E-Cousti Independent Ceiling Solution

Description

E-Cousti Independent Ceiling Solution can be used to meet the requirements of Approved Document E for new build and refurbishments applications. E-Coustifloor is a laminate formed from 1.2mm E-Cousti Membrane and a 5mm closed cell acoustic foam product.   

General The E-Coustifloor Independent Ceiling Solution must be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendation. Preparation The basis of the construction uses conventional dry, stress graded timber joists.  These should be sized and set out as for a traditional floor construction, nominally 400, 450 or 600mm centres.  The joists will still require blocking where necessary. The first stage is to work from below the floor construction. Secondary Joists Secondary joists, sized to suit the span, should be fitted using joist hangars secured to the wall so that the top of the secondary joists are a minimum of 55mm below the bottom of the floor bearing joists.

E-Coustiquilt
E-Coustiquilt should be inserted over the secondary joists as shown. Care should be taken to ensure that the insulation is fitted neatly without gaps at abutments or between different rolls or at the perimeter. This process is repeated until the whole area is completed. Where downlighters are incorporated into the ceiling it is recommended that only fire protected and acoustic rated products are fitted. Always fit as per the manufacturer’s instructions, but in addition where E-Coustiquilt (or any other mineral fibre product) is fitted in the ceiling system to ensure there is sufficient airflow around the downlighters. This is achieved by cutting away a hole in the E-Coustiquilt of 60mm greater than the downlighter diameter.

In order to accurately locate the hole use the secondary joists and walls as reference points to measure co-ordinates for each hole. There should be a minimum clearance between the downlighter and the quilt in all directions. When using proper acoustic rated downlighters there will be no reduction in the acoustic performance of the system. However, downlighters do create an obvious flanking path if not correctly fitted with adequate care.

Boarding the Ceiling
A layer of Acoustic Plasterboard is then offered up to the secondary joists. The boards should be located at 90O to the direction of the joist ensuring that each end of the board bears onto a joist. The boards should be fully screwed with 25mm Drywall Screws at 200mm centres. After fixing the first layer, ensure that any joints and gaps in the ceiling lining are filled with E-Cousti Fix and Seal. It is not required to finish the joints. A second layer of Acoustic Plasterboard is then offered up, fully overlapping the first board (by 600mm) so that all the board joints are covered. Screw-fix with 42mm Drywall Screws at 200mm centres. Again, ensure at this stage that any gaps in the ceiling lining are filled with E-Cousti Fix and Seal prior to any surface finishing system. The next stage is to work from above the floor construction.

Floor Decking
Ideally the floor decking, which should be tongued and grooved, should be fully glued into place. All gaps in the decking, especially around the perimeter should be sealed with E-Cousti Fix and Seal.

E-Coustifloor
E-Coustifloor is a laminate formed from 1.2mm E-Cousti Membrane and a 5mm closed cell acoustic foam product. It is designed to resist the passage of impact sound at source when installed as a floating floor over concrete, wood or metal structures. The floating floor can be finished with any standard board from 12mm upwards or used as a carpet underlay directly under the carpet. E-Coustifloor has a dynamic stiffness rating of 14MN/m and can also be used under good quality laminate flooring. In order to achieve maximum sound reduction it is important that the product is laid strictly in accordance with the manufacturers instructions, with particular attention paid to the end detail, which is intended to prevent the transmission of flanking sound at the wall and floor junctions. If in doubt contact yout local stockist.

Preparation
Depending on the selected floor build remember to allow for adjustment to door, skirting and socket heights. For refurbishment projects existing decorative finishes must be removed and the floor surface smooth, dry and free from debris. Fix any loose floorboards, repair damage to screed and fill any cracks and gaps with E-Cousti Fix and Seal. Gaps around pipes, conduits and ducts should be filled with E-Cousti Fix and Seal. Remove any doors that open into the room being treated. Remove any skirting boards if required. Fit E-Coustifloor in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.

Installation
Take E-Coustifloor out of polythene wrapper.
Roll out ensuring that the brick membrane is face down.
Where it butts a wall allow approx 75-100mm overlap at each edge and cut using a sharp knife or scissors.
Where it butts push tightly together and tape along the edge using a suitable carpet tape.
Where the floor surface is uneven, or the shape of the room causes ‘bagging’ of the E-Coustifloor it can be glued to the substrate using a general purpose contact adhesive in order to give a flat even surface to lay the floating floor, laminate or carpet over. Where the E-Coustifloor needs to be cut around irregular shaped rooms, around corners or through openings use tape to ensure that any over sized cut is repaired.

At the room corners notch the E-Coustifloor by accurately cutting out a 50mm square. Lay the flooring finish of your choice over the E-Coustifloor preferably at right angles, or alternatively if joints are running in the same direction stagger the joints.

Glue the Tongued and Grooved joints at the joints where present or ensure that the click system is properly located. Whatever the jointing system ensure that it is securely jointed. In order to comply with Approved Document E when used with removable laminate flooring the E-Coustifloor must be adhered to the substrate.

Mitre the E-Coustifloor by turning down each flap in turn and trimming off at a 45 degree angle. Turn the E-Coustifloor over the top of the board and skirting so as to trap the overlap underneath.

Where the floor construction does not permit the end detail described above to be used, alternatively leave a 8-10mm gap between the edge of the laminate and the wall and fill with E-Cousti Fix and Seal and finish with an appropriate edging strip. Trim the excess with a sharp knife.

Finish off by applying E-Cousti Fix and Seal to the joint. The E-Cousti brand sealer must be used.
You have now created a floating floor which is decoupled from the base floor and surrounding walls reducing the transmission of sound through the structure, and by flanking and leakance helping you to meet the requirements of Approved Document E.

E-Coustifloor as a sound reduction carpet underlay
Steps 1 and 2 as above.
Where it butts a wall allow enough to lap up the E-Coustifloor up the wall to the thickness of the carpet i.e. to meet the underside of the skirting
Step 4 as above.
Glue to base floor using a general purpose contact adhesive in order to comply with the requirements of Approved Document E (if there is no need to meet the requirements of ADE there is not any need to glue)
Fix carpet grippers, minimising the number of fixing points.
Lay carpet as per supplier’s instructions.

Finishing
Trim doors to required height.
Refit skirting etc.
Dispose of waste in accordance with local regulations.