• Lightweight blocks - often used for thermal insulation on the inner leaf of the building envelope cavity walls, these should be suitably lined using the independent wall lining solution.
• Cavities created by wall linings - often found in existing buildings that have previously been refurbished.
• Suspended ceilings - where a partition finishes short of the soffit, the void is often a hidden flanking path, causing airborne sound to travel over into the adjacent room.
• Separating walls - sound can travel under a separating wall built on a concrete raft foundation.
• Separating floors - internal walls can provide a connection to conduct sound from one floor level to another.
• Chimney flues and fireplaces - sound travels through to other floors of the building.
• Girders installed to support floors - sound travels at a high speed through metal/steel.
• Waste pipes and other kitchen and bathroom conduits - where appliances are connected to the wall or floor.

E-COUSTI MEMBRANE AWARDS PROFILE
European Merit Award Winner for Research & Technology.
1999-2001

European Award for Support for products Under Research.
2002-2003

DTI Most innovative SME Award 2000. Arena Network Most promising environment products Award 2005

WORKMANSHIP
To ensure that a soundproof structure is performing to its maximum level great care must be taken in its construction. Attention to detail is absolutely essential. it must be built as if it needed to be waterproofed - as sound, like water, light or air - will find the smallest crack and expose it as a weak part in the structure.

Any hole or gap will significantly impair the construction’s performance. A single 25mm hole in an otherwise acoustically sound partition can reduce performance by up to a massive 15 dB.

Although a 25mm hole should be visible a crack 1mm x 1m will not always be obvious, and if this is not treated correctly with an acoustic sealant it will be detrimental to the structure.

Remember an acoustic construction is only as good as its weakest link.

DOWNLIGHTERS
Where a metal frame ceiling is used with E-Coustiquilt laid over the top, it is recommended that only fire protected and acoustic rated products are fitted. Always fit as per the manufacturer’s instructions,
but in addition where E-Coustiquilt (or any other mineral fibre product) is fitted in the ceiling system, ensure there is sufficient airflow around the downlighter.

This is achieved by cutting away a hole in the E-Coustiquilt of 60mm greater diameter than the downlighter diameter. in order to accurately locate the holes, measure up the position of the hole using the grid of the metal frame as the reference point to establish the co-ordinates for each hole.

There should be a minimum of 30mm clearance between the downlighter and the quilt in all directions. When using recommended acoustic rated downlighters there will be no reduction in the acoustic performance of the system. However, downlighters do create an obvious flanking path if not correctly fitted with adequate care

USEFUL INSTALLATION HINTS

1. Stagger the joints if double layering of plasterboard is required.
2. Always ensure boarding goes all the way down to the floor and all the way up to the top even if skirting or a cornice covers it. for optimum performance use sealant on the joints.
3. Don’t place light or plug sockets back to back otherwise the sound will go straight through the structure. Use intumescent putty seal around the sockets to maintain integrity.
4. Pay particular attention to the end detail of wall and floor junctions.