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robust acoustic details exceeding the benchmark!
(V2)
Why regulation change? One very good reason for the government’s attention towards acoustics, was a five-fold increase in noise complaints to local authorities over the last 15 years. In particular, low frequency noise from stereo systems, hi-fi’s, TVs etc were causing problems. City centre regeneration and future increased urban living, as well as the changes in people’s lifestyle activities all led to the need to address noise pollution problems.
Performance Requirements Approved Document E – Resistance to the Passage of Sound revision came into effect 1st July 2003. With it came widespread changes which are having a substantial effect on the way buildings are designed. As well as greater levels of sound insulation between dwellings and rooms for residential purposes, the regulations within a dwelling now include performance standards applying reverberation within common areas
and school acoustics - areas not previously encompassed. One of the biggest impacts in the Approved Document is that of Pre-Completion Testing, to be carried out on 10% of dwelling types in each development to prove compliance with the requirements set down in the document.
England and Wales - Approved Document E Element
Airborne sound - site test DnT,w + Ctr
Impact sound - site test L,nT,w
Separating floors between dwellings and rooms for residential purpose
Minimum 45dB
Maximum 62dB
Separating floors between rooms created by a change of use
Minimum 43dB
Maximum 64dB
Scotland - Section 5* Floors Airborne sound - DnT,w
Minimum 52dB
Impact sound - LnT,w
Maximum 61dB
Northern Ireland - Part G (New Build) Ireland - Document E Floors Airborne sound - DnT,w
Minimum 52dB
Impact sound - LnT,w
Maximum 61dB
*RD’s also suitable as Means of Compliance two
Pre-Completion Testing Testing of dwellings once completed, is common practice in Scotland. Sound testing began over 20 years ago in the mid eighties when over 40% of walls and 60% of floors were failing. Recent surveys have suggested that the failure rate in Scotland for new-build is now below 5% and shows the learning curve that has had to be addressed and the benefits that testing can provide. However, the Pre-Completion Testing regime did meet with some resistance when proposed in the new Approved Document E. The implications and costs to the construction industry in England and Wales were set
to be high, with stoppages of work during testing, the costs of the tests themselves and potential remedial action should there be failures. Along with Pre-Completion Testing, there are new standards for impact and airborne sound with a new method of assessing airborne sound, to put heavier weighting on the lower frequencies to try and address the areas of complaints. This emphasis at low frequencies would affect lightweight or coupled structures most and therefore designers had to look at de-coupling the structure or adding mass.
Robust Details There are 5 Floating Floor Treatments (FFTs) that can be used depending on the base.
FFT 1 - Resilient composite deep batten system 70mm (min)
APG Solution: Profloor Deep Dynamic Batten
FFT 2 - Resilient cradle and batten system
50mm (min)
APG Solution: Profloor Levelling System
FFT 3 - Resilient composite standard batten system APG Solution: Profloor Dynamic Batten
10mm (min)
45mm (min)
FFT 4 - Resilient overlay platform floor system Equal to or greater than 16kg/m2 FFT 5 - Resilient overlay shallow platform floor system APG Solutions: Profloor Refurb Deck, Profloor Micro Deck, Profloor Dynamic Deck RD Individual value dB
RD Mean value dB
PCT Standards dB
Construction
Airborne DnT,w+Ctr
Impact L’nT,w
Airborne DnT,w+Ctr
Impact L’nT,w
Airborne DnT,w+Ctr
Impact L’nT,w
Separating Walls
47 (minimum)
-
50 (minimum)
-
45 (minimum)
-
Separating Floors
47 (minimum)
60 (maximum)
50 (minimum)
57 (maximum)
45 (minimum)
62 (maximum)
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Acoustic Insulation • Geoengineering Solutions • Construction Membranes • Thermal Insulation • Vibration Isolation
Why The A. Proctor Group? The A. Proctor Group were heavily involved in the Robust Detail process representing proprietary acoustic systems manufacturers in the HBF Working Parties and conducting benchmark testing to prove the performance of the A. Proctor Group Profloor range. As such, the A. Proctor Group have an unparalleled number of approved floating floor treatments across the generic FFT groupings. This provides flexibility of design with any of the base constructions.
Long-term Solution It must be noted that the RD process and the FFT classifications, whilst proving the acoustic performance of a product, do not assess the product’s long-term durability in a domestic application and third party accreditation such as BBA certificates should be sought to prove the product’s suitability for use long-term.
