Continuing Education

Article for Stone Wool

Architectural Record Magazine
September 2014 Issue
All images courtesy of ROCKFON

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CONTINUING EDUCATION
Stone wool ceiling
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alternative choice
for many different Sponsored by Company name here, Inc. | By Joe Shmo
and exciting
building spaces.

ConTinuing eDuCATion Stone Wool Acoustical Ceilings

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CredentIAl MAIntenAnCe

learning objectives Sponsored by ROCKFON | By Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP

after reading this article, you should be able to:

1. differentiate between the properties of
natural material-based stone wool ceiling
tiles and other acoustical ceiling materials.
2. analyze and explore the fundamentals of
interior acoustical design treatment and
their relationship to green buildings and
sustainable design.
3. assess the multiple qualities of stone wool
acoustical ceilings that can contribute to
green and sustainable building design.
4. recognize and identify the acoustic needs
of different design applications and the
attributes to look for, including contributions
to green building certication.
to receive credit, you are required to read
the entire article and pass the test. go to
ce.architecturalrecord.com for complete
text and to take the test for free.
AIA/CES COURSE #K1409D
GBCI COURSE #920000636
A
coustical suspended ceilings are
commonplace across many building
types. Since the 1950s, they have
been a preferred design choice due to their
ability to conceal but still be accessible to
HVAC ductwork, electrical wires, plumbing
pipes, phone cables, security lines, and other
components of commercial buildings. These
suspended, interconnected ceiling systems use
a metal grid comprised of cross tees and main
runners in various profile sizes. Within that
grid, acoustical tiles of different types provide
the aesthetic and sound properties desired for a
particular space. Although architects often think
of traditional materials such as mineral fiber or
fiberglass for those ceiling tiles, there is another
option where the tiles are fabricated from natural
stone wool. This product has impressive
characteristics for fire rating, strength, acoustics,
and sustainability, among others.
oVerVieW: STone Wool Ceiling TileS
The idea of producing stone wool has its origins
in the volcanic eruptions on the islands of
Hawaii. Early native inhabitants discovered
woolen-like strings of stone lying on the ground
following these eruptions and attributed it to
hair from the goddess, Pele. Modern geologists
have identified it as primarily igneous basalt,
the earths most abundant bedrock. This
natural stone wool has thus become understood
to be formed by the rapid cooling of lava
from eruptions on the sea floor which creates
the thin strands of stone. The strands flare out
randomly creating a non-directional pattern
that provides some unique and valuable
characteristics related to strength and stability.
The recognition of the value of this stone wool
has led producers to emulate and imitate the
process to create building products out of
manufactured stone wool.
2 Stone wool acoustical ceilings
2,300F
2,150F
1,450F
1,185F GLASS WOOL MELTS
STEEL LOSES LOAD-BEARING CAPACITY
800F
POLYSTYRENE FOAM BURNS
350F POLYURETHANE FOAM BURNS
0F
Minutes 20 40 60 80 100 120 140
Manufacturing Process
As a product, stone wool combines the traits of
rock with the characteristics of typical fiber-
based building products. The manufacturing
process is based on using natural, inorganic basalt
to create natural fibers with no blowing agent
used. In addition, a number of other recycled
secondary materials (e.g. sewage sludge ash from
treatment of wastewater or residues from metal
industry processes) are used to add to the overall
properties of the finished product.
The typical production process for stone wool
begins with the fusion of the volcanic basalt at
a temperature of 2,732F (1,500C). The rock,
secondary materials, and coke are automatically
fed from the top of a cupola-style furnace. The
melt runs out of the bottom of the furnace and
onto a spinning machine, where stone wool is
literally spun. Minor amounts of organic binder
and oil are added to bind the stone wool together
and to increase water repellency. The wool is
