ISO/TC 43/SC 2/WG 18 - Measurement of sound insulation in buildings and of building elements

This document specifies field survey methods for measuring a) airborne sound insulation between rooms, b) impact sound insulation of floors, c) airborne sound insulation of façades, and d) sound pressure levels in rooms caused by service equipment. The methods described in this document are applicable for measurements in rooms of dwellings or in rooms of comparable size with a maximum of 150 m3. For airborne sound insulation, impact sound insulation and façade sound insulation the method gives values which are (octave band) frequency dependent. They can be converted into a single number characterising the acoustical performances by application of ISO 717-1 and ISO 717-2. For heavy/soft impact sound insulation, the results also are given as A-weighted maximum impact sound pressure level. For service equipment sound the results are given directly in A - or C -weighted sound pressure levels.

This document specifies test requirements for the laboratory measurement of the sound insulation of building elements and products, including detailed requirements for the preparation and mounting of the test elements, and for the operating and test conditions. It also specifies the applicable quantities, and provides additional test information for reporting. The general procedures for airborne and impact sound insulation measurements are given in ISO 10140‑2 and ISO 10140-3, respectively.

This document specifies the basic measurement procedures for airborne and impact sound insulation of building elements in laboratory test facilities.

This document specifies laboratory test facilities and equipment for sound insulation measurements of building elements, such as: —   components and materials; —   building elements; —   technical elements (small building elements); —   sound insulation improvement systems. It is applicable to laboratory test facilities with suppressed radiation from flanking elements and structural isolation between source and receiving rooms. This document specifies qualification procedures for use when commissioning a new test facility with equipment for sound insulation measurements. It is intended that these procedures be repeated periodically to ensure that there are no issues with the equipment and the test facility.

This document specifies laboratory methods for measuring the impact sound insulation of floor assemblies. The test results can be used to compare the sound insulation properties of building elements, classify elements according to their sound insulation capabilities, help design building products which require certain acoustic properties and estimate the in situ performance in complete buildings. The measurements are performed in laboratory test facilities in which sound transmission via flanking paths is suppressed. The results of measurements made in accordance with this document are not applicable directly to the field situation without accounting for other factors affecting sound insulation, such as flanking transmission, boundary conditions, and loss factor. A test method is specified that uses the standard tapping machine (see ISO 10140-5:2021, Annex E) to simulate impact sources like human footsteps when a person is wearing shoes. Alternative test methods, using a modified tapping machine or a heavy/soft impact source (see ISO 10140-5:2021, Annex F) to simulate impact sources with strong low frequency components, such as human footsteps (bare feet) or children jumping, are also specified. This document is applicable to all types of floors (whether heavyweight or lightweight) with all types of floor coverings. The test methods apply only to laboratory measurements.

This document specifies a laboratory method for measuring the airborne sound insulation of building products, such as walls, floors, doors, windows, shutters, façade elements, façades, glazing, small technical elements, for instance transfer air devices, airing panels (ventilation panels), outdoor air intakes, electrical raceways, transit sealing systems and combinations, for example walls or floors with linings, suspended ceilings or floating floors. The test results can be used to compare the sound insulation properties of building elements, classify elements according to their sound insulation capabilities, help design building products which require certain acoustic properties and estimate the in situ performance in complete buildings. The measurements are performed in laboratory test facilities in which sound transmission via flanking paths is suppressed. The results of measurements made in accordance with this document are not applicable directly to the field situation without accounting for other factors affecting sound insulation, such as flanking transmission, boundary conditions and total loss factor.

This document a) defines single-number quantities for airborne sound insulation in buildings and of building elements such as walls, floors, doors, and windows, b) takes into consideration the different sound level spectra of various noise sources such as noise sources inside a building and traffic outside a building, and c) gives rules for determining these quantities from the results of measurements carried out in one-third-octave or octave bands for example in accordance with ISO 10140-2 and ISO 16283-1. The single-number quantities in accordance with this document are intended for rating airborne sound insulation and for simplifying the formulation of acoustical requirements in building codes. An additional single-number evaluation in steps of 0,1 dB is indicated for the expression of uncertainty (except for spectrum adaptation terms). The required numerical values of the single-number quantities are specified according to varying needs. The single-number quantities are based on results of measurements in one-third-octave bands or octave bands. For laboratory measurements made in accordance with ISO 10140-2, single-number quantities are calculated using one-third-octave bands only. The rating of results of measurements carried out over an enlarged frequency range is dealt with in Annex B.

