Sound reducing surfaces
- 72 Accessible design
- 73 Ergonomics: visual and physical
- 74 Exterior noise intrusion
- 75 Internally generated noise
- 76 Thermal comfort
- 77 Olfactory comfort
- 78 Reverberation time
- 79 Sound masking
- 80 Sound reducing surfaces
- 81 Sound barriers
- 82 Individual thermal control
- 83 Radiant thermal comfort
- P4 Impact reducing flooring
80. Sound reducing surfaces
To reduce sound reverberation and maintain comfortable sound levels though absorptive ceiling and wall surfaces.
Proper design and construction are not always enough to achieve acoustic comfort in buildings. Sources that contribute to acoustic dissatisfaction such as sound transmission from internal and external sources, footfall noise and voices from adjacent spaces are difficult to control. However, sound reduction treatments that incorporate absorptive surfaces, such as wall panels, ceiling baffles and surface enhancements can help with reverberation management and improve acoustic comfort. The noise reduction coefficient (NRC) of a material is an average value that determines its absorptive properties. The larger the NRC value, the better the material is at absorbing sound under standardized conditions.
The following spaces, if present, have ceilings that meet the specifications described:
The following spaces, if present, have walls that meet the NRC specifications described:
The following spaces have ceilings that meet the specifications described:
Applicability Matrix
Core & Shell | New & Existing Buildings | New & Existing Interiors | |
---|---|---|---|
Part 1: Ceilings | - | O | O |
Part 2: Walls | - | O | O |
Commercial Kitchen | Education | Multifamily Residential | Restaurant | Retail | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Part 3: School Ceilings | - | O | - | - | - |
Verification Methods Matrix
Letters of Assurance | Annotated Documents | On-Site Checks | |
---|---|---|---|
Part 1: Ceilings | Architect | ||
Part 2: Walls | Architect | ||
Part 3: School Ceilings | Architect |
80.1.a |
The General Services Administration's Sound Matters recommends this NRC value for open plan workspaces. |
80.1.b |
The General Services Administration's Sound Matters recommends this NRC value for meeting rooms and teleconference rooms. |
80.2.b |
The General Services Administration's Sound Matters recommends this NRC value for open plan workspaces. |
80.2.c |
The General Services Administration's Sound Matters recommends this NRC value for quiet open offices which have head-height walls. |
80.2.a |
The General Services Administration's Sound Matters recommends a minimum NRC of 0.8 on at least 25% of two adjacent walls for enclosed workspaces. |