Kier North West - Keeping it quiet at Oldham Library & Lifelong Learning Centre

The Challenge
When Kier North West undertook the new build Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre project, it needed to source a cost effective acoustic solution that met the original specification.

As one of the North West’s largest Lifelong Learning Centres, the project would include state of the art teaching accommodation, dedicated IT training suites, and a Skills for Life Centre. Consequently, the building’s interior needed to be visually pleasing and relaxing, whilst also being acoustically sound.

Tony Harrison, project manager for Kier North West, explains: “There were many acoustic providers to choose from, but the challenge was finding a supplier that could deliver a high performing product, at the right price and within the specified timescales.”

The Solution
Kier North West consulted CMS Acoustics to identify a solution that would fulfil its performance, cost and turnaround obligations. This resulted in the recommendation of SuperPhon acoustic wall panels. The panel system impedes noise transmission by absorbing sound at the surface.

Providing an effective means of controlling reverberation time and reflected sound in rooms, SuperPhon panels are ideal for a range of applications where acoustic absorption combined with an aesthetic appearance is required.

The panels complement design concepts with a bright fabric covering which is easy to clean and maintain. At Oldham Library, 230 panels were installed throughout the development.

Mr Harrison continues: “CMS Acoustics was able to recommend a product which exceeded our requirements and expectations. SuperPhon was almost half the cost of what the architect had previously specified, and achieved high performance levels.”

Results
From receipt of order, the turnaround for delivery of the panels was just two weeks. This helped Kier to stay within project timescales, and keep it on track for the library’s opening.

The 25mm SuperPhon acoustic wall panel, as supplied to Oldham Library and Lifelong Learning Centre, achieves a noise coefficient of up to 1.03, depending upon sound frequency.

Other thicknesses are available depending on noise absorption figures required.

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