This document a) defines single-number quantities for impact sound insulation in buildings and of floors, b) gives rules for determining these quantities from the results of measurements carried out in one-third-octave bands in accordance with ISO 10140-3 and ISO 16283-2, and in octave bands in accordance with that option in ISO 16283-2 for field measurements only, c) defines single-number quantities for the impact sound reduction of floor coverings and floating floors calculated from the results of measurements carried out in accordance with ISO 10140-3, and d) specifies a procedure for evaluating the weighted reduction in impact sound pressure level by floor coverings on lightweight floors. The single-number quantities in accordance with this document are intended for rating impact sound insulation and for simplifying the formulation of acoustical requirements in building codes. An additional single-number evaluation in steps of 0,1 dB is indicated where it is needed for the expression of uncertainty (except for spectrum adaptation terms). Numerical values of the single-number quantities are specified where required for calculations. The rating of measurements over an enlarged frequency range is given in Annex A. A method for obtaining single-number quantities for bare heavy floors according to their performance in combination with floor coverings is given in Annex B. Example calculations of single-number quantities are given in Annex C. The rating of measurements with a heavy and soft impact source (rubber ball) is given in Annex D.

This document specifies an alternating airflow method for the determination of the airflow resistance[5], [6] of porous materials for acoustical applications. Determination of the airflow resistance based on static flow is described in ISO 9053‑1.

This document specifies procedures to determine the impact sound insulation using sound pressure measurements with an impact source operating on a floor or stairs in a building. These procedures are intended for room volumes in the range from 10 m3 to 250 m3 in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 000 Hz. The test results can be used to quantify, assess and compare the impact sound insulation in unfurnished or furnished rooms where the sound field may or may not approximate to a diffuse field.

This document specifies how to calculate: — the uncertainty of sound absorption coefficients and equivalent sound absorption areas measured according to ISO 354; — the uncertainty of the practical and weighted sound absorption coefficients determined according to ISO 11654; — the uncertainty of the object sound absorption coefficient according to ISO 20189; and — the uncertainty of the single number rating determined according to EN 1793‑1. Furthermore, the use of uncertainties in reporting measured or weighted sound absorption coefficients is explained.

This document specifies procedures for assessing the measurement uncertainty of sound insulation in building acoustics. It provides for — a detailed uncertainty assessment; — a determination of uncertainties by inter-laboratory tests; — an application of uncertainties. Furthermore, typical uncertainties are given for quantities determined according to ISO 10140 (all parts), ISO 16283 (all parts) and ISO 717 (all parts).

ISO 10140-1:2016 specifies test requirements for building elements and products, including detailed requirements for preparation, mounting, operating and test conditions, as well as applicable quantities and additional test information for reporting. The general procedures for airborne and impact sound insulation measurements are given in ISO 10140-2 and ISO 10140-3, respectively.

ISO 16283-3:2016 specifies procedures to determine the airborne sound insulation of façade elements (element methods) and whole façades (global methods) using sound pressure measurements. These procedures are intended for room volumes in the range from 10 m3 to 250 m3 in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 000 Hz. The test results can be used to quantify, assess, and compare the airborne sound insulation in unfurnished or furnished rooms where the sound field can or cannot approximate to a diffuse field. The measured airborne sound insulation is frequency-dependent and can be converted into a single number quantity to characterize the acoustic performance using the rating procedures in ISO 717-1.

ISO 16251-1:2014 specifies a laboratory measurement method to determine the improvement of impact sound insulation by a floor covering when laid on a standard concrete floor mock-up and excited by a standard tapping machine. The method is restricted to soft, flexible floor coverings, which transmit impact sound mainly "locally" into the floor, i.e. through the area close to the points of excitation, so that the size of the flooring specimen does not have an influence on the results. Examples of such floor coverings are carpets, PVC, and linoleum. These floor coverings correspond to ISO 10140‑1:2010, Annex H, category I. The results only provide information about the noise radiated. A subjective classification of the quality of the floor coverings is not intended. ISO 16251-1:2014 provides the measurement method. Product test codes can contain further requirements concerning the specimens, such as temperature range, the number of test specimens or special mounting conditions.

