Case Study

High School Gymnasium – Acoustic Ceiling Treatment

Posted on by Rachel
High School Gym Acoustic Ceiling Treatment
11
Jul

A key element to acoustic treatment in gyms is the use of sound absorbing units on the ceilings. This is particularly effective because it leaves maximum space on the walls for basketball hoops, scoreboards, posters, banners and other decorative elements, and reduces damage by being out of reach of basketballs and other sporting equipment.

See Also: Gymnasium Acoustic Treatment

Direct mounted ceiling panels and clouds can also be color matched to the ceiling, so that they are hardly visible at all.

Direct Ceiling Mounted Acoustic Panels are an ideal acoustic treatment in gymnasiums. The architect for Collierville laid out the panel design to allow for full coverage on the gymnasium ceiling to maximize sound absorption and minimize reverb time in the space. Also, the specialty MBI panels are PVC wrapped rather than fabric wrapped, so if the panels are hit by anything that could dirty them, they’re can be cleaned much more easily. .

Ceiling Mounted Acoustic Panels for Gyms

In Collierville Tennessee, for instance, Commercial Acoustics was contracted to install direct mounted ceiling panels in five school gymnasiums across the county. These panels were secured to the metal deck with lag screws and a matching washer below the panel, keeping it snugly in place. These panels have a micro perforated plastic finish, to allow an NRC of 1.0, but also allow cutting and shaping the panels in the field around piping, joists, and other obstructions.

By providing 100% coverage on the ceiling, the reverberation time in the space was reduced significantly from five seconds or higher, all the way down to a manageable 1.5 seconds, approximately. This makes the viewing experience much more comfortable for casual audiences, and greatly increases the speech intelligibility in the space, so that audience member can hear the announcer. It also allows for a multi-purpose use of the space, including plays and PTA meetings.

Acoustical Ceiling Baffles for Gymnasium Acoustic Treatment

Simultaneously, Commercial Acoustics also installed a wall and ceiling acoustic treatments at the Holton arms School in Bethesda Maryland. This was a renovation of a 30-year-old facility, where the panels were significant part of the aesthetic finish. Therefore, impact resistant acoustic wall panels for used on all four walls, with approximately 30% coverage of each surface. Impact panels are suggested in gyms when they are within 20 feet of the floor, since they will have to withstand heavy abuse an impact for a number of years. This installation can be much trickier, due to the amount of field modifications around scoreboards and basketball hoops, along with other obstructions. 

To supplement the Acoustic Wall treatment, acoustical ceiling baffles were also hung 30 feet above finished floor, from the ceiling. These were alternated in a lattice structure, according to the architects design specifications, and all hung at the same height within plus or minus 1 inch. 

Acoustic Wall Panels installed in gymnasiums typically need to be impact resistant, which they were in this case. This helps to prevent damage to the face of the panel if and when they get hit by basketballs during games, or dodgeballs during PE class. Acoustic Ceiling Baffles are also commonly used for acoustic treatment in gyms. With the high ceilings in gyms, baffles hang up and out of the way of any balls that might hit them. Also, since a lot of wall space is covered by scoreboards and basketball hoops, baffles can help with additional square footage of acoustical material.

High School Gymnasium – Acoustic Ceiling Treatment Summary

By combining acoustic wall treatments and acoustic ceiling treatments, the ideal reverberation time and a space can be achieved, without affecting the aesthetics, oftentimes complementing and enhancing them. Acoustic wall panels and gyms should be impact rated, to reduce, wear and tear over time, while ceiling treatments, including acoustic ceiling, baffles and direct mounted ceiling panels, can improve the acoustic performance and a minimal cost.

Rachel