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Sound Proofing

Soundproofing solutions for the complete building envelope from Soprema

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As per section E of The Building Regulations, in new builds and residential buildings, the upper floors, external walls, masonry dividing walls, and internal stud walls must be properly soundproofed, with the airborne sound resistance being at a minimum level of 40dB and impact sounds levels at a maximum of 62dB (With an exception for any wall that has a door in it and the walls that surround en-suite bathrooms).

Soundproofing buildings is not only a regulatory requirement, it’s also an important factor in ensuring that the building’s occupants can enjoy a peaceful and tranquil environment, whether in residential buildings, schools, hospitals, offices, or other types of buildings.

Soprema offers a wide range of acoustic insulation and soundproofing solutions, specially designed for ceilings, walls, floors, and even pipes, ensuring complete peace of mind that the building has been soundproofed to the regulatory standards:

TECSOUND – high-density, synthetic soundproofing membrane designed for increasing airborne noise insulation with low surface mass, soundproofing against airborne noise in ceilings and lightweight roofs and reduction of impact noise in laminated floors. In the industrial field TECSOUND membrane can be used in applications ranging from soundproofing of cabins to acoustic insulation of machine-rooms, cowling of engines, gutter pipes and sound-damping of metal sheets amongst others.

TECSOUND SY – self-adhesive version of TECSOUND membrane

TECSOUND FT – soundproofing composite including a porous felt and the TECSOUND synthetic membrane to be used in different construction elements both horizontal and vertical

TECSOUND 2FT – soundproofing composite including TECSOUND synthetic membrane placed between two porous felts to be used in different construction elements both horizontal and vertical

TECSOUND FT55AL – Soundproofing composite made of TECSOUND synthetic membrane, finished with porous felt and aluminium foil designed for sound-insulating pipes

TECSOUND TUBE S – acoustic insulation for water, rain and drainpipes in buildings

TECSOUND S BAND – synthetic tape made of TECSOUND membrane, with a built-in self-adhesive layer enabling it to be applied straight onto metals structures subject to vibrations

VELAPHONE FIBRE 22 – thin under floor impact noise soundproofing material

In addition to our soundproofing range, Soprema UK have introduced two sound absorption product ranges. The products are designed to reduce internal excessive noise levels, allowing us to design an acoustic ambience which is fit for purpose based on specific acoustic guidelines.

Our sound absorption offering consists of two products:

PURE-KUSTIK – sound absorption boards consisting of polyester fibre with a high recycled material content (> 60 %).

FIBRO-KUSTIK – Wood wool sound absorption boards used on walls and ceilings, especially in areas where robustness and long-term product endurance is required.

These ranges feature various visual design characteristics and have proven very popular in markets including the Far East, throughout Europe as well as the Middle East.

If you would like to learn more about each product, please visit our Acoustic Insulation and Soundproofing page.

You can also contact us directly to speak with our dedicated acoustics and soundproofing technical experts about our solutions and how they can be applied in your projects:

W: www.soprema.co.uk
E: techsupport@soprema.co.uk
T: 0330 058 0668

New staircase impact sound insulation system from Schöck

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As higher density living becomes increasingly the norm, noise nuisance and its possible effect on health issues is becoming an all-important topic. One of the most invasive irritations is impact sound and Schöck has developed an innovative solution for both straight and winding staircases.    

Intrusive noiseIt will come as little surprise that social surveys across several European countries indicate that noise from neighbours in multi-family residential complexes causes varying degrees of annoyance. The type of noise can take various forms of course, but impact sound is particularly invasive, with footsteps on common stairs being a typical example. Health studies have looked into the different effects of ‘community noise’ on individuals. The findings are wide-ranging, but suggest that regular noise interference can result in symptoms such as sleep loss, headaches, anxiety and in some cases even an increase in the potential for aggressive behaviour. So with the move towards higher density living in many European towns and cities, appropriate acoustic performance standards are becoming more important than ever.