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The A. Proctor Group’s pedigree in this market of testing and experience has been invaluable within this work. Being Scottish based, the Group has an extensive library of on-site test results for all of their product range. This experience has been built up over 20 years and this coupled with the Group’s own unique Acoustic Laboratory provides a good basis of acoustic knowledge. Our Technical Desk can provide practical solutions to problems found on site, along with detailing and installation issues.
Robust detail floor system selection E-FT-1 TIMBER I-JOISTS
E-FC-1 PRE-CAST CONCRETE PLANK
E-FC-2 IN-SITU CONCRETE SLAB
E-FS-1 STEEL/CONCRETE COMPOSITE
15mm floor decking (min) 240mm (min) timber I-Joists. 100mm (min) quilt insulation (10-33kg/m3) between joists
150mm (min) precast concrete floor plank – 300kg/m2 (min) mass per unit area. 40mm (min) screed directly applied to plank – cement/sand or proprietary screed nominal 80kg/m2 mass per unit area (see appendix A: Robust details handbook).
250mm (min) in-situ concrete slab, 2400kg/m3 (min) density without screed, or 200mm (min) in-situ concrete slab, 2400kg/m3 (min) density with screed. 40mm (min) screed directly applied to slab cement/sand or proprietary screed nominal 80kg/m2 mass per unit area (see appendix A: Robust details handbook).
In-situ concrete slab supported by ‘Shallow’ or ‘Deep’ profiled metal decking. Overall distance from top surface of concrete to underside of ceiling treatment 300mm (min). Concrete thickness – 80mm (min) at shallowest point, and – 130mm (min) at deepest point. Concrete density 2200kg/m3 (min).
Can be used, but FFT3 recommended
Can be used, but FFT3 recommended
Can be used, but FFT3 recommended
BASEFLOOR DETAIL
FFT1 RESILIENT COMPOSITE DEEP BATTEN • Profloor Deep Dynamic Batten 81mm or 90mm FFT2 RESILIENT CRADLE & BATTEN SYSTEM
–
• Profloor Levelling System
FFT3 RESILIENT COMPOSITE STANDARD BATTEN • Profloor Dynamic Batten 55mm or 67mm
–
FFT5 RESILIENT OVERLAY SHALLOW PLATFORM SYSTEM • Profloor Refurb Deck or Refurb Deck HiLoad 26mm
–
• Profloor Micro Deck 17mm
–
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• Profloor Dynamic Deck 40mm
–
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CT1 - Metal ceiling - 100mm void ����� �����
CEILING DETAIL
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Metal resilient bars mounted at right angles to the joists at 400mm ����� centres.(bars must achieve a minimum ����� ����� laboratory performance of ����� ����� Rw+Ctr=17dB and Lw=16dB) Two ����� ����� layers of gypsum-based board, combined ����� ����� mass per unit area, nominal 23kgm2,all ����� ����� ����� joints staggered. �����
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����� Any timber ����� or metal ceiling system ���� ����� 75mm (min) ceiling void.* ���� providing ����� ����� ����� ����� One layer of nominal 10kg/m2 gypsum����� based board. ����� ����� ����� �����
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Any ceiling system One layer of nominal 8kg/m2 gypsumbased board.
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CT3 - Metal ceiling - 75mm void ��������� ����� ����� ���� ����� ���� ����� ����� ���� ���� ����� ����� �����
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���� ����� ���� CT4 - Timber batten & metal resilient bars ����� ��������� ����� ����� ���� ���� ���� ����� ����� �����
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Any timber or metal ceiling system providing 100mm (min) ceiling void.* One layer of nominal 8kg/m2 gypsum-based board.
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* see Robust Details handbook for full details ���� �����
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Acoustic Insulation • Geoengineering Solutions • Construction Membranes • Thermal Insulation • Vibration Isolation
Profloor Deep Dynamic Batten (FFT 1) Profloor Deep Dynamic Batten System provides high levels of isolation of the floor finish from the structure. Unique dual foam technology provides exceptional degrees of impact sound insulation and when coupled with the increased airgap provided by the Deep Batten, greater degress of airborne sound insulation. The cavity created by the batten can be used to accommodate services. Standard Sizes 81mm x 3600 x 45mm wide 90mm x 3600 x 45mm wide Other sizes available Support Batten 76mm x 3600 x 45mm wide 85mm x 3600 x 45mm wide Flanking Strip 150mm wide x 5mm thick (10m rolls) Other sizes available
Robust Details FFT 1 - Resilient composite deep batten system Suitable for use on the following RD floors: E-FT-1, E-FC-1, E-FC-2, E-FS-1
CAD
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Profloor Levelling System (FFT 2) The Profloor Levelling System was developed in order that a level finished floor could be laid on a cambered, stepped, or uneven sub-floor. Robust Detail constructions can still benefit from a levelling system that provides the final level and takes out any irregularities particularly in a mortar screed surface.