then collected on a belt conveyor so its structure
and density can be adjusted according to its final
use as either a rigid panel product or a batt-style
product. Either way, the wool fibers remain
non-directional which is important for achieving
many of the desired performance characteristics.
In addition to acoustic ceiling panels, stone
wools unique combination of thermal, fire, and
acoustic properties make it well suited for blown
or batt insulation in cavity walls, board type of
insulation for roofing installations, and pre-
formed insulation pieces for faced pipe sections
and wall slabs.
Once stone wool is formed into the more rigid
panels, they move to a curing oven where the
final properties are locked in the curing of the
binder. Finishing of the ceiling panels relies on
the use of a mineral fleece and water-based paint
which are layered on top of the stone wool to
produce the desired appearance.
Note that since stone wool is naturally porous
and sound absorbent, there is no need to create
STONE WOOL MELTS
Stone wool outlasts
most other building
materials when
subjected to high heat
or fire conditions.
fissures or holes to improve sound qualities.
That means that the surface can look more
uniform and smoother than many mineral fiber
ceiling tiles. The finished panels then proceed
on to formatting saws, where they are cut to
specific tile sizes, and edge profiling equipment,
where final edge profiles are formed. In certain
cases, the panels could be diverted to specific
custom finishing processes or be led to off-line
equipment for special treatment. Once complete,
the finished tiles are then gathered and packaged
for shipment.
From an environmental standpoint, the
off-gases of the production process coming
from the furnace, spinning chamber, and curing
oven are typically cleaned in filters and after-
burners before entering the chimney, helping
to assure a rather clean operation. Further, the
waste inevitably created during the production
is recaptured and reused since it is both fully
recyclable and a valuable raw material.
Properties of Stone Wool Ceiling Tiles
Once completed, stone wool acoustic ceiling
tiles generally have a density that is higher than
Ceiling tiles made from stone wool have a
non-directional acoustical stone wool core
that is covered with a mineral fleece layer
and then finished with a smooth water-based
paint that creates an easy-to-clean surface.
Stone wool is made from natural
volcanic basalt plus recycled
secondary products and reclaimed
material during manufacturing.
fiberglass ceiling tiles, making them more rigid
and durable. Additionally, stone wool exhibits
a number of other superior properties when
compared to other acoustical ceiling tile choices,
which are summarized as follows:
Surface burning characteristics. UL 723 (ASTM
E84) / CAN / ULC S102 is a standard method
of testing for surface burning characteristics
of particular building materials. The test is
designed to determine the relative surface burning
characteristics of materials under specific test
conditions. Results are expressed in terms of
Flame Spread Index (FSI) and Smoke Developed
Index (SDI). Many commercial applications
require an FSI of 25 or less and an SDI of 50 or
less. Products labeled FHC 25/50 (Fire Hazard
Classification 25/50) or Class A (ASTM E1264)
fulfill these requirements. Most stone wool
ceiling panels in North America outperform the
fire requirements for ceilings due to their non-
combustible makeup.
Dimensional stability. This term is generally
defined as the materials ability to retain its
original shape when subjected to external
forces such as varying degrees of temperatures,
atmospheric pressures, moisture content, and/
or other external stresses. Stone wool retains
its manufactured characteristics unaltered over
time with the particularly unique property of
not expanding or contracting when subjected to
changing heat or cold conditions. This has been
commonly demonstrated using the ASTM C356
test for thermal expansion. For ceiling tiles, that
means a tighter fit in the grid and tolerances can
be maintained over time without concerns of the
tile swelling or shrinking.
Humidity resistance. Humidity can weaken
the structure of certain ceiling materials and
cause them to sag. In extreme cases they may
even fall out of the grid. This will often happen in

