Benefits include:� Excellent acoustic performance� Complies with Document ‘E’ (Part ‘H’,

Scotland and Part ‘G’ N. Ireland) of theBuilding Regulations for new build andrefurbishment

� Fast, easy and cost-effective to install� Can be adjusted to produce varying

finished floor heights� Adjustable to overcome uneven floors� Manufactured from recycled materials� Excellent thermal performance� Underfloor services/heating void� Includes access hatches/floor services� Cradles are unaffected by water� Requires no maintenance� Can accept a range of floor finishes

including ceramic tiles� Robust Detail Compliant� No screed required� Systems easily distributed throughout

multi-storey sites� Structural loadings minimised due to

lightweight acoustic system� All materials guaranteed

GeneralIntroductionThe InstaCoustic Cradle and Batten System is designed either as anacoustic floor offering extremely high standards of acousticperformance, or purely as a raised floor to accommodate services.

The system is suitable for new build, refurbishment projects andcommercial applications. The unique patented rubber cradles enablethe system to be laid quickly with height adjustment being rapid onuneven floors. The floor may be installed at varying finished floorheights, allowing thermal performance to be varied according to thefloor and insulation depths.

C30, CK30, C40 & C60High performance acoustic cradle and batten systems

Instacoustic LtdInsta House, Ivanhoe Road, Hogwood Business ParkFinchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 4PZ

Tel: 0118 973 9560 Fax: 0118 973 9547Email: info@instacoustic.co.ukwww.instacoustic.co.uk

The versatile cradle and batten systems with unique, patented,recycled, rubber crumb cradles comply with Robust Details. Theirtimber battens overlaid with chipboard or plywood provide a range offinished floor heights and can accept most floor coverings.

Widely used where Pre-Completion Testing is required and inrefurbishment and new build projects, these acoustic flooring systemscan be levelled on-site to eliminate variations in the structural floorsurface and can accommodate underfloor services.

STEP

1

STEP

2

DAMP PROOF MEMBRANE(OPTIONAL)A damp proof membrane is recommended onground floor slabs and new concrete basesabove ground level. (See points to note)

BATTEN CENTRESStart, usually at the point furthest from thedoorway, by measuring out the battencentres. For example, for the C40 system,mark out every 400mm to give the correctbatten centres. At the opposite side of theroom, mark out the same centres and, usinga chalk string line, ping or mark between thematching marked points.

STEP

3

CRADLE CENTRESMeasure out the cradle centres along thebatten chalk lines. The cradle centres varyaccording to which batten is being used. Forexample, for the C40 system with a 43mmdeep batten, the cradles will be at 600mmcentres. Using this example, measure 600mmalong the chalk lines, starting from the sameend and mark or ping a chalk line betweenthe corresponding points to create a grid.

STEP

5

FLOOR HEIGHT VARIATIONSUsing a laser levelling system, establish thehighest datum point of the floor. Workingfrom the highest point, calculate thedifference between the datum point andevery cradle and write the figure, on the floor,next to each cradle.

STEP

6

HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT Insert the appropriate quantity andcombination of 2mm and 5mm cradlepackers into each cradle equal to the notedheight difference, e.g. 6mm = 3 x 2mmpackers; 14mm = 2 x 5mm + 2 x 2mmpackers. The cradle packers should be placedin line with the direction of the battens. Whenpacking under the join of two or three battensmake sure the packer is supporting allbattens. Packers can be used to a maximumof 5mm below the top of the cradle leg.Additional height can be achieved by using10mm and 30mm cradle base packers.

STEP

7

BATTEN PLACEMENTInsert the cradle battens into the cradles.Start around the perimeter and then alongthe original marked ping lines. Cradlebattens should be laid in a staggeredformation and all battens must join within acradle.

STEP

8

THERMAL OR ACOUSTICINSULATION (OPTIONAL) If required, the thermal or acoustic insulationshould be laid between the cradle battens.(See points to note)

STEP

4

CRADLE POSITIONINGPlace the cradles around the perimeter on allthe marked points and at each chalk lineintersection. At the perimeter, ensure a 10mmgap between the wall and the cradle edge.

InstallationThe following instructions are issued as an aidto the correct installation procedures. Individualsite conditions may necessitate variances tothese standard instructions. Such cases shouldbe referred to the InstaCoustic TechnicalDepartment for approval. All installation andworking practices should be in accordance withrelevant Codes of Practice, current BritishStandards and HSE Regulations applicable tothe construction industry.

