Technical Specifications

Ace Acoustics (UK) provides technical specification support for architects, acoustic consultants, interior designers, contractors and clients specifying acoustic wall systems, acoustic panels, acoustic ceilings and specialist acoustic finishes across commercial, education, healthcare, hospitality, residential, marine and performance environments.

This page brings together key technical guidance for the Ace Acoustics acoustic solutions range, including sound absorption, system depths, edge and track configurations, fire classification, fabric durability, sustainability options, installation substrates and product selection considerations.

Whisper Walls® Systems and related acoustic panel solutions are used to control reverberation, improve speech clarity and support room acoustic performance. These systems are intended for internal room acoustics and reverberation control; they should not be confused with soundproofing or airborne sound insulation between spaces.

Acoustic Performance & Absorption Data

Acoustic performance is normally assessed by laboratory sound absorption testing, with results presented across frequency bands. For specification purposes, absorber classes are commonly used to indicate the broad absorption performance of a system.

Absorber Class / Performance	Typical Use	Indicative System Context
Class A / high absorption	High reverberation control for speech-critical or music-sensitive spaces.	Lecture theatres, classrooms, sports halls, performance spaces, studios, home cinemas and large-volume interiors.
Class B / medium-high absorption	Balanced absorption for offices, meeting rooms, hospitality, circulation spaces and education environments.	Often used where strong absorption is required but build-up depth, detailing or finish requirements need to be balanced.
Class C / controlled absorption	Useful where moderate reverberation control is required or where shallower build-ups are preferred.	Corridors, feature walls, reception areas, residential interiors and secondary acoustic zones.
Custom performance build-ups	Bespoke acoustic performance where project data or acoustic consultant requirements define the build-up.	Custom-depth systems, specialist low-frequency requirements, curved/faceted installations or project-specific acoustic targets.

Final acoustic performance should be confirmed against the selected system depth, absorber core, fabric finish, mounting condition, air gap and project-specific requirements. Full absorption data sheets can be provided for specification submittals where required.

System Depths & Typical Build-Ups

Ace Acoustics can provide multiple system depths to suit acoustic performance, detailing and architectural requirements. Standard Whisper Walls® system depths include 12mm, 23mm, 27mm, 32mm and 52mm, with custom-depth build-ups available where required by acoustic design or project detailing.

System Depth	Typical Performance Intent	Common Applications
12mm	Very shallow fabric-faced finish where limited depth is available.	Design-led finishes, selected residential or low-depth feature areas, subject to acoustic requirements.
23mm	Controlled absorption in a shallow wall system.	Offices, corridors, reception areas, residential interiors, display walls and selected education spaces.
27mm	Balanced absorption and installation flexibility.	Classrooms, meeting rooms, commercial spaces, hospitality and feature wall applications.
32mm	Medium-high absorption for stronger reverberation control.	Offices, lecture theatres, education spaces, public venues, healthcare and performance rooms.
52mm	High absorption and stronger acoustic control.	Sports halls, lecture theatres, theatres, studios, home cinemas and large-volume environments.
Custom depth	Project-specific acoustic performance or build-up coordination.	Low-frequency absorption targets, ceiling interfaces, curved/faceted geometry, bespoke consultant specifications.

Whisper Walls® Track & Edge Configurations

Whisper Walls® Systems are site-fabricated using track profiles, acoustic core and a tightly stretched fabric finish. This allows accurate coordination with wall geometry, reveals, curves, architectural details, lighting, doors, glazing and adjacent finishes.

Configuration	Specification Notes	Typical Use
Square edge	Clean, simple perimeter condition for crisp panel boundaries.	Commercial interiors, education, studios, residential and healthcare.
Bevel edge	Softer edge definition and decorative panel separation.	Feature walls, hospitality, offices and premium interiors.
Radius edge	Curved or softened transitions where a less angular finish is preferred.	Residential, hospitality, performance spaces and design-led interiors.
Welted edge	Decorative edge detail for defined panel appearance.	Luxury interiors, hospitality, residential and specialist feature applications.
Mid-wall track	Allows fabric joins or panel divisions, including hairline joins where fabric width is limited.	Large panels, extra-wide surfaces, multi-colour layouts and fabric roll-width management.
Reveals	Standard reveal widths can include 7mm, 13mm and 25mm, subject to detail and project requirement.	Decorative recesses, flush/raised details, edge features and architectural integration.

Panel Widths, Fabric Widths & Roll Lengths

Panel dimensions are influenced by fabric width, fabric roll length, system depth, acoustic requirements and site geometry. When very large panel areas are required, mid-wall tracks can be used to create controlled fabric joints while maintaining a neat visual finish.

