TYPICAL ACOUSTIC GLASS USAGE
Acoustic glass has many applications and it must be used in certain circumstances to comply with Building Regulations requirements around resistance to sound. Specific provisions apply to schools – for more information see:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/resistance-to-sound-approved-document-e
Acoustic glass is multifunctional from a glazing point of view and, as well as its use as a
Safety Glass, it can also be combined with other usages such as within
IGUs, and
Glass Partitions. For some recent examples of our work with acoustic glass and the aesthetically pleasing results it can achieve please see:
Hot Mill School Case Study.
Acoustic glass does not of itself have any fire resistance ability but there are certain types of
Fire Rated Glass that do have acoustic ability and a sound reduction level – for more information see our F
Fire Rated Glass page.
THE BENEFITS OF ACOUSTIC GLASS?
The main benefit of acoustic glass is the reduction in noise level – generally a comfortable sound level for humans is around 35db (day) and 30db (night).
All acoustic glass comes with a sound reduction level that is given in decimals. It is particularly useful in reducing some of the higher frequency sounds such as traffic, people and even the sound of rain falling on the glass (where the glass is used in roof glazing); different performance levels can be achieved by various combinations of glass thickness and the number of interlayers used.
From a noise level point of view a reduction of just 5db is clearly noticeable to the human ear – acoustic glass can therefore be used not only in urban areas with high-levels of traffic and other environmental noise but also in open office workplaces or schools to minimise noise disruption.
Due to its inner bonded layer, acoustic glass will hold in place in the event of breaking; meaning that it has an Impact Safety Rating and can be used in Critical Locations. It can also improve energy efficiency.
