UNDERLAY & ACOUSTICS FLOORING
THE ‘G-Value’ acoustic ratings for gym floor buildups is making specification more straightforward according to CMS Danskin Acoustics.
G-Curve Values stem from the ‘Professional Practice Guidance on Gym Acoustics’ (ProPG). The acoustic flooring specialist has invested in a comprehensive retesting programme to confirm G reduction values for more than 50 of its gym floor system options.
Developed by the Acoustics & Noise Consultants, the Institute of Acoustics and the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, the ProPG was published in 2023. It provides a recommended, standardised approach to assessing buildings and environments for the location of gyms, fitness and exercise spaces.
Acoustic floor design key
The initiative was, in part, driven by the trend to situate gyms close to where people live and work, making acoustic management more essential. Good acoustic floor design is a key requirement for managing gym airborne and structure-borne sound and vibration, says CMS Danskin Acoustics.
‘The ProPG provides those involved in the design, specification and installation of gym floors with specific numerical acoustic standards to assist them in meeting Building Regulations,’ explains Wes Highton, CMS Danskin Acoustics’ technical manager – vibration, who was a member of the working group which produced the guidance.
The ProPG’s guide criteria specifies that heavy impact sound should be limited to G35-G45 adjacent to commercial offices, G35-G50 adjacent to retail areas and in residential areas to G20-G25 during the day and to G15-G20 at night. Guide criteria are also given for airborne sound, for example music.
G-Values readily available
‘Designers are already using the guidance to specify floor buildups, so flooring contractors will come across G-Values more and more,’ adds Wes.
‘With that in mind, we decided to make life easier for everyone by retesting our range of floor systems to calculate the G-Value for each combination of finishes and underlays. Now, the G-Values will be readily available to specifiers.’
Where acoustics and vibration are concerned, often the main problem is free weights training. CMS Danskin Acoustics has several solutions to address acoustic and vibration issues from the use of free weights and to manage noise from all areas of a gym including CrossFit, functional, cardio, lifting platforms, machine training and spin studios.
Wes gives as an example CMS Danskin Acoustics’ RL90V Gym Floor System. It’s a system that’s suitable for free weights and other areas.
Says the company: ‘RL90V consists of a finish of 40mm everroll Multitile PUR bonded and moulded rubber tile, with a 4mm everroll compact top layer, a second layer of 25mm REGUFOAM vibration 270plus and a third layer of REGUFOAM vibration 220plus. New testing has confirmed that this system is capable of achieving a ΔG 42dB.
‘The ΔG-Values demonstrate the difference between an untreated slab and a slab with each specific buildup.
‘The RL90 Gym Floor System variation achieved a ΔG 37dB performance. Both provide a robust, low height floor finish in a choice of colours for looselay installation.’
Continues the company: ‘In another example, CMS Danskin Acoustics’ RL120 Gym Floor System has achieved a ΔG 42dB performance rating. RL120 has a top finish of 70mm REGUPOL sonusfit t 110 with a 4mm everroll compact top layer and a second and third layer of REGUPOL sonus curve 25 – a recycled rubber product with a dimpled profile and high acoustic and anti-vibration properties.’
CMS Danskin Acoustics is publishing updated technical data sheets stating the G-Value for each of its gym floor systems.
Easier to make an informed choice
‘It’s been quite a project and investment for us,’ says Wes Highton, ‘but having G-Values for our gym, fitness and exercise space floor buildups will support designers and installers with clearer guidance for making an informed choice for a successful acoustic response.’
www.cmsdanskin.co.uk/gymnasiums-sports-flooring/
