As New Zealand embraces higher-density living, we’re asking more of the spaces people call home.

Apartments need to make efficient use of limited floor area while still feeling comfortable, calm and considered. Acoustics have an important role to play in that. But as more acoustic finishes are introduced into interiors, it’s important to have confidence in how those materials will behave in the event of a fire.

It’s a consideration that has been central to the development of Floc, T&R Interior Systems’ New Zealand-made strong wool acoustic range.

Acoustic comfort and fire safety

In apartments and other higher-density environments, acoustic treatments can help manage reverberation and create more comfortable interior spaces. But the performance of an acoustic wall lining shouldn’t stop with sound.

Floc has achieved a Group 1-S rating under BRANZ testing, the highest fire safety classification for interior surface finishes.

A Group 1-S rating means that in the event of a fire, flashover, the point at which a small fire develops into a large one, does not occur for a minimum of 20 minutes. Smoke generated must also remain below a specified maximum.

For architects and designers, it’s an important reminder that material selection can contribute to both the everyday experience of a space and its performance when things go wrong.

Why wool?

The choice of wool gives Floc some useful characteristics when exposed to flame.

Wool releases very little heat and produces significantly less smoke than synthetic alternatives such as polyester. Rather than melting when exposed to flames, Floc wool panels char, helping them maintain their integrity and limit the spread of fire.

But achieving Group 1-S wasn't simply a consequence of choosing wool.

Floc undertook extensive research and development, incorporating a fire retardant that is completely free from red-listed chemicals. This enabled Floc to achieve Group 1-S while retaining the natural and environmental qualities central to the product.

Specifying for the whole space

As our cities grow upwards, the materials we specify need to be considered not only for what they add to a space, but for how they perform within it.

For Floc, that means turning New Zealand strong wool into an acoustic interior finish designed to contribute to the comfort of a space every day, while providing an important level of performance should the unexpected happen.