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Designation: E 336 – 05

Standard Test Method for


Measurement of Airborne Sound Attenuation between
Rooms in Buildings1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E 336; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.

INTRODUCTION

This test method is part of a set of standards for evaluating the sound-insulating properties of
building elements. It is designed to measure the sound isolation between two rooms or to estimate
lower limits for sound transmission through a partition element installed as an interior part of a
building. Others in the set cover the airborne sound transmission loss of an isolated partition element
in a controlled laboratory environment (Test Method E 90), the laboratory measurement of impact
sound transmission through floors (Method E 492), the measurement of impact sound transmission in
buildings (Method E 1007), the measurement of sound transmission through building facades and
facade elements (Method E 966), the measurement of sound transmission through a common plenum
between two rooms (Method E 1414), and the measurement of sound transmission through door
panels and systems (Method E 1408).

1. Scope aries may be permanent, operable, or movable.


1.1 The sound isolation between two spaces in a building is 1.3 Annex A1 provides methods to assess the sound trans-
determined by a combination of the direct transmission through mission through a partition or partition element with the
the nominally separating building element (as normally mea- influence of flanking transmission reduced. These methods
sured in a laboratory) and any transmission along a number of may be used when it must be demonstrated that a partition has
indirect paths, usually referred to as flanking paths. Fig. 1 achieved a specified minimum sound attenuation. The results
illustrates the direct paths and some possible structural flanking are the field transmission loss (FTL) and field sound transmis-
paths. Additional non-structural flanking paths may include sion class (FSTC).
transmission through common air ducts between rooms, or 1.4 Annex A2 provides methods to measure the sound
doors to the corridor from adjacent rooms. isolation between portions of two rooms in a building separated
1.2 The main part of this test method defines procedures and by a common partition including both direct and flanking paths
metrics to assess the sound isolation between two rooms in a when at least one of the rooms has a volume of 150 m3 or more.
building separated by a common partition including both direct The results are the noise reduction (NR) and noise isolation
and flanking transmission paths. Appropriate measures and class (NIC).
their single number ratings are the noise reduction (NR) and 1.5 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-
noise isolation class (NIC), the normalized noise reduction tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
(NNR) and normalized noise isolation class (NNIC), and the address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
apparent transmission loss (ATL) and apparent sound transmis- use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
sion class (ASTC). With the exception of the ATL and ASTC establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
under specified conditions, these procedures are only appli- mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
cable when both room volumes are less than 150 m3.
2. Referenced Documents
NOTE 1—The word “partition” in this test method includes all types of
walls, floors, or any other boundaries separating two spaces. The bound-
2.1 ASTM Standards: 2
C 634 Terminology Relating to Environmental Acoustics

1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E33 on
2
Environmental Acoustics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E33.03 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Sound Transmission. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved April 1, 2005. Published April 2005. Originally Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
published as E 336 – 71. Last previous edition E 336 – 97e1. the ASTM website.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

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E 336 – 05

FIG. 1 Direct (D) and Some Indirect or Flanking Paths (F and Dotted) in a Building

E 90 Test Method for Laboratory Measurement of Airborne where:


Sound Transmission Loss of Building Partitions S = the area of the partition common to both source and
E 413 Classification for Rating Sound Insulation receiving rooms,
E 2235 Test Method for the Measurement of Decay Rates A2 = the sound absorption in the receiving room,

for Use in Sound Insulation Test Methods L1 = the source room average sound pressure level, and
2.2 ANSI Standards: –
S1.4 Specification for Sound Level Meters3 L2 = the receiving room average sound pressure level
resulting from the combined effect of direct and
S1.10 Pressure Calibration of Laboratory Standard Pressure flanking transmission.
Microphones3
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Throughout this test method, log is
S1.11 Specification for Octave-Band and Fractional-
taken to mean log10, unless otherwise indicated.
Octave-Band Analog and Digital Filters3
2.3 IEC Standard: 3.2.1.2 Discussion—This definition attributes all the power
IEC 60804 Specification for Integrating-Averaging Sound transmitted into the receiving room, by direct and flanking
Level Meters4 paths, to the area of the partition common to both rooms. If
flanking transmission is significant, the ATL will be less than
3. Terminology the TL for the partition. Apparent Transmission Loss is
3.1 The following terms used in this test method have equivalent in meaning to Apparent Sound Reduction Index
specific meanings that are defined in Terminology C 634: used by ISO 140-4.
3.1.1 airborne sound; background noise; decay rate; decibel; 3.2.2 apparent sound transmission class, ASTC, n—a single
diffuse sound field; field sound transmission class, FSTC; field number rating obtained by applying the classification proce-
transmission loss, FTL; flanking transmission; pink noise; dure of Classification E 413 to apparent transmission loss data.
receiving room; sabin; self-noise; sound absorption; sound 3.2.3 direct transmission, n—sound that travels between a
attenuation; sound insulation; sound isolation; sound pressure source and a receiving room only through the common
level; sound transmission loss, TL; source room (separating) building element.
NOTE 2—The unqualified term average sound pressure level in this 3.2.4 noise reduction, NR, n—in a specified frequency band,
document means that sound pressure levels were averaged over the the difference between the sound pressure levels in two
measurement region for specified periods of time. enclosed rooms divided by a partition, due to one or more
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: sound sources in one of the rooms, with the sound pressure
3.2.1 apparent transmission loss, ATL, n—of a partition levels averaged throughout the rooms when both rooms are less
installed in a building, in a specified frequency band is than 150 cubic meters, and averaged over a space 1 to 2 meters
operationally defined as: from the dividing partition on both sides of the partition when
one or both rooms are 150 cubic meters or larger.
– – S
ATL 5 L1 2 L2 1 10 log A
2
S D (1) 3.2.5 noise isolation class, NIC, n—a single-number rating
calculated in accordance with Classification E 413 using mea-
sured values of noise reduction.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
3.2.6 normalized noise reduction, NNR, n—between two
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036.
4
Available from International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC), 3 rue de rooms of less than 150 cubic meters, in a specified frequency
Varembé, Case postale 131, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland. band, the value that the noise reduction, NR, in a given field

