A significant milestone of a University’s Estate Masterplan has been completed with the use of an acoustic system solution provided by Sto. The company’s StoSilent Distance system and StoDecosit interior plaster now provide a practical and comfortable acoustic environment for the new 25-metre, 8-lane pool at the University of Portsmouth’s £57M Ravelin Sports Centre.

“When it comes to coping with the warm and humid atmosphere found in swimming pools, the StoSilent Distance system is the most rugged and reliable solution on today’s market,” comments Sto’s technical consultant, James Gosling. “That made it an obvious choice for the University of Portsmouth sports project.”

The StoSilent Distance system was installed as a suspended ceiling using Sto’s specially protected sub-construction, which is epoxy powder-coated to protect against corrosion. StoSilent Distance acoustic boards were then fixed to the sub-construction, which can be adjusted to any shape of room to form a homogeneous, seamless surface. These high-performance acoustic boards are manufactured from blown glass granulate and are bonded to a backing laminate. This prevents any air from flowing through them and causing marking or staining on the completed ceiling, but still allows them to attenuate sound waves. For this project the boards were finished with StoSilent Décor M – a sound-permeable silicate acoustic coating which creates a seamless, clean and attractive appearance that will resist attack from the humid atmosphere.

“The system can be installed as a suspended ceiling or as a wall covering, adds a spokesman for the Broadsword Group who installed the Sto materials. “It’s easy to cut and work, and can be adjusted, allowing you to create sound-absorbent, smooth surfaces or sharp joints and creases as required.”

“The building has been designed to set new standards for sustainable sports buildings, and this made StoSilent Distance an excellent choice as the insulation boards are manufactured using 96% recycled glass granulate,” adds James Gosling. “Providing a reliable and effective acoustic treatment in the harsh environment of a swimming pool can be a real challenge, but our StoSilent Distance system has been proven on this type of application many times over.”

Sto also provided an interior plaster solution for the walls of the Ravelin Sports Centre swimming pool. The company’s StoDecosit plaster is ideal for this type of application as it combines the best properties of emulsion-based plasters and silicate plasters into a single product, and has excellent mold-resistant and moisture management characteristics. Made-up of 97% natural ingredients, preservative-free and Natureplus-certified, it meets the highest environmental standards, and it creates a rugged, impact-resistant and hard-wearing finish for the walls