buildings under construction where the building
is not fully sealed, or materials have not dried out.
Additionally, humidity levels are naturally
high in wet rooms like kitchens and sanitary
areas, where moisture problems can occur.
Stone wool is a hydrophobic material, meaning
it does not absorb water and is not impacted by
humidity. As such, stone wool ceiling panels have
been found to be dimensionally stable at up to
100 percent relative humidity. That means that
stone wool ceiling panels can be installed in the
early stages of construction (when the windows
are not fully sealed) without any risk of sagging.
Mold and mildew resistance. Stone wool is
water repellent and has no nutritional value.
Hence, stone wool ceiling panels inhibit growth
of mold and bacteria through their inherent
material makeup. In healthcare buildings, they
have also been shown to provide no sustenance to
other harmful micro-organisms.
Impact resistance. High-usage areas can create
heavy wear and tear on building materials,
thus requiring impact-resistant ceiling panels.
This is commonly true in settings like schools
and gyms where ceilings in these kinds of areas
need to be able to withstand tougher-than-
Acoustical Principles
Relating to Sound
Within a Space
Sound Absorption: The amount of
sound energy absorbed upon striking a
particular surface. The more sound energy
that is absorbed then the less that is reflected
back as reverberation or a possible echo,
measured as follows:
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC): NRC
refers to a surfaces ability to reduce noise
by absorbing sound. A higher score signifies
better absorption. A ceiling with an NRC of
1.00 absorbs all sound. A ceiling with a NRC
of 0.00 absorbs no sound. NRC is measured
according to the ASTM C423 standard.
NRC is important in areas where people
converse in groups and high levels of noise
are present, such as classrooms, open plan
offices, shops, lobbies, and meeting rooms.
Most stone wool products have an NRC of
0.85 or above.
S
 abin: Absorption in Sabin indicates the
sound absorption property of discrete
elements like islands and baffles. The number
Stone wool acoustical ceilings 3
Continuing Education
Indoor environments
that are prone to
generating noise
need to address
acoustics as a matter
of human health and
welfare.
of Sabins per unit is equal to the total surface
of the unit that is exposed to sound or noise
(measured in square feet) multiplied by
the absorption coefficient of the material.
Absorption in Sabin is measured according
to ASTM C423.
Sound Reflection: The intentional use of
non-absorptive surfaces that enhance a lively
acoustical sound quality, such as in nightclubs
or music venues.
Reverberation Time (RT): The most
important factor in all regulations is
reverberation time, which is defined as
the time it takes for the sound pressure
level to drop 60dB below its original level
after the sound source is stopped. In
most situations, a low reverberation time
improves the acoustical comfort, such as in
classrooms. However, in some situations,
such as concert or conference halls, a
higher reverberation time can improve
listening comfort. Reverberation time
depends on the size and shape of the space
plus the amount, quality, and positioning
of absorbing surfaces within the space. The
more sound absorption in the room, the
lower the reverberation time.
4 Stone wool acoustical ceilings
Ceilings made from stone wool can contribute
to sustainable construction by virtue of their
natural and recycled content.
average conditions as well as frequent access
requirements. Special, reinforced stone wool
ceiling tiles are available to address this need.
All of these properties are significant and
important in the design of buildings. However,
there is one more important aspect that we will
delve more deeply into, namely the acoustical
performance of ceilings.
Acoustics: Design Principles
for Ceilings
The importance of acoustics is found in the ways
that poor acoustics can affect human health and
well-being. According to the National Institute
for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH),
high ambient noise levels in a room or space
affect peoples health by increasing general stress
levels. Further, they find that continued exposure
does not lead someone to adjust and get used to
it, rather, the effects worsen.
The World Health Organization (WHO)
(www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/
environment-and-health/noise) has noted that
noise seriously harms human health by causing
short- and long-term health problems. Noise
interferes with peoples daily activities at school,
at work, at home, and during leisure time. It
can disturb sleep, causes cardiovascular and
psychophysiological effects, hinder work and
school performance, and provokes annoyance
responses and changes in social behavior. Peaks
in sound or noise and a high level of average
sound are what have been shown, over time,
to damage an individuals health. Therefore,
attention to acoustics is important for all
environments, from factories to kindergartens,
as a matter of the health and welfare of those
who use those environments.
Sound is measured in decibels of pressure to
indicate how loud it is in a room. The actual level
in any particular room depends on the strength
of the sound source (or sources) and the ability of
a room or space to help control that sound. Sound
sources can be desirable such as a person speaking
or music playing but they can also be undesirable
if undue echoes are caused or background noise is
encountered. Since sound radiates from a source
and moves through space in all directions, how
it acts within a room will be a function of what it
encounters. If there are a lot of sound-reflecting
surfaces, then echoes and reverberation become
noticeable. If there are a lot of sound-absorptive
surfaces, then the sound is deadened and echoes
are reduced. The size and shape of the room will
similarly come into play as sound moves through
it and create additional impacts.
Once airborne, sound doesnt necessarily
stay within a roomit can readily pass through
openings, transfer through ceilings, etc. In
this case, it is the ability of a space to insulate
itself from unwanted sound that is important.
Background noise that enters a room can interfere
with the desired sounds, thus creating unwanted
noise. By the same token, desirable sound created
within a given space can become unwanted noise
once it passes through to other spaces. Hence, it is
important for rooms to be appropriately designed
to contain sound where it is desired and prevent
its passage to places where it is not desired.
One of the measures of good acoustical
performance is speech intelligibility which
is defined simply as how well speech can be
heard and understood in a room. Many factors
influence speech intelligibility. These include the
strength of the speech signal, the direction of the
source sound, the level of background noise, the
reverberation time (RT) of the room, and the
shape of the room. A good reverberation time will
enable a listener to hear and understand the first
word, allowing that sound to die out before the
sound of the next word reaches the listener.
Longer reverberation times can impair speech
intelligibility since word sounds will overlap,
creating garbled sounding words and poor verbal
communication. Instructional spaces, such as
classrooms, are best with short RTsless than
0.6 second to ensure clarity and high speech
intelligibility. Auditoriums, theaters, and other
musical spaces will typically benefit from longer
RTs, typically greater than 1.2 seconds. In
addition to RT, if desirable sound is drowned in
background noise, the listener will have difficulty
understanding what is being said. The normal
reaction is to speak louder, leading to more
reverberation and poorer speech intelligibility.
Recognizing the importance of good acoustical
design in schools in particular, ANSI Standard
S12.60 Acoustical Performance Criteria, Design
Requirements and Guidelines for Schools has
been developed. This national standard is used
as a basis for determining currently acceptable
levels of acoustic performance in schools
including appropriate RT and speech intelligibility
thresholds. Stone wool ceiling tiles can be used
as part of an overall acoustical design to work
with the principles of sound and demonstrate
compliance with the ANSI standard.
Sustainability: Green Building
Contributions of Stone Wool
Acoustic Ceilings
Earlier we identified the problems that too much
or unwanted sound can create for people in a
building. By comparison, the most important
contribution to any sustainable building from an
Indoor environmental quality can be enhanced
by natural daylighting and ceilings with high
reflectance levels.
 Stone wool acoustical ceilings 5