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test would have if the reverberation time in the receiving room common (separating) partition. This procedure evaluates the
were 0.5 s. NNR is calculated as follows: isolation observed near the partition. The appropriate measure
is NR, and the appropriate single number rating is NIC.
T
NNR 5 NR 1 10 log 0.5 S D (2) 5.3 It is sometimes necessary to demonstrate that the sound
insulation of a partition meets or exceeds a specific criterion.
where: Annex A1 provides additional requirements, and describes how
NR = noise reduction, dB, and shielding procedures can be used to reduce flanking transmis-
T = reverberation time in receiving room, s. sion in stages to show that a partition has achieved a minimum
3.2.6.1 Discussion—The normalized noise reduction is in- value of the FTL or minimum value of the FSTC which may
tended to approximate the noise reduction that would exist meet or exceed the criterion. If it is demonstrated that no
between two ordinarily furnished rooms. significant flanking exists through shielding of all potential
3.2.7 normalized noise isolation class, NNIC, n—a single- flanking paths, then, and only then, FTL and FSTC may be
number rating for noise isolation between two rooms both less reported without qualification.
than 150 cubic meters calculated in accordance with Classifi-
cation E 413 using measured values of normalized noise NOTE 3—Measuring the sound transmission loss properties of a parti-
reduction. (See normalized noise reduction.) tion itself to demonstrate that it meets or exceeds a specific criterion is
very difficult in the field due to the presence of flanking (2, 3). Room
volume and absorption requirements must also be met.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The source and receiving rooms are selected, the loca- 5.4 Several metrics are available for specific uses:
tion and number of sound sources chosen, and measurement 5.4.1 Noise Reduction (NR) and Noise Isolation Class
spaces in each room defined. (NIC)—Describe the sound isolation between two spaces in the
4.2 Sound is produced in the source room and sound condition found. The measurement method varies depending
pressure levels are sampled spatially in the measurement on the size of the spaces. When each space is less than 150
spaces in both the source and receiving rooms. cubic meters, sound levels are averaged over the space. NR
4.3 Sound decay rates are measured as necessary depending values for such spaces when unfurnished will usually be lower
on the result to be reported. than values measured when the spaces are furnished. These
4.4 If a value for the Field Transmission Loss is to be values relate directly to the sound attenuation experienced by
measured, the requirements and procedures of Annex A1 must occupants of the spaces for the condition evaluated, including
be satisfied. the effects of flanking and room absorption, and not just to the
4.5 Results and single number ratings are calculated and performance of a partition. When either of the spaces is 150
reported. cubic meters or more, sound levels are measured in an area
close to the partition on each side. These results include some
5. Significance and Use effect of room absorption and flanking, but the effect of room
5.1 The main part of this standard uses procedures origi- absorption is less when measured close to the partition.
nally developed for laboratory measurements of the transmis- 5.4.2 Normalized Noise Reduction (NNR) and Normalized
sion loss of partitions. These procedures assume that the rooms Noise Isolation Class (NNIC)—Give the sound isolation be-
in which the measurements are made have a sound field that tween two residential or office spaces adjusted to standardized
reasonably approximates a diffuse field. Sound pressure levels room conditions. This normalization is usually done to com-
in such rooms are reasonably uniform throughout the room and pensate for a lack or excess of furnishings in the rooms. NNR
average levels vary inversely with the logarithm of the room and NNIC shall not be used for spaces of 150 cubic meters or
sound absorption. Not all rooms will satisfy these conditions. larger. These values are intended to relate to the sound
Practical experience and controlled studies (1)5 have shown attenuation experienced by occupants of the spaces if the
that the test method is applicable to smaller spaces normally spaces were normally furnished.
used for work or living, such as rooms in multi-family 5.4.3 Apparent Transmission Loss (ATL) and Apparent
dwellings, hotel guest rooms, meeting rooms, and offices with Sound Transmission Class (ASTC)—Describe the apparent
volumes less than 150 cubic meters. The measures appropriate sound insulation of a partition separating two spaces. All sound
for such spaces are NR, NNR, and ATL. The corresponding transmission, including any flanking transmission, is ascribed
single number ratings are NIC, NNIC and ASTC. The ATL and to the partition. The actual transmission loss of the partition
ASTC may be measured between larger spaces that meet a will usually be higher than the apparent transmission loss.
limitation on absorption in the spaces to provide uniform sound 5.4.4 Field Transmission Loss (FTL) and Field Sound
distribution. Transmission Class (FSTC)—These results should theoreti-
5.2 Annex A2 was developed for use in spaces that are very cally approach the actual sound insulation of a partition or
large (volume of 150 m3 or greater). Sound pressure levels partition element as would be measured in a laboratory, but in
during testing can vary markedly across large rooms so that the practice they often do not. These values may be reported only
degree of isolation can vary strongly with distance from the if the stringent requirements of Annex A1 to reduce flanking
transmission are met. Since all flanking is removed to obtain
these metrics, they do not reflect the sound attenuation expe-
5
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of rienced by the occupants when flanking transmission is signifi-
this standard. cant.

