Acoustic Underlayment

Acoustic Underlayment

Maxxon underlayments - buildaroo.com


Standard Tests for Carpet Tiles

Specifying floor covering for a commercial application requires at least a passing understanding of how it will perform in the workplace.Unfortunately, markings like "contract quality" or "heavy domestic" are open to interpretation, making it difficult for the specifier to make an informed decision.

Simon Lawrence of UK carpet tile specialist, Bürofloor, offers some insight into the standard tests that can be applied to carpet that has to perform - and last – in the punishing commercial environment.

Commercial premises place heavy performance requirements on any sort of floor covering. When coffee gets spilt at home there’s an immediate flurry of mopping and spraying with stain remover. In the workplace it’s more likely to be ignored and then walked on by unwiped outdoor shoes. Your sofa at home gets moved when you need to remove dust or dinky toys from underneath it. The castor chairs in your office travel miles, boring holes in the carpet tiles as they do so.

This means that we need a benchmark by which we can judge the suitability of carpet or carpet tiles for commercial contract use. Fortunately there are standardised tests to provide Euronorm (EN) and International Standards Organisation (ISO) certification. Genuine heavy contract products should carry the standards described here.

ISO 8543 – Effective Pile Weight

Carpet tiles need dense, closely-grouped pile to provide the required wear resistance. To provide a standard for this, ISO 8543 specifies a method of shaving the carpet down to its backing. It simply measures the mass of the pile removed in grams per square metre. In general, the greater the pile mass, the harder-wearing will be the carpet tile.

ISO 1765 – Total thickness

This is another relatively simple test. In this case the carpet tile is compressed by a standard weight, and then its thickness is measured to the nearest 0.1mm.

EN 1963 – Lisson Treadwheel Test

This test measures the carpet’s resistance to scuffing, in particular highlighting how strongly the pile tufts are secured. The treadwheel is positioned above the carpet to be tested and rolled to and fro across the sample 400 times. The wheel turns slightly faster than it moves across the carpet creating a severe scuffing effect. The tested carpet sample is compared to the master samples and is rated accordingly. This is a particularly aggressive test, literally ripping some types of carpet tile to shreds. A pass under EN1963 is a strong indicator of good wear resistance.

ISO 10361 – Accelerated Wear Testing

This standard is particularly relevant for carpet tiles that will be used in an office. It’s composed of two tests, the Vetterman drum test and the castor chair test.

Vetterman Drum Test

The Vetterman Drum Test is intended to simulate heavy, focused footfall. Foot traffic tends to be concentrated around doorways or narrow passages between desks, and these areas can quickly become threadbare.

The carpet for testing is fixed inside a revolving metal drum. A heavy (7.5Kg) ball, covered in hard rubber protrusions, is placed inside the drum and is allowed to bounce around freely. The carpet is subjected to two test programmes, one of 5,000 rotations of the drum and one of 22,000 rotations.

The carpet is then visually judged against master wear samples and is given a rating for how well it has withstood the effects of the test.

The visual inspections of the carpet give results from 1 to 5 for both 5,000 and 22,000 rotations and the final result is a combination of the two results according to the formula below;

Total Result = 0.75 x Result after 5,000 rotations + 0.25 x result after 22,000 rotations

A result of 2 or more is a pass

A result of 2.4 or more is a pass for intensive use

Castor Chair Test

Castor chairs are particularly damaging, and the ragged holes they wear in floor coverings can represent a tripping hazard. The results of this test should be an essential part of the office carpet specification.

The test rig rolls a three-castored chair, carrying a weight of 90kg, across the carpet. Two samples are used, one run for 5,000 and one for 25,000 cycles.

The tested samples are visually assessed against standard samples and are rated on a scale of 1-5. The final result for the test is given according to the formula below;

Total Result = 0.75 x Result after 5,000 rotations + 0.25 x result after 25,000 rotations

ISO/DIS 10965 – Electrical Resistance

This test is particularly important for contract carpet that could well find itself in computer rooms where a build up of static electricity could damage valuable equipment.

The carpet sample to be tested must be acclimatized for at least 7 days before the test at a temperature of 23+/-1°C and 25+/-2% relative humidity. This is because humidity impacts so greatly on conductivity of textiles and must be controlled rigorously to get a meaningful test.

In this test regime the horizontal resistance and vertical resistance of the carpet is measured (in Ohms).

