Using Rockwool Flexi or Acoustic partition slab as the infill layer improves the performance of a lightweight partition substantially because it absorbs the reverberated sound within the partition void.

As a result, lighter and thinner plasterboards can be used which will reduce the load thickness of the structure. As an infill layer these Rockwool products are also used to cut down on the hollow sound which is characteristic of partitions where plasterboard alone is used.

To help specifiers meet and exceed stringent building regulations, Rockwool created the new  XPR Premium Systems. XPR solutions feature high impact Fermacell gypsum fibreboards supplied by Xella, superior metal studs supplied by Protektor and the optimum acoustic and Firesafe Flexi stone wool insulation core supplied by Rockwool. The components combine to create space-saving partition systems with excellent acoustic insulation and fire protection properties simply helping specifiers meet and exceed stringent building regulations.

Regulations
The 2003 edition of Approved Document for England and Wales introduced a new requirement for the sound insulation of internal walls within houses, flats and rooms for residential purposes. The requirement is for all internal walls between a bedroom or room containing a WC and another room to have a minimum sound insulation of 40dB R_w.

Internal partitions do not need to be site tested, laboratory tests are acceptable.

Separating Walls

A separating wall is defined as a wall that separates adjoining dwelling houses, flats or rooms used for residential purposes.

There are significant increases in the number of semi detached, terrace and flat type dwellings being built. The protection from noise offered by these types of dwellings from the adjoining units is therefore an important issue.

In England and Wales the Building Regulation Part E was revised in 2003 to ensure better performance of properties in this respect. The changes required performance to be established by on-site testing before compliance could be achieved, and placed emphasis on low frequency noise. It is now also acceptable to adopt ‘Robust Details’ to meet compliance; which negates the requirement for on site testing.

The potential performance of a separating wall is influenced by its mass, by the separation that is created between the two faces of the wall and  by the sound absorption properties of materials that are installed in cavities in the wall. Rockwool Flexi and Rockliner have excellent sound absorption properties and are used widely in separating wall constructions to enhance their ability to reduce airborne sound transmission.

Regulations
. Performance standards for Separating Walls England & Wales
  Airborne Sound Insulation D _nT,w + C_tr dB (min values)
 

Scotland and Ireland
In Part H of the Technical Standards in Scotland and Part E of the Irish Regulations, compliance can be achieved either by adopting specified constructions or by testing to show that non-specified constructions meet the performance standarts set out in the tables below.

. Performance standards for Separating Walls - Scotland
  Airborne Sound Insulation (D _nT,w )* 
 

Download free DWG from Autodesk & Adobe Reader