What fire marshals are asking for
- Nothing that blocks the sprinkler pattern
- No debris or tripping hazard for first responders
- A fire-rated material, documented to a recognized standard
- A product with a real-world reference installation
Data center air containment
Drops.
Disperses.
Defends.
FireDrop™ is a Class A fire-rated, water-soluble containment ceiling panel. When sprinklers activate, the panel drops and the material disperses in seconds — no blocked sprinklers, no debris, no tripping hazard for firefighters.
Manufactured in Ohio by a U.S. company
- Sprinklers activate
- Panel drops
- Disperses in 5–10 s
The problem
Plastic drop-out panels are losing approval
Loudoun County, Virginia — home to the world’s highest concentration of data centers — no longer approves traditional plastic drop-out ceiling panels. Other jurisdictions are watching.
Containment still has to hold the air. It just can’t get in the way when sprinklers need to work.
How it works
Built to get out of the way
Sprinklers activate
Water reaches the containment ceiling during a fire event.
The panel drops
FireDrop™ releases from the grid, so nothing blocks the sprinkler pattern.
The material disperses
Within 5–10 seconds the substrate breaks down — no sheets, no debris, no clogged floor drains.
What it’s made of
- SmartSolve water-soluble face stock
- Fire-resistant coating
Fire classification
Class A ASTM E84 / UL 723
The same water-soluble paper SmartSolve manufactures and tests for packaging, engineered with a fire-resistant coating.
Dispersion is verified to IWSFG PAS 1:2020 and INDA/EDANA GD4 flushability standards.
See it work
Watch the burn test and the dispersion test
Thirty seconds: a flame held to FireDrop™, then a panel meeting sprinkler water. Then judge it for yourself with a sample cut to your aisle.
0:27
Two innovative solutions
Panels ready to install, or substrate for fabricators
For installers & contractors
FireDrop™ Panels
- Assembled, framed panels — 24″ × 48″ or custom
- Volume pricing from 1 to 500+ panels
- $250 custom sample panel
For panel converters / fabricators
FireDrop™ Substrate
- Class A substrate by the roll for your own panels
- Available to a limited number of qualified partners
- Direct supply from the manufacturer
Fire marshals & AHJs
Evaluating containment rules in your county?
We’ll walk your team through the test data and how FireDrop™ behaves during sprinkler activation. Educational briefing — no sales pitch.