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NOTE 4—Since the metric ASTC includes the effect of direct and field use and transportation, manufacturer recommendations,
flanking transmission, the ASTC will be less than or equal to the FSTC. and history of reliability or problems as observed in prior
The difference depends on the magnitude of the flanking transmission. calibrations.
Thus, the ASTC can be used to demonstrate that a partition at least meets
an FSTC requirement and may exceed it. If ASTC is measured under NOTE 8—ANSI S1.10 provides more information on calibration.
conditions that do not satisfy the more stringent requirements in Annex
A1, this may introduce other variations.
7.2 If equipment is sensitive to line voltage variations, use a
line-voltage regulator.
6. Test Equipment 7.3 Perform sensitivity checks of the entire measuring setup
(including the microphone, all cables, and instruments) with
6.1 Sound Sources and Signals—Sound sources shall be
the same calibration equipment before and after the measure-
loudspeaker systems driven by power amplifiers. The input
ments. If the calibration values differ by more than 0.5 dB, the
signal to the amplifiers shall be random noise containing an
results are invalid and measurements shall be repeated.
approximately continuous distribution of frequencies over each
test band. White or pink electronic noise sources satisfy this 8. Test Site Conditions
condition.
8.1 The test specimen is usually defined to be all building
NOTE 5—Ideally, loudspeaker systems should be omnidirectional. In elements that separate and define the source and receiving
practice, using multiple driver elements to cover different frequency rooms. These shall not be modified by any temporary means to
ranges and placing and aiming sources into trihedral corners of the room improve performance except when attempting to measure the
will normally be adequate.
field transmission loss in accordance with Annex A1. Any
6.1.1 The sound power of the source(s) must be sufficient to permanent modifications made after the beginning of testing
raise the signal level in the receiving room far enough above shall be reported.
background noise to meet the requirements of 11.8. 8.2 Flanking transmission in the structure adjacent to the
6.2 Measuring Equipment—Microphones, amplifiers, and partition will be present. No efforts to suppress such structural
electronic circuitry to process microphone signals and perform flanking transmission shall be made.
measurements shall satisfy the requirements of ANSI S1.4 for 8.3 Major flanking due to doors or other openings into
Type 1 sound level meters, except that B and C weighting common areas adjacent to the source and receiving rooms may
networks are not required. exist. Efforts to suppress such major flanking may be made
6.2.1 Measurement quality microphones 13 mm or smaller only if the intent of the test is to evaluate the partition between
in diameter and that are close to omnidirectional below 5000 rooms and structural flanking. Such efforts must be reported.
Hz shall be used. 8.4 Drying and Curing Period—Test specimens that incor-
porate materials for which there is a curing or drying process
NOTE 6—If measurements are to be made above 5000 Hz, a diffuse-
field (random-incidence) microphone or corrector is preferred.
(for example, adhesives, plasters, concrete, mortar, and damp-
ing compound) shall age for a sufficient interval before testing
6.2.1.1 If multiple microphones are used, they shall all be of (unless the intent is to evaluate a partition that is not fully
the same make and model. cured). Aging periods for common materials are recommended
6.3 Bandwidth and Filtering—The overall frequency re- in Test Method E 90 and summarized in Table 1 of this test
sponse of the electrical system, including the filter or filters in method. If materials have not aged as shown in Table 1, testing
the source and microphone sections, shall for each test band shall be repeated after an appropriate period until no significant
conform to the specifications in ANSI S1.11 for a one-third- change is observed in results.
octave band filter set, Order 3 or higher, Type 1 or better.
6.3.1 The minimum range of measurements shall be a series 9. Room Selection
of contiguous one-third-octave bands with mid-band frequen- 9.1 When measurements are being made to determine sound
cies from 125 to 4000 Hz. isolation between a particular pair of rooms, the choice of
NOTE 7—It is desirable that the frequency range be extended to include
source and receiving room may be specified by the party
at least the 100 and 5000-Hz bands. requesting the test. When this is not specified and the rooms are

6.4 Calibrators—The field calibrator used for sensitivity TABLE 1 Recommended Minimum Aging Periods Before Testing
checks shall be an acoustic or electrostatic calibrator providing
Recommended Minimum
a nominal sine wave having less than 10 % distortion and Material
Aging Period
amplitude stability to within 0.2 dB at a frequency in the range Masonry 28 days
from 200 to 1250 Hz. Plaster:
Thicker than 3 mm (1⁄8 in.) 28 days
Thinner than 3 mm (1⁄8 in.) 3 days
7. Calibration and Sensitivity Checks Wallboard Partitions:
7.1 A thorough calibration of acoustical instrumentation by With water-base laminating adhesives 14 days
With non-water-base laminating 3 days
a calibration laboratory at regular intervals is necessary to help adhesives
assure that the equipment is operating within instrument With typical joint and finishing 12 h
standards and manufacturer’s specifications. The appropriate compounds
Other As appropriate for caulking and
calibration interval depends on several factors including the adhesive compounds involved
complexity of the instrument, frequency of use, frequency of