Horizontal resistance: An isolating underlay is placed under the carpet tile sample which should be pile upward. 2 electrodes are connected to the tile 200 mm apart and the resistance in Ohms is measured between them.

Vertical resistance: Here the electrodes are above and below the carpet tile and the resistance in Ohms is measured between them.

Measurements of less than 1010 Ohms are necessary for computer rooms.

ISO 3415 – Static Loading (Compression test)

This test is designed to see how much the carpet is compressed by a weight placed on it. It replicates the effect of furniture on the carpet.

The thickness is measured before compression

A pressure of 220 kPa is applied for 15, 30 and 60 minutes.

The result is simply given in the loss of thickness in mm after

a recovery period of 1 hour.

ISO 140-8 Acoustic Properties

The test equipment for this standard consists of two spaces, one above the other and 5 hammers, each of 500 gr. The first test is to measure impact absorption – i.e. how much impact noise is absorbed by the carpet sample.

First of all the hammers are allowed to free fall onto the floor of the upper space from a height of 4 cm, each striking the floor 10 times / second. The noise in decibels is recorded in the space below.

The test is then repeated with the addition of the sample carpet to the floor of the higher space.

The difference in decibels is the amount of impact noise that has been absorbed by the carpet sample. This test is interesting in that it shows how well carpet performs to stop noise transmission compared to other floorcoverings like wood or vinyl.

For ISO 354 the absorption of ambient noise is measured. Noise of different frequencies; (125 – 250 – 500 – 1000 – 2000) are broadcast down into a room of 200m³ and the amount of noise bounced back from the floor is measured. This is then compared with the noise reflected by the floor when covered with sample material. A result of 0.5 in this test shows that 50% of the noise that would have been reflected was absorbed by the test sample and that the remaining 50% was reflected by it.

ISO 2551 – Dimensional Stability and EN 986 for tiles

Carpet tiles must maintain their dimensions ±0.02% after the following treatments:

Heating to a temperature of 60°C for 2 hours

Bathing in water at a temperature of 20°C for 2 hours

Further heating to a temperature of 60°C for 24 hours

Conditioning in normal atmospheric conditions for 48 hours

These treatments demonstrate that the tiles will retain their integrity in the toughest conditions like hot water cleaning and extreme temperatures.

Cost of Ownership

All floor coverings carry a hidden expense in the form of replacement costs. In commercial premises this cost is raised further by the business disruption of installing new carpet tiles. Buying unwisely will inevitably lead to higher expense. A reputable supplier should respond positively to a request for test data. Hopefully the information in this article will help make sense of the test specifications and support a properly informed choice.

LG LHB335 1100-Watt Network Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System, Black
LG LHB335 1100-Watt Network Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System, Black
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LG has redefined what to expect from home theater. This isn't speakers and a receiver in a box. With the LHB355 Network Blu-ray Home Theater System, you get unrivaled Blu-ray technology, out-of-this world sound and instant entertainment...all in one. More than making the most of your Full HD with Blu-ray, NetCast™ Entertainment Access lets you directly tap into instant streaming movies, music and videos direct from the Internet to your TV.

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  • NetCast™ Entertainment Access
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Sony BDV-E370 Sony 5.1 Blu-ray Disc System [3D Compatible]
Sony BDV-E370 Sony 5.1 Blu-ray Disc System [3D Compatible]
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Enjoy Full HD 1080p and powerful 5.1 channel HD surround sound with the Sony BDV-E370 3D Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System. Minimized wait times means you can start watching your movies faster than ever. Plus, with this great system you can take your entertainment experience to the next level in 3D. You can instantly access a wide variety of movies, music and more from: Netflix, Amazon on Demand, Pandora, Slacker, and YouTube.

Features

  • 850W watt 5.1 channel surround sound (142Wx5+140W)
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Samsung HT-C5500 Blu-ray Home Theater System
Samsung HT-C5500 Blu-ray Home Theater System
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Be surrounded by superior sound with the Samsung HT-C5500 Blu-ray home theater system.

Features

  • 1000W Output Power
  • Crystal Amp Pro
  • Intelligent Power
  • Advanced Auto Sound Calibration
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Sony BDV-E770W Blu-ray Player Home Entertainment System [3D Compatible]
Sony BDV-E770W Blu-ray Player Home Entertainment System [3D Compatible]
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Experience movies in full HD 1080p resolution and powerful 5.1-channel HD surround sound including wireless rear speakers with the BDV-E770W 3D Blu-ray Disc home theater system. This great system minimizes movie wait times so you can begin watching faster than ever. You can also wirelessly stream Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, Slacker, YouTube and more.

