Free Room Acoustic Survey Form — Pre-Design Site Assessment Template

An acoustic survey form is the foundation of every acoustic design project. Without a systematic record of site conditions, design recommendations have no basis. Noise sources you didn't record become complaints after occupation. HVAC systems you didn't measure end up being retrofitted. Surface finishes that weren't documented lead to RT60 calculations based on assumed rather than actual materials.

This template gives you a complete pre-design acoustic survey form structured across seven sections. It is designed to be completed on-site in handwritten or digital form, then used directly as the input data for acoustic calculations and the basis for the acoustic design report.

After completing the survey, use the room simulator at /calc to convert your measured dimensions and surface observations into RT60 predictions.

Who Should Use This Form

Acoustic consultants conducting pre-design surveys on new and refurbishment projects. The form structures the site visit so nothing is missed and creates a defensible record of conditions at the time of survey.

Architects on smaller projects where an acoustic consultant has not yet been appointed, or where a desktop acoustic assessment is required before budgeting for specialist input.

Facilities managers documenting existing rooms before acoustic treatment schemes. The form allows before/after comparison and justifies the scope of remedial works.

Building services engineers who need to cross-reference acoustic survey findings with HVAC system design, particularly for background noise compliance.

Section 1 — Project Information

This section establishes the basic project identity. Complete before arriving on site.

Section 2 — Room Inventory and Dimensions

Complete one row per distinct space. For large open-plan areas, sub-divide into acoustic zones if they have different surface finishes or intended uses.

Dimensional notes: Record room height to the underside of the finished ceiling (not to structural soffit). If there is a suspended ceiling void, record both ceiling heights and note void depth. For non-rectangular rooms, sketch the plan and record key dimensions.

Volume calculation: L × W × H for rectangular rooms. For L-shape or irregular plan: divide into rectangles, calculate each, sum. Note calculated volume here: ___________

Section 3 — Surface Finishes

For each room, record the existing or proposed surface finish of each major surface. This data feeds directly into the RT60 calculation.

Floor Surfaces (Room R___)

Floor finish options: polished concrete, vinyl/LVT, timber parquet, carpet (light/medium/heavy), rubber, ceramic tile, stone

Ceiling Surfaces (Room R___)

Ceiling options: mineral fibre tile (note thickness and brand if visible), glass wool tile, perforated metal with mineral wool backing, acoustic plaster, exposed concrete, plasterboard, timber

Wall Surfaces (Room R___)

Wall finish options: painted plasterboard, painted brick/blockwork, glazed partition, timber cladding, acoustic panel (note thickness and product if known), concrete (painted/bare)

Doors and Windows

Section 4 — Noise Sources

Record all noise sources that are audible or likely to be audible during occupied hours. Rate each source for approximate level and character.

External Noise Sources

Facade measurement notes: Take LAeq readings at each facade for minimum 5 minutes at the most noise-sensitive floor level. Record time and weather conditions (wind direction and strength affect measurements significantly).

North facade: ___ dB(A) LAeq measured at: ___h, conditions: ___ East facade: ___ dB(A) LAeq measured at: ___h, conditions: ___ South facade: ___ dB(A) LAeq measured at: ___h, conditions: ___ West facade: ___ dB(A) LAeq measured at: ___h, conditions: ___

Internal Noise Sources

Section 5 — HVAC and Building Services

HVAC is the dominant source of background noise in most commercial buildings. Record enough information to allow a noise impact assessment.

Measurement method: Take background noise readings at the centre of each room with all occupants absent and HVAC running at normal setting. Use a 15-minute LAeq measurement. Then switch off HVAC and take a further 5-minute reading to separate HVAC contribution from residual noise.

Room R01: HVAC on ___ dB(A) / NR___ | HVAC off ___ dB(A) | HVAC contribution ≈ ___ dB(A) Room R02: HVAC on ___ dB(A) / NR___ | HVAC off ___ dB(A) | HVAC contribution ≈ ___ dB(A) Room R03: HVAC on ___ dB(A) / NR___ | HVAC off ___ dB(A) | HVAC contribution ≈ ___ dB(A)

Section 6 — Adjacencies and Sound Insulation

Record the acoustic relationship between rooms. This feeds into the sound insulation specification.

Critical adjacencies to flag (rooms where sound insulation failures are most likely to cause problems):

• Meeting rooms above or adjacent to plant rooms
• Consulting rooms adjacent to waiting areas
• Bedrooms above car parks (impact noise)
• Classrooms adjacent to music rooms
• Executive offices adjacent to open-plan areas

Ceiling void is continuous between: _______________________________________________

Section 7 — Occupancy and Use Patterns

Noise sensitivity ratings:

• High: Recording studios, sleeping areas, consulting rooms, courtrooms, classrooms
• Medium: Meeting rooms, private offices, libraries
• Low: Open-plan offices, reception, cafeterias, circulation

_____________________________________________________________________________

Section 8 — Existing Acoustic Issues (Refurbishment Projects)

For existing buildings, document known acoustic complaints before any design work begins. This establishes a baseline and ensures remediation targets address real problems.

Photographs taken (list reference numbers and subjects):

1. _______________
2. _______________
3. _______________

How to Use the Survey Data

Once the survey is complete, transfer the key inputs to the acoustic simulation tool:

Room dimensions (Section 2) → Room Builder at /calc. Enter length, width, height.

Surface finishes (Section 3) → Assign materials from the AcousPlan materials database to each surface. The database contains over 5,000 materials with octave-band absorption data.

Background noise (Section 5, measured levels) → Compare against NR/NC targets for the room type. Identify whether the gap between measured and target can be closed with facade upgrades (L03), HVAC redesign (L04), or additional acoustic treatment.

Adjacency data (Section 6) → Identify which partitions need upgrading. The sound insulation calculator at /calc gives Rw recommendations for the required DnT,w performance.

The completed survey form becomes Appendix A of the acoustic design report. All subsequent calculations and recommendations must reference back to the survey data.

Standards Referenced

ISO 3382-2:2008 — Field measurement methodology for RT60 in occupied rooms. Informs measurement method in Sections 3 and 5.

ISO 16283-1:2014 — Field measurement of airborne sound insulation. Methodology for Section 6 sound insulation measurements.

IEC 61672-1:2013 — Sound level meter requirements. All background noise and facade noise measurements should use Class 1 meters.

ISO 1996-1:2016 / ISO 1996-2:2017 — Environmental noise measurement. Methodology for exterior facade noise measurements in Section 4.

CIBSE AM11:2015 — Building performance monitoring. Provides context for HVAC noise measurement methodology.

For the full 8-step acoustic design workflow that this survey feeds into, see The 8-Step Acoustic Design Process. For guidance on interpreting site noise measurements, see How to Read an Acoustic Report.