EN ISO 140-11:2005

SLOVENSKI STANDARD
01-november-2005
$NXVWLND±0HUMHQMH]YRþQHL]ROLUQRVWLYVWDYEDKLQ]YRþQHL]ROLUQRVWLJUDGEHQLK
HOHPHQWRY±GHO/DERUDWRULMVNHPHULWYH]PDQMãDQMDSUHQRVDXGDUQHJD]YRNDV
WDOQLPLREORJDPLQDODKNLKUHIHUHQþQLKSRGLK,62
Acoustics - Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements - Part
11: Laboratory measurements of the reduction of transmitted impact sound by floor
coverings on lightweight reference floors (ISO 140-11:2005)
Akustik - Messung der Schalldämmung in Gebäuden und von Bauteilen - Teil 11:
Messung der Trittschallminderung durch Deckenauflagen auf leichten Bezugsdecken in
Prüfständen (ISO 140-11:2005)
Acoustique - Mesurage de l'isolement acoustique des immeubles et des éléments de
construction - Partie 11: Mesurage en laboratoire de la réduction de la transmission des
bruits de choc par les revetements de sol sur les planchers de référence légers (ISO 140
-11:2005)
Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z: EN ISO 140-11:2005
ICS:
17.140.01 $NXVWLþQDPHUMHQMDLQ Acoustic measurements and
EODåHQMHKUXSDQDVSORãQR noise abatement in general
91.120.20 $NXVWLNDYVWDYEDK=YRþQD Acoustics in building. Sound
L]RODFLMD insulation
2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.

EUROPEAN STANDARD
EN ISO 140-11
NORME EUROPÉENNE
EUROPÄISCHE NORM
May 2005
ICS 91.120.20
English version
Acoustics - Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of
building elements - Part 11: Laboratory measurements of the
reduction of transmitted impact sound by floor coverings on
lightweight reference floors (ISO 140-11:2005)
Acoustique - Mesurage de l'isolement acoustique des Akustik - Messung der Schalldämmung in Gebäuden und
immeubles et des éléments de construction - Partie 11: von Bauteilen - Teil 11: Messung der Trittschallminderung
Mesurage en laboratoire de la réduction de la transmission durch Deckenauflagen auf leichten Bezugsdecken in
des bruits de choc par les revêtements de sol sur les Prüfständen (ISO 140-11:2005)
planchers de référence légers (ISO 140-11:2005)
This European Standard was approved by CEN on 12 May 2005.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European
Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national
standards may be obtained on application to the Central Secretariat or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation
under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the Central Secretariat has the same status as the official
versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION
COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION
EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
Management Centre: rue de Stassart, 36  B-1050 Brussels
© 2005 CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN ISO 140-11:2005: E
worldwide for CEN national Members.

Foreword
This document (EN ISO 140-11:2005) has been prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 43
"Acoustics" in collaboration with Technical Committee CEN/TC 126 "Acoustic properties of
building elements and of buildings", the secretariat of which is held by AFNOR.

This European Standard shall be given the status of a national standard, either by publication of
an identical text or by endorsement, at the latest by November 2005, and conflicting national
standards shall be withdrawn at the latest by November 2005.

According to the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations, the national standards organizations of
the following countries are bound to implement this European Standard: Austria, Belgium,
Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.

Endorsement notice
The text of ISO 140-11:2005 has been approved by CEN as EN ISO 140-11:2005 without any
modifications.
INTERNATIONAL ISO
STANDARD 140-11
First edition
2005-05-15
Acoustics — Measurement of sound
insulation in buildings and of building
elements —
Part 11:
Laboratory measurements of the
reduction of transmitted impact sound by
floor coverings on lightweight reference
floors
Acoustique — Mesurage de l'isolement acoustique des immeubles et
des éléments de construction —
Partie 11: Mesurage en laboratoire de la réduction de la transmission
des bruits de choc par les revêtements de sol sur les planchers de
référence légers
Reference number
ISO 140-11:2005(E)
©
ISO 2005
ISO 140-11:2005(E)
PDF disclaimer
This PDF file may contain embedded typefaces. In accordance with Adobe's licensing policy, this file may be printed or viewed but
shall not be edited unless the typefaces which are embedded are licensed to and installed on the computer performing the editing. In
downloading this file, parties accept therein the responsibility of not infringing Adobe's licensing policy. The ISO Central Secretariat
accepts no liability in this area.
Adobe is a trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated.
Details of the software products used to create this PDF file can be found in the General Info relative to the file; the PDF-creation
parameters were optimized for printing. Every care has been taken to ensure that the file is suitable for use by ISO member bodies. In
the unlikely event that a problem relating to it is found, please inform the Central Secretariat at the address given below.