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  • Wireless S-AIR rear speakers minimize wire clutter
  • Turn your iPhone or iPod touch into a remote with a free app
Samsung HT-C6930W 3D Blu-ray Home Theater System
Samsung HT-C6930W 3D Blu-ray Home Theater System
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Be surrounded by superior sound with the Samsung HT-C6930W Blu-ray home theater system.

Features

  • 3D Added, 2 tower speakers
  • Ad wireless rear included
LG LHB535 1100-Watt Network Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System, Black
LG LHB535 1100-Watt Network Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System, Black
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Description

If you want to make the most out of your HD entertainment, the LHB535 Network Blu-ray Home Theater System more than delivers. Instant streaming movies, shows and music direct from your Wi-Fi connection to your TV. Full HD video and superior audio performance with Blu-ray. Crystal-clear, dazzling sound from state-of-the-art speakers. It's the total package.

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  • Blu-ray and DVD disc playback
  • 2 HDMI Inputs
  • Silk Dome Speaker Technology
LG LHB975 1100-Watt Blu-ray Home Theater System, Gloss Black
LG LHB975 1100-Watt Blu-ray Home Theater System, Gloss Black
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LG's NetCast Interface lets you easily access a vast array of internet content. This model comes with two tower speakers.

Features

  • NetCast Entertainment Access Delivers access to Netflix Instant Streaming and Pandora Internet Radio, BD-Live to access real-time extras
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Sony BDV-E570 Blu-ray Player Home Entertainment System [3D Compatible]
Sony BDV-E570 Blu-ray Player Home Entertainment System [3D Compatible]
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Description

Bring your movies to life with this 3D Blu-ray Disc home theater system, which features pristine 5.1-channel surround sound and wireless streaming capabilities. Experience full HD 1080p and powerful 5.1-channel HD surround sound, and enjoy expanded entertainment options as you wirelessly stream Netflix, Amazon Video on Demand, Slacker, YouTube and more.

Features

  • 1000 watt, 5.1-channel surround sound system with Blu-ray Disc player
  • Enjoy Blu-ray Disc movies in Full HD 1080p, including 3D Blu-ray Discs
  • BRAVIA Internet Video for instant streaming of content from Netflix, YouTube, Slacker, and more
  • Share your home videos or photos on the big screen or listen to your favorite music with USB Input
  • Turn your iPhone or iPod touch into a remote with a free app
Panasonic SC-BT730 Blu-ray DiscTM 5.1 Home Theater System
Panasonic SC-BT730 Blu-ray DiscTM 5.1 Home Theater System
List Price: $599.95
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The rear speakers come wireless right out of the box (no additional purchase necessary). The Blu-ray player is wireless ready, and compatible with the wireless LAN adapter DY-WL10 (sold separately).