ISO 16283-1:2014 specifies procedures to determine the airborne sound insulation between two rooms in a building using sound pressure measurements. These procedures are intended for room volumes in the range from 10 m3 to 250 m3 in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 000 Hz. The test results can be used to quantify, assess and compare the airborne sound insulation in unfurnished or furnished rooms where the sound field may or may not approximate to a diffuse field. The measured airborne sound insulation is frequency-dependent and can be converted into a single number quantity to characterize the acoustic performance using the rating procedures in ISO 717‑1.

ISO 717-2:2013: a) defines single-number quantities for impact sound insulation in buildings and of floors; b) gives rules for determining these quantities from the results of measurements carried out in one-third-octave bands in accordance with ISO 10140-3 and ISO 140-7, and in octave bands in accord-ance with that option in ISO 140-7 for field measurements only; c) defines single-number quantities for the impact sound reduction of floor coverings and floating floors calculated from the results of measurements carried out in accordance with ISO 10140-3; d) specifies a procedure for evaluating the weighted reduction in impact sound pressure level by floor coverings on lightweight floors. The single-number quantities in accordance with ISO 717-2:2013 are intended for rating impact sound insulation and for simplifying the formulation of acoustical requirements in building codes. An additional single-number evaluation in steps of 0,1 dB is indicated for the expression of uncertainty (except for spectrum adaptation terms).The required numerical values of the single-number quantities are specified according to varying needs. The rating of results from measurements carried out over an enlarged frequency range is described in an annex. A method for obtaining single-number quantities for bare heavy floors according to their performance in combination with floor coverings is described in a second annex. An example of the calculation of a single-number quantity is given in a third annex.

ISO 717-1:2013: a) defines single-number quantities for airborne sound insulation in buildings and of building elements such as walls, floors, doors, and windows; b) takes into consideration the different sound level spectra of various noise sources such as noise sources inside a building and traffic outside a building; c) gives rules for determining these quantities from the results of measurements carried out in one-third-octave or octave bands in accordance with ISO 10140-2, ISO 140-4, and ISO 140-5. The single-number quantities in accordance with ISO 717-1:2013 are intended for rating airborne sound insulation and for simplifying the formulation of acoustical requirements in building codes. An additional single-number evaluation in steps of 0,1 dB is indicated for the expression of uncertainty (except for spectrum adaptation terms). The required numerical values of the single-number quantities are specified according to varying needs. The single-number quantities are based on results of measurements in one-third-octave bands or octave bands. For laboratory measurements made in accordance with ISO 10140, single-number quantities should be calculated using one-third-octave bands only. The rating of results of measurements carried out over an enlarged frequency range is dealt with in an annex.

ISO 10140-5:2010 specifies laboratory test facilities and equipment for sound insulation measurements of building elements, such as components and materials, building elements, technical elements (small building elements) and sound insulation improvement systems.

This document specifies procedures to determine the impact sound insulation using sound pressure measurements with an impact source operating on a floor or stairs in a building. These procedures are intended for room volumes in the range from 10 m3 to 250 m3 in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 000 Hz. The test results can be used to quantify, assess and compare the impact sound insulation in unfurnished or furnished rooms where the sound field can approximate to a diffuse field.

ISO 16283-2:20015 specifies procedures to determine the impact sound insulation using sound pressure measurements with an impact source operating on a floor or stairs in a building. These procedures are intended for room volumes in the range from 10 m3 to 250 m3 in the frequency range from 50 Hz to 5 000 Hz. The test results can be used to quantify, assess and compare the impact sound insulation in unfurnished or furnished rooms where the sound field might, or might not approximate to a diffuse field. Two impact sources are described: the tapping machine and the rubber ball. These impact sources do not exactly replicate all possible types of real impacts on floors or stairs in buildings. The tapping machine can be used to assess a variety of light, hard impacts such as footsteps from walkers wearing hard-heeled footwear or dropped objects. A single number quantity can be calculated using the rating procedures in ISO 717‑2. This single number quantity links the measured impact sound insulation using the tapping machine to subjective assessment of general impacts in dwellings that occur on floors or stairs in a building. The tapping machine is also well-suited to the prediction of impact sound insulation using ISO 15712‑2. These two aspects facilitate the specification of impact sound insulation in national building requirements using only measurements with the tapping machine as an impact source. The rubber ball can be used to assess heavy, soft impacts such as from walkers in bare feet or children jumping, as well as quantifying absolute values that can be related to human disturbance in terms of a Fast time-weighted maximum sound pressure level. At present, calculation procedures for a single number quantity do not currently exist in an ISO Standard.