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significantly different in size and furnishings, if NR is to be several loudspeaker positions and the values averaged to provide a less
measured in just one direction, it shall be measured in the biased result.
direction expected to produce the lowest result.
11. Measurement of Average Sound Pressure Levels
NOTE 9—Since NR and NIC are not normalized to the receiving room
absorption it is possible that there will be a significant difference in NR
11.1 The test method requires two sets of average sound
and NIC values measured when the source and receiving rooms are pressure levels with the source(s) operating in the source room.
interchanged. This is especially true when the rooms are of substantially The first are those in the source room. The second are those in
different size and degree of room absorption (which is often determined by the receiving room measured with the effect of background
the type and amount of furnishings). noise removed if necessary.
NOTE 10—Results from a single pair of rooms should not be used to 11.2 Averaging Time—When measuring sound pressure lev-
represent conditions typical of many similar spaces due to the many
els in all frequency bands simultaneously at fixed locations, the
unknown variables that could exist.
minimum averaging time shall be 10 s for measurements down
9.2 Room Volume and Shape—Volume and shape require- to 125 Hz. If frequency bands are measured sequentially, the
ments must be met depending on the quantity to be measured. averaging time may be 5 s at 250 Hz and above. The minimum
9.2.1 NR may be measured between any two spaces where averaging time, Ta, at frequency f that is less than 250 Hz must
each is less than 150 m3 using the procedures in Section 11. If be computed from:
either space is 150 m3 or greater, NR may be measured using
1240
the procedures of Annex A2 to replace those in Section 11. Ta 5 f s (4)
9.2.2 ATL and NNR may be measured between two spaces
where each has a volume of at least 25 m3 and the smallest NOTE 15—This provides 95 % confidence limits of 6 0.5 dB. For more
dimension is at least 2.3 m. NNR shall not be measured information, see Ref (5).
between spaces where either has a volume of 150 m3 or more. 11.2.1 When using mechanically or manually scanned mi-
NOTE 11—The uncertainty of the space average sound pressure level crophones, integration times shall be at least 30 s. Longer times
increases with decreasing frequency and with decreasing room volume. may be required to cover the entire volume to be measured.
9.2.3 ATL may be measured between spaces where either is 11.3 Measurement Space—Microphones shall be placed or
150 m3 or more in volume only if at all frequencies, the room scanned in an area more than 1 m from all major extended
absorption, A, for each room is less than: surfaces. The distance from all sources shall be at least 1 m
when the room volume is less than 25 m3, at least 1.5 m when
A 5 V2/3 (3) the room volume is less than 100 m3, and at least 2 m in larger
where: rooms.
V = the room volume. If V is in cubic meters (cubic feet), 11.3.1 If the requirements of 11.3 prevent adequate sam-
then A is in square meters (sabins). pling of the measurement region then measurements may be
9.2.4 FTL may be measured only if all the requirements of made as close as 0.5 m to room surfaces (4), but must never be
Annex A1 are met. less than 1 m from the isolating partition in the receiving room.
11.4 Spatial Sampling Method—There are three permissible
10. Sound Sources methods to spatially sample the measurement space: fixed
10.1 Location—Place the sound source(s) at least 5 m from microphone positions, mechanically operated microphones,
the separating partition unless the room dimensions prohibit and manually scanned microphones.
this, in which case place them in the corners of the room most 11.4.1 When measuring background noise, the same meth-
distant from the separating partition. ods, microphone positions, sweep pattern, measurement peri-
ods and instrument range settings as used for the measurement
NOTE 12—Sound sources should be far enough away from the test
of level in the receiving room due to the sound source shall be
partition that the direct field reaching the latter is as small as possible
compared to the reverberant field. (When the isolating partition is a used.
vertical wall, sources are usually placed in corners away from the isolating 11.4.2 Fixed Microphone Positions—If fixed microphone
partition. When the isolating partition is a floorceiling structure, the source positions are used, at least six positions shall be used in each
usually must be placed in the lower room.) Pointing loudspeakers into room. The positions shall be at least 1 m apart. If and only if
corners reduces the direct field from the loudspeakers in the source room the space is too small to allow this, the distance between
and is recommended.
microphones or number of microphone or both may be
10.2 If more than one source position is used, the distance reduced. Do not use microphone arrangements that are obvi-
between positions shall be at least 2 m. If more than one source ously symmetrical, such as all in the same vertical or horizontal
is used simultaneously, they shall be driven by separate noise plane.
generators and amplifier channels so the outputs are uncorre-
NOTE 16—To provide independent samples of the sound field, station-
lated. ary microphones in an ideal diffuse sound field would be spaced at least
NOTE 13—Multiple sources may be necessary to achieve an even sound one-half wavelength apart at the lowest frequency of interest (4).
distribution for noise reduction measurements in some large irregular
absorptive spaces.
11.4.2.1 Determination of Space-Average Levels—When
NOTE 14—It is highly desirable to use more than one source location as multiple measurements are made in the same room, use the
results, especially at low frequencies, may be influenced by the position of following equation to obtain the average sound pressure level
the source in the room. If desired, measurements may be repeated for which is a space and time average level:

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F
1 n
L 5 10 log n ( 10L1/10
i51
G (5)
the measurements, the measurements must be repeated until no
such sounds are heard during the collection period.
11.6 Source Room Level—With the sound source(s) operat-
where: ing at a constant level, measure the average sound pressure
L1 = the level measured at the ith microphone position and level at each frequency in the source room taking care to avoid
there are n locations in the room. the direct field of the sound sources, see 11.3.
11.4.3 Moving Microphones—Moving microphones may be 11.7 Background Noise Level—With the sound source(s)
used in conjunction with sound level meters or the equivalent shut off, measure the average sound pressure level at each
that give integrated levels in accordance with IEC 60804. frequency in the receiving room using the same instrument
Whether mechanically or manually moved, the microphone range setting used to measure receiving room levels and a
speed shall not exceed 0.5 m/s. minimum averaging time of 30 s at each microphone position.
11.4.3.1 Mechanically Operated Microphones—A single
NOTE 18—A longer integration time is needed for the measurement of
microphone continuously moving along a defined traverse such background noise since its level may vary significantly with time.
as a circular path may be used if the restrictions given in 11.3
are met at all points on the path. The radius of a circular path 11.7.1 Compare the receiving room levels and background
must be at least 1 m, and larger if the dimensions of the room noise levels. If at any frequency the background noise level is
allow. The plane of the path shall not be parallel to any surface within 10 dB of the receiving room level, increase the source
of the room. level if possible to achieve at least a 10 dB difference at each
frequency and repeat all level measurements.
NOTE 17—The minimum radius is required to achieve the equivalent of 11.7.2 It may be necessary to filter the spectrum of the noise
the minimum required number of points at low frequencies. The number source to concentrate the available sound power in a few bands
of equivalent fixed microphone positions for a straight-line traverse of
to increase the source room sound pressure level. In such cases,
length L is 2L/l and for a circular or closed traverse of length L is
(2L/l) − 1, where l is the wavelength of interest (6). the bandwidth of the filter applied to the source signal shall
extend at least one-third-octave band above and below the
11.4.3.2 In larger rooms, multiple locations of the micro- frequency band(s) measured in the receiving room.
phone traverse may be necessary to adequately sample the 11.8 Corrected Receiving room Levels—If the difference
room. Avoid patterns that overlap; the size of the path and the between the background and the combined level in the receiv-
number of locations should be adjusted to give adequate ing room due to source and background is more than 10 dB at
coverage. The results of multiple scans shall be averaged using all frequency bands then no corrections to the receiving room
Eq 5. levels are necessary.
11.4.3.3 Manually Scanned Microphones—When the size 11.8.1 If, after increasing the source level, the difference
of the measurement space allows, the operator shall stand between the background and the receiving room level is
within the space and turn slowly moving the microphone to between 5 and 10 dB, the adjusted value of the receiving room
sample as much of the measurement space as possible without level shall be calculated as follows:
going outside the measurement space. The microphone shall be
Ls 5 10 log~10Lsb/10 2 10Lb/10! (6)
held well away from the operator’s body (a boom serves to
increase the distance). For larger rooms, the operator shall walk where:
slowly moving the microphone in a circular path of at least 0.5 Lb = the background noise level in each band, dB,
m diameter in front to evenly sample as much as practical of Lsb = the combined level of signal and background (the
the measurement space. For very small rooms where it is receiving room level), dB, and
impractical for operator to stand within the measurement space Ls = the adjusted signal level, dB.
and hold the microphone away from the body, the operator 11.8.2 If the background level is within 5 dB of the
shall stand to the side of the measurement space and extend the receiving room level, then subtract 2 dB from the receiving
microphone into the measurement space. The microphone room level and use the result as the corrected receiving room
speed shall remain as constant as practical. The operator shall level. In this case, the measurements shall only be used to
take care to assure that the path does not significantly sample provide an estimate of the lower limit of the noise reduction or
any part of the room volume for more time than other parts. other derivative result. Identify such measurements in the test
Take care when moving the microphone and its cable, and report.
when walking, especially when measuring sound in the receiv- 11.9 Room Absorption—When room absorption or decay
ing room. The measured data can be contaminated by footstep rate must be measured in the receiving room to determine the
sounds or extraneous signals due to inadvertent contact be- NNR or ATL, they shall be determined in accordance with Test
tween the microphone and the operator’s body. Method E 2235.
11.5 Receiving Room Level—With the sound source(s) op-
erating at a constant level, measure the average sound pressure 12. Calculation of Acoustical Quantities and Associated
level at each frequency in the receiving room. Metrics
11.5.1 When measurements are made in areas with fluctu- 12.1 Where both rooms are less than 150 cubic meters,
ating background noise, the operator shall listen to the noise in calculate the noise reduction as the difference between the
the receiving room during measurements of the receiving room average sound pressure levels obtained in the source and
level. If any intermittent interfering sounds are heard during receiving rooms, using:

