Planning Security for the Catering Industry

Restaurants, bars and clubs in densely populated urban areas face a dilemma: operating in outdoor areas, courtyards or on terraces is often only possible under extreme conditions.

Early closing times: authorities often order the closure of outdoor areas from 10:00 PM onwards if the noise reflections off the façades exceed the limits for residents.

Acoustic amplification: in narrow courtyards or alleyways, the architecture acts like a resonating chamber. A conversation between guests is reflected multiple times by hard façades and perceived as twice as loud by the neighbour.

Economic risk: every hour that an outdoor area has to close earlier means a direct loss of revenue, especially during the lucrative summer season.

To reduce noise levels, reflective surfaces (walls, ceilings in passageways) must be designed to be sound-absorbing. However, conventional materials (foams, mineral wool) are often unsuitable for this purpose:

Weather: outdoors, they absorb water, weather quickly and lose their acoustic effect.

Fire protection: restaurants and other food-service establishments are subject to the strictest fire-safety regulations. Flammable absorbers on façades or in passageways are often not approved by building authorities.

By installing metallic, micro-perforated absorbers (Absora-sheet) at strategic reflection points, ambient noise is significantly reduced.

Longer operating window: reducing the noise level at the façade allows compliance with the noise limits set by the TA Lärm (Technical Instructions on Noise Protection). This often enables longer opening hours for outdoor areas, securing evening sales.

Fire protection without compromise (A1): as a purely metallic solution, Absora-sheet meets the highest fire-protection class. This is crucial for approval processes in densely built-up city centres and assembly venues.

Weatherproof & durable: aluminium is corrosion-resistant and does not absorb moisture. Its acoustic performance remains constant for decades, regardless of rain, snow or heat.

Aesthetics & hygiene: the material looks modern and high-quality. It is easy to clean and blends seamlessly into modern restaurant concepts.

Restaurateurs gain valuable time with Absora-sheet. Investing in metallic soundproofing protects good relations with the neighbours and ensures the legal basis for operating late into the night.

“Anyone who wants to run outdoor dining in the city has to control the sound. Absora-sheet turns reflective ‘noise walls’ into absorbing quiet zones — protecting the licence and the revenue.”