1. Scope

1.1 The purpose of this classification is to provide a single-number rating that can be used for comparing building facade designs, including walls, doors, windows, and combinations thereof. This rating is designed to correlate with subjective impressions of the ability of building elements to reduce the overall loudness of ground and air transportation noise. It is intended to be used as a rank ordering device.

1.2 The rating does not necessarily relate to the perceived aesthetic quality of the transmitted sound. Different facade elements with similar ratings may differ significantly in the proportion of low and high frequency sound that they transmit. It is best to use specific sound transmission loss values, in conjunction with actual spectra of outdoor and indoor sound levels, for making final selections of facade elements.

1.3 Excluded from the scope of this classification are applications involving noise spectra differing markedly from those described in 4.1. Thus excluded, for example, would be certain industrial noises with high levels at frequencies below the 80 Hz one-third octave band, relative to levels at higher frequencies. However, for any source with a spectrum similar to those in 4.1, this classification provides a more reliable ranking of the performance of partitions and facade elements than do other classifications such as Classification E413.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ISO Standard

ANSI Standard

ASTM Standards

C634 Terminology Relating to Building and Environmental Acoustics

E90 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions and Elements

E413 Classification for Rating Sound Insulation

E966 Guide for Field Measurements of Airborne Sound Attenuation of Building Facades and Facade Elements

E989 Classification for Determination of Impact Insulation Class (IIC)

Keywords

A-weighting; aircraft; buildings; classification; facade; freeway; indoor; insulation; isolation; loudness; noise; outdoor-indoor noise isolation (OINIC( ? )); outdoor-indoor transmission class (OITC); outdoor; railroad; sound; traffic; transmission; transportation; Building facades; Classification (standards)--acoustic materials; Doors/door assemblies; Sound transmission; Windows/window assemblies

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 13.040.01 (Air quality in general)

DOI: 10.1520/E1332-90R98

ASTM International is a member of CrossRef.