An acoustic lagging product from Pyrotek provided an excellent solution to mitigate external noise across a series of new movie theatres in the Middle East.

The challenge

The latest movie theatre network expansion of an entertainment cinema giant of the Middle East and North Africa saw the addition of nine new locations across the UAE and Saudi Arabia. With fifty locations and a total of 514 screens throughout the MENA region, they are the Middle East’s largest and most rapidly growing exhibitor. Catering to a broad range of audiences with a multitude of viewing concepts, from deluxe and mega screen to multisensory, they ensure that the level of experiences they offer surpass their viewers’ highest expectations.

Aware that sound is a crucial aspect of any motion picture viewing experience, the client wanted to match the comfort and luxury of the newly built auditoriums with a parallel sound quality. To achieve the best possible sound experience in every auditorium, all external noise needed to be blocked out, enabling patrons to focus purely on the movie audio.

One of the issues in the design process of the properties at the nine new locations was the noise generated by the fall and flow of wastewater in the PVC piping system located in the ceiling of the theatres.

The solution

Pyrotek selected a high-performance composite acoustic lagging product – Soundlag 4525C to mitigate the pipe noise issue. Tested and preferred by top acoustic and MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing) specialists, it is the leading product of choice to reduce wastewater noise from pipes, fan housings, and ducting in building environments.

Comprising of a highly dense and flexible mass layer as well as a decoupling layer, it provides excellent reduction of sound radiating from inside the pipes while simultaneously breaking the vibration path between the pipe substrate and the mass barrier, allowing the wrap to remain flexible and easy to install. The external foil facing is fire-resistant and offers an excellent surface for joining adjacent sheets for a smooth installation process.

The result

A series of tests conducted prior to installation, led and supervised by MEP specialists, demonstrated Soundlag’s excellent performance in reducing the level of noise emanating from the PVC drainage pipes. The Pyrotek noise mitigation solution was approved and procured for installation in the new cinema projects. 

Maintaining consistent performance and trustworthy quality, Soundlag guarantees quieter ducts and pipes. It reduces noise in hydraulic and waste pipes by up to 25 dB(A) and is a preferred solution to low-noise pipe products by offering a significantly higher performance – of up to 5 dB(A).

Soundlag 4525C was installed in a total of nine cinemas at locations spanning from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Al Ain in the UAE to Jeddah and Riyadh in KSA, with each cinema complex covering approximately 4,000 square metres. Soundlag enhances the sound quality for viewers to complement the luxurious and superior movie experience around them.