©  ISO 2005
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means,
electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and microfilm, without permission in writing from either ISO at the address below or
ISO's member body in the country of the requester.
ISO copyright office
Case postale 56 • CH-1211 Geneva 20
Tel. + 41 22 749 01 11
Fax + 41 22 749 09 47
E-mail copyright@iso.org
Web www.iso.org
Published in Switzerland
ii © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

ISO 140-11:2005(E)
Contents Page
Foreword. iv
1 Scope. 1
2 Normative references . 1
3 Terms and definitions. 2
4 Equipment. 5
5 Test arrangement . 5
5.1 General arrangement. 5
5.2 Details of test arrangement. 5
5.3 Preparation and installation of test specimen .6
5.4 Influence of temperature and humidity. 7
6 Test procedure and evaluation. 7
6.1 Generation of sound field. 7
6.2 Measurement of impact sound pressure level. 7
6.3 Frequency range of measurements . 8
6.4 Measurement of reverberation time and evaluation of the equivalent sound absorption
area . 8
6.5 Correction for background noise . 8
6.6 Position of the tapping machine . 9
7 Precision . 10
8 Expression of results. 11
9 Test report. 11
Annex A (normative) Requirements for the tapping machine . 13
Annex B (normative) Types of lightweight reference floors . 15
Annex C (informative) Measurements using a modified tapping machine. 18
Annex D (informative) Measurements using a wooden mock-up floor. 20
Annex E (informative) Measurements using a heavy/soft impact source . 22
Annex F (informative) Specification of the heavy/soft impact source . 25
Annex G (informative) Example of form for the expression of results . 28
Bibliography . 30

ISO 140-11:2005(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) is a worldwide federation of national standards bodies
(ISO member bodies). The work of preparing International Standards is normally carried out through ISO
technical committees. Each member body interested in a subject for which a technical committee has been
established has the right to be represented on that committee. International organizations, governmental and
non-governmental, in liaison with ISO, also take part in the work. ISO collaborates closely with the
International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) on all matters of electrotechnical standardization.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of technical committees is to prepare International Standards. Draft International Standards
adopted by the technical committees are circulated to the member bodies for voting. Publication as an
International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the member bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO 140-11 was prepared by Technical Committee ISO/TC 43, Acoustics, Subcommittee SC 2, Building
acoustics.
ISO 140 consists of the following parts, under the general title Acoustics — Measurement of sound insulation
in buildings and of building elements:
 Part 1: Requirements for laboratory test facilities with suppressed flanking transmission
 Part 2: Determination, verification and application of precision data
 Part 3: Laboratory measurements of airborne sound insulation of building elements
 Part 4: Field measurements of airborne sound insulation between rooms
 Part 5: Field measurements of airborne sound insulation of façade elements and façades
 Part 6: Laboratory measurements of impact sound insulation of floors
 Part 7: Field measurements of impact sound insulation of floors
 Part 8: Laboratory measurements of the reduction of transmitted impact noise by floor coverings on a
heavyweight standard floor
 Part 9: Laboratory measurements of room-to-room airborne sound insulation of a suspended ceiling with
a plenum above it
 Part 10: Laboratory measurement of airborne sound insulation of small building elements
 Part 11: Laboratory measurements of the reduction of transmitted impact sound by floor coverings on
lightweight reference floors
 Part 12: Laboratory measurement of room-to-room airborne and impact sound insulation of an access
floor
 Part 13: Guidelines
iv © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