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E 336 – 05
– – containing test results stating: “This test does not conform fully
NR 5 L1 2 L2 (7)
to the requirements of ASTM E 336.” Note specifically if the
where: procedures of Annex A1 or Annex A2 were used.

L1 = the average sound pressure level in the source room, 13.1.2 Description of Test Environment:
dB, and 13.1.2.1 A general description of the source and receive
– = the average corrected sound pressure level in the spaces and their environs, including furnishings.
L2
receiving room, dB. 13.1.2.2 The dimensions and volumes of the test rooms,
12.1.1 If required, normalized noise reduction values for with a sketch showing the layout unless the two rooms are
rooms less than 150 cubic meters shall be calculated as similar rectangular parallelepipeds.
follows: 13.1.2.3 The dimensions of the test partition.
– – T
S D
NNR 5 L1 2 L2 1 10 log 0.5 (8)
13.1.3 Description of Test Specimen:
13.1.3.1 If the information is available and relevant to the
purpose of the test method, give a complete description of the
where: test partition, including all of the essential constructional
T = the reverberation time in the receiving room, s, elements, the size, thickness, and an estimate of the average
60 weight per unit area of the specimen.
T5 d (9)
NOTE 21—If there are no access panels, outlet boxes, etc., that would
and: permit a direct measurement of wall thickness, the specimen thickness can
d = the rate of decay of sound pressure level, dB/s mea- often be deduced by measurement between windows or doorways
separated by the test specimen.
sured in accordance with Test Method E 2235.
13.1.3.2 Any description of the test specimen should as far
NOTE 19—This normalization adjusts the noise reduction to values that
would be expected in a room with reverberation times of 0.5 s. as practicable be based upon measurement and examination of
the specimen itself, rather than upon the building plans or
12.2 If required, apparent transmission loss values shall be information received from the builder or others. The source of
calculated from measurements in the two rooms as follows: any description not based on direct observation shall be stated.
– – S
ATL 5 L1 2 L2 1 10 log AS D
2
(10)
13.1.3.3 If the construction or installation of the test speci-
men is, for some reason, such that the results do not represent
normal performance of the specimen, state this fact explicitly
where:
and put a statement of this on each page containing test results.
S = the area of the test partition, m2, and
A2 = the sound absorption in the receiving room, m2, 13.2 Description of Test Procedure and Equipment:
measured in accordance with Test Method E 2235. 13.2.1 Report the number of microphones and decays and
12.3 This test method specifies the use of one-third-octave describe the analysis methods used to measure room absorption
bands for measurement and calculation of noise reduction and according to Test Method E 2235.
all derivative quantities. It does not allow measurement of 13.2.2 Describe the procedures, if used, to evaluate possible
octave band noise reductions because these are very sensitive flanking transmission.
to the shape of the source and receive room spectra. In 13.2.3 List all sound source and measurement equipment
applications where octave band values are required, they shall including microphones and field calibrators by make, model,
be calculated using the expression: and serial number where applicable, and for the measurement
equipment including microphones and field calibrators also list
F 1 Bc11
NRoct,fc 5 210 log 3 ( 102NRB/10
B5Bc21
G (11) the date of the last complete laboratory calibration.
13.3 Statement of Test Results:
13.3.1 State clearly the type of results that are being
where:
fc = a preferred octave band mid-band frequency as speci- presented (NR, NNR, ATL, FTL or a minimum value of the
fied in ANSI S1.6. FTL). All such data presented must be in tabular form rounded
12.3.1 The summation is made over three one-third-octave to the nearest decibel and may be in graphical form.
– –
bands NR values: one at the frequency fc with band number Bc 13.3.2 State the values of L1, L2, background noise, and A2
and the adjacent one-third-octave bands, with band numbers or T if measured, accurate to one decimal place.
Bc+1 and Bc−1. 13.3.3 Clearly indicate in the stated results the frequencies
at which receiving room sound pressure levels were within 5
NOTE 20—The octave band values calculated from this expression
approximate what would be measured if the spectrum in the source room dB of the background noise levels (see 11.7.2).
had the same sound pressure level in each one-third-octave band. 13.3.4 If minimum values of the FTL are being estimated
(Random noise with this spectrum is known as “Pink noise.”) according to Annex A1, clearly mark those frequencies where
the room volume, shape or absorption requirements of A1.4 are
13. Report not satisfied and explain.
13.1 The report shall include the following information: 13.3.5 If shielding as described in Annex A1 was applied in
13.1.1 Statement of Conformance to Standard—State that several steps, report the ATL before shielding and the minimum
the tests were conducted in accordance with this test method. values of FTL measured at each step. If all possible flanking
Note any deviations clearly and place a statement on any page surfaces were covered in each room and all room volume,

