Fire and acoustic performance are the two specification areas where buyers most often accept a number without checking what it means. This reference sets out the frameworks, what a report actually proves, and the questions worth asking.
The acoustic frameworks: Rw and STC
Both ratings describe how much sound a construction reduces. They come from different measurement traditions and are not interchangeable.
Rw is defined under ISO 717. It is the reference in Europe, and in many markets that follow European practice. Ratings are often given alongside a spectrum adaptation term, written as Rw + Ctr, which accounts for low-frequency performance — relevant for traffic noise, mechanical plant, and music.
STC (Sound Transmission Class) is defined under ASTM E413 and is used primarily in North America. The magnitude is broadly similar to Rw for comparable constructions, but because the measurement procedure and the rating calculation differ, a number quoted in one does not transfer to the other.
Practical rules:
- Always ask which standard the figure was measured under.
- Ask for the test report for <em>the construction you are buying</em> — panel thickness, core, framing, and mounting arrangement.
- A laboratory rating and a field rating are different things. Site conditions, flanking paths, and workmanship all reduce real-world performance below the laboratory figure. Expect the installed result to be lower.
- For speech privacy in offices, the floor-to-ceiling detailing and how the track interfaces with the structure often matter as much as the panel itself.
The fire frameworks
Fire classification is jurisdiction-dependent, and the right question is not "what is your fire rating" but "which framework does this project require".
Europe and European-influenced projects. EN 13501-1 provides the classification framework. For partitions, classifications such as EI 30, EI 60 or EI 120 describe integrity (E) and insulation (I) maintained for a stated period in minutes. The relevant test standards are the EN 1364 and EN 1634 series depending on the element.
United States. ASTM E84 is widely used for surface burning characteristics of materials. ASTM E119 and NFPA 251 address fire resistance of assemblies. Which applies depends on whether the requirement concerns the material surface or the whole assembly.
United Kingdom. BS 476 has historically been used and remains referenced in some applications, though the framework has been transitioning.
The point is that a fire rating is meaningless without the standard. "60 minutes fire rated" could refer to different tests with different acceptance criteria.
What a test report actually proves
A valid report identifies:
- The exact construction tested — panel thickness, core material, framing, mounting method.
- The test standard applied.
- The testing laboratory, and whether it is accredited.
- The date of the test.
- The classification or result achieved.
The most common problem is a report that covers a *different* construction than the one being sold. A rating for a 100 mm panel does not transfer to a 65 mm panel. A rating for a wall tested in a rigid frame does not transfer to a system mounted on a moving track.
Ask for the report and check that the construction described matches the quotation. If it does not match, the rating is not evidence for your purchase.
ISO 9001 is not a product certification
ISO 9001 certifies a quality management system. It indicates documented processes, audited periodically. It says nothing about how a specific panel performs in a fire or acoustic test.
It is a reasonable signal about organisational discipline — a company with a maintained ISO 9001 system is more likely to have consistent production and to respond coherently when something goes wrong. But it should never be presented, or accepted, as evidence of product performance.
Questions worth asking before accepting a claim
1. Which standard was this rating measured under?
2. Can I see the test report for this exact construction?
3. Which laboratory performed the test, and is it accredited?
4. Does the tested construction match what you are quoting me — thickness, core, framing, mounting?
5. What is the expected performance on site, as opposed to in the laboratory?
6. For acoustic ratings, is a spectrum adaptation term provided?
7. For fire, does the classification cover integrity, insulation, or both?
A supplier who can answer these quickly and specifically is demonstrating exactly the technical depth that distinguishes a manufacturer from a reseller. A supplier who cannot is telling you something too.
How this connects to the rest of your specification
Certification claims do not exist in isolation. The acoustic rating depends on the panel construction you choose. The fire rating depends on the assembly. Both interact with height, track type, and how the system interfaces with the building structure.
This is why fixing the full specification before comparing quotations matters so much. A rating quoted in isolation is a number without a context, and a number without a context cannot be compared.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Rw and STC?+
Both describe how much sound a construction reduces, but they come from different measurement frameworks. Rw is defined under ISO 717 and is used in Europe, Australia and many other markets. STC (Sound Transmission Class) is defined under ASTM E413 and is used primarily in North America. The numbers are broadly similar in magnitude but they are not interchangeable, because the measurement procedures and rating calculation differ. If a supplier quotes one, ask which standard it was measured under.
Which fire standard applies to my project?+
It depends on where the building is and what the local building code requires. In much of Europe and in projects following European norms, EN 13501-1 is the classification framework and EI or E classifications describe integrity and insulation performance over time. In the United States, ASTM E84 is commonly used for surface burning characteristics and NFPA 251 or ASTM E119 for assembly fire resistance. In the UK, BS 476 remains in use for some applications. Ask your architect or code consultant which framework your project must satisfy before asking suppliers for a rating.
What should a fire test report contain?+
The report should identify the exact construction tested — panel thickness, core material, framing, and how the assembly was mounted — along with the test standard, the testing laboratory, the date, and the classification achieved. A rating quoted for a different construction, or one that names a product family rather than a specific assembly, does not tell you what your wall will do.
Is ISO 9001 a fire or acoustic certification?+
No. ISO 9001 is a quality management system certification. It indicates that the company has documented processes and is audited against them. It says nothing about the fire or acoustic performance of any specific product. It is a useful signal about organisational discipline, but it is not a substitute for a product test report.
How do I verify a certification claim?+
Ask for the original test report, not a certificate summary. Check the laboratory name and whether it is accredited. Confirm that the construction described in the report matches what you are buying. Where possible, verify with the issuing body directly using the certificate number. And treat any rating quoted without a standard as unverified — the standard is what makes the number comparable.
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