ISO 140-11:2005(E)
 Part 14: Guidelines for special situations in the field
 Part 16: Laboratory measurement of the sound reduction index improvement by additional lining
The following parts are under preparation:
 Part 17: Evaluation of the total loss factor
 Part 18: Laboratory measurement of sound generated by rainfall on building elements

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD ISO 140-11:2005(E)

Acoustics — Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and
of building elements —
Part 11:
Laboratory measurements of the reduction of transmitted
impact sound by floor coverings on lightweight reference floors
1 Scope
This part of ISO 140 specifies methods for measuring the acoustic properties of floor coverings from the view-
point of reducing impact sound transmission. The purpose of this part of ISO 140 is to establish a method for
determining the impact sound insulation of a floor covering under standard test conditions. The test is limited
to the specification of procedures for the physical measurement of sound originating from an artificial impact
source (tapping machine) under laboratory conditions and is not directly related to the subjective significance
of the results.
In this part of ISO 140, a test method is described using the standard tapping machine to simulate impact
sources like human footsteps with shoes. In addition, methods using a modified tapping machine and a
heavy/soft impact source are also introduced in informative Annexes C and E for the assessment of impact
sound insulation of a floor covering against impact sources with strong components at low frequencies, such
as human footsteps or children jumping. As a simplified method for the measurement of the reduction of floor
impact sound pressure level by soft and resilient floor coverings, the method using a wooden mock-up floor is
introduced in Annex D.
This part of ISO 140 is applicable to all floor coverings, whether single or multi-layered, as installed on
lightweight floors. In the case of multi-layered coverings, they can be factory-assembled or assembled at the
test site. The test method is applicable only to laboratory measurements. It does not contain any provision that
permits an assessment of the effectiveness of a floor covering in situ.
2 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced
document (including any amendments) applies.
ISO 140-1:1997, Acoustics — Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements —
Part 1: Requirements for laboratory test facilities with suppressed flanking transmission
ISO 140-2:1991, Acoustics — Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements —
Part 2: Determination, verification and application of precision data
ISO 140-6:1998, Acoustics — Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements —
Part 6: Laboratory measurements of impact sound insulation of floors
ISO 140-8:1997, Acoustics — Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements —
Part 8: Laboratory measurements of the reduction of transmitted impact noise by floor coverings on a
heavyweight standard floor
ISO 354:2003, Acoustics — Measurement of sound absorption in a reverberation room
ISO 140-11:2005(E)
ISO 9052-1:1989, Acoustics — Determination of dynamic stiffness — Part 1: Materials used under floating
floors in dwellings
ISO 9053:1991, Acoustics — Materials for acoustical applications — Determination of airflow resistance
IEC 61672-1:2002, Electroacoustics — Sound level meters — Part 1: Specifications
IEC 60942:2003, Electroacoustics — Sound calibrators
IEC 61260:1995, Electroacoustics — Octave-band and fractional-octave-band filters
3 Terms and definitions
For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.
3.1
average sound pressure level in a room
L
ten times the common logarithm of the ratio of the space and time average of the sound pressure squared to
the square of the reference sound pressure, the space average being taken over the entire room with the
exception of those parts where the direct radiation of a sound source or the near field of the boundaries (wall,
etc.) is of significant influence
NOTE 1 If a continuously moving microphone is used, L is determined by
T
m
pt() dt
∫
T
m
L = 10 lg dB (1)
p
where
p(t) is the sound pressure, in pascals;
p is the reference sound pressure and is equal to 20 µPa;
T is the integration time, in seconds.
m
NOTE 2 If fixed microphone positions are used, L is determined by
n
p
j
∑
j=1
L = 10 lg dB (2)
np⋅
where p is the r.m.s. sound pressure at n different positions in the room.
j
NOTE 3 In practice, the sound pressure levels L are usually measured. In this case L is determined by
j
n
L /10
j

