SRS install acoustic hoods for civic centre
09 March 2010
Sound Reduction Systems recently carried out installation of the bespoke acoustic hoods at the newly completed West Lothian Civic Centre.
It goes without saying that speech privacy and confidentiality are large concerns in Council buildings, such as the WLCC which contains a council chamber, offices and courts. SRS were asked by the Main Contractor to assist in ensuring that the light fittings within the SAS suspended metal ceiling did not compromise acoustic performance.The light fittings, specified by the architects at BDP’s Edinburgh Office, were the Duo 2 1200x600mm modular fitting, produced by Whitecroft Lighting of Ashton - under - Lyne, Lancashire. The Duo 2 is vented via a series of slots on the side of the light fitting, therefore potentially posing a problem with sound leakage. A bespoke acoustic solution was required.
The brief was to provide a product that would allow a 50mm air circulation gap around the specified light fittings, whilst maintaining the acoustic integrity of the suspended metal ceiling, rated at 42dB Dnc,w. SRS’s industry leading technical department accepted the challenge.
It was clear that all parties needed to be involved to find the solution and SRS’s Technical Sales Director, Dr Roger Manifold attended site to discuss the various options available. It was decided that the most appropriate solution was to supply four Soundblocker Acoustic “Pods” per light fitting and end-caps of Soundstop Acoustic Curtain with self adhesive backing. The Soundblocker Pods were to be manufactured by hand from a layer of a dense gypsum based board, with an internal lining of high performance open-cell acoustic foam.
To ensure that the proposed Soundblocker Pods were compatible with the Duo 2 light fitting, tests were carried out at the Whitecroft factory. It was found that that the performance of the Soundblocker Pods was more than satisfactory. This was great news for all parties involved.
The acoustics consultants on the project, BDP Acoustics, were asked to verify that the Soundblocker Pods would offer the acoustic performance that everyone was looking for. Their response was very positive and the Soundblocker Pods were given the go ahead.
BDP Acoustics;
“Although no test data existed for the Soundblocker Pods, as they were bespoke, SRS had tested similar hoods in conjunction with their Soundblocker System. Having reviewed the test reports that were made available by SRS it was concluded that the Soundblocker Pods could be used to maintain the acoustic performance of the SAS suspended metal ceiling in this instance.”
The installation was carried out by interior specialists, Clarke and Fenn Skanska Ltd. Iain Chalmers, Regional Manager,
“Installation of the Soundblocker Pods proved to be very successful. The Pods were independently suspended from the soffit using gripple wire as this allowed height and level adjustments. Service penetrations through the Soundblocker Pods were formed on site to facilitate the routing of electrical cables serving the various luminaires. The final acoustic treatment to the Soundblocker Pods was the application of Soundstop end-caps, fully sealing the service penetrations. Overall, the installation of the Soundblocker Pods provided the required sound reduction and their proved to be very successful in difficult circumstances.”
In addition to the bespoke Soundblocker Pods, SRS provided a number of more conventional Soundblocker hoods to treat downlighters.
Other Press Releases By This Company
- 08/10/2007 - Sound Reduction on The Web
- 19/06/2007 - New Blocks Dramatically Reduce Acoustic Wall Costs