Continuing Education
Acoustical Principles Relating to
Sound Transfer Between Spaces
Total sound insulation is the ability of a total construction (partitions,
ceiling, floor, furnishings, and all connections) to prevent sound from
travelling through the ceiling void and through building elements.
Sound insulation of ceilings is measured using the Ceiling Attenuation
Class value (CAC); sound insulation of walls is measured using the
Sound Transmission Class value (STC). The higher the CAC/STC value
(in dB), the better the performance. Mass, airtightness, and sound
absorption are the main properties that determine the sound
insulation capacity of any material.

Sound Transmission Class (STC): Sound Transmission Class is a

measure for rating the performance of a wall system (not a ceiling) for
sound insulation. A wall system with an STC below 35 is considered
low performance, whereas one with an STC over 55 is high
performance. STC is measured according to ASTM E90 standards.

Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC): Ceiling Attenuation Class indicates

the ceilings ability to prevent airborne sound from traveling between
adjacent rooms when the dividing wall does not connect with the
structural ceiling.

Articulation Class (AC): Articulation Class indicates the speech privacy

performance of a ceiling in an open plan environment, such as a space
divided by half height walls. A rating below 150 indicates poor speech The basic principles of acoustical design focus on controlling
privacy performance; a rating above 180 indicates good performance. sound absorption and reflection within a space and sound
AC is measured according to ASTM E1110 and E1111 standards. transfer between spaces.