L = 10 lg 10 dB (3)
∑
n
j=1

where L is the sound pressure level L to L at n different positions in the room.
j 1 n
NOTE 4 Sound pressure level is expressed in decibels.
2 © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

ISO 140-11:2005(E)
3.2
impact sound pressure level
L
i
average sound pressure level in a one-third-octave band in the receiving room when the floor under test is
excited by the standardized impact source
NOTE It is expressed in decibels.
3.3
normalized impact sound pressure level
L
n
impact sound pressure level L increased by a correction term given in decibels, being ten times the common
i
logarithm of the ratio between the measured equivalent absorption area A of the receiving room and the
reference equivalent absorption area A
A
LL=+10 lg dB (4)
ni
A
with A = 10 m
NOTE It is expressed in decibels.
3.4
reduction of normalized impact sound pressure level
improvement of normalized impact sound insulation
∆L
t
for a given one-third-octave band, the reduction in normalized impact sound pressure level resulting from
installation of the test floor covering on a lightweight reference floor
∆=L LL− dB (5)
t n,t,0 n,t
where
L is the normalized impact sound pressure level of the lightweight reference floor without the floor
n,t,0
covering;
L is the normalized impact sound pressure level of the lightweight reference floor with the floor
n,t
covering.
NOTE 1 If the receiving room absorption is unchanged during the test, it is assumed that the reduction in impact sound
pressure level is equivalent to the reduction in normalized impact sound pressure level.
NOTE 2 The subscript “t” refers to timber floors as the type of base floor.
NOTE 3 In this part of ISO 140, three types of lightweight reference floors are specified in Annex B. When it is
necessary to specify the reference floor used in the measurement, ∆L , ∆L and ∆L may be used for the reference
t,1 t,2 t,3
floors No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3, respectively.
NOTE 4 The reduction of normalized impact sound pressure level is expressed in decibels.
3.5
top floor
lightweight floor construction, mounted on top of the sub-floor, on which the floor covering under test is
mounted
3.6
sub-floor
standard heavyweight test floor as specified in ISO 140-8
ISO 140-11:2005(E)
3.7
test floor
combined floor consisting of the top floor mounted on the sub-floor and the sub-floor
3.8
maximum sound pressure level
L
Fmax
maximum sound pressure level of an impact sound measured by the dynamic characteristic of F of the sound
level meter
NOTE It is expressed in decibels.
3.9
impact sound pressure level
L
i,Fmax
average of the maximum sound pressure levels measured in the receiving room when the floor under test is
excited by the heavy/soft impact source specified in Annex F
NOTE It is expressed in decibels.
3.10
reduction of impact sound pressure level
improvement of impact sound insulation
∆L
r
for a given one-third-octave or octave band, the reduction in the impact sound pressure level resulting from
the installation of the test floor covering on a lightweight reference floor
∆=LL −L (6)
r i,Fmax,0 i,Fmax
where
L is the impact sound pressure level of the lightweight reference floor without floor covering;
i,Fmax,0
L is the impact sound pressure level of the lightweight reference floor with floor covering under
i,Fmax
test.
NOTE It is expressed in decibels.
3.11
impact force
F(t)
instantaneous force acting on the floor under test when the heavy/soft impact source is dropped on the floor
NOTE It is expressed in newtons.
3.12
impact force exposure level
L
FE
ten times the common logarithm of the ratio of the time-integrated value of the impact force squared to the
square of the reference force
t

1(Ft)

L = 10 lg dt dB (7)
FE
∫

T
0 F
t

1
where
F(t) is the impact force, in newtons;
F is the reference force (= 1 N);
4 © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

