Confidentiality, clarity of communication, and listening quality - all these benefits stem from a careful balance between sound absorption and lateral attenuation. Depending on your needs and the space you wish to equip, you will find a solution tailored to your projects in the Eurocoustic range.

Sound

Acoustics is the science of sound, its emission, propagation, and reception. By extension, it also encompasses all the techniques aimed at improving the quality of sound diffusion in any space. Sound is a vibratory phenomenon characterized by a frequency (low or high) and a level (loud or soft). 
 

Frequency

Frequency is expressed in Hertz (Hz). It is the number of vibrations per second. It allows us to distinguish between low, mid, and high frequencies. The human ear can perceive sounds with frequencies between 20 and 20,000 Hz.

Sound level (decibels, dB)

The decibel is the unit of measurement for sound level, determined on a logarithmic scale.

Reverberation time

Reverberation time is a physical characteristic that defines the acoustic quality of a room. It is the time it takes for sound to decay by 60 dB after the sound source stops. It depends on several factors: the size and layout of the room, and the quantity, quality, and size of the sound-absorbing materials used.

Acoustic correction for enhanced comfort

Acoustic correction aims to adapt the acoustic quality of a room to its intended use.

It improves the listening experience in a room (classroom, conference room, etc.) to make it comfortable, or reduces the noise level in a noisy room to make it bearable.

Depending on their use, all rooms have different acoustic correction needs. Whether it's a concert hall or a classroom, an open-plan office or a private office, a hotel room or a hospital room, optimal acoustic comfort for users depends on the desired benefits: improved listening quality, reduced noise levels in a noisy room, soundproofing between rooms, etc.

A high absorption coefficient...

A material's ability to absorb sound is evaluated using the Sabine alpha (α) absorption coefficient per frequency on a scale of 0 to 1 (maximum absorption).

The higher a material's absorption coefficient (closer to 1), the more it contributes to optimal acoustic comfort

...Allows for controlled reverberation...

Reverberation time is a physical characteristic that defines the acoustic quality of a room. The longer the reverberation time, the more bothersome the echo becomes, and the noisier the space. Reducing and controlling this reverberation time involves using materials with high sound absorption.

Lateral Attenuation

Lateral attenuation is the sound insulation between two adjacent rooms. Modular suspended ceilings provide this type of sound insulation.

The lateral attenuation performance of the ceiling is expressed by a single index:

Dn,f,w, measured in a laboratory and expressed in dB.

The higher the Dn,f,w value of a ceiling, the greater the sound insulation between the two rooms, contributing to increased comfort and privacy.

For lateral attenuation to be effective, it is essential to ensure:

• That the wall-ceiling and wall-floor interfaces are airtight, for example, by adding Acoustipan® acoustic barriers in the plenum. Using the Acoustipan acoustic barrier in the plenum, directly above the partitions, significantly reduces lateral sound transmission through the ceiling: for a ceiling made of 40mm Tonga tiles, Dn,c,w (C;Ctr) = 28 (-2;-6)dB and for a ceiling made of 40mm Tonga tiles with Acoustipan: Dn,c,w (C;Ctr) = 39 (-2;-7)dB
• that there are no accessories in the ceiling that could impair its performance, such as light fixtures, air conditioning vents, etc.

Fire reaction

Euroclass: European fire safety classifications: the CE marking for suspended ceilings defines a new classification of fire reaction performance, compliant with standard NF EN 13501-1: Euroclass. According to the decree of November 21, 2002, concerning the fire reaction of construction and fitting-out products, the table below sets the Euroclasses, determined according to standard NF EN 13501-1, that are acceptable with regard to the M categories mentioned in fire safety regulations. Eurocoustic ceilings have the best fire reaction classifications: A1 or A2 depending on the finish.

