Installation and Processing
General Information
Acoustically effective elements are only suitable for indoor use. These are characterized by a moisture content of the material that corresponds to a temperature of 20 °C/68°F and a relative humidity of the environment that only exceeds 65% for a few times a year. Before installing the acoustic elements, it must be ensured that the rooms are dry, i.e. the high humidity caused by screed or plastering work must be reduced to a minimum. The perforations or slots in the material increases the surface area of the board significantly, so that a change in humidity and climate can result in dimensional changes or bending or bowing the material. Therefore, substructures and expansion joints must be adapted to the swelling and shrinkage behavior of the materials – from a length of one meter we recommend at least 2.5 mm expansion joint. The fixing points of the acoustic panels should have a distance of max. 500-600 mm. Sufficient rear ventilation of the acoustic elements for climatic compensation must be ensured, as these can warp in front of and behind the elements due to different climatic conditions.
Climatic Adaption
Climatic adaption requires special attention. Conventional wood-based materials are already hygroscopic, i.e. they absorb air humidity and release it again. This behavior becomes clear through dimensional changes, which are referred to as shrinkage or swelling. These dimensional changes must be observed both during assembly and in the selection and number of sub construction material. Acoustic elements react to changes in climate due to their open surfaces with dimensional changes between 1.5 and 2.5 mm per meter. Basically, the storage and processing conditions of the elements should correspond to the climate of later use as close as possible. Before the installation of acoustic elements, they should be conditioned for a few days in the rooms under the later conditions of use. The recommendations for storage must also be followed on construction sites.
Processing/Cutting
Our acoustical products are based on wood materials that have been coated with decorative surfaces (with the exception of A1 or A2 substrates). Like wood-based materials, these can be processed or cut without any problems, so that the general safety rules and processing principles for wood-based materials must be applied. Special work tooling or special adhesives are not required.
Transport, Handling and Storage
The transport and storage of acoustic elements must be carried out in the original packaging or on flat and stable pallets. If the packaging is removed, the acoustic elements are to be stored on full-surface, flat, stable protective panels. Avoid direct contact with the ground and direct sunlight. The top sheet should always be covered with a protective sheet of the same size or bigger. The acoustic elements must be stored in closed and dry storage rooms under normal climatic conditions (approx. 18 – 25 °C [64,4 – 77 °F] and 50 – 65% relative humidity)
After the goods have been received, they must be checked immediately for any defects that may have occurred during shipping, unloading or transport from the truck to the storage site or construction site. In the event of damage, please contact us immediately.
Particular care is required when transporting and handling, as the elements lose stability due to the perforation or slots compared to consistently homogeneous panel materials – depending on the component size. In principle, all persons who work with acoustic panels should wear personal protective equipment such as gloves, safety shoes and suitable work clothing. The plates need to be lifted. Avoid shifting the decorative site against each other or pulling them over each other.