Queen Mary's Gate, South Woodford
Client: Telford Homes
Contractor: OCL Ltd
Type of works: installation of separating wall ensures maximum acoustic insulation.
A high-specification separating wall featuring Knauf Drywall systems was designed to ensure that residents of Queen Mary's Gate enjoy maximum acoustic privacy. With a sacrificial layer of plasterboard on each side to avoid the need for normal electrical service penetrations, the separating walls at the apartment development in South Woodford take drywall acoustic performance to new highs. Developer Telford Homes opted for a high specification wall design to allow maximum flexibility of service installation without compromising the Part E boundary in the separating wall.
Queen Mary's Gate is a phased residential development with 482 units completed in the first 2 phases and 167 more in the 8 buildings of the third and final phase. The development includes one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments and penthouses in secured landscaped grounds, with a 24-hour concierge service at the gated entrance. With high quality fittings and finishes throughout, easy travel to central London and Epping Forest nearby, Telford Homes says Queen Mary's Gate combines urban cool and country chic.
Telford Homes Technical Director, Barry Hall, says following success of the Knauf Drywall design in the earlier phases, it is being installed in the final phase by specialist finishing contractor OCL Ltd. He says: “The separating wall design is an important part of the overall quality of the development. We wanted to ensure that the walls would deliver a high and reliable acoustic performance, without losing integrity through penetrations for switch and socket boxes. We design our developments from the inside out, so we need full flexibility of service positioning.”
The Knauf Drywall solution cleverly meets these requirements with minimal demand on floorspace. With a nominal overall width of 270mm before plaster skim finishes, the separating wall is based on the twin frame Knauf Isolater system of 60mm Knauf I Studs at 600mm centres, and one layer of 25mm Knauf Crown Partition Roll in each stud frame. On the outside of each frame are two layers of 15mm Knauf Soundshield, with a sacrificial lining of 12.5mm Knauf Wallboard on horizontally fixed Knauf MF Ceiling Channel at 400mm centres. This construction is designed to be well in excess of the minimum site tested level of 45dB(DnT, w+Ctr) required by Building Regulations. The wall also meets the required 60 minutes' fire resistance. In some buildings, a twin frame of 60mm Knauf C Studs replaces the twin frame of I Studs.
Internal partition walls to achieve 40dB(Rw) and 30 minutes' fire resistance are 95mm wide Knauf Performer partitions, with 70mm Knauf C Studs carrying a single layer of 12.5mm Knauf Soundshield on each side and 25mm Knauf Crown Partition Roll in the void.
The Knauf MF Suspended Ceiling System is used throughout, with 12.5mm Knauf Wallboard (Knauf Moistureshield in the more humid kitchens and bathrooms) fixed at least 100mm below concrete soffits.
The development also uses the Knauf Shaftwall system for lift wells and service shafts. The 92mm system, fixed from the room side, consists of 60mm Knauf CT Studs with 19mm Knauf Coreboard within the studs and two layers of 12.5mm Knauf Fireshield on the room side.
OCL Managing Director, Tony Occleshaw, says Knauf Drywall systems provide an effective and economical solution to the developer's requirements. He says: “Acoustic results from the earlier phases at Queen Mary’s Gate confirm that the separating wall is a significant contributor to a quality lifestyle – without unduly affecting overall costs.” OCL sourced the necessary Knauf Drywall products through distributor Essex Drywall.
OCL is a leading subcontractor, experienced in public and private sector new build and refurbishment projects including schools, hospitals, hotels, leisure complexes, office developments and housing.
Founded in 2000, the AIM-listed Telford Homes specialises in developing high-quality, award-winning homes in well connected locations across East London.
Knauf Drywall manufactures a full range of plasters, plasterboards, insulating laminates, dry flooring, drywall accessories, and metal sections for domestic, commercial and public sector applications. Knauf Drywall pioneered carbon neutral plasterboard in the UK with Knauf Futurepanel. Knauf Drywall also actively promotes recycling from building sites and has a zero waste policy in its energy efficient factories at Sittingbourne in Kent and Immingham on Humberside.
For further information contact Clockwork:
David Goddin
The Clockwork Marketing Company Ltd
1 Castlefield Court
Church Street
Reigate
Surrey RH2 0AH
T: 01737 243702
F: 01737 222023
David@clockworkmarketing.co.uk
www.clockworkmarketing.co.uk