Acoustic Certification acoustic certification technical documentation specifications laboratory report

soundproof curtain Certified: The documentation that a reputable manufacturer must provide

·7-minute read
soundproof curtain Certified: The documentation that a reputable manufacturer must provide

In a professional context, the “soundproofing” label affixed to a curtain has no documentary value. There are no regulations governing its use. A reputable manufacturer does not simply display the label; it provides a supporting documentation package to substantiate it. This package consists of three specific, verifiable, and traceable elements.

Three Things to Demand

  • The report number of an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory
  • The applicable test standard and the Rw/maximum value distinction
  • An industrial property right certifying the R&D effort

The Minimum Technical Documentation: Three Non-Negotiable Elements

1. A report from an ISO/IEC 17025-accredited laboratory

Only a report issued by a laboratory accredited under ISO/IEC 17025 constitutes admissible evidence in a prescription file. In Belgium, the competent accreditation body is BELAC; in France, it is COFRAC. The report bears a unique number, assigned upon completion of the tests, which can be provided upon request. Any reference to “in-house tests” or “proprietary certification” does not replace this third-party accreditation.

2. The test standard and the fundamental distinction between Rw and the maximum value

Textile acoustics involves two distinct standards, depending on the desired objective:

  • NBN EN ISO 10140-2: Sound attenuation—reduction of sound passing through the textile assembly. This is the relevant parameter for any application aimed at reducing external noise.
  • ISO 354 / EN ISO 354: Sound absorption—echo reduction within a space. These two quantities are not interchangeable and must not be presented together without an explicit distinction.

Within the same attenuation ratio, two values coexist and do not refer to the same reality:

Overall Rw rating — a weighted value calculated across the entire audible spectrum (125 Hz to 3,150 Hz). Representative of actual effectiveness under normal usage conditions. Expressed with its adaptation factors C and Ctr: Rw(C;Ctr).

Maximum value — peak attenuation measured at a specific frequency, typically in the high-frequency range (3,000 to 5,000 Hz). Higher than Rw, but not representative of overall performance. A reputable manufacturer always specifies the corresponding frequency.

Correct formulation:
Rw(C;Ctr) = 14(−1;−3) dB
Maximum attenuation: 28.2 dB at 5,000 Hz
Standard: NBN EN ISO 10140-2:2010
Laboratory: Daidalos Peutz — BELAC ISO/IEC 17025 Accreditation
Report No. A-2020LAB-060-I766-44092_E

3. The manufacturing patent: an indicator of a structured R&D approach

A patent application filed and granted for the multilayer construction of a acoustic curtain attests to an innovative approach that has been formally recognized by an intellectual property office. It involves an examination of novelty and inventive step by independent experts. It is a sign of industrial integrity distinct from performance certifications: it focuses on design, not on measurements.

Cotton Silence Patent: EP 3 440 965 (European Patent Office) — a multilayer technical textile composite with combined acoustic and thermal performance.

The Cotton Silence Report: Three Configurations Tested

The Cotton Silence tests were conducted by the Daidalos Peutz laboratory (Belgium), which is BELAC-accredited in accordance with ISO/IEC 17025, in accordance with the NBN EN ISO 10140-2:2010 standard. Three distinct configurations were subjected to independent testing.

Configuration Report Overall Rw Index Max. attenuation
4 layers I766 Rw(C; Ctr) = 14(−1; −3) dB 28.2 dB at 5,000 Hz
5 layers I767 Rw 15 dB 34.2 dB
7 layers I768 Rw 16 dB 33.8 dB

Daidalos Peutz — BELAC ISO/IEC 17025 — NBN EN ISO 10140-2:2010 — Reports A-2020LAB-060-I766/I767/I768-44092_E. Weight of the 4-layer composite: 1.35 kg/m². 5- and 7-layer configurations are available upon request.

Five Questions About the Statute of Limitations

Question Expected response Warning Signal
Weight per square meter of the finished product? Value in kg/m² for the complete assembly "Heavy fabric" without a number
Laboratory and Accreditation? Lab name + BELAC or COFRAC In-house testing, non-accredited laboratory
Report number? Contact number No number, “confidential”
Which standard was applied? ISO 10140-2 or ISO 354, depending on the objective No standards cited
Is Rw different from the maximum value? Global Rw + frequency of the maximum value Single value without frequency

Frequently Asked Technical Questions

Can a " acoustic curtain " be specified in a set of specifications or a request for proposals?

Yes, provided we have the complete technical file: report number, standard, accredited laboratory, Rw value with adjustment factors, and weight of the composite. These elements allow for a precise and legally enforceable technical specification. We will provide this file upon request.

Which configuration should you choose based on your acoustic goals?

The 4-layer configuration (Rw 14 dB, 1.35 kg/m²) covers the vast majority of common residential and commercial applications: it corresponds to our custom-acoustic curtain , manufactured to the exact dimensions of the opening to be treated. The 5-layer configuration (Rw 15 dB) is suitable for environments with high noise levels (expressways, light industry). The 7-layer configuration (Rw 16 dB) is reserved for projects requiring enhanced sound insulation. We provide a customized quote based on the project’s acoustic context.

Technical specifications available

Reports I766 · I767 · I768
Patent EP 3 440 965 · Weight Specifications

Provided upon request for any proposed prescription

Order Custom-Made →