UK urban living dramatically on the rise

There is considerable disparity between UK mandatory acoustic standards and those in many parts of Europe. Which is possibly a result of the historical differences in dwelling types. In the UK only 14% of the population have traditionally lived in apartments, one of the lowest Euro percentages. Whereas the average for apartment living across the Euro area is 48% and in many cases higher. Over 60% in Germany for example. However, things are changing in the UK, where urban and therefore apartment living, is dramatically on the rise.   Between 2002 and 2015(1)Liverpool was the fastest growing city centre, with a  population increasing by 181%.

Other cities are close behind, examples being Birmingham, with a city centre growing by 163%, Leeds by 150%, Manchester 149% and Leicester 145%. In terms of sheer numbers, the fastest growing was London, but due to overall population density this amounted to a relatively low 22% increase.

Soundproofing standards are under scrutiny

With this increase in the density of residential living, noise health protection and exisiting mandatory soundproofing standards, of which impact sound is an important feature, are coming under ever-increasing scrutiny. Currently the Building Regulations Part E recommend performance standards for ‘separating walls, separating floors and stairs that have a separate function’ as being less than or equivalent to 62 dB. Bearing in mind that the smaller the value, the better the impact sound insulation, the European average for staircases is around 53 dB, in some individual cases even stricter. Which is significant when you consider that for human hearing a 10 dB difference is equivalent to twice the noise disturbance. The first ever standard in Europe to specify a test procedure for impact sound insulation elements was published in Germany in 2016. (DIN 7396). DIN 7396 specifies a test with realistic configurations and typical building loads on staircases. The weighted normalised impact sound pressure level (L‘n,w) as defined in DIN 7396 can be used as a basis for verifying acoustic insulation in buildings. In reality, during the construction process soundproofing solutions are often used that do not comply with longer term requirements. Individual elastomer supports for example, may not protect the joint areas completely, with dirt and plaster finding their way into the gaps, causing acoustic bridges.

DIN Testing
DIN Testing

Schöck launches Tronsole

Whole stair system
Whole stair system

As a result Schöck, best known for its structural thermal break range, has developed an integrated impact sound insulation solution for all structural subsections on both straight and winding staircases. Known as Tronsole, this system of perfectly integrated impact soundproofing elements, combines dependable sound insulation with straightforward installation. The Schöck Tronsole system consists of seven main product types that can be mixed and matched to form a fully integrated impact soundproof system either on-site, or in the prefabricating plant. Central to the performance of the Tronsole system is Elodur, an elastomer support formulated to ensure optimum acoustic insulation and low Prefabricationdeflection. Compared with conventional strip supports, Elodur assures an impact sound level difference of approximately 32 dB, which constitutes an improvement of around 10 dB. Equally important to the system is the component known as Tronsole type L, which ensures complete soundproofing by totally sealing the joint. And all sound insulation performance figures for the Schöck Tronsole types relate to systems incorporating type L in the joint areas.  The Tronsole system is suitable for emergency exits and complies with the requirements for fire resistance class R90 (subject to appropriate on-site additional reinforcement of the landing).  

On the right the blue line indicates that the product is successfully in position. On thr left the finished staircase .
On the right the blue line indicates that the product is successfully in position. On the left the finished staircase.

For comprehensive information about the Tronsole system contact Schöck on 01865 290 890; or visit the website at www.schoeck.co.uk     The full Product Brochure is available.  Also, online installation videos are available that demonstrate the individual steps for installing elements for both straight and winding staircases and landings.

 (1) According to analysis of figures from the Office for National Statistics.

 

Soundproofing Solutions for New Build Developments

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Hush-01Designing effective soundproofing for new build developments can be challenging. There is no ‘one-size fits all’ solution as each building has its own parameters which need to be considered when designing floor, wall and ceiling constructions.

Structural designs have to detail all of the correct information and materials have to be carefully selected to ensure all new build developments are fit for purpose and guarantee comfortable conditions, as stipulated by UK Building Regulations including Approved Document E (England & Wales), Section 5 of the Scottish Building Standards (Scotland) and Approved Part G (Northern Ireland).

Not only that, but Architects, Designers and Clients need to fully understand how nuisance noises will affect a development, both internal and external sources. Different noise sources will have different impacts on a new build which in turn will affect design, material selection and specification procedure.

