North Orbit Acoustic Laboratories conducted rigorous sound tests on three Marino\WARE® products: HOTROD® XL, Fire Bead®, and Fire Gasket®. The primary goal was to evaluate their soundproofing performance in comparison to traditional acoustical sealant. By subjecting these products to controlled laboratory conditions, the tests aimed to determine if these innovative solutions could offer comparable or superior sound isolation while potentially addressing the limitations associated with traditional sealant applications.
Newest Innovations
Stud + Joists
Accessories
Wall + Floor Sheathing
BUILDING JOINTS
Compressible
Control Joint
Specialty Clips
North Orbit Acoustic Laboratories
North Orbit Acoustic Laboratories
Sound Testing
Understanding Soundproofing
Sound Transmission Class (STC) is a rating used to measure a partition’s ability to block sound, particularly human speech. Building codes often mandate a minimum STC rating for walls in residential and multifamily buildings. While fire-resistant drywall naturally dampens sound, gaps around the drywall allow sound to pass through. Traditionally, acoustical sealant was used to seal these gaps, but it’s difficult to apply evenly and its effectiveness decreases over time.
The Testing Process
North Orbit Acoustic Laboratories created two identical rooms with a wall assembly between them. This wall was constructed to mimic real-world conditions, including the use of metal studs and drywall. One room was filled with sound while the other measured how much sound passed through the wall. This process determined the STC rating.
Test Results
- Fire Gasket: Achieved the same STC rating of 45 as acoustical sealant, but offers superior performance in other areas. Fire Gasket is significantly easier and faster to install compared to the messy application of sealant. Additionally, it maintains its soundproofing effectiveness over time, unlike sealant which can harden and shrink, reducing its performance.
- Hotrod XL and Fire Bead: In a double-layer drywall setup, a combination of Hotrod XL and Fire Bead achieved an STC rating of 51, surpassing the acoustical sealant’s rating of 50.
Conclusion
The tests demonstrated that Hotrod XL, Fire Bead, and Fire Gasket offer soundproofing capabilities equal to or better than acoustical sealant. Additionally, these products provide fire resistance and are easier to install and maintain.
These findings suggest that these products can be effective alternatives to acoustical sealant in improving soundproofing while also offering additional benefits.
Featured Products
HOTROD XL is a surface mounted fire-rated deflection bead tested to UL 2079.
It provides 1 hr and 2 hr firestop solutions in building joints for both standard wall and shaft wall. It works on flat concrete or fluted metal deck applications.
Fire Gasket is a fire-rated composite vinyl intumescent accessory that provides fire ratings for both dynamic and static joints for both concrete and fluted deck assemblies according to UL-2079 5th edition, provides 1 hr and 2 hr fire ratings, and an L-rating of less than 1 CFM provides up to 1/2” of unencumbered movement and is sound tested according to ASTM E90.
Fire Bead is a fire rated wall mount deflection bead that provides 1 hr and 2 hr fire ratings for both dynamic and static joints. Fire ratings apply to both standard walls and shaft walls and are in accordance with UL-2079 5th edition. Fire bead is also sound tested according to ASTM E90.
