Silencéa by Émaillerie Alsacienne: Certified acoustic performance for hospital facades

As a French specialist in opaque facade panels, dedicated to lightweight facades, curtain walls, joinery and frames for public buildings, health establishments, cultural and leisure facilities, education, tertiary buildings, collective housing, shopping centers, ÉMAILLERIE ALSACIENNE has established itself as a leading technical partner for project managers, owners and facade contractors.

Major references in Toulouse, Montmorency and Rennes

Its expertise is based on the custom design of solutions combining thermal, acoustic and fire safety performance, in compliance with the most demanding regulatory requirements applicable to public access buildings.

In the hospital sector, controlling the sound environment is a major challenge for patient comfort and the efficiency of medical teams. The requirements of standard NF S31-080 and the decree of April 25, 2003, mandate high levels of sound insulation, in addition to the thermal requirements of RE2020 and the fire safety regulations of IT 249. These constraints, which are even more pronounced in urban areas or near noisy infrastructure, necessitate façade solutions capable of simultaneously meeting these three performance requirements.

With the SILENCÉA range, ÉMAILLERIE ALSACIENNE offers panels specifically designed to meet these challenges. Available in 22 compositions validated by COFRAQ test reports, they offer acoustic attenuation of 33 to 45 dB RA,tr, thermal coefficients (U-value) of 0,40 to 1,35 W/m².K, and flame resistance of 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Their relevance is illustrated by three recent hospital projects in Toulouse, Montmorency and Rennes, where SILENCÉA made it possible to reconcile technical performance and architectural integration.

Hospital acoustics at the heart of regulatory issues

In France, hospital buildings are subject to strict acoustic requirements, set out in the NF S31-080 standard and the decree of April 25, 2003, concerning noise limitation in healthcare facilities. These regulations mandate a minimum sound insulation of 30 to 35 dB RA,tr for patient rooms and 40 to 45 dB RA,tr for sensitive areas such as examination rooms or operating theaters.
The objective is to reduce exposure to noise pollution, improve patient comfort, limit their stress and promote their recovery, while ensuring good working conditions for healthcare staff.

In densely populated urban areas or near road, rail, or helicopter infrastructure, façade performance becomes a central parameter of the architectural design, requiring a balance between high sound insulation, mechanical stability, and durable finishes. These acoustic requirements are in addition to the thermal requirements of the RE2020 regulation and the fire safety regulations defined by IT 249 (C+D rules).

COFRAQ and IT 249 certification

The acoustic and thermal performance of SILENCÉA panels is validated by test reports carried out under COFRAQ accreditation, guaranteeing reliability and compliance with current standards.

IT 249, applicable to the facades of public access buildings, imposes fire resistance requirements that vary depending on the building's use and configuration. The PF 30-minute and PF 1-hour versions of SILENCÉA cover all regulatory requirements.

SILENCÉA provides a unique solution by combining the three key criteria for hospital facades in a single panel.

For building owners and contractors, SILENCÉA is positioned as a comprehensive solution, designed to meet the essential priorities of hospital buildings. SILENCÉA combines, in a single panel, enhanced acoustic insulation, high-performance thermal regulation, and fire protection compliant with IT 249. External noise is reduced, interior temperatures are maintained within the comfort range, and the safety of occupants is ensured thanks to fire-resistant versions offering 30 minutes to 1 hour of resistance and the guardrail function.

Made to measure, the panels integrate into the architecture with a wide choice of finishes, ranging from RAL colors to matte, glossy or satin finishes, or even with colored enameled glass surfaces.

SILENCÉA is available in 22 COFRAQ-certified compositions.

Designed for implementation by four-sided glazing in lightweight facade systems, joinery and frames, SILENCÉA panels combine aluminum, steel or enameled glass facings with a high-density mineral wool insulating core and a wood or aluminum frame, which can accommodate an interior counter-facing adapted to the needs, such as a plasterboard, sheet metal or any other support according to specifications.

