EchoCheck features and benefits
- Helps control noise reverberation in both internal and external applications
- Fire resistant, load bearing and virtually maintenance free
- Aesthetically pleasing
- A range of attractive self-coloured aggregates – no need for decoration
EchoCheck
technical specifications
Oscars acoustic blocks are ideal for use in sports halls, swimming pools, gymnasiums, public halls and lecture theatres. Also, loading bays, anaerobic digesters, plant rooms, factories, external road and railway/road sound barriers, bus stations, train stations, road and rail tunnels.
| Acoustic Block Absorption | 125 Hz. | 250 Hz. | 500 Hz. | 1k Hz. | 2k Hz. | 4k Hz. |
| EchoCheck 100 | 0.23 | 0.80 | 0.70 | 0.44 | 0.42 | 0.39 |
| EchoCheck 140 | 0.55 | 0.80 | 0.60 | 0.55 | 0.45 | 0.45 |
| EchoCheck 215 | 0.75 | 0.75 | 0.60 | 0.60 | 0.55 | 0.55 |
| Acoustic Block type | Length | Width | Height | Weight (blocks only) | Weight (blocks & mortar) | Block/m2 |
| EchoCheck 100 | 440 | 100 | 215 | 160kg/m2 | 180kg/m2 | 10 |
| EchoCheck 140 | 440 | 140 | 215 | 170kg/m2 | 190kg/m2 | 10 |
| EchoCheck 215 | 440 | 215 | 215 | 240kg/m2 | 265kg/m2 | 10 |
Tolerance for sound block height is +1 -2
EchoCheck Acoustic Blocks should be installed by labour that is skilled in the laying of masonry blocks. All necessary cutting should be carried out with power tools and in such a manner that straight and true edges are provided. No chipped or broken blocks should be used. EchoCheck Acoustic Blocks should be laid in either running or stack bond with the open ends of the cavities facing downward (per illustration to the right and opposite to photo on the left). The slots in the block must be built facing the sound source. Care should be taken to ensure that slots remain free from mortar debris.
Price Band A
Price Band B
Price Band C
Paint grade EchoCheck acoustic blocks are also available.
In normal conditions a 1:1:6 cement:lime:sand mortar is suitable for use with EchoCheck. It is recommended that the mortar be waterproofed and tinted to compliment the blocks colour. Any surplus mortar should be removed with a trowel immediately, otherwise the face of the block may be permanently marked. The joints should be compacted with a jointing tool, taking care to give as consistent a finish as possible. For best appearance we usually recommend pole/bucket handle jointing. In order to minimise any possibility of colour banding, blocks should be built at random from 3 cubes/bales.
Recommended Colinwell Mortar Colours to compliment EchoCheck & Acousta Tex acoustic blocks:
| Colinwell Masonry Colour | Colinwell Mortar Colour | |
| Natural | Standard | |
| Heather | Maroon U43 | |
| Honey | Tan C30 | |
| Straw | Yellow D10 | |
| Buff | Beige E74 | |
| Brown | Brown H21 | |
| Bracken | Maroon U53 | |
| Whinstone | Black L62 | |
| Red | Orange T36 | |
| Sandstone | Cream G89 | |
| Oatmeal | White J88 | |
| Ochre* | Ochre R95 | |
| Salmon* | Coral A80 | |
| Cream* | Cream G89 | |
| Green* | Green N70 | |
| White* | White J88 | |
*For these colours, we recommend that white cement is used in the mix. For all other colours, grey cement (OPC) is suitable.
When built, EchoCheck & Acousta Tex acoustic blocks do not require any initial surface treatment or maintenance apart from occasional washing if desired.
EchoCheck and Acousta Tex acoustic blocks are manufactured from cement, specially selected graded aggregates (65% recycled secondary aggregate content), an integral waterproofer and pigment. The production method involves the compaction of these materials under great pressure using specialised block manufacturing equipment and curing the resulting blocks in kilns with controlled amounts of heat and steam. This process ensures that the blocks are efflorescence free.
Colinwell Acoustic Masonry is manufactured to BS EN 771.3. Colinwell has achieved Quality Assurance Accreditation under BS EN 9001 and Environmental Management under ISO14001. CE Marking complies with the requirements of the mandate given under the EU Construction Products Directive (89/106/EEC).
Complying with BS EN 772.4 the blocks have Drying Shrinkage values of less than 0.04%. Water absorption for all blocks is less than 5%.
Acoustic blocks are manufactured to tolerance category D2 within the European Standard BS EN 771.5: 2003.
Length +1mm,-3mm
Width +1mm,-3mm
Height +2mm *
*Manufacturers declared tolerance
As a rule in excess of 10.4N.
Higher strength acoustic blocks available on request.
All sizes of EchoCheck Acoustic Blocks are classified as cellular. 100mm & 140mm thick Acousta Tex Blocks are classified as cellular, while 215mm thick Acousta Tex is classified as hollow.
Standard acoustic block components and specials available are: Half blocks, Quoins/Cavity Closers, Squints, Cills, Lintels and Bond-beam blocks can be used to accompany the EchoCheck & Acousta Ranges.
Non-standard components and specials may be cut from standard units or, depending on quantity, manufactured to the designers individual requirements.
Details of work sizes and weights of acoustic blocks are illustrated in our brochure. The co-ordinating size is the space allocated for the block including mortar joints and tolerances. The work size is that specified for manufacture of the block subject to tolerances. Weights are averages and may vary slightly.
EchoCheck & Acousta Tex acoustic blocks are available in smooth finish only.
Average Density: 2100Kg/m3. Allowing a moisture content of 3% internally; the k value for EchoCheck & Acousta Tex acoustic blocks 1.25W/mºC.
EchoCheck & Acousta Tex acoustic blocks can be used in the construction of external and internal load bearing and non-load bearing walls, including the inner and outer leaves of cavity walls, party walls, partition walls and boundary walls. They can also be used as reinforced masonry walls through incorporation of bed joint reinforcement.
Shear Bond of Colinwell Masonry is 0.15N/mm2 in accordance with Annex C of BS EN 998.2.
The high quality of the acoustic blocks gives them an effective indefinite life. In addition, all acoustic blocks are waterproofed which besides aiding their resistance to rain helps them retain their fresh, clean appearance. Blocks are unaffected by frost.
As a general rule the spacing between control joints should be at 6 to 10 metre intervals. These are guideline figures and for specific recommendations we suggest consultation with our Technical Department at design stage.
Acoustic blocks are packed in cubes onto wooden pallets and protected with plastic covers.
Acoustic blocks are obtainable direct from Oscar Acoustics – delivery to start approximately four weeks from receipt of written order and to an agreed programme.
2W(m2K)
The latest amendments to Part L (Conservation of Fuel and Power) of the Building Regulations include a limit on Air Permeability.
EchoCheck Paint Grade acoustic blocks, when used to construct the internal leaf of the cavity wall of a building, add significantly to the overall air tightness of the building. This improves the thermal efficiency of the building and ultimately contributes to minimising energy use.
EchoCheck Paint Grade acoustic blocks have been tested independently by BISRA for Air Leakage and return excellent results. Please contact our Technical Department for copies of these certificates, if required.
acoustic projects
