Perkins School For The Blind

CASE HISTORY NO. 8

Perkins School for the Blind | Watertown, Massachusetts

Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, Massachusetts is an innovative leader in serving people with visual impairments and was founded in 1829.

In every school, HVAC and mechanical systems can create noise issues. The HVAC equipment itself along with the sound of moving air generate noise. Lightweight galvanized HVAC duct and PVC pipe do not block a lot of sound and can disturb the people, in this case students, around it.

It is widely known that in all schools, noise has a negative effect on a student’s ability to learn. Here at The Perkins School the noise issue is even more intensified by the student’s loss of the other sense ― sight.

So when, the school decided to address this noise control problem they called Sound Seal in nearby Agawam, MA. Understanding the intense challenges that this school’s students were facing from the distractions caused by the noise coming from the HVAC and mechanical systems, Sound Seal recommended it’s highest rated acoustical lagging product the B20LAG-QFA9.

Sound Seal recommended this lagging product for this application, because it is twice as heavy or dense as most acoustical lagging products on the market and it incorporates an extra inch of fiberglass absorber / decoupler to achieve a STC 34 rating which is equivalent to the STC rating of most standard wood stud construction residential walls with ½” drywall on both sides of a wall and no insulation in-between.

After the acoustical lagging product was installed, the teachers and faculty noted that the students appeared less distracted and were better able to focus in the classroom.

Typically used to wrap noisy pipes and ducts to block the noise that transmits through the walls of the pipe or duct as air or other contents move through it. The quilted fiberglass decoupler also provides sound absorption and thermal insulation around the pipe or ductwork. The barrier and the two-inch thick quilted fiberglass absorber improves overall acoustical performance, especially at low frequencies. The reinforced-foil exterior readily accepts a matching lag tape for easy installation and also serves as a protective jacket for indoor or outdoor applications.

Description: Two pound per sq. ft. reinforced-foil faced loaded vinyl barrier bonded to a 2” thick, nom. 2 lb. density quilted fiberglass absorbe

Nominal Thickness: 2.0”

Standard Width: 54”

Roll Length: 30’

Weight: 2.4 lb psf

“R” Factor: 9.0

Flammability: Smoke density index 19.5
Flame spread index 12.5

Temperature Range: -20° to +200° F