How does noise affect new build developments?
Noise is transmitted in new build developments by airborne and impact sound sources (also known as frequency waves). Airborne sources include speech, TV noise, music and general noise. Impact sound sources are sudden sound sources like footsteps. The other sound source that can allow sound to transmit through a construction is flanking transmission, which is where sound is transferred indirectly through adjoining structures e.g. impact sound may be transmitted between adjoining rooms through a timber floor as well as the supporting wall.

Nowadays, most modern new builds (in particularly residential developments) are constructed using a masonry cavity construction or a timber frame construction. Due to the different construction qualities and materials used, internal and external sound sources will affect these developments in different ways.

Masonry cavity constructions consist of an inner leaf of blockwork which support the floors and create internal and separating walls. These masonry constructions can be effective in reducing airborne noise sources due to the dense nature of the high mass masonry structures but are very prone to flanking noise issues that can cause the development to fail.

Timber frame constructions are made using load-bearing frames of treated timber, which makes up the floors and the internal and separating walls. Timber frame constructions can be effective in reducing impact noise sources and are a more cost-effective option than masonry cavity constructions, however can be prone to movement.

UK Building Regulations set out decisive criteria for sound insulation performance for all types of new builds, whether their purpose is residential, commercial, education, healthcare, industrial or leisure.

How to design effective soundproof solutions for new build developments

Hush-02In order to comply with Approved Document E (England & Wales), Section 5 of the Scottish Building Standards (Scotland) and Approved Part G (Northern Ireland) of the UK Building Regulations, all separating floors and walls in new build developments must be built in such a way as to achieve minimum sound insulation values (this also includes change of use and refurbishment projects).

The best way to create effective soundproofing for new build developments is to accommodate the acoustic solution early in the design process, and to gain expert acoustic advice. By doing these it will ensure compliance with UK Building Regulations, it will minimise any potential for failures and therefore reduces the need for costly and disruptive remedial measures later down the line.

The planning and design process requires Architects and Developers to consider the noise exposure of the residential development. Internal sources include building layout, separating wall and floor performance, reverberation control and room acoustics and sound protection from communal areas. External factors or noise sources include outside noises such as neighbours, road traffic, and other local influences.

Hush offers a wide range of Acoustic Systems (Wall, Ceiling, Concrete and Timber Floor) which exceed the requirements of UK Building Regulations. They are specialist systems which comprise of acoustic components put together by Hush to offer the best soundproofing solutions for masonry and timber floors. One such system is the HD1057 Masonry Acoustic System, which offers excellent acoustic performance for new builds with masonry wall construction. It uses a thin acoustic wall lining system meaning the system has a limited impact upon the design and internal spaces.

The HD1057 Masonry Acoustic System comprises of Hush Resilient Bars which are fitted directly to either side of a masonry wall. In-between the bars is fitted with Hush Slab 25 Sound Absorber and faced with Hush Wallboard, finally sealed using Hush Heavy Duty Isolation Tape.

The HD1054 Double Timber Stud Wall System provides effective soundproofing for timber frame new build developments and ensures compliance with UK Building Regulations. Two stud frames of 50 x 100mm are constructed to create new separating walls. The voids are filled with Hush Slab 100 Sound Absorber and then each frame is faced with two layers of 15mm Soundbloc Plasterboards.

Hush offers a wide range of acoustic products and systems which offer an effective and economical solution for new build developments and importantly achieve and exceed compliance with UK Building Regulations.

How can Hush Acoustics help with your new build development project?

Hush provides high quality acoustic products and systems backed by comprehensive technical advice that will ensure your new build development project complies with all UK Building Regulations including Approved Document E (England & Wales), Section 5 of the Scottish Building Standards (Scotland) and Approved Part G (Northern Ireland), including Robust Details, BB93 and Code for Sustainable Homes parameters.

Hush’s soundproofing systems provide acoustic solutions for separating floors, ceilings and walls in new build projects, whether it be multi-occupancy or single dwelling premises. Our wide range of acoustic products includes Acoustic Underlay, Floating Flooring, Hush Absorber Panels, Suspended Ceilings, Resilient Bars, Flooring Battens and Supports, Joist Infills and many more.

If you need any information on Hush’s acoustic products and systems please browse the company website (www.hushacoustics.co.uk) or contact one of our experienced acoustic technicians on 0151 933 2026.