A product's fire reaction characterizes its potential contribution to a fire. It is characterized by three points:

1. Fire development: determining whether the material contributes to the spread of fire through its combustibility (A being non-combustible and F highly combustible).
2. Smoke emission: indicating whether the product generates smoke or not (s1 being non-smoke-producing and s3 being highly smoke-producing).
3. Fall of flaming droplets: from "d0" meaning no droplets in case of fire to "d2" indicating a large number of droplets.

Fire resistance

Fire regulations: Eurocoustic ceilings meet the requirements of Article CO13 (June 25, 1980) of the fire regulations for Public Access Buildings and comply with the conditions of the second paragraph of Article CO12 (§1) (see below).

The decree of March 22, 2004, concerning the fire resistance of products, building elements, and structures (Ministry of the Interior), specifies the use of the new European classifications in French fire regulations.

SF: Fire Stability - Mechanical resistance. Products, building elements, and structures whose classification includes the symbol R (expressed in minutes) may be used when a Fire Stability requirement is necessary.

PF: Flame Retardant - Sealing against flames and hot gases, and, where applicable, Mechanical resistance. Products, building elements, and structures whose classification includes the symbol E or R.E. (expressed in minutes) may be used when a fire-resistant requirement is necessary.

CF: Fire resistance - Sealing against flames and hot gases, thermal insulation, and, where applicable, mechanical resistance. Products, building elements, and structures whose classification includes the symbol E and I or R.E. and I (expressed in minutes) may be used when a fire-resistant requirement is necessary.

Article CO 13-3 of the Decree of June 25, 1980, as amended and supplemented, concerning fire safety in public access buildings (ERP).

General provisions.

Specific cases of fire resistance for certain structural elements. The main structural elements of the roof may only have a fire resistance rating of 30 minutes (SF) if the following conditions are met:

• the building occupies the top floor or is on the ground floor;
• the roof is not accessible to the public;
• the roof's failure is not likely to cause a chain reaction of collapses. However, these elements are not subject to any fire resistance requirements when, simultaneously
• the conditions of the paragraph above are met;
• the materials used are non-combustible, made of glued laminated timber, solid wood, or materials recognized as equivalent by the CECM (French Committee for Construction Materials).
• the roof structure is visible from the floor of the room on the top level, or monitored by an automatic detection system, or protected by a fixed automatic water extinguishing system conforming to French standards, or isolated by a protective screen that provides fire resistance of 30 minutes and complies with the conditions of the second paragraph of Article CO 12-1.

ARTICLE CO 12-1 Suspended ceilings may be taken into account in the calculation of the fire resistance of adjacent upper floors when the following conditions are met simultaneously:

• They define plenums with an average heat potential of less than 25 MJ/m² per zone, as defined by the provisions of Article CO 26; electrical conduits are not included in this calculation;
• They provide assurance that their constituent elements will perform their function in the event of a fire. This requirement must be verified in accordance with the conditions of Annex II of the Order of 21 April 1983.
• When a column and its connections must be protected to ensure fire resistance, they must also be protected where they pass through the plenum.

OUR CERTIFIED SUSPENDED CEILINGS

Our Acoustished®, Acoustished® CV, and Tonga® Therm ranges are certified by ACERMI (Association for the Certification of Insulation Materials).

This certification guarantees the thermal performance of our products by providing reliable and verified information. It allows us to meet current thermal regulations (RT2012) and thus enable our customers to benefit from tax deductions for thermal insulation expenses.

For more information, please consult our technical data sheets. Our ACERMI certificates are also available at: http://www.acermi.com.

The brightness in a room is also an important factor in occupant comfort. The brighter and clearer the room, the more comfortable it will be for its users.