ISO 12999-1:2014 specifies procedures for assessing the measurement uncertainty of sound insulation in building acoustics. It provides for a detailed uncertainty assessment, a determination of uncertainties by inter-laboratory tests, and an application of uncertainties.

ISO 10140-4:2010 specifies the basic measurement procedures for airborne and impact sound insulation in laboratory test facilities.

ISO 10140-2:2010 specifies a laboratory method for measuring the airborne sound insulation of building products, such as walls, floors, doors, windows, shutters, façade elements, façades, glazing, small technical elements, for instance transfer air devices, airing panels (ventilation panels), outdoor air intakes, electrical raceways, transit sealing systems and combinations, for example walls or floors with linings, suspended ceilings or floating floors.

ISO 10140-1:2010 specifies test requirements for building elements and products, including detailed requirements for preparation, mounting, operating and test conditions, as well as applicable quantities and additional test information to be reported.

ISO 10140-3:2010 specifies laboratory methods for measuring the impact sound insulation of floor assemblies. The test results can be used to compare the sound insulation properties of building elements, classify elements according to their sound insulation capabilities, help design building products which require certain acoustic properties and estimate the in situ performance in complete buildings.

ISO 140-18:2006 specifies a laboratory method of measurement of the impact sound insulation of roofs, roof/ceiling systems and skylights excited by artificial rainfall. The results obtained can be used for assessing the noise to be produced by rainfall on a given building element in the room or space below. The results can also be used to compare rainfall sound insulation capabilities of building elements and to design building elements with appropriate rainfall sound insulation properties. ISO 140-18:2006 is based on measurements with artificial raindrops under controlled conditions using a water tank in a laboratory test facility in which flanking sound transmission is suppressed. Measurements using real rain, although a useful means for validation purposes, are not included because of the variable, unpredictable and intermittent nature of real rain. Other mechanical simulation methods under investigation by researchers are not sufficiently well developed at present to adequately simulate real rain both in terms of sound levels and spectra generated.

ISO 140-16:2006, as a complement to ISO 140-3, specifies the laboratory measurement of the improvement of the sound-reduction index of a wall or ceiling when covered by an additional acoustical lining. It also provides for individual non-standardized basic elements. ISO 140-16:2006 does not deal with the sound-reduction improvement by linings on flexible lightweight structures, such as timber-frame floors or double-leaf gypsum board walls.

ISO 140-14:2004 concerns field measurements of airborne sound insulation and impact sound insulation, and is to be used as a supplement to ISO 140-4 and ISO 140-7. It contains guidelines on sound insulation measurements in special situations in the field not directly covered by ISO 140-4 and ISO 140-7. The basic standards ISO 140-4 and ISO 140-7 specify the measurement procedure in detail under ideal conditions, but give only little information on how to establish a suitable measurement set-up in rooms differing from simple box-shaped rooms of normal living room size. When it comes to very large rooms, long and narrow rooms, staircases, coupled rooms, etc., no guidance is given in the basic standards, which is why the guidelines in ISO 140-14:2004 have been prepared. Use of the guidelines will contribute to improvement in the reproducibility of building acoustics field measurements and furthermore facilitate the performance of measurements by avoiding time-consuming considerations in actual measurement situations. ISO 140-14:2004 is primarily applicable to measurements in rooms in dwellings, schools, hotels, etc., with volumes less than 250 m3.

Cancels and replaces the first edition (1978) and its amendment (1990). Specifies a laboratory method of measuring the airborne sound insulation of building elements such as walls, floors, doors, windows, facade elements and facades, except those classified as small building elements.