SITE PREPARATION

� IF A SCREED HAS BEEN APPLIED IT MUSTBE FULLY CURED BEFORE BEGINNING THEINSTALLATION OF THE CRADLE ANDBATTEN SYSTEM

� BUILDING TO BE DRY AND WEATHER-TIGHT

� ALL FLOORING MATERIALS TO BE STOREDIN SAFE DRY CONDITIONS

� INSTACOUSTIC ADHESIVE PLUS SHOULDNOT BE SUBJECTED TO TEMPERATURES OFLESS THAN 5˚C

� FLOOR RECEIVING THE CRADLE AND BATTENSYSTEM MUST BE

� HARD� DRY� FREE OF ALL DEBRIS� REASONABLY SMOOTH – TAMPEDFINISHES ARE ACCEPTABLE

� ALL BEAM AND BLOCK OR CONCRETE PLANKFLOORS SHOULD BE FULLY GROUTED AT ALLJOINTS AND PERIMETERS

REQUIRED TOOLING

� LASER LEVELLER� CIRCULAR SAW� JIGSAW� HAND SAW� PENCIL� UTILITY KNIFE� STRING LINE� BATTERY DRILL� COUNTERSINK BIT� TAPE MEASURE

TEST CERTIFICATION AVAILABLE

Chalk lines

Cradle

Batten

CradleBatten

Chipboard/Plywood

CradlePacker

CradleBasePacker

Points to noteMEMBRANE (IF REQUIRED) A membrane,such as 1200 gauge polythene sheeting, should beinstalled over all ground floor slabs and newconcrete bases above ground level. Joints shall belapped a minimum of 150mm, and should be tapedand sealed with waterproof adhesive tape, withedges upturned to the same height as the tongue &grooved overlay boards at all perimeter walls.

SERVICES If there is insufficient room to runservices beneath the battens, services may beaccommodated by cutting the battens, and passingthe service through the batten. Support the cutbatten, leaving 10mm-15mm clearance from theservice, with additional cradles supporting the cutbattens.

Never notch the battens. Services running at theperimeter of the room must be a minimum of150mm from the perimeter, and should not begrouped any wider than the available spacebetween the battens.

THERMAL AND ACOUSTIC INSULATIONAcoustic insulation is recommended with concreteplanks and beam and block floors and will give animproved airborne noise performance fromthe system. It will also take account of anyinadequacies in the sealing and grouting of the subfloor. InstaCoustic can provide ‘U’ values for thermalinsulation.

INTERMEDIATE BOARD SUPPORTWhenthe short ends of the boards do not join on a batten,they should be supported with intermediate cradlesand battens. Where boards join without beingtongued and grooved, such as in doorways, supportthe join with intermediate cradles and battens.Screw and glue the boards to the batten with a2mm gap between the edges of the boards to avoidsqueaking. Batten spacing may be adjusted to suitroom sizes to minimise waste provided themaximum batten spacing is not exceeded.

ABNORMAL LOADING If the cradle and battensystem is to be subjected to abnormal loading, itmay require the use of hard and/or additionalcradles.

EXPANSION JOINTS Expansion joints may berequired in long corridors.

If you require more detailed informationor advice on any aspect of theinstallation, please call the InstaCousticTechnical Department for assistance on0118 973 9560.

STEP

9

RESILIENT FLANKING STRIP Place the resilient flanking strip around theperimeter of the room between the walland the cradles. After the skirting has beenfitted, trim the surplus flanking strip with autility knife.

CERAMIC TILES InstaCoustic System CK30 is suitable to receiveceramic tiles and consists of 18mm WBP Plywood, HardCradles at 300mm centres and Battens at 300mmcentres, in conjunction with Johnson Speed-Flexadhesive and Johnson Wide Joint Grout with flexibleadhesive, as tested by Norcros Adhesives Limited, andsubject to their specification.

UNDERFLOOR HEATINGCan be used in conjunction with all cradle and battensystems.

STEP

10

LAYING THE CHIPBOARDOR PLYWOOD� Apply InstaCoustic Adhesive Plus to the topof the cradle battens and lay the boards at90° to the battens.

� A 10mm gap around the perimeter mustbe maintained.

