fire rated acoustic sprays: a guide to fire performance and sound absorption
Looking for acoustic sprays that help control reverberations, but have also been tested for their fire performance on walls and ceilings?
For architects, designers and specifiers, they can offer a practical way to improve people’s level of comfort without compromising safety or the appearance of exposed soffits, complex surfaces or contemporary interiors.
At Oscar Acoustics, we supply and install our SonaSpray range of spray-applied acoustic treatments across Great Britain. The range is designed to absorb sound energy, reduce reverberations and provide a seamless finish across a wide variety of commercial and public spaces.
Our SonaSpray acoustic finishes achieve a European B-s1,d0 fire classification as well as Class 0 to BS476, with full fire test reports available on request.
what is a fire rated acoustic spray?
A fire rated acoustic spray is a spray-applied finish that combines sound absorption with independently tested fire performance.
Unlike hard ceiling and wall surfaces that reflect sound back into a room, sound absorbing sprays are designed to absorb a proportion of that sound energy. This can reduce reverberation times and help create calmer, more comfortable spaces.
The spray application also makes these systems particularly useful where conventional acoustic panels may not suit the design. Depending on the product and substrate, acoustic spray can be applied to concrete, plasterboard, metal and other surfaces, including curved or unusually shaped architectural features.
why does fire performance matter when specifying acoustic treatments?
Acoustic performance is only one part of the specification. Wall and ceiling finishes may also need to meet relevant fire safety requirements for the building and area in which they are installed.
This is why specifiers should look beyond broad terms such as ‘fireproof’ or ‘fire resistant’. A product’s documented fire classification provides much more useful information about how it has performed under recognised test standards.
Our SonaSpray acoustic finishes have achieved B-s1,d0 under EN 13501. They have also achieved Class 0 to BS476 Part 6 and Class 1 to BS476 Part 7.
Full test documentation should always be considered alongside the specific requirements of the project.
what does B-s1,d0 mean
B-s1,d0 is a European fire classification used to describe the reaction-to-fire performance of a construction product.
In simple terms, the three elements provide information about different aspects of performance:
- B indicates a very limited contribution to fire.
- s1 relates to smoke production.
- d0 relates to the production of flaming droplets or particles.
For specifiers comparing fire rated acoustic sprays, these classifications provide a more meaningful basis for assessment than relying on general descriptions of a product as ‘fire rated’. Oscar Acoustics can provide the full fire test reports for our SonaSpray finishes where required.
fire performance and Approved Document B
Fire classification requirements should be considered in the context of the building, its use and the applicable regulations.
Approved Document B now refers to European fire classifications for wall and ceiling linings in the relevant areas rather than relying on the former Class 0 designation. Our SonaSpray finishes have been tested to the European EN 13501 classification system while also retaining their BS476 test classifications.
As every project is different, the specified product and supporting fire documentation should be reviewed against the requirements of the individual scheme.
how do acoustic sprays improve sound absorption?
In spaces with large areas of concrete, glass, metal or plasterboard, sound can repeatedly reflect between hard surfaces. This increases reverberation and can make speech harder to understand while contributing to uncomfortable noise levels.
A spray-applied acoustic treatment introduces an absorptive surface. Rather than reflecting as much sound back into the room, the material absorbs sound energy and helps reduce reverberation.
The required level of acoustic absorption will depend on factors such as the room volume, surface finishes, occupancy, use of the space and the depth of the acoustic spray.
With SonaSpray, the thickness of the application can be specified to suit the acoustic requirements and budget of a project.
where can fire rated acoustic sprays be used?
Fire rated acoustic sprays are suitable for a broad range of interiors where both design and acoustic performance matter.
Our SonaSpray range has been used across offices, restaurants, hotels, schools, public buildings, cultural spaces and industrial environments. Different finishes allow designers to choose between a smooth or lightly pitted appearance and more visibly textured, industrial aesthetics.
Spray application can be especially valuable on exposed soffits. It allows architects to retain concrete slabs, metal decking, services and other architectural details while introducing effective reverberation control without suspending a conventional acoustic ceiling.
what should specifiers look for in a fire rated acoustic spray?
A suitable specification should consider both fire and acoustic performance, rather than treating either requirement in isolation.
Check the product’s fire classification and supporting test reports, its acoustic absorption data at the proposed thickness, compatibility with the intended substrate and the visual finish required.
Environmental credentials, indoor air quality, installation quality and access to technical support may also influence the decision.
SonaSpray is rated excellently when it comes to sustainability. Our acoustic decorative finishes are made from rapidly renewable resources that sequester carbon. They also contribute to some of the world’s most stringent sustainability, VOC and wellbeing certification systems.
At Oscar Acoustics, we support projects from specification through to installation. Our SonaSpray products have BIM objects and are included within current NBS software, while our team can provide standard details and help develop bespoke detailing solutions where required. Installation is completed by our own specialist, in-house teams.
specifying safer, quieter spaces
The right acoustic treatment should do more than reduce noise. It needs to fit the architecture, meet the relevant performance requirements and provide specifiers with clear evidence to support their decisions.
Our fire rated acoustic sprays combine tested fire performance with effective sound absorption and flexible, seamless finishes. Whether the project involves an exposed office soffit, a restaurant ceiling, an education space or a large public interior, we can help identify the most appropriate SonaSpray system, finish and application depth.
Speak to the Oscar Acoustics team for specification advice, acoustic data or fire test documentation for your next project.
You can also book a visit to our award-winning Oscar Innovation Centre and experience all our acoustic finishes in situ. Located just 20 minutes from London by train, our HQ and product showhome is the world’s first Sownd Certified building, offering a unique opportunity to see and hear acoustic design brought to life in a real-world setting.
