Acoustic
Performance relating to sound transmittance and absorption.
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How do I upgrade acoustics on existing masonry walls?
To improve the acoustic performance of an existing masonry wall a number of steps can be taken. Initially, a check of the masonry wall can be carried out to identify any gaps which can result in an easy noise transfer route. Such gaps should be filled with suitable material. Blockwork inner leaf can take a parge coat to seal over the whole surface
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Can an extra layer of plasterboard be fixed to an existing party wall to improve performance?
Fixing additional layer of plasterboard to an existing separating wall will likely yield some improved performance. However the amount of gain will be dependent on the specification of the original wall. As this is already a high performing wall (fire and acoustics) the increase in performance may not be that significant. To best advise, the specif
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What does (Rw) and (Dntw) mean when acoustic performance is mentioned?
Acoustic performance is not just a number of decibels. Depending on the terminology quoted after the dB value, the meaning will be different. dB (Rw) - this is the weighted sound reduction index derived from a lab test of a particular building element. The higher this value, the better the performance. dB (DnTw) - This is the onsite tested performa
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What insulation can be used to achieve the acoustic performance of a partition system?
Siniat Partition and Shaftwall systems can include glass mineral wool insulation in the cavity of the system to obtain improved acoustic performance over the empty cavity equivalent. Siniat do not mention a particular manufacturer of glass mineral wool so to achieve the quoted performance the thickness of GMW insulation used must be at least that
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Can you install back-to-back sockets in a partition?
Standard industry recommendation is to avoid back-to-back sockets wherever possible. Sockets should ideally be installed in their own stud bay with back-to-back sockets being staggered in different stud bays. Where this cannot be avoided then back-to-back sockets should be offset by a minimum of 150mm. Please note that to maintain both the fire an
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What insulation can I use in Siniat partitions?
Siniat use glass mineral type insulation within the cavity of partition systems to improve the acoustic performance of the system. As per the Siniat system guide, ensure the minimum recommended thickness is used. There is no specific manufacturer of glass mineral wool to use so that can be down to the individual sites to select. For thermal and fir
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What plasterboards should be used for framing out opening when installing dampers in partitions?
When creating an opening within a partition for a damper, the opening should be capped with the same number of layers and thickness of plasterboard as per the partition system with further consideration to the actual test data associated with the damper system. As a minimum both criteria must be met.
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Which Insulation manufacturer should I use in Siniat systems?
Siniat do not recommend any particular provider of insulation. Where glass wool insulation is shown in the cavity of a partition for acoustic purposes only, then it is the thickness of the product that is relevant to meet the acoustic performance. Densities will vary from manufacturer to manufacturer but are typically in the 10kg/m3 to 25kg/m3 range
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Does the Siniat Tilebacker board provide or contribute to the fire resistance of a system?
Siniat Tilebacker board has not been tested as part of a system for fire resistance. The board is classified as A2,s1-d0 for reaction to fire similar to other internal plasterboards in the range. To create system with a specific fire resistance period, specify internal plasterboards to meet all requirements (fire, acoustic, robustness, height) then
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How should a profiled soffit be detailed to maintain performance of a partition fixed to it?
When fixing the head of a partition to a profiled rib deck, the profiles must be fire stopped to maintain the same fire resistance performance as the partition below. There are specialised products that are available from fire stopping manufacturers to suit this purpose and guidance from the relevant manufacturer must be sought to ensure they are in
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What is the detail for forming around SVP/RWP?
RWP/SVP are often located in the corner of a wall and thus are hidden by a two sided encasement to box them in. Sometimes they are away from the corner and in such circumstances would require a 3 sided encasement to box in against a wall. In use these can generate unwanted noise so the encasement to box in should be a high level acoustic specificat
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How is glasswool insulation installed within the cavity of a partition?
Glasswool Insulation can be hung from the inside of the head track by trapping an amount with a 25mm x 25mm angle section and fixings through the head track. Where partitions, linings and shaftwall systems do not require a fire rating, and the insulation is only used for acoustic or thermal purposes, alternative suspension methods are acceptable suc
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Can you install back-to-back sockets in a partition?
The standard industry recommendation is to avoid back-to-back sockets wherever possible. Sockets should ideally be installed in their own stud bay to provide a stagger to minimise acoustic loss in combination with the desired baffle to maintain all performances of the system. The penetration must be fire stopped with an appropriate product each si