WELL v2 Sound

WELL v2 Feature 74 Calculator

Check acoustic compliance for WELL certification. Verify RT60, background noise, STC, and STI against all six Feature 74 requirements.

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WELL v2 Feature 74: Sound

Feature 74 of the WELL Building Standard v2 addresses acoustic comfort through six requirements. The mandatory precondition (S01: Sound Mapping) requires noise assessment. Five optimizations target sound masking, barriers, absorption (RT60), reinforcement (STI), and quiet spaces \u2014 worth up to 6 points toward WELL certification.

Reference: WELL Building Standard v2, Q3 2023

Feature 74 Requirements Breakdown

Precondition

S01: Sound Mapping

Required

Exterior and interior noise assessment with noise mapping. Identifies noise sources and establishes baseline conditions for acoustic design.

Optimization

S02: Sound Masking

2 pts

Electronic sound masking system providing uniform coverage at 40-48 dB(A) across occupied areas. Minimum NRC 0.90 ceiling with masking speakers.

Optimization

S03: Sound Barriers

1 pt

Sound insulation between enclosed spaces: STC 50+ for walls, STC 40+ for doors. Speech privacy achieved between adjacent offices.

Optimization

S04: Sound Absorption

1 pt

Reverberation time compliance per room type. RT60 targets based on ANSI S12.60 and ASHRAE guidelines. Acoustic treatment on ceiling and/or walls.

Optimization

S05: Sound Reinforcement

1 pt

Speech reinforcement systems in large meeting spaces. STI >= 0.60 at all listener positions. Assistive listening coverage per ADA requirements.

Optimization

S06: On-Demand Quiet

1 pt

Dedicated quiet spaces available to all occupants. Background noise ≤ NC-25, RT60 ≤ 0.5s, STC 45+ separation from open areas.

WELL S04 RT60 Targets

Room Type	Max RT60	Max Background	Min STC (S03)
Enclosed office	0.6s	NC-35	STC 50
Open-plan office	0.8s	NC-40	—
Conference room	0.6s	NC-30	STC 50
Classroom	0.6s	35 dB(A)	STC 50
Reception / lobby	1.0s	NC-40	—
Break room	0.8s	NC-40	—
Quiet room (S06)	0.5s	NC-25	STC 45

Common WELL Acoustic Failure Modes

Conference rooms with glass walls achieving STC 30-35 instead of required STC 50 — laminated glass or double-glazed systems needed

Open-plan offices exceeding RT60 0.8s because only ceiling tiles were specified — wall absorption or baffles required for large floor plates

Background noise from HVAC exceeding NC targets — particularly common when variable air volume (VAV) systems are at high turndown

Sound masking systems installed but not calibrated to 40-48 dB(A) spectrum — masking must be commissioned by an acoustic specialist

Read the full analysis: WELL Acoustic Certification Failure Modes

Frequently Asked Questions

What is WELL v2 Feature 74 (Sound)?▾

WELL v2 Feature 74 addresses acoustic comfort in buildings. It includes a mandatory precondition (S01: Sound Mapping) requiring exterior and interior noise assessment, plus up to 6 optimization points: S02 Sound Masking, S03 Sound Barriers, S04 Sound Absorption, S05 Sound Reinforcement, and S06 On-Demand Quiet Spaces. Projects must meet the precondition to achieve any WELL certification level.

How many WELL acoustic points can I earn?▾

Feature 74 offers up to 6 optimization points. S01 Sound Mapping is the precondition (mandatory, 0 points). Then: S02 Sound Masking (2 points), S03 Sound Barriers (1 point), S04 Sound Absorption (1 point for RT60 compliance), S05 Sound Reinforcement (1 point for STI >= 0.60), and S06 On-Demand Quiet Spaces (1 point). Most office projects target 3-4 points.

What RT60 does WELL v2 require?▾

WELL v2 S04 (Sound Absorption) requires RT60 compliance per room type: enclosed offices ≤ 0.6s, open-plan offices ≤ 0.8s, conference rooms ≤ 0.6s, classrooms ≤ 0.6s. The specific targets reference ANSI S12.60 for educational spaces and ASHRAE guidelines for commercial spaces. Compliance must be verified by an acoustic consultant or through measurement.

Do I need an acoustic consultant for WELL certification?▾

The WELL precondition S01 (Sound Mapping) requires a noise assessment that is typically prepared by an acoustic consultant. While not explicitly mandatory, the technical requirements for sound mapping, STC verification, and RT60 measurement effectively require professional acoustic expertise. The WELL AP (Accredited Professional) and acoustic consultant roles are complementary.

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The AcousPlan calculator checks RT60 compliance against WELL v2 Feature 74 S04 requirements for all room types. Free, instant, no account required.

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