acoustic ceiling tile is the creation of sustainable
working, learning, and healing environments
through acoustic comfort. This has become
recognized and formalized in the U.S. Green
Building Councils (USGBC) LEED rating
system which contains a number of areas where
ceilings can contribute to a higher LEED rating.
While acoustic comfort will likely be the biggest
contributor, there are also other areas worth
noting that stone wool ceiling tiles can contribute
to a green building design. This is true in both
of the current versions of LEED that are in use,
namely, LEED 2009 and LEED version 4 (v4).
Energy and Atmosphere
When designing an energy-efficient building,
there is a tendency to focus on things like
The edges of stone wool ceiling tiles can be selected from many standard choices
to suit particular building design applications.
insulation and windows, but ceiling systems can
also play a role in effective energy conservation.
By using a ceiling system that has higher levels
of light reflectance, less artificial light may be
needed. Stone wool ceilings offer superior light
reflection and diffusion. Typical acoustical
ceilings have a Light Reflectance (LR) rating
of 0.75, meaning that they reflect 75 percent of
the light striking its surface. Most white stone
wool ceilings reflect between 83-86 percent of
available light. They have a homogenous surface
without any visible holes or perforations, and
their high diffusivity limits hot spots and
glare for increased comfort. Combined, these
qualities provide efficient utilization of both
artificial and natural light sources which can
save energy. This improves space illumination
allowing for fewer light fixtures, a reduced
electrical light output, lower maintenance
costs, and reduced cooling load.
In LEED v4, there is also a credit in the
Interior Design and Construction (ID&C)
system for Design Flexibility which recognizes
and rewards different strategies that increase the
useful life of the project space. Interior ceiling
systems that are movable or demountable can
directly contribute to this credit along with
accessible ceiling systems.
Materials and Resources
Under LEED 2009, Materials and Resources
(MR) credit 4, Recycled Content, allows
points for recycled material content in a new
or renovated building. Stone wool products
contain up to 84 percent recycled and natural
stone content, with inorganic and combustible
waste materials being the most important
sources of secondary materials beyond the
basalt. Additionally, high recycled content
suspension systems and grids made from metals
are also available.
If LEED v4 is being used, there are new
MR credits for Life-Cycle Impact Reduction
generally with 2-5 rating points available. Stone
wool ceiling tiles can often be shown to have a
very positive life-cycle impact due to the natural
and recycled content of the product as well as
its ability to be re-used or recycled at the end
6 Stone wool acoustical ceilings
Stone wool ceiling panels can be specified in a wide range of colors for different settings,
particularly appropriate in educational settings that still need high acoustical performance.
of its service life. There are also new credits for
Building Product Disclosure and Optimization
which address Environmental Product
Declarations (EPDs), responsible Sourcing of
Materials, and Material Ingredients. Once again
the natural and recycled makeup of stone wool
can help in all of these areas.
Indoor Environmental Quality
There are a number of ways that ceilings can
contribute to improved indoor environmental
quality (EQ). We have mentioned how higher light
reflectivity can aid in extending daylighting into
the space. LEED v4 recognizes that fact as part of
the Interior Lighting credit under Lighting Quality
which allows designers to demonstrate compliance
by identifying four specific strategies from a list of
eight provided. Several of these strategies identify
specific average surface reflectance levels of 85
percent for ceilings among other things over 90
percent of the regularly occupied floor area. Stone
wool ceiling tiles are readily available that meet or
exceed this 85 percent level.
Beyond the light quality EQ trait, the
emissions from ceiling tiles are addressed under
the Low Emitting Materials credit. Ceilings
must be 100 percent compliant in order to
qualify for credit and points. One way to show
compliance is for the ceiling tile to carry a
GREENGUARD certification which is owned by
Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as part of the
UL Environment portion of that organization.
Some stone wool ceiling products are pre-
finished and qualify as low-emitting materials
since they use low VOC content in the ceiling
panels or the grids. Further, no added paints,
coatings, adhesives, or harmful sealants are
typically needed for ceilings. Based on these
qualities, some stone wool ceiling systems
qualify for GREENGUARD Gold Certification
(formerly known as GREENGUARD Children
& Schools Certification). This higher level of
certification uses stricter criteria, considers
safety factors to account for sensitive
individuals (such as children and the elderly),
and ensures that a product is acceptable for
use in environments such as schools and
healthcare facilities. It is referenced by both The
Collaborative for High Performance Schools
(CHPS) and the LEED Building Rating System.
It is also within the EQ credit section where
the role that acoustics can play in terms of
indoor environmental quality is addressed.
In particular, LEED v4 Building Design and
Construction (BD+C) contains a prerequisite
for schools and a credit possibility for improved
acoustics in different building types. For schools
ANSI Standard S12.60 is the cited basis for
performance. This standard and the EQ inclusion
comes from studies that have demonstrated that
excessive reverberation and noise in a classroom
interfere with speech intelligibility which directly
affects a students ability to learn. Direct Sound in
this case is the sound of a teachers voice traveling
directly from the teacher to the student. This is
always beneficial in terms of speech intelligibility
because the direct sound is not affected by
anything in the room, making speech clear
and distinct. It is the reflected or reverberating
sound and intruding noise that interfere with
the Direct Sound.
LEED v4 addresses Reflected Sound by
requiring that the ceiling (or equivalent area
of other room surfaces) has a minimum
Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) of 0.70.
Alternatively, another option is to comply with
maximum Reverberation Time per the ANSI
standard. LEED v4 sets maximum permissible
Background Noise from HVAC systems at 40
decibels for the prerequisite and a lower 35
decibels for the credit. For the optional acoustic
performance credit, you will also need to isolate
the classrooms from sound that is generated
outside the classroom or even outside the
building, such as playground activity, traffic,
planes, etc. that generally intrudes into the
classroom by way of the windows. This means
building walls and floors/roofs that comply with
the minimum Sound Transmission Class (STC)
requirements in the ANSI standard.
Using stone wool ceiling systems that have
the appropriate NRC rating plus ensuring proper
reverberation performance for different areas of
the building will be necessary in order to meet the
prerequisite and the credit point in a LEED for
school buildings. In addition to schools, LEED v4
BD+C rating systems include similar credits for
acoustic performance in other facility types such
as commercial buildings, data centers, hospitality,
warehouses/distribution centers, and healthcare.
High-performing sound-absorptive ceilings can
be used to contribute to the overall acoustic design
and earning LEED points in this IEQ category.
Design Versatility: Ceiling
Tile and Grids
With an understanding of the multiple performance
properties of stone wool ceilings, lets turn our
attention to the design opportunities. Like all
suspended ceiling systems, there are choices
and options that can be selected to enhance or
highlight particular building designs.
Tile sizes. Stone wool ceiling tiles are made in a
variety of standard modular tile and plank sizes
such as 2 feet by 2 feet and 2 feet by 4 feet but a
range of other sizes are possible as well. These
can be selected based on design preferences and
laid out similar to any other suspended ceiling
 Stone wool acoustical ceilings 7