ISO 140-11:2005(E)
t – t is the time duration of the impact force, in seconds;
2 1
s is the reference time interval (= 1 s).
NOTE The impact force exposure level is expressed in decibels.
4 Equipment
The equipment shall comply with the requirements of Clause 6.
The tapping machine shall meet the requirements given in Annex A.
The accuracy of the sound level measurement equipment shall comply with the requirements of accuracy
Class 1 defined in IEC 61672-1:2002. The complete measuring system including the microphone shall be
adjusted before each measurement using a sound calibrator that complies with the requirements of accuracy
Class 1 defined in IEC 60942:2003. For sound level meters calibrated for measurements in sound fields of
progressive plane waves, corrections for the diffuse sound field shall be applied.
The filters shall comply with the requirements given in IEC 61260.
The reverberation time measurement equipment shall comply with the requirements given in ISO 354.
NOTE 1 For pattern evaluation (type testing) and regular verification tests, recommended procedures for sound level
[3] [4]
meters are given in OIML R58 and OIML R88 .
NOTE 2 A method using a modified tapping machine and that using a standard heavy/soft impact source are also
introduced in Annex C (informative) and Annex E (informative), respectively, for the assessment of impact sound insulation
of a floor covering against real impact sources such as human walking and stepping.
5 Test arrangement
5.1 General arrangement
Two vertically adjacent rooms shall be used, the upper one being designated the “source room” and the lower
one the “receiving room”. They shall be separated by a lightweight reference floor on which the floor covering
under test is installed.
The airborne sound from the tapping machine that is transmitted to the receiving room shall be such that the
level will be at least 10 dB below the level of transmitted impact sound in each frequency band.
5.2 Details of test arrangement
5.2.1 Source room
There are no specific requirements for the size and shape of the source room.
5.2.2 Receiving room
The receiving room shall comply with the requirements of ISO 140-1.
5.2.3 Lightweight reference floor
The reference floor on which the test covering is to be installed shall be chosen from the reference floors
described in Annex B.
The surface area, viewed from the receiving room, shall be at least 10 m . On the source side, the permissible
test area for installation of floor coverings of category I (see 5.3.1.2) will be the region at least 0,5 m from the
edges of the reference floor.
ISO 140-11:2005(E)
5.2.4 Condition of reference floor surface
It shall be ensured that the surface of the reference floor is flat to within ± 2 mm in a horizontal distance of
200 mm, and sufficiently hard to endure the impacts of the tapping machine.
5.3 Preparation and installation of test specimen
5.3.1 Classification
5.3.1.1 General
Depending upon the type of floor covering, the test specimens should be either slightly larger than the tapping
machine including supports or equal to the floor area (see 6.6).
5.3.1.2 Category I (small specimens)
This category includes flexible coverings (plastics, rubber, cork, matting, or combinations thereof) that may be
installed loosely or by adhesion to the floor surface. The method of installation shall be clearly described in the
test report.
5.3.1.3 Category II (large specimens)
This category includes rigid homogeneous surface materials or complex floor coverings of which at least one
constituent is rigid. The assembled floor covering may be tested under load. Normal furnishing should be
2 2
simulated with a uniformly distributed load of 20 kg/m to 25 kg/m . The distributed load should be arranged
with at least one weight-piece per square metre of the flooring area.
5.3.1.4 Category III (stretched materials)
This category includes flexible coverings that cover the floor from wall to wall. Large specimens should be
tested, but loading is not required.
5.3.1.5 Materials of uncertain classification
In the case of uncertainty as to the appropriate category for a material, the testing laboratory should decide
whether small or large specimens will be tested.
5.3.2 Installation
Follow strictly the manufacturer's installation instructions, paying special attention to the edges of the
specimen.
Install coverings to be mounted with adhesive with great care, normally with the adhesive covering the entire
surface. If the adhesive is applied in isolated patches, describe the exact procedure. Follow strictly the
manufacturer’s instructions for use of the adhesive, especially with regard to the amount and the bonding-time.
Report the type of adhesive and the bonding-time.
5.3.3 Size and number of specimens
5.3.3.1 Category I
Install three samples, preferably of different production runs but from the same source. Each sample shall be
large enough to support the tapping machine.
6 © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