This design ensures rigidity, mechanical strength and high acoustic performance, with attenuation of up to 45 dB RA,tr, while guaranteeing low thermal transmission thanks to Up coefficients between 0,40 and 1,35 W/m².K and fire safety in accordance with IT 249 with a fire-resistant rating of up to one hour.

Made entirely in France at the Altorf (67) site of ÉMAILLERIE ALSACIENNE, the panels benefit from full quality control and assembly precision which ensures consistent performance on site.

SILENCÉA, a benchmark for hospital buildings

The implementation of SILENCÉA in several hospital projects illustrates its ability to adapt to diverse architectural and technical contexts. Depending on the needs expressed by project managers and clients, and the constraints identified by engineering firms, different compositions were selected to combine acoustic insulation, thermal performance, and fire resistance. The projects carried out in Toulouse, Montmorency, and Rennes demonstrate the relevance of this solution, custom-designed by the engineering department of ÉMAILLERIE ALSACIENNE.

Pasteur Clinic – Toulouse (31)

The expansion of the Pasteur Clinic involves the construction of an 8,980 m² building spread over seven levels, designed to house outpatient and nuclear medicine services. This new structure ensures the functional continuity of the site thanks to an underground connection with the original clinic and a strategic location between the Atrium building and the existing spaces. Situated on a triangular plot bordered by public roads, the project integrates seamlessly into a dense urban fabric while streamlining the internal organization of care.

For this project, ÉMAILLERIE ALSACIENNE supplied 1.000 m² of SILENCÉA panels in RAL 7004 enameled glass finish. With a thickness of 45 mm, each panel combines an exterior facing in tempered enameled glass + HST, a wooden frame, A1 insulation and an interior facing in silver pebble grey lacquered steel (YGLT.830).

This composition achieves a sound reduction index (RA,tr) of 37 dB and a U-value of 1,10 W/m².K (PF XXX). It has made it possible to offer patients a calm environment, conducive to rest, while ensuring architectural continuity with the neighboring buildings.

Simone Veil Hospital – Montmorency (95)

Born from the merger of the Eaubonne and Montmorency hospitals, the Simone Veil Hospital is undergoing a major restructuring and expansion to strengthen its geriatric department with a 106-bed long-term care unit. The project required the complete asbestos removal from the old 1960s building, as well as the construction of small extensions to increase capacity and incorporate new spaces for staff and families. The architect, A26, opted for curtain wall facades uniformly clad in white to create a unified look with the existing architecture.

ÉMAILLERIE ALSACIENNE supplied 1.000 m² of SILENCÉA panels in RAL 9016 satin white.

Two distinct compositions were implemented: aluminium panels offering an RA,tr of 38 dB, Up 0,74 W/m².K and PF 30 minutes, and steel panels achieving an RA,tr of 40 dB, Up 0,74 W/m².K and PF 1 hour.

Surgical and Interventional Center France – Rennes (35)

The first phase of the Rennes University Hospital's redevelopment at the Pontchaillou site, the Surgical and Interventional Center, brings together surgical, interventional, critical care, and associated inpatient activities. This consolidation aims to streamline professional workflows and optimize the site's medical and economic efficiency. The building, conceived as a "slab" punctuated by patios and recesses, is designed to evolve with hospital practices. Its façade, inspired by the original architectural details and clad in long, light-colored bricks, establishes a link between the city and the hospital complex. ÉMAILLERIE ALSACIENNE supplied SILENCÉA panels in RAL 7021 satin aluminum, integrated into the frames. Several compositions were selected to meet the acoustic and thermal requirements of the different zones:

Thickness 56 mm, RA, tr 38 dB, Up 0,74 W/m².K, PF 30 minutes.
Thickness 52 mm, RA, tr 35 dB, Up 0,74 W/m².K, PF 30 minutes.
Thickness 38 mm, RA,tr 35 dB, Up 1,10 W/m².K.

These solutions made it possible to achieve the performance required by NF S31-080 and to ensure architectural consistency with the project's approach.