system. By combining different module sizes in

different patterns, it is possible to create different
Metro Toronto Convention Centre

design impacts.
Edges. As with other ceiling tiles, stone wool can
be fabricated with a variety of edge treatments.
The most common is a simple square edge design
that allows the edges to rest directly on the tee
portion of the grid. A tegular edge, whether
square or angular, allows the tile to protrude
below the grid and provide more depth and
texture to the ceiling plane. Semi-concealed or
fully concealed edges are possible when the rigid
stone wool panels are fabricated to cover all or
part of the tee face of the grid. It is also possible
to avoid the use of a grid altogether and simply
mount the ceiling tiles directly to a substrate
using adhesive or other means.
Color. The default color for all ceilings is
white due to its reflective nature and recessive
appearance. However, custom colors are possible
when selecting stone wool ceilings. Lighter
colors can still provide various degrees of light
reflectance inside a space and may often be
desirable. In other cases, a full range of darker or
bolder colors are also available that can enhance
the overall building design.
Continuing Education
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
The Project: When the Metro
Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC),
home to events like Construct
Canada, decided to renovate its South
Building, it sought replacement ceiling
panels that offered both a modern
look and high performance. It was also
important that the assembly would
support its pursuit of certification
under the LEED Canada certification,
a rigorous and internationally
recognized certification from Canadian
Green Building Council (CaGBC).
Located in downtown Toronto, the
1.2-million-square-foot South Building
is the only facility in the world that has
hosted both G20 and G7 Summits.
It includes 34 meeting rooms and
four exhibit halls with a barrier-free,
fully accessible floor plan. This award
winning facility was designed by B+H
Architects and opened in 1997. After
16 years, the space was in need of an
update since the ceiling panels had
begun to show their age.

