23 October 2008
CMS Acoustics Proves a Good Sport for John Madejski
Commended by the Building Schools for the Future (BSF) scheme, the John Madejski Academy, Reading, has pushed the boundaries of school design while delivering a practical learning space. As part of the BSF design, high performance Kinetics Wave Baffles from CMS Acoustics, were specified to effectively absorb nuisance noise in the main sports hall and dance studio.
Specialising in PE and sport and demonstrating the latest in educational thinking, the design of the City Academy was approved as ‘exemplar’ by the Department for Education and Skills’ BSF initiative.
In keeping with the high standards of design, an acoustic treatment was required to optimise the reverberation times in the multi-purpose sports hall and dance studio. High usage of these areas meant that an acoustic solution had to be identified that would not be damaged by pupils’ activities. As a result, CMS Acoustics recommended and supplied Kinetics Wave Baffles to absorb airborne sound, without compromising the space available for lessons.
Consisting of a fibreglass blanket encapsulated in a sewn sailcloth fabric, Kinetics Wave Baffles are designed for horizontal suspension in large spaces with high ceilings. Tested in accordance with ASTM C423-90a in a typical installation, wave baffles provide excellent sound absorption in the 125-400Hz range.
At the John Madejski Academy, 0.84m wide panels up to 5.9m in length, covered in a grey, ‘seafoam’ sailcloth fabric, were hung between the steel ceiling beams, creating a wave-like effect. In total, the wave baffles covered approximately 400m2 and over 90m2 of the equivalent floor area in the sports hall and dance studio respectively.
Mark Munn, at installers MPG Contracts Ltd, comments: “CMS Acoustics were able to accommodate changes required in the suspension method of the wave baffles. With the brass grommets in place on the top and bottom of each Kinetics Wave Baffle, the installation process was really straightforward.”
With a wide range of finishing colours offered, Kinetics Wave Baffles can be used to create an attractive ceiling feature. Available exclusively in the UK through CMS Acoustic Solutions, the baffles can also be face finished on both sides and hung vertically as a banner.
David Holder, sales director, CMS Acoustics, concludes: “Kinetics Wave Baffles are ideal for large, high cubic volume spaces that require reduced reverberation. As well as sports halls and dance studios, the high performance panels can be used in arenas, gymnasiums and multi-purpose rooms. When finished with a vinyl facing, the baffles can also be used in swimming pools, as the covering is resistant to airborne chlorine.”