Item	Guidance
Fabric width	Common textile widths may include approximately 1.4m, 1.5m, 1.7m and up to around 2.8m to 3.0m for selected wide-width fabrics.
Visible panel width	Allow for fabric tucking and installation tolerance. As a guide, a 2.8m fabric may provide approximately 2.7m visible width, subject to fabric and site conditions.
Panel length	Maximum panel length is normally limited by fabric roll length, which may be 25m, 30m, 35m or 50m depending on textile choice.
Extra-wide / Optimum Engineered applications	Optimum Engineered Acoustic Panels can use extra-wide fabrics where suitable, supporting larger wall areas with fewer joints and efficient installation.
Fabric joins	Where the required visual panel width exceeds the selected fabric width, Whisper Walls® Mid-wall tracks can be used for controlled, hairline textile joins.

Fire Classification – Composite Acoustic Panel Systems

Fire classification should be reviewed at composite system level, not fabric level alone. Reaction-to-fire performance depends on the tested combination of fabric, acoustic core, track, backing, adhesives/fixings and installation configuration.

Selected composite acoustic panel systems can achieve classifications such as Euroclass B-s2,d0 under BS EN 13501-1 where supported by the relevant test evidence. Alternative fabric finishes and system configurations may provide different classifications, including Euroclass C options, depending on the tested build-up.

Specification Item	Technical Guidance
Relevant classification standard	BS EN 13501-1 reaction-to-fire classification for construction products and building elements.
Typical classification format	Euroclass rating with smoke and flaming droplet classification, for example B-s2,d0 where supported by test evidence.
Composite system approach	Classification should apply to the tested acoustic panel build-up, not simply to the face fabric in isolation.
Project review	Fire strategy, location, substrate, finish, system depth and intended use should be checked before final specification.
Evidence	Project-specific fire classification reports, certificates or supplier data can be provided where available and appropriate.

Important: Ace Acoustics should not state that all panels automatically achieve a single fire classification. Fire performance must always be confirmed against the specific tested configuration and selected finish.

Fabric Durability & Martindale Abrasion Resistance

Fabric durability is an important specification consideration, especially in education, sports halls, corridors, hospitality, healthcare, commercial and residential environments where panels may be subject to contact, cleaning, abrasion or frequent use.

Martindale abrasion resistance is normally expressed in rubbing cycles. Martindale performance is fabric-specific and varies according to fibre composition, weave, finish, backing and manufacturer data.

Fabric Specification Item	Guidance
Martindale rub cycles	Confirm from the selected fabric manufacturer’s technical data sheet. Do not assume one fixed rub count across all textiles.
High-traffic environments	Select robust fabrics where panels are installed in corridors, schools, sports halls, hospitality venues, public buildings or low-level reachable zones.
Cleaning and maintenance	Confirm cleanability, disinfection suitability and stain resistance where required for healthcare, education, hospitality or high-use spaces.
Fire-treated fabrics	If additional fire treatment is required, confirm whether it affects colour, handle, lead time, Martindale performance or maintenance guidance.
Light-coloured / thin fabrics	Check opacity, backing requirements and substrate visibility before final approval.

Product System Specification Summary

Product / System	Technical Specification Context
Acoustic Wall Systems	Site-fabricated or panel-based acoustic wall solutions for reverberation control, speech clarity and architectural integration.
Acoustic Panels	Fabric-faced acoustic panels for walls, ceilings, feature zones and large areas, with absorber class and thickness selected to suit performance requirements.
Whisper Walls® Systems	Seamless stretch-fabric acoustic wall systems using perimeter/mid-wall track, acoustic core and textile finish.
Acoustic Ceilings	Direct-fix panels, acoustic clouds, baffles and ceiling treatments for reverberation control where wall space is limited or additional absorption is required.
Whisper Baffle Acoustic Systems	Suspended baffles for large-volume or open-plan interiors where vertical absorptive surface area is needed.
Whisper Pinboard Acoustic Panels	Pin-receptive, fabric-faced acoustic panels for education, offices and display areas where noticeboard function is required.
Magnetic Acoustic Panels	Fabric-faced acoustic panels with concealed magnetic functionality for classrooms, meeting rooms, collaboration spaces and display walls.
Optimum Engineered Acoustic Panels	Large-area acoustic panel systems using wide fabrics to reduce joints, improve installation efficiency and support large-volume spaces.
Timber Fin & Slatted Acoustic Panels	Decorative timber fin or slatted finishes combined with concealed acoustic absorption behind the visible timber feature.
Leather & Suede Acoustic Panels	Premium acoustic wall panels finished in leather or suede for luxury residential, hospitality, corporate and specialist interiors.
High-Impact Acoustic Panels	Acoustic panels with enhanced durability for sports halls, education and high-use low-level impact zones where panels are within reach.