Surfaces. Unlike many mineral fiber ceiling tiles, The Criteria: performance product maximum Flame Spread
fissures are not required in stone wool ceilings to Numerous physical backed with a minimum Value of 5 and a maximum
improve sound absorption since the material is characteristics were 10-year warranty and Smoke Development
naturally sound absorbent. As such, their smooth considered when Classification of 5.
finish can provide a designer-preferred surface choosing ceiling panels Strong acoustics validated
with a clean, uniform look. for this project: with a high-performance Humidity Resistance
rating. Stone wool is
Appealing size and edge hydrophobic, which
Shape and form. Shape in this case refers to options (including metric The Solution: means it neither absorbs
the two-dimensional appearance of ceiling tiles size availability); Stone wool replacement water nor holds moisture.
such as squares, rectangles, etc. Form refers to ceiling panels were
the three-dimensional possibilities such as free Positive indoor air quality selected because they Since the material is
hanging cubes or other configurations to baffle (IAQ) impacts, such were found to provide the inorganic, it also does
sound in a space. The current design trend is as low volatile organic owner with the following not promote the growth
for more use of large-format planks and three- compound (VOC) content; characteristics: of mold or bacteria.
dimensional elements to give greater design Clean aestheticsa Acoustic comfort Light reflectance
expression to spaces. Stone wool products are smooth, white The stone wool ceiling On MTCCs South
available to support these design trends in both appearance was sought; panels used on MTCCs Building, the ceiling
shape and form. South Building have a UL panels have a light
Easy serviceability via Class certification for two reflectance (LR) of 0.86.
Projects: Designing for Specific a high-quality, easily acoustical categories:
cleaned surface; Results:
Building Types
Articulation Class (AC) By combining energy-
The performance, aesthetics, and design Environmentally friendly rating of 170 and efficient daylighting
principles of good suspended acoustical ceiling characteristics to work designs with stone wools
design all come together in particular projects. Of toward LEED certification, Noise Reduction natural composition,
course each building type tends to have its own including recycled Coefficient (NRC), rating long durability, and high
focus or functional requirements for ceilings as content and high light of 0.85. performance, the Metro
discussed briefly as follows: reflectance; Toronto Convention
Fire protection Centre met its overall
Product durability which MTCCs new stone wool
Office environments commonly have a strong project goals and the
was translated to mean a ceiling panels meet
need for good acoustical control given that there LEED criteria to become
lightweight, non-brittle, the most stringent certified.
is an often dense area of people working together sag-resistant, high- requirements with a
with a need for a high degree of distraction-free
 8 Stone wool acoustical ceilings
Continuing Education
Healthcare settings require
excellent acoustics, hygiene, and
cleaning capabilities; stone wool
ceilings can provide all three.
concentration. After surveying 65,000 people over
the past decade in North America, Europe, Africa,
and Australia, researchers at the University
of California, Berkeley, report that more than
half of office workers are dissatisfied with the
level of speech privacy, making it the leading
complaint in offices everywhere (The New York
Times, May 2012). Other studies have found that
there is a close relationship between occupational
noise exposure and all-cause mortality with
industrial workers (CORDIS study, Melamed et
al., 1999). In open office layouts, unwanted noise
sources include nearby conversations, benching
workstations, speaker phones, etc. which all
need to be contained requiring ceiling products
with high NRC ratings. Hence, designing spaces
to address these acoustical concerns is clearly
important and the high performance of stone
wool ceilings certainly can contribute to that
overall design. Further, the fire safety, durability,
aesthetics, and mold resistance address other
aspects of modern office design and planning.
In healthcare settings, it is worth noting that
sound pressure (decibel) levels in healthcare
have risen significantly and consistently since
1960 (study by Busch-Vishniac et al, 2005). In
particular, night-time noise pollution is one of the
main complaints of patients in hospitals. Modern
research suggests that Florence Nightingale wasnt
exaggerating when she stated Unnecessary
noiseis the most cruel absence of care which