ISO 140-11:2005(E)
5.3.3.2 Categories II and III
The specimen shall cover the whole surface of the reference floor.
5.4 Influence of temperature and humidity
Usually, and always in the case of a surface whose acoustic properties are likely to depend on either
temperature or humidity, measure and report the temperature at the centre of the upper floor surface and the
humidity of the air in the source room. The floor temperature thus observed should preferably be in the range
18 °C to 25 °C.
6 Test procedure and evaluation
6.1 Generation of sound field
The impact sound shall be generated by the tapping machine (see Clause 4).
With the exception of testing category I specimens, the tapping machine shall be placed in at least six different
positions not symmetrically distributed on the floor under test. The hammer connecting line should be
orientated at 45° to the direction of the joists. The distance of the tapping machine from the edges of the floor
shall be at least 0,5 m.
The impact sound pressure levels may reveal a time dependency after the tapping is started. In such cases,
the measurements should not begin until the sound pressure level has become steady. If stable conditions are
not reached after 5 min, then carry out the measurements over a well-defined measurement period. The
measurement period shall be reported.
When soft floor coverings are under test, it is necessary that the tapping machine fulfils the special
requirements given in Annex A. Advice regarding the mounting of the tapping machine on soft floor coverings
is given also in Annex A.
6.2 Measurement of impact sound pressure level
6.2.1 General
Obtain the impact sound pressure level by using a single microphone moved from position to position, or by
an array of fixed microphones, or by a continuously moving or oscillating microphone. The sound pressure
levels at the different microphone positions shall be averaged [see Equations (1) to (3)] for all positions of the
tapping machine.
6.2.2 Microphone positions
As a minimum, four microphone positions shall be used. These should be distributed within the maximum
permitted space throughout the room, spaced uniformly. At least one pair of microphones may be related to
two impact source positions and the other pair to the other two positions (see 6.6).
The following separating distances are minimum values and shall be exceeded where possible:
 0,7 m between microphone positions;
 0,7 m between any microphone position and room boundaries or diffusers;
 1,0 m between any microphone position and the upper floor being excited by the tapping machine.
When using a moving microphone, the sweep radius shall be at least 1 m. The plane of the traverse shall be
inclined in order to cover a large proportion of the permitted room space and shall not lie in any plane within
10° of a room surface. The duration of a traverse period shall be not less than 15 s.
ISO 140-11:2005(E)
6.2.3 Averaging time
At each individual microphone position, the averaging time shall be at least 6 s at each frequency band with
centre frequencies below 400 Hz. For bands of higher centre frequencies, it is permissible to decrease the
time to not less than 4 s. When using a moving microphone, the averaging time shall cover a whole number of
traverses and shall be at least 30 s.
6.3 Frequency range of measurements
The sound pressure level shall be measured using one-third-octave band filters having at least the following
centre frequencies, in hertz:
100 125 160 200 250 315 400 500 630
800 1 000 1 250 1 600 2 000 2 500 3 150
It is strongly recommended that the measurement be also made in one-third-octave bands with the following
centre frequencies, in hertz:
50 63 80
Guidance is given in ISO 140-6:1998, Annex C, for such additional measurements in the low-frequency bands.
6.4 Measurement of reverberation time and evaluation of the equivalent sound absorption
area
The correction term of Equation (4) containing the equivalent sound absorption area is evaluated from the
reverberation time measured according to ISO 354 and determined using Sabine's formula
0,16 V
A = (8)
T
where
A is the equivalent sound absorption area, in square metres;
V is the receiving room volume, in cubic metres;
T is the reverberation time, in seconds.
In accordance with ISO 354, the evaluation of the reverberation time from the decay curve shall start at 5 dB
below the initial sound pressure level. The evaluation range shall be 20 dB. The bottom of the evaluation
range shall be at least 10 dB above the overall background noise of the measuring system.
The minimum number of measurements required for each frequency band is six decays. At least one
loudspeaker position and three microphone positions with two readings shall be used in each case.
6.5 Correction for background noise
Measurements of background noise levels shall be made to ensure that the observations in the receiving
room are not affected by extraneous sound, such as noise from outside the test room or electrical noise in the
receiving system. To check the latter condition, replace the microphone by a dummy microphone. Take care
that the airborne noise produced by the tapping machine and transmitted to the receiving room does not
influence the impact sound pressure level in the receiving room.
8 © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