Types of base Levelling bases are manufactured from injection moulded high grade polymer, 70mm x 100mm in three types: Type L+M with 10mm foam bonded to the base. Type H is for deeper floors with the foam bonded to timber blocks, which fit under the Levelling bases. Profloor Packers in 2mm, 3mm and 5mm thickness are inserted in the cradles to adjust the final level of the floor.
Robust Details FFT 2 - Resilient cradle and batten system Suitable for use on the following RD floors: E-FC-1, E-FC-2, E-FS-1
CAD
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Acoustic Insulation • Geoengineering Solutions • Construction Membranes • Thermal Insulation • Vibration Isolation
Profloor Dynamic Batten (FFT 3) Having been used for nearly 20 years on a wide range of timber and concrete floors, the standard Profloor Dynamic Batten provides excellent levels of impact sound insulation. The unique dual foam not only provides the performance characteristics but enables minor irregularities in the surface of the sub-floor to be taken up. Standard Sizes 55mm x 3600 x 45mm wide 67mm x 3600 x 45mm wide Other sizes available Support Batten 50mm x 3600 x 45mm wide 62mm x 3600 x 45mm wide Other sizes available Flanking Strip 100mm wide x 5mm thick (10m rolls) Other sizes available
Robust Details FFT 3 - Resilient composite standard batten system Suitable for use on the following RD floors: E-FC-1, E-FC-2, E-FS-1
CAD
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Profloor Refurb Deck (FFT 5) Profloor Refurb Deck System provides the high degree of isolation necessary to give significant improvements in impact sound insulation. Profloor Refurb Deck System utilises the dynamic properties of dual foam technology and a patented edge support strip which prevents fracture of the tongue and grooved joint. Standard - for normal domestic loadings (up to 1.4kN/m2) Hi-load - for floors with higher loadings (up to 4.0kN/m2) Standard Sizes 2400mm x 600mm x 26mm thick Flanking / Support Strip 150mm wide x 7mm thick (10m rolls)
Robust Details
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FFT 5 - Resilient overlay shallow platform floor system Suitable for use on the following RD floors: E-FC-1, E-FC-2, E-FS-1
CAD
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Acoustic Insulation • Geoengineering Solutions • Construction Membranes • Thermal Insulation • Vibration Isolation
Profloor Micro Deck (FFT 5) Profloor Microdeck utilises the same foam layout and performs a similar function to Profloor Refurb Deck. Smaller panel size make for easier installation in confined spaces and the reduced thickness of only 17mm adds minimal depth to the floor build-up. Standard - for normal domestic loadings (up to 1.4kN/m2) Hi-load - for floors with higher loadings (up to 4.0kN/m2) Standard Sizes 1200mm x 600mm x 17mm wide Flanking / Support Strip 125mm wide x 7mm thick (10m rolls)
Robust Details
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FFT 5 - Resilient overlay shallow platform floor system Suitable for use on the following RD floors: E-FC-1, E-FC-2, E-FS-1
CAD
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Profloor Dynamic Deck (FFT 5) Profloor Dynamic Deck utilises the dual foam technology taken from Profloor Dynamic Batten. Resilient Strips are bonded to the board which help take out minor irregularities in the sub-floor surface. The cavity created by the foam should not be used to accommodate services. Standard Sizes 2400mm x 600mm x 40mm thick Support Strip 50mm wide x 17mm thick (5m rolls) Flanking Strip 100mm x 5mm (10m rolls)
Robust Details FFT 5 - Resilient overlay shallow platform floor system Suitable for use on the following RD floors: E-FC-1, E-FC-2, E-FS-1
CAD
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Acoustic Insulation • Geoengineering Solutions • Construction Membranes • Thermal Insulation • Vibration Isolation
apg5452
The Haugh, Blairgowrie, Perthshire, PH10 7ER. Telephone: (01250) 872261 Facsimilie: (01250) 872727 Email: insulation@proctorgroup.com