Achieving sound insulation compliant with Building Regulations in separating floors is easily achievable from the ceiling side only by using innovative acoustic systems from Hush Acoustics.

Providing an ideal solution for material change of use, conversion projects, the Hush Acoustics HD1045 Multi Panel MF System works by treating the ceiling and voids without the need to access or disrupt the floor above. This overcomes any practical difficulties in gaining access to properties above when working on conversion projects, such as occupied flats, and also offers a solution where floorboards or floor coverings cannot be disrupted in listed buildings or architecturally sensitive settings.

It combines a number of high quality Hush Acoustics sound insulating materials into a fully tested system, with a mix of sound absorption, blocking and separation working to dramatically reduce sound transmission paths through the separating floor.

Key to the effectiveness of the HD1045 system are two layers of Hush-Slab 100, a high quality fibrous sound absorber that infills the ceiling joists and is layered above the new ceiling - formed using Hush Multi Panels and Fireline plasterboard. The newly created ceiling suspends from the joists via Hush Acoustic Hangers which clearly separates the ceiling and joists to create a 350mm void between the ceiling and floor level above (including and based on a 200mm existing joist depth).

A similar system has been created specifically for improving sound insulation for basement ceilings, which is perfect for single dwelling refurbishment projects, as well as to meet material change of use requirements. The Hush Acoustics HD1044 system takes the same approach by treating the ceiling side only, utilising resilient bars to break sound transmission paths in place of the MF system of hangers. The HD1044 system lends itself ideally to areas where there is limited floor to ceiling height to form the acoustic ceiling.

Both the HD1044 and HD1045 are designed to reduce both impact and airborne sound transmission through the floor/ceiling construction, meeting the standards for material change of use set out in Approved Document E (England & Wales), Section 5 (Scotland) and Part G (Northern Ireland). They offer 1 hour fire resistance from the ceiling side and – as they are both tested as a complete system – deliver effective treatment in every appropriate application, providing all the specified components are installed in the correct way with no elements omitted or substituted.

For further information on the range of acoustic systems for separating floors/ceilings and wall constructions of all kinds, visit www.hushacoustics.co.uk.