ISO 140-11:2005(E)
When using the signal levels without corrections, the background level shall be more than 15 dB below the
level of signal and background noise combined. If the difference in levels is smaller than 15 dB but greater
than 6 dB, calculate corrections to the signal level according to the following Equation:
LL/10 /10
sb b
L=−10 lg 10 10 dB (9)
( )
where
L is the corrected signal level;
L is the level of the signal and background noise combined;
sb
L is the background noise level.
b
If the difference in levels is less than or equal to 6 dB in any of the frequency bands, use the correction 1,3 dB
corresponding to a difference of 6 dB. In that case, the relevant values shall be given in the measurement
report so that it clearly shows that the reported values are the limit of measurement.
EXAMPLE Give ∆L values as ∆L > … dB.
6.6 Position of the tapping machine
6.6.1 Adjustment of the tapping machine
Guidance is given in Annex A on the adjustment of the falling height of the hammers of the tapping machine.
When situated on a specimen covering the whole floor, the hammers shall touch the specimen at least
100 mm from the edges. The tapping machine shall be positioned to extend over one of the joists.
6.6.2 Materials of category I
Place the tapping machine successively on each specimen of floor covering so that it is wholly on the
specimen in each case, and on the uncovered floor on either side of the specimen and as close to it as
possible, the axis of the hammers being always parallel to the long dimension of the specimen (see Figure 1).
For each specimen of floor covering, the impact sound pressure level corresponding to the uncovered floor is
the arithmetic mean of the level determined for the two machine positions on either side of the specimen.
ISO 140-11:2005(E)
Dimensions in millimetres
Key
1 test specimens (three) (category I); b W 500 mm
2 joists
NOTE The small circles mark the position where the hammers of the tapping machine should strike the lightweight
reference floor or the test specimens.
Figure 1 — Typical arrangement for specimens of category I floor coverings
6.6.3 Materials of category II and III
Place the tapping machine successively on the uncovered floor and on the floor when entirely covered by the
floor covering under test.
Each set of measurements (uncovered floor and covered floor) should be made with as many impact source
positions as are necessary to yield a reliable mean value; in any case the number of positions should be not
less than six.
7 Precision
It is required that the measurement procedure gives satisfactory repeatability. This shall be determined in
accordance with the method shown in ISO 140-2 and shall be verified from time to time, in particular when a
change is made in the procedure or instrumentation.
NOTE Numerical requirements for repeatability are given in ISO 140-2.
10 © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

ISO 140-11:2005(E)
8 Expression of results
For the statement of the test results the normalized impact sound pressure level with and without floor
covering and the reduction of impact sound pressure level, L , L and ∆L , respectively, shall be given to
n,t,0 n,t t
one decimal place at all frequencies of measurement. Graphs in the test report shall show the value in
decibels plotted against frequency on a logarithmic scale. The following dimensions shall be used:
 5 mm for a one-third-octave band;
 20 mm for 10 dB.
The use of a form in accordance with Annex G is preferred. Since this is a short version of the test report,
state all information of importance regarding the test object, the test procedure and the test results.
If the reduction of impact sound pressure level is also needed in octave bands, these values shall be
calculated from the three one-third-octave band values in each octave band using Equation (10):
3 −∆L /10
1/3oct,n

