied acoustical fleece and fiberglass infill, can achieve 0.90 NRC (M1 non-perforated is also available). Armstrong points out that when using an M17 perforated panel, 1″ fiberglass infill must be used to maintain NYS-OMH compliance.
Designed for ease of installation and plenum access
MetalWorks Torsion Spring for Behavioral Health ceiling panels are designed for easy installation on pre-slotted heavy-duty extruded aluminum main beams and cross tees. Heavy-duty box molding at all perimeter locations simplifies grid attachment and panel installation at ceiling edges. To further ease installation, the ceiling panels come standard as FASTPeel products, which have protective film that is easier and faster to peel. Central to the ceiling system’s installation efficiency and functionality is the trusted Armstrong snap-in torsion spring design, which offers convenient panel access to the plenum using a special torsion spring hook-removal tool.
For more information on the MetalWorks Torsion Spring for Behavioral Health Ceiling System visit Armstrong Ceilings Behavioral Health. If help is needed, an Armstrong TechLine expert can be reached at Armstrong Ceilings Techline
