52 DOORS, WINDOWS & GLAZING SYSTEMS Say goodbye to unwanted noise
IRONMONGERYDIRECT’S MANAGING DIRECTOR, WAYNE LYSAGHT-MASON DISCUSSES THE BENEFITS OF USING ACOUSTIC SEALS AND HOW THEY BANISH UNWANTED NOISE TRANSMISSION.
A
pproved Document E of The Building Regulations outlines the minimum requirements needed to comply with
acoustic performance regulations. The regulations state that dwelling-houses, flats and rooms for residential purposes should be designed and constructed in such a way as to provide reasonable resistance to sound from other parts of the building or adjoining buildings.
Acoustic sealing solutions are necessary for all door assemblies to prevent sound leakage. For doors positioned in a location where they double up as a fire door, acoustic seals need to be able to prevent ‘unwanteds’ such as smoke, dust, draughts and fire. This will ensure the door is compliant with Approved Document B which states that fire doors should also be smoke control doors.
Any weakness in the acoustic seal such as a break or void for the latch to pass will allow sound to literally stream through. Tests have shown that doors where acoustic seals have been fitted but stopped at ironmongery positions simply cannot reach their desired performance. Therefore, acoustic seals should be continuous around the door frame.
A balancing act…
When installing or specifying acoustic seals it is important to consider Part M of the Building Regulations are well as Document E. Part M states that there needs to be ease of access throughout the entire building so a
Perimeter Door Seals are an essential part of an effective acoustic door seal as they fill the natural gap created between door leaf and frame in a door set. There are ranges of acoustic seals that cover both retro and rout in versions to suit almost every requirement. The seals work by filling the air gaps that create sound leaks around the head and jambs of the door set: this also stops smoke, light and dust.
Meeting Stile Seals are used where double doors meet: this can be both double and single acting door sets. The meeting stile seal or seals effectively seal off the air gaps that create sound leaks.
Great expectations
In buildings such as schools, a higher level of acoustic performance is required as a quiet environment promotes learning and helps concentration. Compliance with Document E, Rw30dB and Rw35dB, is therefore deemed necessary and can be achieved by using pre-
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door fitted with an acoustic seal needs to be easily operable. A balance therefore has to be created as a door leaf that is wedged tightly, providing impressive acoustic performance, will only cause complaints due to it being difficult to open.
Once the balance between acoustic seal and door operation is achieved, the seal will still need to withstand many years of everyday wear and tear caused by continual use.
Design Types…. There are many different seals that can deliver good acoustic performance without compromising on door operation or fire and smoke standards. They can be broken down into some basic design types:
Bottom Door Seals, also known as threshold seals, are designed to work in conjunction with a perimeter seal and, where practical, a threshold plate. Unlike fire and smoke sealing, acoustic seals need to seal the threshold of a door, as sound, like air, will make its way through any gaps between the door, its frame and the floor at the threshold. They can also give decibel reductions in excess of those stipulated in both Document E and Building Bulletin 93 (BB93).
determined, fully-tested combinations of acoustic seals.
A professional acoustic seal should be tested to BS EN ISO 140-3:1995, as Document E states that the minimum sound attenuation for any specified acoustic door set is Rw29dB. An approved seal should also be capable of sustaining 100,000 opening and shutting cycles without deterioration.
To summarise… It’s vital to consider every detail when choosing acoustic seals in conjunction with Building Regulations. For example, you may need to consider threshold plates that offer a stylish, low profile solution in various widths to suit numerous applications.
Threshold plates complement acoustic seals by giving an even surface to seal against. For example, if the threshold seal was sitting against carpet or an uneven surface it would allow sound through the crevices created.
Research into the latest products and innovations on the market to ensure you source the right products. Look for suppliers who stock the best range of value products, offer next day delivery and who will give you expert advice.
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