Rockfon visibly displays strength and resilience

September 28, 2016

Rockfon were appointed to provide acoustic ceiling solutions for a major refurbishment programme for the British Army Reserve.

British Army Reserve, Debdon, Newcastle,United Kingdom,Newcastle,Ministry of Defence,Decke (Newcastle) Ltd,Lawrenson and Grebby,ROCKFON Blanka dB42,A-edge,1200x600,white,Chicago Metallic Click 2890
British Army Reserve, Debdon, Newcastle,United Kingdom,Newcastle,Ministry of Defence,Decke (Newcastle) Ltd,Lawrenson and Grebby,ROCKFON Blanka dB42,A-edge,1200x600,white,Chicago Metallic Click 2890
British Army Reserve, Debdon, Newcastle,United Kingdom,Newcastle,Ministry of Defence,Decke (Newcastle) Ltd,Lawrenson and Grebby,ROCKFON Blanka dB42,A-edge,1200x600,white,Chicago Metallic Click 2890
British Army Reserve, Debdon, Newcastle,United Kingdom,Newcastle,Ministry of Defence,Decke (Newcastle) Ltd,Lawrenson and Grebby,ROCKFON Blanka dB42,A-edge,1200x600,white,Chicago Metallic Click 2890

The British Army Reserve is the largest of the Reserve Forces in the UK with around 30,000 trained soldiers. Rockfon outperformed its competitors on both aesthetics and acoustic performance to help revitalise army centres across the north east.

High sound absorption and bright white surface

The Rockfon Blanka dB42 ceiling was chosen to provide outstanding acoustic control in the drill hall. Local contractor Jason Frank from Decke (Newcastle) Ltd fitted the ceilings at Debdon Army Reserve Centre in Newcastle upon Tyne and explains what was required: “The army wanted a highly sound absorbent ceiling to curb the level of reverberation to ensure speech can be heard and understood. The drill hall does not receive any natural light, and the bright white surface of Rockfon Blanka helps improve the lighting conditions.”

Preventing echo and increasing speech intelligibility

The drill hall is a large area of high activity. Regular drill practice takes place here with companies of up to 200 soldiers marching in response to drill commands which are characterised by their loud volume. The hall’s original interior was fitted with highly reverberant hard surfaces, which created an uncomfortable acoustic environment for the reservists. Rockfon Blanka dB42 ceiling tiles are 40mm thick and offer Class A sound absorption. The ceiling’s high absorption controls the ambient sound level in the hall, preventing echo and increasing speech intelligibility. Rockfon Blanka dB42 also offers high sound insulation, preventing noise generated in the hall from spreading to adjacent areas.

Easy installation and reduced waste

Because of its unique coating, Rockfon Blanka tiles have a smooth, matt finish that allows for easy installation. The tiles have no pattern which enables them to be installed in any direction, saving money and time, and reducing waste. Surface durability tests rate Rockfon Blanka top of its class. The anti-static properties of the coating make Rockfon Blanka resistant to site dust. The tiles are designed to be hard-wearing and can resist up to 100% relative humidity without losing their shape.

The army wanted a highly sound absorbent ceiling to curb the level of reverberation to ensure speech can be heard and understood.

Jason Frank

Decke (Newcastle) Ltd

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