Acoustic Standards Reference

STANDARDS12 min read

AS 2107 Australia: Recommended Design Sound Levels — Complete Reference

AS/NZS 2107:2016 specifies recommended background noise levels for all major Australian building types. This complete reference covers every room category, measurement method, and relationship to NCC 2022 compliance.

ASHRAE HVAC Noise Control: Handbook Chapter Summary for Acoustic Designers

ASHRAE HVAC Applications Chapter 49 is the authoritative guide for mechanical noise control in buildings. This summary covers RC/NC curve criteria, duct noise calculation, equipment selection, and silencer design for acoustic designers.

ASTM C423 Absorption Testing: Test Method, Mounting Types, and Why Results Vary

ASTM C423 is the US standard for measuring sound absorption coefficients in a reverberation room. This guide explains the test method, mounting types A–J, NRC calculation, and why the same product can yield very different results.

ASTM C423absorption testing

STANDARDS12 min read

DIN 4109 German Sound Insulation: Requirements, Calculation Methods, and Compliance

DIN 4109:2018 is Germany's mandatory building acoustics standard covering airborne and impact sound insulation for residential, educational, and office buildings. This guide covers every requirement table and calculation procedure.

DIN 4109German standard

STANDARDS12 min read

ASTM E492 Impact Insulation Class (IIC): Test Method, Rating Procedure, and Compliance

ASTM E492 defines the laboratory test method for Impact Insulation Class (IIC) of floor-ceiling assemblies. This guide covers the tapping machine procedure, IIC rating calculation, field vs. lab gaps, and code requirements.

ISO 16283 Field Sound Insulation: Complete Guide to Parts 1, 2, and 3

ISO 16283 replaces ISO 140 Parts 4, 5, and 7 for field sound insulation testing. This clause-by-clause guide covers airborne, impact, and facade measurement — with acceptance criteria and reporting requirements.

ISO 16283field testing

STANDARDS11 min read

LEED v4.1 EQ Credit Acoustic Performance: Requirements, Paths, and Documentation

LEED v4.1 EQ Credit Acoustic Performance requires RT60, background noise, and sound isolation compliance. This guide covers all credit paths, point allocations, prerequisite vs. credit requirements, and documentation checklists.

LEED v4acoustic credit

STANDARDS10 min read

NBR 15575 Brazil: Residential Acoustic Performance Requirements Explained

NBR 15575:2021 is the Brazilian performance standard for residential buildings, covering airborne sound insulation, impact noise, and background noise limits for facades and internal partitions across three performance levels.

NRA France: Nouvelle Réglementation Acoustique — Complete English Guide

The Nouvelle Réglementation Acoustique (NRA) is France's mandatory acoustic standard for new residential construction. This English guide covers all DnT,A and L'nT,w requirements, the arrêté du 30 juin 1999, and compliance verification.

WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines 2018: Thresholds, Evidence, and Design Implications

The WHO Environmental Noise Guidelines for the European Region (2018) set evidence-based exposure limits for road, rail, aircraft, wind turbine, and leisure noise. This guide explains every threshold and its health basis.

ANSI/ASA S12.60 Complete Guide: American Classroom Acoustics Standard

ANSI S12.60-2010 is the American standard for classroom acoustics, specifying maximum RT60 (0.6s), maximum background noise (35 dBA), and minimum STI (0.60). Here is every requirement explained with calculation examples, compliance methods, and how it compares to BB93 and DIN 18041.

ANSI S12.60classroom acoustics

STANDARDS21 min read

BB93:2015 Complete Guide: UK School Acoustics Standard

Building Bulletin 93 (BB93:2015) sets the acoustic requirements for all school buildings in England and Wales. It specifies RT60 limits, background noise levels (BNL), and sound insulation — all mandatory under Building Regulations. Here is every requirement, room type, and compliance method.

IEC 60268-16 Complete Guide: Speech Transmission Index (STI) Standard

IEC 60268-16:2020 defines the Speech Transmission Index — the definitive metric for speech intelligibility in rooms. Here is every aspect of the standard explained: the STI calculation method, STIPA measurement procedure, quality scale, and how building codes worldwide use it.

IEC 60268-16STI

STANDARDS22 min readFeatured

ISO 3382 Complete Guide: Room Acoustics Measurement and Parameters

ISO 3382 is the international standard for measuring and evaluating room acoustics. Part 1 covers performance spaces, Part 2 covers ordinary rooms, Part 3 covers open plan offices. Here is every parameter, measurement method, and requirement explained — with the specific clause references you need for compliance documentation.

ISO 3382room acoustics

STANDARDS21 min readFeatured

WELL v2 Feature 74 (Sound) Complete Guide: Every Requirement, Threshold, and Compliance Path

WELL v2 Feature 74 has three parts: Sound Mapping (RT60), Sound Barriers (background noise), and Sound Masking (speech privacy/STI). Here is every threshold, every space type, every measurement condition, and the compliance pathway for each part — from precondition to optimization.