Acoustic Rated

Hold the Line,
Keep the Quiet.

Acoustic separation only works if every penetration through the wall holds the rating. Our acoustic-rated access panels and riser doors are tested to BS EN ISO 10140-2 with sound reduction values up to 48 dB Rw — keeping rooms quiet, hotels rentable, and apartments compliant.

See Product Coverage Help Me Specify

024 7632 8811

Acoustic performance through a wall or partition is only as good as its weakest point. A 50 dB acoustic wall with a 25 dB access panel performs more like 26 dB at the panel — the rating is destroyed at the penetration. Acoustic-rated products restore the line, with independent test data to prove what the assembly delivers in practice.

Last updated: May 2026 · Reviewed by Rapid Access Technical Team

The Basics

What does acoustic rated mean?

Acoustic performance is measured as sound reduction in decibels (dB) across a frequency range. The most commonly quoted figure is Rw — the weighted sound reduction index — derived from laboratory testing under BS EN ISO 10140-2.

Rw — Weighted sound reduction

A single-number rating that summarises performance across 16 frequency bands. Higher Rw = better sound insulation. A 30 dB Rw difference between two rooms feels like halving the loudness.

Typical residential targets

Part E of the Building Regs sets minimums for separating walls and floors in dwellings: 45 dB DnT,w + Ctr for new builds, lower for conversions. Service penetrations must not undermine these.

Where it matters most

Hotels, residential separating walls, hospital wards, school music suites, meeting rooms, recording studios, plant-room enclosures next to occupied space.

Product Coverage

Which products offer this performance?

Live coverage across our four product categories, drawn from the PIM master record.

Access Panels

ranges

FlipFix Metal Door Access Panel – Picture Frame
Reduced Ligature Metal Access Panel with Picture Frame
Metal Faced Ceiling Access Panels with Picture Frame
R55 Metal Faced Ceiling Access Panel
R56 Plasterboard Dual Purpose Access Panel
R02 Fire & Insulation Rated Metal Access Panel
+ 1 more

View product range

Riser Doors

ranges

Metal Riser Door with Picture Frame
Metal Riser Door with Beaded Frame
Metal Riser Door Fire Rated From Both Sides – Picture Frame
Metal Riser Door Fire Rated From Both Sides – Beaded Frame
Plasterboard Riser Door with Beaded Frame

View product range

Loft Hatches

No products in our current range offer this performance.

Meter Overboxes

No products in our current range offer this performance.

Test Standards

Independently tested

Every claim on this page is backed by an accredited test report supplied free with every order.

BS EN ISO 10140-2:2010

Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements: airborne sound insulation. The standard test for access panel acoustic performance.

BS EN ISO 717-1

Rating of sound insulation in buildings — defines the Rw single-number quantity from third-octave-band test results.

Building Regulations Part E

Sets the field performance (DnT,w + Ctr) required between dwellings. Lab-tested products must be installed correctly to deliver on site.

Where it's required

Building Regulations & Standards

UK regulations and codes that specify where this performance is required.

Approved Document E (Resistance to the passage of sound)

Sets minimum airborne and impact sound insulation values for walls and floors between dwellings. Service penetrations through separating walls must not degrade the rating.

BS 8233:2014

Guidance on sound insulation and noise reduction for buildings. Recommends acoustic targets for hotels, offices, schools and hospitals.

HBN 08-01 (Healthcare)

Acoustic requirements in healthcare buildings — particularly important for in-patient rooms and consulting suites.

Made in Britain

Formed, Welded, Coated & Tested
Under One Roof

Every panel, door and hatch is manufactured at our own facility in Nuneaton. No outsourcing, no middlemen, full control over quality and lead time.

Operator running an Amada press brake to form steel access panel components — 01 CNC press-braked steel

MIG welding a riser door frame on the fabrication bench — 02 MIG-welded frames

Access panels on the overhead conveyor of the in-house powder coating line — 03 In-house powder coating

Final inspection of an assembled riser door before despatch — 04 Inspected before despatch

See inside the factory

FAQ

Common questions

Answers to the questions specifiers and Building Control most often ask.

What dB rating do I need for my project?

It depends on the use. Part E sets minimums for dwellings (typically 45-49 dB DnT,w + Ctr between flats). Hotels usually target 50-55 dB Rw between rooms. Healthcare and education follow HBN 08-01 and BB93 respectively. The acoustic consultant or architect will specify.

Will the access panel deliver its lab rating on site?

Lab Rw is measured under controlled conditions. On-site performance (DnT,w) is usually 3-5 dB lower because of flanking transmission and installation variability. Installing per our guidance and sealing all gaps with the correct acoustic mastic gets you close to the lab figure.

Can I get acoustic and fire-rated in one product?

Yes — many of our acoustic-rated access panels and riser doors are also fire and smoke tested. The product datasheet shows the full classification (e.g. EI60 / 36 dB Rw / Sa).

Are the test reports independent?

Yes — all acoustic test reports are issued by UKAS-accredited acoustic test laboratories and are supplied with every order.

Free Download

Fire Rated Access Panel
Specification Guide

BS EN 1634-1 and BS EN 1364-2 fire ratings, sizing tables, NBS specification clauses and product selection guidance.

Free PDF

No spam, ever

RIBA approved