Monarfloor Acoustic Systems - Monarfloor Acoustic Bridgestop does exactly what it says on the roll

A system solution that prevents the acoustic bridging commonly caused by mortar build-up between separating walls, and has cleared its first hurdle in gaining candidate RD status with Robust Details Ltd, has been launched by Monarfloor Acoustic Systems, the Icopal subsidiary.
Monarfloor Bridgestop isolates the two skins of a cavity party wall from mortar collecting on raft foundations and gas membranes which typically lift the base of the cavity on pre-cast, in-situ concrete floors as well as beam-and-block floors.
With 70% of new build now on brownfield sites where contamination may require raft foundations or gas barriers, the Bridgestop system is likely to prove invaluable to house builders, developers and structural engineers.
Icopal is confident the solution will lead to a future Robust Detail for the block work industry towards enabling cavity masonry separating walls to be built off rafts and continuous slabs.
Bridgestop is laid in the cavity between the separating walls and folded around to bridge the gap at the base. Acoustically-resilient wall ties hold it in place with a special cap on the first course of brickwork. A second layer can also be used if required and held in place by new wall ties on the second course of brickwork.
The research project behind this innovative solution has been carried out via a joint venture between Monarfloor/Icopal and the Building Performance Centre (BPC) at Napier University in Edinburgh.
Dr Sean Smith, depute director at the BPC, said: “This solution has resulted in a greater range of options for house builders for Part E in their separating wall designs and given the block work and concrete industry wider scope in the increasing brownfield site market.
“At present many house builders are having to revert to 215mm dense block solid walls but the introduction of a high acoustic performing solution for a range of dense and lightweight block work type cavity walls has been in the wish list of many house builders and developers.”
The initial response from within the industry has also been very positive. Paul Goring, principal acoustic consultant with the NHBC, said: “Test results have been very good,” and Nigel Cox, senior design manager at George Wimpey Central added: “Bridgestop offers a fail save method of compiling with Part E in modern construction.”
The Bridgestop solution also protects methane and radon barriers from the damage that can occur when site operatives remove mortar from the base of the walls and through Robust Detail accreditation, would negate the need for PCT.
At present, candidate RD status has been achieved and this recognises the performance of the new Bridgestop system. The final hurdle, of remaining site tests to complete the candidate RD submission, will be completed shortly.
In addition, only one coat of render instead of two is required as well as standard plasterboard (8kg/m²) instead of 12.5kg/m² for solid Part E solution walls, saving 4.5kg/m² of gypsum-based board per m².
Bridgestop’s properties have high acoustic damping to absorb more sound energy and reduce flanking, performing approximately 4-5dB better than solid walls and 2-3dB better than standard Robust Detail E-WM-4 walls.

Email: tracy@tlcpr.co.uk