Ash deafening
Ash deafening, or 'pugging' (occasionally mistakenly referred to as ‘deadening’) was traditionally used in the construction of buildings in Scotland to provide sound insulation in timber separating floors (floors designed to restrict the passage of sound between the spaces above and below the floor). It is commonly found in Georgian, Victorian, traditional tenement and four-in-a-block dwellings built before 1919. After 1930 separating floor constructions tended to become lighter, using ‘quilt’ insulating materials such as mineral wool instead.
Deafening generally comprises 70mm of ash and small stones from builder’s rubble. This usually rests on timber boards referred to as ‘deafening boards’ above a suspended ceiling. Two common configurations are illustrated below.
As well as acoustic insulation, deafening and deafening boards can also help stiffen a floor.
Problems or poor performance of deafening can be caused by lack of cover between joists and walls, or where deafening has been removed or moved during alterations to buildings. Water leaks can also wash deafening into the ceiling or wall constructions, and can damage plaster.
Ash deafening can now be difficult to source, and alternatives such as graded stone chips, dry sand or other crushed dense materials may be used instead. If sand or other fine particles are used, a lining sheet may be required to prevent particles falling between the deafening boards. Ash deafening typically has a mass of around 70 to 80 kg/m2, and so a structural engineer should be consulted before insertion.
[edit] Find out more
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Building acoustics.
- Brander.
- Dwang.
- Flanking sound.
- Floor insulation.
- Flooring defects.
- Impact sound.
- Separating floor.
- Sound absorption.
- Sound insulation in buildings
- Sound v noise.
- Structure-borne sound.
- Suspended ceiling.
[edit] External references
- Housing and sound insulation, Improving existing attached dwellings and designing for conversions. Crown Copyright 2006. http://www.gov.scot/resource/doc/217736/0099123.pdf
IHBC NewsBlog
IHBC London Branch Conference 4 Oct 2018 – save the date
‘Creative Conservation: Partnerships and Public Value’. London Branch's celebrated annual conference takes place in the Royal College of Physicians, Regents Park.
IHBC free MATE sessions - supporting accreditation
HESPR members’ staff from Woodhall Conservation, Purcell and RSK take part in Membership Application Training Event sessions on the accreditation process.
IHBC Branch & partner CPD & more, across the UK - our new NewsBlog resource lets you browse the wide range of CPD events on the IHBC Calendar and pass them on.
IHBC spotlights EPCs Call for Evidence – responses by 19 Oct 2018
Responses needed to ‘Call for Evidence on Energy Performance Certificates’, while comments and copies of responses may be sent to [email protected]
IHBC CPD boost and checkup from DBW
Critical learning from DBW on ‘Rights to light’ using references such as the RICS Rights of light: Practical guidance for chartered surveyors in England and Wales.
IHBC Heritage from the doorstep
Cash boost helps preserve historic North York Moors monuments, reports The Darlington and Stockton Times.
IHBC CPD - Context article on lime and stone and reopening historic quarries
Even within environmentally sensitive areas planning permission is possible, as Emily Harper and Sue Penaluna explain in their article on the repair of Exeter Cathedral.
IHBC HESPR top pick from £250M+ costed work this week
East Herts seeks regeneration developer for Bishop’s Stortford site; closing 28/08,
contract values ranging from: £25M- £200M.
RTPI proposal for post-Brexit environmental watchdog fundamentally flawed
The Government’s proposal for a post-Brexit environmental watchdog that only has jurisdiction for England is deeply flawed, says the RTPI.
World Heritage UK report out - Commercial Best Practice in World Heritage
The report, following a meeting in March 2018, details the discussions and future actions and includes an appendix on visitor numbers and characteristics.
Planning Portal and Federation of Master Builders sign partnership agreement
The Memorandum of Understanding signals their intent to work more closely together for the benefit of their joint customers and members.
Scottish Planning Bill changes marks a point of no return for Scotland’s heritage
The National Trust for Scotland has called on the Scottish Government to save Scotland’s heritage by overhauling the planning system.