Seal Of Learning
Door seal specialist Norseal’s acoustic drop seals were installed on nearly 2000 doors at the University of Northampton. Helping to achieve the client’s stringent acoustic requirements for fire doors in new teaching facilities at the Waterside site. Norseal worked closely with doorset manufacturer Integrated Doorset Solutions to produce doors with 60 minute fire rating and 35 RwdB using seals from its wide range of drop and perimeter seals.
The University of Northampton Waterside project was constructed to the highest spec throughout, achieving a BREEAM Excellent rating and ensuring the entire campus has a low carbon footprint. Hard wearing laminate-faced internal doors with timber frames, fitted by joinery contractor Bespoke Building and Joinery Projects, played an important part in that vision. Fire and acoustic performance doorsets, achieving up to 60 minutes and 35 RwdB, with screens achieving up to 47 RwdB, ensured the client’s brief was fully met. The project also included a number of bespoke doorset solutions, designed, tested and manufactured specifically to meet the demanding needs of the project.
In education settings, comfortable sound levels are one of the primary conditions necessary for an effective learning environment. If there are background noises or a high decibel rating inside a classroom, students struggle to hear, or may find discomfort from straining to hear, and it is much easier to become distracted. As such, acoustic design is an important aspect of the government’s regulations for education buildings: “Each room or other space shall be designed and constructed in such a way that it has the acoustic conditions and the insulation against disturbance by noise appropriate to its intended use.” These requirements within the Building Regulations apply specifically to teaching and learning spaces where the permissible upper limit for indoor ambient noise levels in a classroom, teaching area or small group room are 35dBA for a new build and 40dBA for a refurbishment.
The Norseal NOR810 Automatic Drop Seal is fitted to the bottom of the door providing the most durable acoustic sealing profile to stand up to the high levels of wear and tear that doors in education settings receive. It effectively provides smoke and draft protection and, uniquely, also offers sound reduction of 55dBRw. It is self-levelling so it will cope with any kind of floor or frame combination and no tools are needed to adjust or deactivate the seal. The seal also complies with the requirements of British Standard BS476: Part 22 and has a wealth of acoustic data as evidence of its competent sound attenuation properties.
Norseal also supplies a full range of acoustic perimeter seals that filling the air gaps that create sound leaks around the head and jambs of the doorset. They also stop smoke, light and dust permeating the gap. Norseal can provide either retro-fit or rout-in acoustic perimeter seals to suit any hotel door.
Part of the European Athmer Group, Norseal is the leading provider of specialist door seal solutions. The company has a long track record of innovation, developing products which meet and exceed the latest industry standards for fire and smoke protection, acoustic properties, accessibility and thermal insulation. Products are backed by a qualified and experienced technical team offering advice and guidance on all aspects of intumescent and acoustic seals. As well as its core range of seals, Norseal supply a wide range of supplementary door products including fire-rated glazing, electrical and plumbing solutions, fire rated ventilation, letter plates, door viewers, threshold plates, weather seals, and finger protection products.