7
E 336 – 05
shape, and absorption requirements of A1.4 are satisfied, the repeatability standard deviations. They are as follows: 2 dB for
values obtained under this condition may be presented as FTL the frequency bands 100 to 200 Hz and 1 dB for the bands
values. above that. The corresponding 95 % repeatability limits are 5.6
13.3.6 On each page of the report containing test results, and 2.8 dB. The repeatability standard deviation for FSTC
place the statement “This page alone is not a complete report,” from this work was estimated as 1.3 dB. The 95 % repeatability
plus any statements required in 13.1.1 or 13.1.3.3. limit for FSTC is thus 3.6 dB. Reproducibility for this test
13.4 Single Number Ratings: method may be thought of as the variation that might be seen
13.4.1 Report the Noise Isolation Class, (NIC) and state the if different measurement teams with different equipment were
volumes of the two spaces and whether the procedures of to repeat the measurements between the same two rooms.
Section 11 or Annex A2 were used. Based on an analysis of the same study in Ref (7), the
13.4.2 If required for the purposes of the test, report the reproducibility standard deviations are 3 dB (100 to 160 Hz), 2
Normalized Noise Isolation Class, (NNIC). dB (200 to 400 Hz), and 1 dB at 500 Hz and above. The
13.4.3 If required for the purposes of the test, report the corresponding 95 % reproducibility limits are 8.4, 5.6, and 2.8
Apparent Sound Transmission Class (ASTC). dB. The reproducibility standard deviation for FSTC from this
13.4.4 If required for the purposes of the test, and if all work is estimated as 1.9 dB and the 95 % reproducibility limit
requirements of Annex A1 were met in all frequency bands is thus 5.3 dB. The repeatability and reproducibility data
necessary to compute the rating, but not all potential flanking obtained from this study apply only to the spaces where the
surfaces were shielded, report the values measured as mini- repeat measurements were made; other pairs of rooms with
mum estimates of FSTC. different acoustical conditions will have different values. Re-
13.4.5 If all surfaces in both rooms were shielded, except producibility limits are likely to be greater for spaces with
for the test specimen, the result for that case shall be reported complex geometries or where volumes are not clearly defined.
as the Field Sound Transmission Class (FSTC). 14.2 Bias—The bias in this method is unknown since there
13.5 Number all pages of the report, and indicate the total is no known true value.
number pages on each page of the report.
14. Precision and Bias 15. Keywords
14.1 Precision—Repeatability for this test method may be 15.1 airborne sound transmission loss; apparent sound
thought of as the variation that might be seen if the same transmission class; apparent transmission loss; field sound
measurement team repeated the measurements between the transmission class; field transmission loss; flanking transmis-
same two rooms using the same equipment with perhaps some sion; noise isolation class; noise reduction; normalized noise
minor variations in microphone and loudspeaker positions. The isolation class; sound transmission coefficient; sound transmis-
study described in Ref (7) has been used to obtain estimates of sion loss; transmission loss

ANNEXES

(Mandatory Information)

A1. MEASUREMENT OF FIELD TRANSMISSION LOSS

A1.1 Scope—It may be necessary to demonstrate that a correspond only to that sound which is transmitted directly
partition meets criteria for field transmission loss or field sound through the partition under test. This requires shielding all
transmission class. Measuring sound transmission loss of a surfaces in both rooms except the specimen under investiga-
partition in the field is much more difficult than in a laboratory. tion.
A1.1.1 This annex describes the room and partition condi-
tions and shielding procedures necessary to measure the field A1.3 Summary of Procedure:
transmission loss or to establish a minimum value of it. A1.3.1 Verify that the room volume and shape, partition
size, and temperature meet the requirements in this annex.
A1.2 Significance—In most cases, it will be enough to A1.3.2 Verify by measurement according to Test Method
demonstrate that the partition sound insulation is at least as E 2235 that the room absorptions are low enough.
good as a stated criterion by establishing a minimum value of A1.3.3 Measure apparent transmission loss values accord-
the FTL or FSTC. If these lower minimum values satisfy the ing to the main part of the standard.
sound insulation criteria, then testing can cease before all A1.3.4 Shield room surfaces, if necessary, and repeat mea-
possible flanking paths have been shielded, or possibly without surements (including sound absorption measurements) until
any shielding. minimum values of the FSTC or FTL meeting a stated criterion
A1.2.1 If the field transmission loss of the test specimen is are met.
required, it is necessary to reduce flanking transmission to a A1.3.5 When all surfaces except the test specimen are
negligible level so measured levels in the receiving room shielded, the results are FTL and FSTC values.