Installation & Substrate Compatibility

Whisper Walls® Systems and related acoustic panel systems are installed by trained technicians and can be coordinated with a wide range of substrates and architectural conditions. The site-fabricated approach is particularly useful where walls are uneven, out of square, curved, faceted or interrupted by doors, windows, services or decorative features.

Substrate / Condition	Installation Guidance
Plasterboard / stud walls	Suitable for standard wall installations, subject to substrate strength, fixing method and project detailing.
Brick, block or concrete	Suitable where appropriate fixings, preparation and tolerances are confirmed.
Timber / plywood build-ups	Used where additional fixing zones or custom build-ups are required.
Metal framing	Possible subject to fixing coordination and substrate design.
Glass / mirror	Selected systems can be applied to glass or mirror subject to detailing and fixing method.
Curves, facets and irregular geometry	Site fabrication allows panels to follow curves, form facets or integrate around columns and architectural features.
Doors, glazing and services	Panels can be fabricated around doors, windows, AV, lighting, grilles, sockets, conduits and other architectural details.

Sector Specification Considerations

The same acoustic system may be specified differently depending on sector, durability requirements, room volume, reverberation target, design intent and compliance requirements.

Sector	Technical Specification Considerations
Education	Speech clarity, BB93 awareness, sports halls, lecture theatres, classrooms, pinboard/magnetic options, high-impact low-level zones.
Corporate & Office	Meeting rooms, boardrooms, open-plan offices, privacy, reverberation control, premium client-facing finishes.
Financial Institutions	Executive areas, reception, meeting rooms, confidentiality, high-end finishes and specification evidence.
Healthcare	Waiting areas, consultation rooms, administrative spaces, cleanable fabrics and calm acoustic environments.
Theatre & Performing Arts	Speech clarity, music intelligibility, auditoria, performance rooms and controlled reverberation.
Hospitality & Dining	Conversation comfort, reverberation control, bars, restaurants, hotels and decorative integration.
Places of Worship	Large-volume reverberation, speech clarity, music and sensitive integration into worship spaces.
Sound Studios	Controlled reflections, absorption, live rooms, control rooms, dubbing suites and precision audio environments.
Marine	Yachts, vessels and marine interiors requiring lightweight, coordinated, high-quality acoustic finishes.
Residential / Home Cinema	Private homes, media rooms, luxury feature walls, home cinema acoustics and premium finishes.

Sustainability & Responsible Specification

Where sustainability objectives apply, selected systems can incorporate recycled-content materials, PVC-free track options, Low-VOC materials, Red List-free components and textiles with recycled content. The Sustainability page should remain the primary location for wider environmental policy, responsible sourcing and certificate downloads, while this Technical Specifications page summarises specification-relevant technical options.

Sustainable Option	Specification Relevance
Standard recycled track content	Whisper Walls® track profiles can include recycled material content, supporting responsible material selection.
PVC-free track options	Available for projects requiring PVC-free interior environments or green building targets.
Low-VOC materials	Relevant to indoor air quality and healthy building objectives.
Red List-free components	Relevant to responsible materials frameworks where required.
Recycled-content textiles	Selected fabrics may include recycled polyester, recycled wool or other recycled-content options.
Waste reduction	Correct panel layout planning and fabric width coordination can reduce offcuts and improve material efficiency.

Specifier Workflow

To simplify specification and ensure the acoustic system meets performance, visual and compliance requirements, Ace Acoustics recommends the following workflow.

1. Confirm the space type, sector and acoustic objective, such as speech clarity, reverberation control, music intelligibility or home cinema audio performance.
2. Select the relevant product family, such as Whisper Walls® Systems, Acoustic Panels, Acoustic Ceilings, Magnetic Panels, Pinboard Panels or specialist finishes.
3. Define absorber class, system depth or acoustic performance requirement, based on project data or acoustic consultant guidance.
4. Confirm fabric, leather, suede, timber or specialist finish, including fire classification, Martindale durability and cleaning requirements where relevant.
5. Review panel dimensions, fabric width, roll length, mid-wall track requirements and visible joint locations.
6. Confirm substrate, site conditions, curves, reveals, doors, glazing, lighting, AV equipment and services coordination.
7. Provide drawings, schedules, quantities and performance requirements for a tailored specification and quotation.
8. Request project-specific test evidence, datasheets, fire reports or fabric technical information where required for submittal.

For technical specification assistance, acoustic performance guidance, fire classification evidence, fabric durability data, system configuration or project-specific detailing, please contact Ace Acoustics (UK) to speak with our technical team.