Get your home theater going right out of the box with the Panasonic SC-BT730 home entertainment system, which includes a Blu-ray Disc player/amplifier plus a complete 5.1-channel surround sound speaker system. The Kelton subwoofer adds impact to your movies and music with dramatic deep bass, while the two tallboy front speakers add dramatic visual impact to your home theater. Additionally, this system comes with two wireless rear speakers--enabling you to cut down on the cords--plus It also features 1000 watts of total power, Panasonic's VIERA Cast streaming video, 7.1-channel virtual surround sound (from the 5.1-channel speaker set), an FM radio, SD memory card slot of medial playback, and bamboo cones in the speakers. And you'll be able to play music and video stored on your iPhone or iPod thanks to the included iPod dock. Key Features VIERA Cast: Enjoy Great Web Entertainment on Your HDTV VIERA Cast's assorted online content just keeps getting better--in addition to the popular contents such as YouTube and Picasa Web Albums, it now offers Pandora Internet Radio, movies streamed from Netflix (unlimited membership required) and Amazon Video on Demand, exciting sports from FOX Sports, and tweeting web communications with Twitter. And no PC is required. Connect to your home network via Ethernet or go wireless using an optional Wi-Fi dongle that connects to this home theater system via one of its USB ports. VIERA Cast streaming content. Wireless Rear Speaker: Smart Layout for Rear Speakers The wireless system transmits the audio signals by radio waves, so there's no need to run cables from the main unit to the rear speakers. Cinema Surround: Reproduces Realistic Movie Theater Surround Experience By using a combination of real speakers and virtual speakers, a more natural and smoother sound can be enjoyed. You'll notice the difference, especially in an action scene--you'll feel like you're sitting in the center of a true cinema theater. Advanced Bamboo Cone Speaker: Clear, Beautiful Vocals With the new bamboo cone speakers, the sound becomes much more responsive. Vocals are more pure and cleaner, and the dialog is crisper and easier to understand than ever before. Audio Return Channel: Simple Connection with HDMI Cable The SC-BT730 is compatible with a new feature of ARC (Audio Return Channel). ARC allows receiving audio signals from the TV, on top of the preexisting HDMI function of sending audio/video signals to the TV with just one cable. This new feature will simplify the connection by eliminating an audio cable connection between the TV audio output and the main unit's audio input. (ARC compatible TV is required.) Specifications Total power: 1000 watts RMS (125 x 2 for front speakers; 250W for center speaker; 125W x 2 for surround speakers; 250W for subwoofer) Dolby Digital decoder: Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby Digital DTS decoder: DTS-HD Master Audio Essential, DTS HD High Resolution Audio, DTS DVD+R/RW/R(DL) playback formats: Video, AVCHD DVD-R/RW/R(DL) playback formats: Video, DVD-VR, AVCHD, JPEG, MP3 CD-R/RW playback formats: CD-DA, MP3, JPEG BD-RE/RE DL playback formats: BD-MV, JPEG SD memory card slot: Compatible with SD/SDHC/SDXC cards; plays AVCHD, MPET2, and JPEG media Universal Dock for iPod/iPhone: Integrated VIERA Cast: Yes Wireless LAN system: Ready (requires optional USB dongle) FM radio: Yes, with 30 presets Main unit dimensions: 2-1/8 x 16-15/16 x 11-5/16 inches (HxWxD) Connections HDMI output: 1 Digital audio input: 2 (optical) USB port: 1 (for optional Wi-Fi dongle) Ethernet: 1 Audio input: 1 (stereo minijack, 3.5mm) Speakers Front speakers (x2): 2-1/2-inch full range, cone type; 40-5/32 x 10-1/32 x 10-1/32 inches (HxWxD) Surround speakers (x2): 2-1/2-inch full range, cone type; 4-11/16 x 3-5/32 x 2-11/16 inches (HxWxD) Center speaker: 2-1/2-inch full range, cone type; 3-11/32 x 5-23/32 x 2-13/16 inches (HxWxD) Subwoofer (Kelton Type) : 6-1/2-inch woofer; 10-inch passive radiator; 12-11/16 x 7-1/8 x 13-13/16 inches (HxWxD) What's in the Box Blu-ray Disc player/amplifier, 5.1-channel surround sound speaker set (subwoofer, center channel, two tallboy front, two wireless surround), wireless speaker system digital transmitter, remote control (with batteries), speaker cables, video cable, operating instructions

Features

  • Home theater system in a box, with Blu-ray Disc player/amplifier plus 5.1-channel speaker set; 1000 watts of total power (RMS)
  • Kelton subwoofer adds dramatic deep bass; two tallboy front speakers; wireless rear speakers (with included transmitter)
  • VIERA Cast Internet streaming video and music from services including Netflix,
  • Connects to your home network via Ethernet or using optional Wi-Fi dongle (connects to USB port)
  • Plays Blu-ray discs plus full array of DVD and CD formats; SD memory card slot for playback of music, video, and photos
Sony HTS-S370 Surround Sound Home Theater System, Black
Sony HTS-S370 Surround Sound Home Theater System, Black
Sale Price: Too low to display
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Description

Complete your entertainment experience with 5.1 channels of high-quality surround sound and 1000 watts of power with the HT-SS370 surround sound system. Connect multiple HD devices using a single HDMI cable per device and turn this great system into your entertainment hub, plus operate all your compatible BRAVIA Sync devices using one remote control. Add optional S-AIR accessories and enjoy the convenience of wireless rear speakers or multi-room streaming.

Features

  • 1000 watt, 5.1-channel surround sound system ideal for Blu-ray Disc players
  • HDMI Repeater lets you connect multiple devices and send to your HDTV with just one HDMI cable
  • BRAVIA Sync compatible for controlling multiple devices with one remote
  • Wireless S-AIR support for adding wireless speakers with multi-room capability
  • Digital media port for iPod (iPod cradle sold separately)
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Friday, May 7th, 2010 Uncategorized

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