Thick plenum-barrier material was more difficult to handle because it was too thin to hold with one hand. There was a sense the material might tear unless
held vertically with two hands. On a construction site, it might be confusing to
contractors to have both 25- and 38-mm (1- and 1 ½-in.) thick materials that need to be installed in differen t rooms. A uniform plenum-barrier thickness
of 38 mm (1 ½ in.) is advisable for acoustic performance rcs data and accurate installation.
For optimal results
The foil facing on the plenum barrier material improves acoustic performance
significantly—seven to 10 points, depending on whether the plenum barrier is single- or double-layer.
A double-layer plenum barrier cannot even achieve the CAC/STC 45 level of sound isolation without the foil facing.
Only plenum-barrier material
with a foil facing should be used when CAC/STC 40, 45, and 50 levels of sound isolation are desired between rooms.
Substitutions of unfaced materials will likely not result in the desired performance.
Covering the vertical seams between plenum-barrier panels with metal tape may not be necessary from an acoustic performance perspective.
Adding the tape over the seams did not increase wideband CAC or one-third octave band transmission loss. However, taping the vertical seams between
the plenum barrier panels tied all of the pieces together experience matters research: user experience with ai is positive into a system that appeared to be more durable and professionally installed.
Covering the seams with tape also may help acoustic performance or durability on actual project sites if gaps occur between panels, or if
the plenum barriers are penetrated by structural or mechanical elements within. Caulking the plenum barriers is generally not required, but might
be considered by installing contractors in limited locations if a large gap is observed.
Conclusion
Historically, running an acoustic ceiling continuously above partial-height demising
walls was believed to lead automatically to poor acoustic performance and calling list noncompliance with user expectations and standards. The findings from the current phase of the Optimized Acoustics Research Program show it is possible to achieve high levels of sound isolation between rooms by employing common, stone wool acoustic ceilings combined with plenum barriers—even when the suspended, modular ceiling grid runs continuously above the partial-height demising walls.