∆=L −10 lg dB (10)
oct
∑

n=1

If the test procedure is repeated, the arithmetic mean of all measurement results at each frequency band shall
be calculated.
9 Test report
The test report shall state:
a) reference to this part of ISO 140;
b) name and address of the testing laboratory;
c) manufacturer's name and product identification;
d) name and address of the organization or person who ordered the test (client);
e) date of test;
f) size and shape of the receiving room, and the construction and thickness of the walls;
g) description of the type of reference floor, including dimensions, materials, surface mass, etc.;
h) for the floor covering, the layers of multi-layered coverings and the adhesive, the names and addresses of
the manufacturers, the commercial designation, and the source of supply of the specimen used in the
test;
i) detailed description, including the type, mass, surface dimensions and thickness (under load where
specified, see 5.3.2) of the test specimens, with appropriate drawings where necessary;
j) method of mounting, with particular reference to the adhesive, its mass per unit area and bonding-time;
k) temperature and humidity of the source room;
l) number and location of microphones when using the discrete microphone method, or the microphone
moving path when using the moving microphone method;
m) number, location and installation time of the loads, where used;
ISO 140-11:2005(E)
n) material and dimensions and number of supports of the tapping machine;
o) a statement as to whether the test specimen suffered visible damage during the test (e.g. compaction); if
so, it is desirable that the tested specimen be retained in the laboratory for subsequent inspection;
p) normalized impact sound pressure level without the floor covering L , normalized impact sound
n,t,0
pressure level with the floor covering L and the reduction of impact sound pressure level ∆L as a
t
n,t
function of frequency (see Annex G);
q) brief description of details of the procedure and equipment (see 6.6).
12 © ISO 2005 – All rights reserved

ISO 140-11:2005(E)
Annex A
(normative)
Requirements for the tapping machine
The equipment shall be suitable for meeting the requirements given in Clause 6.
The tapping machine shall have five hammers placed in a line. The distance between the centrelines of
neighbouring hammers shall be (100 ± 3) mm.
The distance between the centre of the supports of the tapping machine and the centrelines of neighbouring
hammers shall be at least 100 mm. The supports shall be equipped with vibration insulating pads.
The momentum of each hammer that strikes the floor shall be that of an effective mass of 500 g that falls
freely from a height of 40 mm, within tolerance limits for the momentum of ± 5 %. As friction of the hammer
guidance has to be taken into account, it must be ensured that not only the mass of the hammer and the
falling height but also the velocity of the hammer at the impact lies within certain given limits as follows.
The mass of each hammer shall be (500 ± 12) g, from which it follows that the velocity at the impact must be
(0,886 ± 0,022) m/s. The tolerance limits of the velocity may be increased to a maximum of ± 0,033 m/s if it is
ensured that the hammer mass lies within accordingly reduced limits of (500 ± 6) g.
The falling direction of the hammers shall be perpendicular to the test surface to within ± 0,5°.
The part of the hammer that strikes the floor shall be cylindrical with a diameter of (30 ± 0,2) mm. The impact
surface shall be of hardened steel and shall be spherical with a curvature radius of (500 ± 100) mm. Testing
the fulfilment of this requirement may be performed in the following ways.
a) The curvature of the impact surface is considered in compliance with the specifications if the
measurement results lie within the tolerances given in Figure A.1 when a meter is moved over the surface
on at least two lines through the centre point and being perpendicular to each other.
The curves of Figure A.1 describe a curvature of 500 mm. The distance between the curves is the
smallest distance that will allow both 400 mm and 600 mm radii to fall within the tolerance limits. The
accuracy of the measurement shall be at least 0,01 mm.
b) The curvature of the hammer heads may be tested by using a sphere-meter with three feelers lying on a
circle with a diameter of 20 mm.
The tapping machine shall be self-driven. The mean time between impacts shall be (100 ± 5) ms. The time
between successive impacts shall be (100 ± 20) ms.
The time between the impact and the lift of the hammer should be less than 80 ms.
For standard tapping machines which are used for tests of impact sound insulation of floors with soft
coverings or uneven surfaces, it shall be ensured that it is possible for the hammers to fall at least 4 mm
below the plane on which the supports of the tapping machine rest.
All adjustments on the standard tapping machine and verifications on the fulfilment of requirements shall be
performed on a flat hard surface and the tapping machine shall be used in that condition on any test surface.
If the test surface is covered with an extremely soft covering or if the surface is very uneven so that the
hammers are not able to fall down to the surface on which the supports rest, pads may be used under the
supports to ensure the correct falling height of 40 mm.
ISO 140-11:2005(E)
The fulfilment of the requirements shall be verified at regular intervals under standard laboratory conditions.
The test shall be performed on a test surface that is planar to within ± 0,1 mm and horizontal to within ± 0,1°.
Some of the parameters only need to be measured
...