Intern Corner 1

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Updated: 06/27/05.

Intern Corner (Episode 1)

June 2004 issue of Mad-Spec

by H.B. Huisinga, CSI, CCCA, LEED AP

I’m an intern. I’ll freely admit that fact. I ask a lot of questions in my day-to-day life as a specification writer, and don’t you hate the answers that seem blatantly obvious once you’ve heard them?

I recently went on a search and destroy mission for STC ratings for a suspended ceiling detail that included sound blanket insulation.

My first question was: What materials (including the panel system) above the panel system does the STC rating pertain to? Answer: Only the materials directly interacting with the suspended ceiling system, or the panel system and the insulation directly above.

After talking with the panel system manufacturer I was left with more questions.

Is batt insulation/roll insulation/sound blankets the same? No. Batt and roll are essentially the same while sound blankets are much denser and thus heavier. If the panel system isn’t designed properly, the sound blanket weight could cause the panel system to sag over time.

When talking ceilings, CAC is the new term for STC for the panel system only. Contact the manufacturer if insulation is included.

Another general rule-of-thumb is to extend the insulation above the panel system a nominal 4 feet into each room to aid in stopping sound transmission between rooms when sound blankets or all-over insulation are not desired.