CREATE MULTIFUNCTIONAL EVENT SPACE WITH THE RIGHT PARTITION SYSTEM

24 Jan 2020

A movable wall or partition system can be a valuable addition to any event space as they allow rooms to be adapted for different occasions and make maximum use of the space available. The flexibility of being able to divide a room into two separate areas enables events to be run simultaneously, a key selling point for many of Building Additions’ customers.

Experts in the field, Building Additions regularly advise those thinking about a partition system for an event space about the factors they need to take into consideration before choosing which system is best suited to their venue.

Walls for any space

Building Additions’ systems have been successfully implemented in numerous types of venues that will effectively divide up space to suit their needs. Examples include:

• Offices – If space is at a premium, having the flexibility to separate a larger area into two rooms allows for meetings to be held simultaneously.
• Hotels – Hotel function rooms are often used for wedding parties and corporate events and by implementing a folding wall system it allows two smaller events to be held at the same time. This not only makes space more flexible but enables hotels to run as usual for other guests.
• Conference and exhibition centres – As a space that serves many uses, these venues will often need to reduce and expand space from event to event; a movable wall allows this to happen whilst enabling multiple events to run at the same time.
• Schools and nurseries – In these establishments, space often needs to be quickly divided to allow for classes or groups to be split, with many educational establishments opting for fabric concertina partitions due to their ease of use and cost effectiveness.
• Hospitals – In these high traffic environments where privacy plays a large role, users need to be able to quickly partition off a space for use. Fabric concertina partitions are also popular in these establishments due to their ability to be kept sterile very easily.

Consider the acoustic requirements

When planning on dividing up a space for multiple uses, the acoustic rating of the partition is an important factor to stop both events being interrupted by noise from one another.

The operable wall systems at Building Additions offer the highest level of sound installation (59 decibels) and are therefore the ideal choice when acoustic performance is important, this could include busy offices with numerous telephones or conferences with distinct speakers.

If a top hung system is not feasible for a venue, a multi-folding partition system also provides reasonable sound insulation (38-45dB). These systems work well in meeting rooms where constant conversation may be intrusive to the adjacent side of the system.

If acoustic requirements are not an issue, a cheaper and more flexible system is the fabric concertina partition, which still provides sound insulation (15-35dB) but conversation will still be semi-audible through the room. These systems are a cost effective solution if noise intrusion through the partition does not affect its users.

It is also worth taking into consideration the architecture of the room being divided as this encapsulates the original design, construction materials and general age and quality of the building. These factors will contribute towards ‘leakage’ of sound over or around the edges of the partition including through the floor or ceiling voids and along the piping.

Manual vs electric partition system

Building Additions partition systems have the option to be manual or electric, with the electric systems operated via a floor track system enabling them to close and open automatically. Before acquiring either option, it is important to consider:

• Cost – Electric walls will be more expensive, require extra installation time and accessories.
• Practicality – As well as requiring less manual work, the opening and closing time of the electric system is a lot quicker, this is something to consider if space needs to be opened and closed several times a day.
• Reliance – Whilst electric partitions are not prone to failure, the manual systems are even less likely to experience problems due to the absence of motorised parts. If a venue is totally reliant on the partition system, a manually operated model is recommended.
• Maintenance – Due to the motorised aspect of the electric wall, they will generally require more maintenance and service than a partition that is manually operated.
• Size – If the size of the wall is considerable, a manually operated wall would be necessary, the weight of a large wall would equal to excess strain on an electric system.

Building Additions is an established folding partition manufacturer based in Frome, Somerset with a reputation for manufacturing, supplying and installing quality room partitions and movable walls to leisure businesses, health authorities, educational organisations and homes across the UK.

Further information is available from Building Additions on 01373 454577 by emailing sales@buildingadditions.co.uk  or by visiting the website at www.buildingadditions.co.uk