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E 336 – 05
A1.4 Required Conditions—To make acceptable measure- NOTE A1.4—The sound absorption in each of the rooms should be low
ments of field transmission loss, the following conditions must to achieve the best possible simulation of the ideal diffuse field condition,
be met: and in order to keep the region dominated by the direct field (in both the
source and receiving rooms) as small as possible.
A1.4.1 Room Volume—The volume of each room shall be
not less than 60 m3 (2100 ft3) for measurements down to 100 A1.4.5 Partition Area—The dimensions of the part of the
Hz, 40 m3 (1400 ft3) for measurements down to 125 Hz, and 25 test partition common to both source and receiving rooms shall
m3 (880 ft3) for measurements down to 160 Hz. Where these be at least 2.3 by 2.4 m (7.5 by 8 ft), unless a door or window
criteria are not satisfied, no attempt shall be made to determine is being evaluated.
field transmission loss. The field sound transmission class shall NOTE A1.5—Very small partitions often yield different transmission
not be reported unless the volume of each room is at least 40 loss values from large ones of nominally identical construction. Compari-
m3 (1400 ft3). sons of measurement results for partitions of significantly different
dimensions can be misleading.
NOTE A1.1—The minimum room volume requirement at 125 Hz is
obtained by assuming a minimum of ten room modes will provide a A1.4.5.1 If the purpose of the test is to evaluate typical
sufficiently good approximation to a diffuse sound field. At other frequen- performance of a partition, the size and mounting conditions of
cies, the minimum room volume can be calculated by requiring that the the test specimen shall be representative of the type of partition
same average modal spacing as at 125 Hz is maintained. Thus, larger under study. Any unusual feature not characteristic of the
rooms are needed at lower frequencies. In situations where either the
structure under test shall be avoided.
source room or the receiving room is small compared to the wavelength
of sound, the measured noise reduction becomes unduly influenced by the A1.4.6 Temperature—Measure and report the room tem-
properties of the rooms and no longer characterizes the test specimen. perature in each room. Maintain the temperature in each room
Therefore, “incident” or “radiated” sound power and transmission loss in the range of 17 to 27°C.
cannot be defined in the usual way. This situation will occur in any closed
space if the frequency is low enough. A1.5 If the two rooms on opposite sides of the partition are
A1.4.2 Either the source or the receiving room may be very dissimilar in size, the larger room is usually the better
coupled by an opening to an ancillary volume. The ancillary choice as receiving room especially if the smaller room is less
volume shall be disregarded in the calculations if the average than 50 m3. However, specific conditions such as a lower
sound pressure level in the ancillary volume is 6 or more background sound level in the smaller room or particular
decibels below the average level in the principal portion of the concern about transmission from the larger to smaller room
source or receiving room at all measurement frequencies. may make the smaller room the better choice as the receiving
Otherwise it shall be included as part of the measurement room.
space.
A1.6 Shielding Room Surfaces—To shield a room surface,
NOTE A1.2—In certain field situations, the determination of what apply materials that will increase the transmission loss by at
constitutes the source or receiving room and its volume may not be
obvious. An example is a living room connected to a kitchen in the same
least 10 dB. The shielding shall be sealed at joints and around
unit through an opening in a dividing wall that does not extend to the the perimeter with tape, gaskets or caulking compound, so as to
ceiling, and both “rooms” adjoin a party wall under test. Some judgment form a complete auxiliary wall.
may be required to define the volume of the “room.” It is recommended
that sound pressure level measurements be performed in all portions of the NOTE A1.6—A suitable construction consists of a layer of plywood or
room under consideration. gypsum board weighing at least 10 kg/m2 (2 lb/ft2), freestanding or lightly
supported from the surface and spaced at least 100 mm (4 in.) from it, with
A1.4.3 Room Shape—In addition to the minimum volume soft sound-absorbing material such as glass fiber batts in the space. It may
requirement in A1.4.1, it is preferable to avoid extreme ratios be convenient to arrange the panels in a splayed, ziz-zag configuration so
of room dimensions. Therefore, the ratio of the maximum to that, when the edges are taped together to form a hinge, the array is
free-standing, like a decorative screen.
minimum dimension shall be less than or equal to three. The
room height shall be 2.3 m (7.5 ft) or greater and no lateral A1.6.1 Ensure that the shielding does not cover any of the
receiving room dimension shall be less than 2.75 m (9 ft), the structural elements making up the specimen under test. For
wavelength of the center frequency of the 125 Hz one-third- example, in the case of a door or an operable or demountable
octave band. partition, it is usually understood that the manufacturer has the
A1.4.4 Room Absorption—At all frequencies, the room responsibility of providing an adequate seal to the surrounding
absorption, A, for each room shall be less than: structure; this seal, therefore, is part of the specimen under test.
In this case, tape the supplementary skin just outside the seal.
A 5 V2/3 (A1.1)

where: A1.7 Unshielded Measurement of Apparent Transmission


V = the room volume. If V is in cubic meters (cubic feet), Loss—Measure the apparent transmission loss as described in
then A is in square meters (sabins). the main body of the standard with no shielding applied. If the
requirements of this annex are met, and the ATL and ASTC
NOTE A1.3—This condition corresponds to a minimum reverberation meet the stated sound insulation criteria for the test, no further
time in the range 0.6 to 1.0 s for room volumes ranging from 50 to 250 m3.
testing may be necessary and it may be stated that the FTL and
A1.4.4.1 Sound absorption shall be measured in each room FSTC are at least as good as the ATL and ASTC values
using the procedures of Test Method E 2235. measured.

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E 336 – 05
A1.8 Shielded Measurements to Establish Field Transmis- are shielded. Otherwise, results should be clearly stated as
sion Loss or a Minimum Value of it—If the sound insulation minimum values of the FTL and FSTC.
criteria are not met, then select one or more room surfaces
suspected of being flanking paths and shield them as described A1.10 No changes to measured data shall be made to
in A1.6. account for differences between field data and laboratory
A1.8.1 Measure the results for this shielded condition. If the values.
sound insulation criteria are met, no further testing may be NOTE A1.7—After the apparent and field transmission loss measure-
necessary and it may be stated that the FTL and FSTC are at ments have been made, data may be compared with laboratory transmis-
least as good as the values measured. Continue covering sion loss data for a similar type of partition. One should not necessarily
additional surfaces and measuring at least until the stated sound expect close agreement. Substantial differences may exist for similar
insulation criteria are met. partitions when measured in the two situations, even though efforts are
made to minimize leaks and flanking transmission (2). Widely divergent
A1.9 Results may be stated as actual FTL and FSTC values trends may indicate the existence of undiscovered flanking paths, of leaks,
only if all surfaces in both rooms, except for the test specimen, or of deviations from the nominal construction of the test specimen.

