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BEAM P
LUS FOR
N
EW
B
UILDINGS
I
NDOOR
E
NVIRONMENTAL
Q
UALITY
(I
EQ
)
V
ERSION
1.2
I
EQ
19 N
OISE
I
SOLATION
Copyright © 2012 BEAM Society Limited. All rights reserved.
Page 182
M
EASUREMENTS
Procedures for measuring the sound isolation between rooms shall
follow that given in either ISO [ 1 ], ASTM [ 2 ] or equivalent. The
measurements shall be undertaken in at least one sample of each type
of normally occupied space, but shall include the worst case
circumstances likely to occur (e.g., conference rooms adjacent to
corridors, hotel rooms adjacent to lift lobbies, etc). No special preparation
of the tested spaces or rooms is permitted, i.e., tests are carried out in
as-built premises/rooms. The measurements shall be interpreted to a
single number indicator using either ISO [3], ASTM [4], or equivalent.
Similar considerations shall apply to the measurement of impact noise
isolation, following the methods given in either ISO [5], ASTM [6] or
equivalent. No floor coverings, such as carpets, shall be used during the
measurements. The measurements shall also be interpreted as a single
number using either ISO [7], ASTM [8] or equivalent.
P
ERFORMANCE
C
RITERIA
a) Office premises
Between two offices D
w
= 38 dB minimum.
Where privacy is important: D
w
= 48 dB.
Noise Isolation Class (NIC) of at least 40 for cellular offices.
b) Classrooms
Sound Transmission Class of walls between classrooms to be equal to
or greater than STC37 for classrooms on the same floor and equal or
greater than STC50, Impact Insulation Class IIC46 between floors.
c) Residential premises and hotel rooms
Partitions separating a WC from a noise sensitive room: D
nT,w
of at
least 38 dB.
In hotels, partitions and floors between rooms and between rooms
and corridors: D
nT,w
of at least 50 dB.
d) Residential premises
Bedroom to living room: STC46 (same residential unit)
Bedroom to bedroom: STC52, IIC52 (between residential units);
STC44 (same unit)
Living room to living room: STC52, IIC52 (between residential units).
B
ACKGROUND
Noise from outside sources, and consequently the noise isolation
provided by the building envelope, is covered under the assessment of
background noise. Noise from building equipment is also covered under
the assessment of background noise, and to some extent under the
assessment of vibration. There remains the problem of noise transmitted
between spaces, through walls and floors, which are not addressed
under the local Building Regulations, but have been a matter for
1
International Standard Organization. ISO 140-4: 1998. Acoustics - Measurement of sound Insulation in buildings and of
building elements. Part 4: Field measurements of airborne sound insulation between rooms.
2
ASTM International. Designation E 336 – 97. Standard Test Method for Measurement of Airborne Sound Insulation in
Buildings.
3
International Standard Organization. ISO 717-1. 1996. Acoustics – Rating of sound Insulation in buildings and of building
elements. Part 1 – Airborne sound insulation.
4
ASTM International. Designation: E413 – 04. Classification for Rating Sound Insulation.
5
International Standard Organization. ISO 140-7. Acoustics - Measurement of sound Insulation in buildings and of building
elements. Part 7: Field measurements of impact sound insulation of floors.
6
ASTM International. Designation: E 1007 – 97. Standard test method for field measurement of tapping machine impact
sound transmission through floor-ceiling assemblies and associated support structures.
7
International Standard Organization. ISO 717-2. Acoustics – Rating of sound Insulation in buildings and of building
elements. Part 2 – Impact sound insulation.
8
ASTM International. Designation: E 989 -89. Standard Classification for determination of impact Insulation Class (IIC).