can be inflicted either on sick or well. Forthe
ROCKFON and Chicago Metallic have combined forces to offer complete ceiling system solutions. Their stone wool ceiling
panels, featuring superior humidity resistance and acoustic control, easy-to-install ceiling suspension systems, and versatile
metal ceilings, are among the highest-performing, most cost-effective, and time-efficient available in the market.
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sick are only mentioned as suffering in a greater
proportion than the well from precisely the
same causes. (Notes on Nursing first published
in 1860 with a Dover edition printed in 1969).
Current studies show that high levels of sound
have negative physical and psychological effects
on patients, disrupting sleep, increasing stress,
and decreasing patients confidence in the
competence of their clinical caregivers who may
be suffering from noise issues as well.
Attention to detail and the use of sound-
insulating materials coupled with sound
absorption in rooms can go a long way toward
addressing these concerns. Stone wool ceiling
tiles with high NRC ratings will help meet the
design criteria for performance. Additionally,
the hygienic nature of stone wool that does not
allow for mold or other microorganisms to
grow helps to ensure a healthcare environment
that is appropriately healthy. The smooth
surface of stone wool tiles also means that they
are easy to clean when needed. The fire safety
characteristics and light reflective qualities add to
the safety and quality of healthcare spaces as well.
Education settings have been studied
extensively when it comes to indoor acoustical
quality. One such study concluded that
classrooms in the United States typically have
speech intelligibility ratings of 75 percent or
less, meaning every fourth spoken word is not
understood (Seep, Glosemeyer, Hulce, Linn,
& Aytar, 2000). Another found that loud or
Reprinted from the September issue of Architectural Record
reverberant classrooms may cause teachers to
raise their voices, leading to increased teacher
stress and fatigue (Tiesler & Oberdrster,
2008). Whether the focus is the students,
the teachers, or both, all will benefit from
improved acoustical performance in the
classroom. High-performance stone wool ceiling
tiles can certainly contribute to an overall
successful acoustical design in that regard.
They can also be very useful in open gathering
spaces such as cafeterias, gyms, libraries, and
auditorium spaces. The other qualities of stone
wool tiles are also desirable for schools as
well in that fire safety in corridors, moisture
resistance in locker rooms, and overall aesthetic
options with colors and patterns are a big part of
successful school designs.
Regardless of the building type, all clients
are concerned about getting good value at a
reasonable cost. Stone wool ceiling tile systems
are very competitive with other ceiling systems
with an installed price ranging from $2.00 to
$5.00 per square foot depending on the usual
construction cost variables of location, project
size, product features, etc. That means that for
essentially the same cost as other suspended
ceiling systems, it is possible to have a building
that performs better in terms of acoustics,
appearance, durability, fire safety, and
moisture resistance.
Conclusion
Properly designed and installed, suspended
ceiling systems using stone wool ceiling
tiles can enhance the design of a variety of
building types. As a product, it can provide
the needed superior acoustical properties for
indoor environments both in terms of sound
absorption and sound insulation. Like all such
systems, they provide ready access to plenum
spaces above the ceiling while contributing to
the visual and acoustical aspects of the spaces
where they are used. Stone wool specifically can
support sustainability initiatives and be long
lasting by resisting moisture and corrosion.
Further, it can improve fire performance,
humidity resistance, energy efficiency, and
aesthetics of the overall building.
Peter J. Arsenault, FAIA, NCARB, LEED AP,
is a nationally known architect, sustainability
consultant, technical writer, and continuing
education presenter. www.linkedin.com/in/pjaarch
This article also appears online at ce.architecturalrecord.com
We believe our acoustic ceiling and wall solutions are a fast and simple
way to create beautiful, comfortable spaces. easy to install and durable,
they protect people from noise and the spread of fire while making a
constructive contribution towards a sustainable future.

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Its our rock-solid promise to you. Because at Rockfon, create

and protect is what we do and its inspired by you.

September 2014

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