What is the purpose of sound absorption and insulation of an acoustic metal (climate) ceiling?
The answer to the above question is simple:
• To be able to concentrate or relax.
• To be able to make yourself well understood or to be able to understand others well.
To realize this, it is important to dampen the sounds produced in the room (= sound absorption) and to eliminate sound transmission from adjacent rooms, also known as cross-talk (= sound insulation). With an acoustic (climate) ceiling, it is possible to realize both sound absorption and sound insulation.
Sound absorption:
Sound absorption is the phenomenon that sound energy is converted into heat. The sound then 'disappears' into the absorption material. The pressure tries to deform the material and this costs energy. Sound absorption is also called sound damping.
Depending on the absorbency of the material, the free passage of the perforation and the climate element, part of this energy is reflected back into the room. The other part is stored in the material in the form of heat. Well-absorbing materials have an average NRC value (Noise Reduction Coefficient) that varies between 0.85 and 1.0. When the NRC value reaches 1.0, we call it the OR effect (Open Window), 1.0 is comparable to an open window. Herein the sound disappears completely and nothing is reflected in space.
If there is a disturbing reverberation in a room, the room must be provided with (extra) sound-absorbing material. With a climate ceiling, absorption values can be realized from 0.70 to 0.95. The panels are perforated for this purpose and provided with an acoustic fleece or mineral wool package.
Sound insulation:
Sound insulation ensures that no sound can enter or leave the room. Sound insulation to prevent sound transmission through the ceiling (plenum) to an adjacent room is what we call longitudinal sound insulation or simply longitudinal insulation.
We distinguish between horizontal longitudinal insulation and vertical longitudinal insulation.
Horizontal longitudinal insulation:
With horizontal longitudinal insulation, the acoustic separation with the (climate) ceiling is realized.
In that case, Inteco provides the panels with a plaster or steel plate on the back of the panels. In addition, built-in components are acoustically insulating, for example with a (sus-) cap. A ceiling with horizontal longitudinal sound insulation offers maximum flexibility for placing partition walls. This is because they can be mounted under the ceiling without having to install acoustic partitions above the ceiling to prevent cross-talk.
Vertical longitudinal insulation:
With vertical longitudinal insulation, the acoustic separation is realized through the partition wall, possibly supplemented with an acoustic vertical partition.
- In the first case, the partition walls are laid from floor to the bottom of the architectural deck. if the wall is installed against the ceiling at the bottom.
- If the partition walls are installed from floor to bottom of the ceiling, additional acoustic vertical bulkheads are applied above the partition walls between the ceiling and the structural deck
Both with horizontal and vertical longitudinal sound insulation by means of acoustic bulkheads, it is important that the partition walls are positioned under bandrasters.
The benefits and applicability of an acoustic climate ceiling
An acoustic ceiling is indispensable in every situation and contributes to a comfortable (working) environment. This can increase productivity because people are no longer distracted by noise. Moreover, it has a favorable effect on the intelligibility of speech. An acoustic ceiling can be widely used; think of office spaces, hospitals, airports, swimming pools, business and production halls or schools. If you combine these acoustic benefits with the benefits of a climate ceiling, you will get a system that is effective in comfort perception in the broadest sense of the word.
Be convinced by the benefits of a climate ceilingWhat is the golden formula?
Various activities take place during the working day, from meetings, telephone conversations to concentrated counting or reading. All of these activities require a good balance between intelligibility and noise reduction. A pleasant acoustic comfort is achieved with the right acoustic facilities in the climate ceiling. Inteco has more than 25 years of experience in acoustic climate ceilings and we are happy to advise you!
Contact our advisorsInteco - Comfort without Compromise
All our solutions have a central goal; improving the indoor climate for optimum comfort. We combine this with aesthetically pleasing designs that integrate seamlessly with the environment. Quality is our top priority. Thanks to our own factory in Boxtel, where we have our own R&D, engineering, production and assembly department, we can develop sustainable products ourselves that fulfill our 'comfort without compromise' credo.
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