Page 37 - Modernfold Architectural Products

ACOUSTI-SEAL ENCORE
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ACHIEVING OPTIMAL ACOUSTICS

Acousti-Seal Encore movable walls have been laboratory tested to an industry
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leading 56 STC... How does that translate into an actual space?

STC or Sound Transmission Class is acoustical control within each space. often be eliminated or diminished by
a two-digit number describing the The guidelines for duplicating the installing baffling, sound barriers, or sound
acoustical control of a partition in a sound lab environment within an actual -absorbing insulation in key areas.
sound laboratory setting. This method space are detailed in the ASTM E557
of ranking is the most widely accepted specification. Above the Partition Track
standard throughout the industry.
Virtually every operable partition ASTM E557 is the blueprint for the
manufacturer conducts laboratory successful construction surrounding
tests and must be able to validate their acoustically rated operable partitions.
products results. The ASTM E557 specification can be
purchased online at www.ASTM.org
To be certified as a sound laboratory, a and is an absolutely essential guide for
lab must be constructed to meet strict your spaces overall acoustical success.
ASTM specifications and be certified by The STC of your operable partition is A plenum above a partition can allow
a third party. A quality sound laboratory basically irrelevant if the surrounding sound to pass up through the ceiling on
has the ability to take everything out of construction is not up to the ASTM E557 one side and down to the other side. To
the surrounding environment except for specification. You will lose the intended eliminate this problem, a barrier (with
the partition that is being tested. acoustical control of the operable a sound transmission loss equal to or
partitions through the surrounding greater than the partition) should be
Therefore, an STC rating calculates construction and unrecognized created above the partition.
only the partition itself without any of construction errors.
the surrounding construction. This is Partition-to-Wall Connections
very important to understand because The following are the most common
when a partition is placed into an actual construction errors in regards to
building, that building will not be built successful acoustical control and
to the same standards as the sound operable partitions:
laboratory and therefore will affect the
acoustical performance within the space. Flanking Paths

When you consider that an operable
wall may represent only 10% of the Operable partitions use various methods
surface area in a space, you quickly to connect with permanent walls and
realize it takes more than just a great partitions. These include fixed jambs
operable wall to achieve optimal mounted to the partition or permanent wall,
acoustical control within the space. recessed jambs on the permanent surface,
Acoustical success takes a great and multi-point bulb seals. Whatever the
acoustical plan for the surrounding Airborne sound can be transmitted to case, provisions should be made to allow
construction by the Acoustician, for air tight closure against the permanent
Architect, and General Contractor. One adjoining rooms by way of adjacent wall without interference from chair rails,
doors, door grilles, air handling ducts,
must understand that it is not realistic ceiling plenums, or floors and walls crown moldings, or other surface materials.
to duplicate the sound lab environment passing beneath the partition or from
in an actual space, but duplicating the room-to-room at the ends of the For more detailed acoustic information
environment as closely as possible please reference Modernfold’s Acoustical
will determine the overall quality of the partitions. These flanking paths can Guide Form 2503.
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