Eurocoustic ceilings, such as those in the Tonga® or Acoustished® ranges, offer excellent light performance:

• Light reflection: the higher the percentage, the more light the product will reflect without absorbing it. White Tonga® or Acoustished® ceilings offer excellent light reflection (>87%).
• Light diffusion: the higher the percentage, the more light the product will diffuse throughout the room. White Tonga® or Acoustished® ceilings diffuse 100% of the light, the best possible performance.
• Gloss: the lower the percentage, the more matte the product, which promotes the diffusion of reflected light and avoids the "glare" effect, which is detrimental to visual comfort. Tonga® or Acoustished® ceilings have a matte finish (0.75% gloss level at an 85° angle, according to standard NF EN ISO 2813). Combined with Quick-Lock® Ultramat black grid systems, they guarantee visual comfort for room users.

Moisture resistance refers to a ceiling tile's ability to maintain its flatness and properties in the presence of high humidity.

All Eurocoustic ceilings offer excellent moisture resistance: they remain 100% flat regardless of the humidity level.

Large-format ceiling ranges, such as Acoustished® or Acoustished® CV, designed for large spaces (industrial, warehouse, winery, etc.), have also been tested and validated for their mechanical strength. This performance allows for the installation of additional insulation, such as Eurolène® panels, above the tiles.

Our Corro Plus range of grids and accessories enables ceiling installation in high-humidity areas and corrosive environments.

The ceiling directly influences the visual comfort of a room. Its aesthetic appearance is therefore paramount.

Eurocoustic ceiling tiles are available in various decorative finishes, such as shades of white, black, gray, and other colors, the Boréal® painted finish, as well as technical panels with other types of finishes (such as a reinforcing mesh for Acoustichoc®). The Eurocolors range complements and enhances the Tonga® range, offering a wide palette of colors and designs.

The tiles are also available with several edge profiles, A (straight) or E (rebated), allowing for customization and adaptation of the ceiling's aesthetics.

Our Quick-Lock® secondary grid system, essential for installing modular suspended ceilings, also offers numerous aesthetic possibilities:

• Different grid widths: 15, 24, or 35 mm;
• Various standard colors: white, black, Ultramat black, gray, galvanized steel, etc.
• A new service, Quick-Lock® Colors, allows you to combine Eurocolors ceiling tiles with perfectly coordinated grid systems for greater ceiling uniformity.

This wide range of options allows you to personalize and adapt the ceiling to the user's needs and preferences.

Suspended ceilings in certain types of spaces require more or less frequent cleaning, using different methods for different types of stains.

Eurocoustic ceilings do not retain dust, which facilitates maintenance and therefore extends their lifespan. They can be cleaned with soft brushes or vacuum cleaners.
The Tonga® Ultra Clean range can also be cleaned with a damp sponge (with or without detergent), dry or wet steam followed by a dry cloth. It is thus suitable for spaces with high hygiene and cleanliness requirements, such as kitchens, catering areas, laboratories, etc.

The Tonga® Ultra Clean HP range can also be cleaned with a high-pressure jet.

Finally, Clini’Safe® ceilings are resistant to the most common disinfectants used in hospitals (based on hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, and glutaraldehyde).

In environments with stringent hygiene requirements (high cleaning frequency) or subject to regulations such as the NF S90-351 Health standard, suspended ceilings must meet enhanced health criteria.

The Tonga® Ultra Clean range offers high performance in terms of resistance to fungal growth (level 0, according to ISO 846) and particulate air cleanliness (ISO 4 classification, according to ISO 14644.1).

The Clini’Safe® range, meanwhile, meets the criteria for Airborne Contamination Control (NF S90-351:2013 standard), making it suitable for use in all areas of healthcare facilities.

NF S90-351:2013 Standard, Airborne Contamination Control:

According to EN 13964 - Annex F, mechanical resistance is expressed according to two criteria:

• Maximum atmospheric exposure conditions ranging from A to D
• The load type is expressed as a distributed load in N/m² (10 N/m² = 1 kg/m²).

Eurocoustic ceilings have all been tested and offer excellent mechanical resistance, particularly the Acoustished®, Acoustished® CV (designed for large spaces), and Tonga® Therm ranges. This performance allows for the installation of additional insulation, such as Eurolène® panels, above the ceiling tiles.