The Hodgson & Hodgson Group has successfully completed the design and installation of noise control measures for the development of 53 luxury apartments on the site of the former Ripon College in North Yorkshire.
The Grade II listed three-storey building has been converted into prestigious apartments. Hodgson & Hodgson was briefed at the outset to design, supply and fit a guaranteed package of acoustic treatments. In preparing designs, the Company’s consultant acousticians took full consideration of Building Regulation requirements covering mandatory noise, fire and thermal insulation as a base level for performance criteria. Hodgson’s consultants further advised on constructional detailing to optimise performance that was subsequently confirmed through post-completion testing backed by formal certification.
A wide variety of sub-floor constructions within the building presented Hodgson & Hodgson with a real challenge. However, a selection from the company’s extensive own-branded range of Reduc and SoundFloor systems was specified to satisfy the requirements. These popular products, offering combinations of airborne and impact noise reduction through floors, are commonly specified by architects for installation in multiple occupancy new build and conversion projects.
Within the college, existing concrete floors were overlaid with SoundFloor 28 to reduce impact noise levels. Original timber joists with 30mm floorboards had Reduc Foundation 35 and SoundFloor 28 overlaid on top of the floor. Reduc Foundation 35 was also used, in conjunction with Reduc Strata Extra, to overlay existing clay pot and beam floors covered with a concrete screed. Where new floors were installed, Hodgson & Hodgson was able to lay Reduc Foundation 39 directly onto the new joists.
On the underside of floors, Hodgson & Hodgson used its branded SoundBreaker bar system to de-couple the layered plasterboard ceilings.
“This was a demanding project which presented us with a number of challenges,” comments Tom Doyle, Hodgson & Hodgson’s Contracting Business Leader. “It’s very satisfying to have successfully completed this job, and to have proven Hodgson & Hodgson’s ability to design, manufacture and install proven products to achieve guaranteed results.”
Post completion acoustic tests showed the performance of the completed work at Ripon College to be well in excess of Building Regulation requirements. The success of the project serves as a graphic illustration of Hodgson & Hodgson’s ability to provide high quality, cost-effective acoustic solutions through a total control approach.