OneFrame Achieves IP54 Certification for CLIPSO Illuminated Ceiling Systems

A new performance benchmark for architectural lighting integration

In the evolution of architectural ceiling systems, performance is no longer measured purely by aesthetics or installation efficiency. Increasingly, architects and specifiers are required to validate how integrated systems perform under real-world environmental conditions—particularly where lighting, services, and fabric membranes intersect.

OneFrame has now formally tested and certified its CLIPSO illuminated ceiling system to an IP54 rating, establishing a verified level of protection against dust ingress and water exposure. This certification represents a meaningful shift from assumed performance to independently validated system integrity.

Certified Performance — Verified by Independent Testing

The certification was conducted under the internationally recognised IEC 60529:1989 + A1:1999 + A2:2013 standard, which defines degrees of protection provided by enclosures (IP Code).

Test details:

• Test Report Number: ACTE202603200
• Date of Issue: 27 April 2026
• Testing Authority: ACT NZ Limited (Auckland Lab), Mount Wellington, Auckland
• Test Sample: OneFrame CLIPSO Architectural Fabric Tension System
• Test Period: 10 April – 16 April 2026

The system successfully passed IP5X (dust ingress) and IPX4 (water ingress) tests, achieving an overall IP54 rating for the underside of the installed ceiling system.

Notably, the testing methodology isolated the operational face of the system (underside)—the critical interface between the ceiling and occupied space—ensuring the rating reflects real installation conditions.

What IP54 Actually Means (and Why It Matters)

IP ratings are often referenced but rarely unpacked in a way that is meaningful for architectural specification.

Breakdown of IP54:

• “5” — Protection against solid particles (dust):
  Dust is not entirely prevented, but cannot enter in sufficient quantity to interfere with operation or safety.
• “4” — Protection against water splashing from any direction:
  The system withstands water spray without harmful ingress, simulating real-world exposure such as condensation, cleaning processes, or incidental moisture.

From a technical standpoint, the test confirmed:

• No dust accumulation that would impair LED operation or safety
• No water ingress affecting electrical components or performance

Why This Is a Genuine Performance Advantage

1. Integrated Lighting Systems — Now a Controlled Environment

Illuminated fabric ceilings inherently combine:

• Electrical systems (LED arrays, drivers)
• Air cavities
• Fabric membranes

Without certification, these assemblies rely on assumed sealing performance. The IP54 rating confirms that the OneFrame CLIPSO system behaves as a controlled enclosure, not just a decorative layer.

For specifiers, this reduces ambiguity around:

• Dust contamination of LEDs (lumen depreciation, colour shift)
• Moisture interaction with electrical systems
• Long-term maintenance risk

2. Suitability for High-Demand Environments

An IP54-rated ceiling system opens up applications that traditionally required more rigid or sealed construction methods.

Relevant environments include:

• Healthcare and clinical spaces (cleanability, particulate control)
• Transport hubs (airborne contaminants)
• Retail and hospitality (frequent cleaning regimes)
• Aquatic-adjacent or humid environments
• Education and public infrastructure

In these contexts, IP54 provides a baseline assurance of resilience, particularly where ceiling systems sit directly above occupied zones.

Maintenance and Lifecycle Performance

From a lifecycle perspective, dust and moisture are primary drivers of failure in illuminated systems.

The test report confirms that:

• Dust did not accumulate in a manner that could interfere with the operation 
• Water exposure resulted in no harmful ingress or system impairment

This translates into:

• Reduced maintenance cycles
• Improved consistency in light output and colour rendering
• Lower long-term replacement costs

For asset owners and facility managers, this is not a theoretical benefit—it directly impacts operational expenditure.

Alignment with Performance-Based Specification

Architectural specification is increasingly moving toward performance-based documentation, particularly in:

• Healthcare (infection control, cleanability)
• Transport (durability, environmental resistance)
• Commercial developments (compliance and risk mitigation)

An IP54 rating provides a quantifiable, standards-based metric that can be written into specifications with confidence, rather than relying on descriptive or qualitative claims.

Validated Testing Scope — Designed Around Real Use

A critical nuance in this certification is the targeted test scope.

The report explicitly notes:

• The underside of the system was isolated for testing
• Dust and water exposure conditions were configured to reflect in-situ ceiling performance

This is significant because:

• It aligns the certification with actual installation orientation
• It avoids overgeneralised ratings that don’t reflect how the system is used

In practical terms, the certification is not abstract—it is application-specific and relevant to design intent.

A Shift Toward Verified Ceiling Systems

The introduction of IP54-certified illuminated fabric ceilings represents a broader shift in the industry:

From:

• Aesthetic-led ceiling features
• Assumed performance of integrated systems

To:

• Engineered ceiling assemblies with validated environmental performance
• Documentable compliance aligned with international standards

For architects and specifiers, this changes how fabric ceiling systems can be positioned within a project—from a visual layer to a technically resolved building component.

Where Design Intent Meets Verified Performance

OneFrame’s IP54 certification of the CLIPSO illuminated ceiling system establishes a new benchmark for performance-driven architectural lighting solutions.

With independent validation under IEC 60529, the system delivers:

• Proven resistance to dust and water ingress
• Increased reliability of integrated lighting
• Expanded applicability across demanding environments
• A credible, standards-based specification pathway

In an environment where compliance, durability, and lifecycle performance are under increasing scrutiny, this level of certification is not incremental—it is foundational.