Acoustic Protection for Fire Doors
A Duty of Care
Acoustic protection (or noise reduction) may not have the same life-saving significance as fire and smoke resistance, but it is still important.
From specifiers and fabricators to installers and building owners, we all have a Duty of Care to ensure comfortable sound levels. Living and working conditions should be just as acceptable from a noise point of view as they are from a heating, lighting and ventilation perspective.
For certain types of buildings, this is a regulatory requirement rather than just good practice. Acoustically-rated doors, for example, and minimum acoustic performance levels are stipulated for residential rooms in hotels, care homes and student accommodation, as well as in educational, healthcare and commercial settings.
Sound Construction
Sound is caused by the vibration of air particles.
When these vibrating air molecules strike a door leaf they cause it, in turn, to vibrate. The door’s construction has a significant impact on its sound reduction properties. A very dense or moderately flexible door leaf – like Halspan – is harder to set into vibration, making it a good acoustic barrier.
Acoustic Protection Solutions
Putting Halspan to the test
Airborne sound transmission is measured by working out the difference in sound pressure levels between two rooms, separated by a test doorset. One is a transmitting room with a loudspeaker; the other a receiving room with a microphone.
One of the world’s leading suppliers of quality door components, Halspan door blanks and cores have been extensively tested for acoustic performance and exceed all the regulatory requirements, providing complete peace of mind.
As well as acoustic performance, Halspan’s door components are tested for fire resistance and durability. They also meet stringent environmental standards.