A2. MEASUREMENT OF NOISE REDUCTION BETWEEN LARGE SPACES

A2.1 Scope—This annex describes modified procedures for A2.4.2 If the difference observed in A2.4.1 is more than 4
measurement of noise reduction in cases where at least one of dB, divide the surface of the partition into approximately
the rooms has a volume of 150 m3 or more. In such cases, square areas with each side of the squares equal to the smaller
sound fields often have significant gradients in level as the dimension of the partition. Temporarily mark the divisions in
distance from the specimen is increased or across the surface of any convenient manner.
the specimen. Additional measurement procedures and a re- A2.4.2.1 Measure the average A-weighted sound level in
striction of the measurement regions are necessary to deal with the region in front of each square of the partition, in the source
these problems. side measurement space. In these measurements, each region
A2.1.1 This annex shall not be applied if both rooms have shall be treated as though it were a separate room. Any of the
volumes less than 150 m3 but must be applied to all measure- methods for determining average sound pressure level in a
ments of noise reduction if either room has a volume of 150 m3 room described in 11.4 is acceptable for this measurement.
or greater.
A2.1.2 ATL and FTL also may be measured when a room NOTE A2.2—An integrating-averaging sound level meter meeting the
has a volume of 150 m3 or greater under limited circumstances. requirements of IEC 60804 and scanned manually will be most convenient
This annex does not apply to such measurements. for this procedure.

A2.4.2.2 The difference between the maximum and mini-


A2.2 Significance—It is assumed in this annex that the
mum of the average A-weighted sound levels for all regions
sound fields in the rooms are not diffuse. The only measure-
shall not exceed 3 dB. If this is not the case, the loudspeaker
ments appropriate for such spaces are close to the partition. The
noise reduction and noise isolation class values obtained relate arrangement shall be improved and the measurements repeated
most directly to the isolation observed not too far from the until this requirement is satisfied. Once the sound field on the
partition. source room side has been shown to be satisfactory, the
measurements may proceed.
A2.3 Measurement Space—The measurement space shall
NOTE A2.3—The sound field uniformity can be improved by adding
be the region 1 to 2 m from the partition, and at least 1 m from
more loudspeakers. Some improvement may also be possible by empiri-
other surfaces on each side of the partition. For vertical cally adjusting the orientation of the loudspeakers.
partitions, measurements will be confined to the space 1 to 2 m
from the floor. A2.5 Source and Receive Side Levels—Measure the average
A2.4 Source Side Sound Field Uniformity—The sound field sound pressure level at each frequency in the measurement
across the test partition on the source room side must be shown space on each side of the partition using fixed microphones,
to be uniform if the width is more than twice the height for mechanically scanned microphones, or a manually scanned
vertical partitions or length is more than twice the width for microphone.
floor-ceilings. A2.5.1 If fixed microphones are used, use enough micro-
NOTE A2.1—To achieve sufficient sound level in large rooms, it is phone positions to completely sample the measurement space
permissible to face speakers toward the separating partition. as defined in A2.3. The distance between microphone positions
A2.4.1 Scan the measurement space on the source side, shall not be more than 3 m. In all cases, at least six positions
measuring and observing the A-weighted slow sound level. If shall be used.
the difference between the maximum and minimum such level A2.5.2 If mechanically scanned microphones are used, use
is no more than 4 dB, the sound field is satisfactory, and enough scans to completely sample the measurement space
measurements may proceed. defined in A2.3. The distance between centers of scans shall

10
E 336 – 05
not be more than 4 m. The radius of a circular scan shall be A2.7 Calculations—When multiple measurements are
between 0.5 and 0.7 m. In all cases, at least three scans shall be made on each side, calculate for each frequency the average
used. – –
level on the source side L1 and on the receiving side L2
A2.5.3 If a manually scanned microphone is used, follow according to 11.4.2.1.
the procedure in 11.4.3.3 to sample the measurement space
defined in A2.3. A2.7.1 Calculate the noise reduction according to:
– –
A2.6 Background Noise Levels—With the sound sources NR 5 L1 2 L2 (A2.1)
shut off, measure the background noise at each frequency in the A2.7.2 Report only the noise reduction, NR, and the noise
receive room following the same procedures used to measure isolation class, NIC, for these measurements. No other metrics
the receive room level. Follow the procedures in 11.7 and 11.8 contained in this test method shall be calculated or reported
to obtain the corrected receive levels. based on these measurements.

REFERENCES

(1) Nightingale, T. R. T., and Halliwell, R. E., “In-situ Sound Insulation Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol 16, 1971, p. 43.
Measurements when a Room is Very Absorptive,” Canadian Acous- (5) Noise and Vibration Control, L. L. Beranek, Ed., McGraw-Hill, 1971,
tics, Vol 29, No. 3, 2001, pp 60–61. p. 115.
(2) Jones, R. E., “Effects of Flanking and Test Environment on Lab-Field (6) Waterhouse, R., and Lubman, D., “Discrete Versus Continuous Space
Correlations of Airborne Sound Insulation,” Journal of the Acoustical Averaging in a Reverberant Sound Field,” Journal of the Acoustical
Society of America, Vol 57(5), 1975, pp. 1138–1149. Society of America, Vol 48(1), 1970, pp. 1–5.
(3) Shiner, A. H., “Acoustical Flanking in Structures,” Noise Control (7) Higginson, R. F., “A Study of Measuring Techniques for Airborne
Engineering, Vol 3(2), 1974, pp. 77–81. Sound Insulation in Buildings,” Journal of Sound and Vibration, Vol
(4) Lubman, D., “Spatial Averaging in Sound Power Measurements,” 21, 1972, p. 405.

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