Masonite Floor System Achieves Sound Reduction Performance to meet New Scottish Standards
Laboratory testing of an intermediate floor system featuring Masonite engineered timber I-Joists has proved it to have an airborne sound reduction performance of 43dB Rw, thereby achieving the requirements of the amended Scottish Building Standards' domestic section on noise, 2010 edition.Masonite Beams UK believes it is the first engineered timber I-Joist manufacturer to have achieved the sound insulation performance now required for intermediate floors in Scotland, for a system configuration close to current building practice.
The tests were undertaken by Sound Research Laboratories of Sudbury, Suffolk and were carried out in accordance with BS EN ISO 140-3: 1995.
Commenting on the test results, Peter Law, Masonite Beams UK's Technical Manager said:
“The results are good news for Architects and specifiers of projects in Scotland who are looking for a tried and tested solution for an engineered timber floor system in new build domestic dwellings, but who are struggling to find a cost-effective specification to meet the challenges of the new Building Standards.
“The tested configuration has obviated the need for resilient sound bars and insulation to achieve the airborne sound level of 43dB, thereby keeping the construction close to that presently used and helping to keep costs down.”
Changes to the 2010 edition of the 'Scottish Building Standards: Domestic Section 5: Noise' have been wide-ranging, and as a result the standards have been completely rewritten. Among several key new requirements is an increase in the sound insulation performance of separating walls and separating floors; and a reduction in sound passing between rooms in dwellings.
For more information on how Masonite Beams UK Ltd can help architects and specifiers to achieve the requirements of the new Scottish Building Standards please contact Peter Law by email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .