21/09/2015
Ceiling tiles increase light reflection and insulation values, conceal services and provide a smooth finish, says Laura Mark
Originally developed to offer acoustic control, more often than not ceiling tiles will be chosen for their noise-reducing properties. Acoustic ceilings can reduce internal noise levels and improve room to room attenuation.
Building Regulations Part E details acoustic requirements. Historically, this did not apply to schools and has often been cited as being behind the poor acoustic design of school buildings but, since 2003, Part E has been updated to include school design.
Building Bulletin 93, produced by the Department for Education and Skills, details the acoustic requirements of school buildings and supports Building Regulations Part E. It states that the upper limit for the ambient noise level of a classroom should be 35dB. Acoustic requirements have a high importance in school design, and research has shown that low ambient noise levels are required. Poor acoustic conditions increase strain on both teachers and pupils, and have been shown to have detrimental effects on children’s performance at school.
Acoustic tiles come with a wide variety of properties, often dictated by the surface finish. In certain circumstances the attenuation can be increased by adding extra insulation to the back of the tile.
Ceilings also play a big role in optimising light reflection and therefore reducing a building’s energy usage. The measure of light reflectance is the fraction of specified incident light that is reflected by the surface and expressed as a percentage value. When specifying tiles, look for a higher reflectance value to reduce the need for artificial lighting. White surfaces and smooth finishes will have increased light reflectance.
Often used for retrofit applications, suspended ceilings can hide a multitude of sins. They can be used to hide stained, cracked or damaged soffits, and can conceal services while providing easy access when needed.