Building Design and Construction Handbook - Merritt - Ventech!

WALL, FLOOR, AND CEILING SYSTEMS 11.165
Use of electronically generated masking sound, usually by means of speakers
located above the ceiling, has become commonplace in open-plan spaces as a means
of establishing a uniform background level. However, it is an expensive and complex
procedure and should be handled only by acoustics experts.
Sound-Transmission-Loss Requirements. Acoustical performance requirements
of sound barriers separating various occupancies may vary widely, depending on
the particular needs of the particular occupants. Typical requirements for common
occupancies in normal buildings are shown in Table 11.32.
In highly critical spaces, or where a large number of spaces of identical use are
involved (as in a large hotel or multiple-dwelling building), it is always advisable
to obtain expert acoustical advice.
Impact Isolation Requirements. Because the only standard test method available
is controversial, impact isolation performance specifications are only broad, general
suggestions, at best. The values in Table 11.33, however, are reasonably safe and
economically obtainable with available construction systems.
TABLE 11.32 Sound Isolation Requirements between
Rooms
Between
Room and
TABLE 11.33 Impact Isolation Requirements
between Rooms
Between
Room and
Adjacent
area
Room
below
Sound
isolation
requirement,
STC
Hotel bedroom Hotel bedroom 47
Hotel bedroom Corridor 47
Hotel bedroom Exterior 42
Normal office Normal office 33
Executive office Executive office 42
Bedroom Mechanical room 52
Classroom Classroom 37
Classroom Corridor 33
Theater Classroom 52
Theater Music rehearsal 57
Impact
isolation
requirement,
IIC
Hotel bedroom Hotel bedroom 55
Public spaces Hotel bedroom 60
Classroom Classroom 47
Music room Classroom 55
Music room Theater 62
Office Office 47