� As the boards are laid the Adhesive Plusshould be applied to the tongue andgroove edges of the boards.

� Boards should be laid in a staggeredformation ensuring joins are a minimum of150mm apart

� Edges on the short side of the boards mustjoin on a batten

� The boards are screwed down usingcountersunk wood screws. Perimeterfixings on the long edge of the boardsshould not exceed 600mm. Fixing centresalong the cradle battens should be at300mm and 150mm from the long edgeperimeter. Where boards join on the shortedges they should be screwed down intwo places both sides of the join.

ACOUSTIC INSULATION

AuthorityThe InstaCoustic Cradle and Batten Systemcomplies with and exceeds the minimumrequirements of Document ‘E’, ‘G’ and ‘H’ of theBuilding Regulations for both airborne and impactnoise. The unique rubber crumb cradles giveoutstanding acoustic performance and the systemis suitable for the sound insulation of concrete andtimber floors for both new build and refurbishmentprojects.

As with all InstaCoustic flooring systems, thecradle and batten system’s acoustic performanceis substantiated with UKAS accredited test data orfield trials confirming its performance (test data isavailable from InstaCoustic Technical Departmenton request).

Ceramic tile

System allows for conjoined plywood and chipboard

Insta House, Ivanhoe Road, Hogwood Business ParkFinchampstead, Wokingham, Berkshire RG40 4PZ

Tel: 0118 973 9560 Fax: 0118 973 9547Email: info@instacoustic.co.uk www.instacoustic.co.uk

Thermal insulation valuesWhen thermal insulation is required over concretefloors, insulation should be incorporated between thebattens. Where increased standards of thermalinsulation are required, the finished floor height maybe adjusted to accommodate thicker insulation.

Insulation Thickness U-Values acheivedMinimum Density:

10kg/m2

Thermal Conductivity:0.040 W/mK Ground floor Slab Suspended Slab

60mm 0.38 0.53

80mm 0.32 0.43

100mm 0.28 0.36

120mm 0.25 0.31

150mm 0.22 0.27

200mm 0.18 0.20

Chart showing the insulation values for varying thicknesses of insulation quilt.Greater finished floor heights are achievable on all InstaCoustic systems with the use of deeper battens and/or cradle

base packers (see fig. 1 above). Please refer to InstaCoustic Technical Department for further details

www.instacoustic.co.uk

Cradle and batten spacingSYSTEM WEIGHT BATTEN SIZE mm CRADLE BATTEN CHIPBOARD PLYWOOD

CENTRES CENTRESKg/m2 Width x Depth mm mm mm mm

C30 25 43 x 43 300 300 18

43 x 35 300 300 18

43 x 25 300 300 18

CK30 25 43 x 43 300 300 18 or 22

43 x 35 300 300 18 or 22

43 x 25 300 300 18 or 22

C40 25 43 x 43 600 400 18

43 x 35 450 400 18

43 x 25 300 400 18

C60 25 43 x 43 600 600 22

43 x 35 450 600 22

43 x 25 300 600 22

10mm20mm

40mmleg

20mm

35mmleg

20mm

25mmleg

Max Ht Adj 35mm Max Ht Adj

30mm

Max Ht Adj 20mm

batten 25mm x 43mm

batten 35mm x 43mm

batten 43mm x 43mm

25mmleg

Max Ht Adj 20mm

batten 25mm x 43mm

18mm chipboard18mm chipboard

18mm chipboard18mm chipboard

Min 81mm Max 116mm Min 73mm Max 103mm Min 63mm Max 83mm Min 53mm Max 73mm

NOTE: CK30 uses 18mm or 22mm plywood. C60 uses 22mm chipboard

Skirting

Resilient flanking strip

Deepbatten

Acousticcradle

30mmcradlebasepacker

10mmcradlebasepacker

Chipboard

Services

Acoustic or thermal insulation Acoustic cradle

Acoustic batten

Height adjustmentA finished floor height greater than the standard batten sizes can be achieved with either deeper battens orcradle base packers (Figures 1 & 2). Depending on required finished floor height, InstaCoustic will provideguidance as to the most cost-effective method. Final height adjustment and levelling can be carried out by using2mm or 5mm packers.

(Please refer to InstaGroup Technical Department for assistance should you have a non-standard application).

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

20mm

78mm

18mm

2mm5mm

123mm finished floor height