Fire and Acoustic Isolation

Having recently come across a best practice guide for Electrical installations and their effect on the fire performance of buildings I have decided to change  the approach to the fire/acoustic isolation between rooms. I will now install Rockwool flexi 50mm in the 100mm partition walls and Rockwool flexi 100mm in the 140mm partition walls .

From an acoustic perspective I was advised that it is better to install the Rockwool in the centre of the partitions rather than touching one or other side of the plasterboard as this limits the sound transfer.

The Electrical Safety Council best practice guide deals with Electrical installations and their impact on the fire performance of Domestic premises at this link when one is building a home. A summary is as follows but the full document is worth reading for any self builder.

• Fire containment in the event of a fire
• The need to prevent fire from passing through holes in all elements whether solid or lightweight is addressed.
• Electrical Equipment is identified that has a direct and significant influence on the fire performance of an element.
• Partial Penetrations –those that reduce the fire performance of part of the wall/ceiling or floor.
  Full Penetrations-such as ducts and fans that go through both elements of a wall/ceiling/floor.