Acoustic Data™

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Acoustic Data™

GREAT DESIGN IS A LOT MORE THAN GREAT AESTHETIC

It takes into account other critical detail, such as sound, in theaters, public spaces, museums,churches and schools where we live, work and play. It can enhance or inhibit human interactions, learning and healing. Understanding sound and how it's most typically measured is critical.

Sound Insulation

Sound insulation is required in order to eliminate the sound path from a source to a receiver such as between apartments in a building, or to reduce unwanted external noise inside the building.

Sound Absorption

Sound absorption occurs when some or all the incident sound energy is either converted into heat or passes through the absorber.

Although insulation and absorption are different concepts, there are many instances where the use of sound absorbers will improve insulation.

However, absorption should not be the primary means of achieving good sound insulation.

Understanding of Acoustical Performance

Noise reduction Coefficient (NRC)

  • Measures the amount of noise a panel can absorb.

  • Higher the NRC, the less sound is reflected

  • Critical in open plan offices

Ceiling Attenuation Classification (CAC)

  • Measures the amount of sound passing through a panel and the plenum into an adjacent space

  • CAC performance is most critical in “closed office” applications where privacy is a major consideration.   

Sound Transmission Class (STC)

  • STC is an integer rating of how well a building partition attenuates airborne sound. In short, STC gives you a rough idea how much sound a wall might stop. STC is the most common sound reduction measurement in use.

 

Weighted Sound Reduction Index (Rw)

  • Rw is the alternative to STC and used by most of the world. Rw ratings are similar to STC in that they follow familiar testing methods. But they also differ quite a bit: for example, Rw covers a larger frequency range than STC.

 

TYPICAL SOUND PRESSURE LEVELS

GOOD CONSTRUCTION PRACTICES:

a) It is important to address and seal all possible paths for ‘flanking noise’.
b) Noise not only passes directly through a shared wall but finds ‘flanking paths’ through poor joints between the wall and floor, poorly sealed penetrations, ceiling spaces, floor spaces, ductwork and even other walls.
c) Adequately seal all floor/wall junctions along perimeter with flexible fire/acoustic sealant.
d) Skirting is not to be used alone to seal gaps.
e) Cornice installed correctly can also provide an acoustic barrier to minimize flanking; an airtight seal must be achieved and maintained.

 

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