ACOUSTIC BATTENS

Acoustic battens are hugely popular composite products often used to decrease floor sound transmission and are used in timber or concrete acoustic floor projects. Battens usually have 10mm pre bonded, low resonance, resilient layer (rubber crumb pads) which is made from open cell, recycled polyurethane. Battens not only reduce floor sound transmission but also airborne and impact sound whilst maintaining a high compressive strength. Moreover, batten allows the construction of a spacious service void and provides long lasting support for floating timber or chipboard floors. When installed as part of a complete sound reduction system they enable the floor system to comply with the sound transmission regulations of Approved Document Part E.

APPLICATIONS

Battens can be used in floor finishes and are ideal when accommodating services within the floor void.

• concrete subfloors
• timber floors
• platform floor
• acoustic floors
• multi-storey buildings 
• refurbishment projects 
• raised floors
• steel
• precast plank

SIZES

Battens are available as standard sizes of either 50mm, 65mm, 70mm, 75mm or 80mm. Composite products consist of FSC certified softwood timber (quality planed timber) either 2400mm or 1800mm and 9mm-10mm thick resilient foam strip adhered to the underside. That gives overall height ranging from 50mm to 80mm.

• 50mmx45mmx1800mm/2400mm 
• 65mmx45mmx1800mm/2400mm
• 70mmx45mmx1800mm/2400mm 
• 75mmx45mmx1800mm/2400mm
• 80mmx45mmx1800mm/2400mm

BATTENS INSTALLATION

It’s important to ensure that all components are correctly installed and detailed in accordance with manufacturer instructions particularly where Robust Detail compliance is required. A vapour barrier should be laid if there is a risk of moisture levels in the subfloor in excess of the minimum recommendations. The subfloor should be dry, free from debris and level to within +/- 3mm over a 3 metre run. Services should be kept at least 10mm away from walls and door-ways to allow for perimeter support battens. Gap of around 20mm is allowed above the height of the services to cater for clearance. At all perimeters a continuous run of battens should be laid and at door openings additional ‘double’ battens should be used to support the surface deck on either side of the threshold. Acoustic Resilient Battens can either be laid foam side up or down at the appropriate centers with a continuous run of batten 50mm in from all perimeter walls. It should then be overlaid with 18mm or 22mm tongue and groove chipboard in a broken bond pattern with all joints glued. In areas of high communal traffic such as corridors or areas of high loads such as bathrooms and kitchens, then the battens should be spaced at 300mm with extra cross battens installed underneath areas subject to high point loading.

BUILDING REGULATIONS

All acoustic battens are designed to exceed the current Building Regulation requirements of Part E (England and Wales), Section 5 (Scotland) and Part G (Northern Ireland). They are also compliant with Robust Details FFT1 for floor structures EFC-1, EFC-2, E-FT-1, E-FT-2 and EFS-1.