Specifying Acoustic Access Panels for Sound Containment

Posted on Apr 17, 2026

Sound travels through walls and above ceilings – wherever there is a gap noise will find it. For buildings where acoustic performance is crucial, good quality Acoustic Access Panels are a must.

Acoustic Access Panels are engineered specifically to address the problem of sound. They allow essential maintenance access to concealed spaces while preserving the sound insulation properties of the surrounding building.

A standard Access Panel is designed to provide secure access to the area behind a wall or ceiling. A typical panel creates a weak point through which airborne sound travels. While in everyday environments this is acceptable, in some environments such as recording studios, theatres, hotel bedrooms, hospital wards or lecture theatres, a different solution is needed.

How Acoustic Access Panels work

Acoustic Access Panels reduce sound transmission through a combination of material choice and sealing:

• Sound-absorbing plasterboard – Ceildoor uses porous sound absorbing plasterboard within the door construction. This dense board is designed to resist the passage of airborne sound.
• High density gasket seals – the panel door is fitted with compressed gasket seals that close tightly against the frame when the door is shut. This prevents sound from travelling through the gap between the door and frame.
• Robust frame construction – the frame is manufactured from Zintec steel providing structural rigidity to reduce vibrations.

Independent testing of Acoustic Access Panels

Ceildoor Products submits its Acoustic Access Panels for independent testing by the University of Salford’s Acoustic Laboratory, a UKAS approved test centre. This process provides verified performance data and supports compliance with building regulations to BS EN ISO 140-3:1995 / BS EN 717-1:1997.

Single and double door options

Historically, delivering acoustic performance with access panels with two doors has been difficult. However, in 2024, Ceildoor launched the Double Door Acoustic Access Panel providing an acoustic rating of up to 43 decibels.

Ceildoor incorporated an upgraded seal to counteract the problem of airborne sound passing through the access points between the two doors. The way the doors close was also reconfigured.

Specifying access panels with confidence

Acoustic Access Panels represent a significant component of any sound-sensitive building project. Specifying the right one, from a manufacturer who can provide independently tested performance data and a range of formats to suit the project, removes the risk of compromising the acoustic performance of a building.

Ceildoor Products has been manufacturing Acoustic Access Panels from its Wolverhampton facility since 1990, supplying contractors and distributors world-wide.

Explore the full acoustic range or call 01902 733645.