SOUND

Building acoustics are the science of controlling noise in buildings. This includes the minimization of noise transmission from one space to another and the control of the characteristics of sound within spaces. It is especially important to control noise and sound to improve the work and living quality of the building’s occupants. Building acoustics are a significant factor in the design, operation, and construction of most buildings like residential buildings, concert halls, hospitals, schools.

Noise pollution has several impacts on mental and physical health. Some solutions have been developed in construction to help reduce sound transmission through walls and ceilings therefore reducing the negative health impact that might occur because of neglecting the importance of sound insulation. BEAM Consolidated offers a wide range of solutions for sound insulation in ceilings, walls, and linings. Our acoustic sound blocking boards and systems reach high attenuation ratings due to fiberglass reinforcements in addition to proprietary elements in the design mix of the plasterboards and the system components. The acoustic parameters that mainly influence the performance of the system are the following:

Decibels (dB)

The intensity of sound is measured in Decibels (dB). An increase of 10 dB gives a detectable doubling of volume intensity. The sound pitch is calculated in Hertz (Hz) which is the standard unit of measurement for frequency; Humans have an audible range of sound from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.

Sound Transmission Class (STC) / (OITC)

Originally used to evaluate transmission through interior walls only, today STC is used to assess almost all types of barriers: exterior walls, interior walls, windows, and doors.

Noise Criteria (NC)

Noise criteria measures background noise in empty buildings and rooms. The method consists of a set of criteria curves extending from 63 to 8000 Hz. The criteria curves characterize the limits of the octave band spectra that must not be surpassed.

Ceiling Attenuation Class (CAC)

Ceiling Attenuation Class indicates the ceiling’s capacity to stop airborne sound from traveling between adjacent rooms. CAC measures the ability to block sound from one room to the next. The higher the number, the better. Ceilings with a CAC of 35 or greater in closed offices are typical.

Articulation Class (AC)

In situations where the walls of a room do not extend all the way to the ceiling, such as adjustable office partitions or partial height furniture, the proper measure is the articulation class (AC) rating. Just like the CAC, a higher rating means that sound is reduced and transferred less between office workspaces. AC ≥ 200 is best for open plan areas.

Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC)

NRC refers to a surface’s ability to reduce noise by absorbing sound or the percentage of sound energy not reflected by the panel, which ranges from 0 to 1.0. The thickness and density of a product are two factors in calculating a Noise Reduction Coefficient.

Reverberance Time (RT)

The persistence of sound in an enclosed space representative of multiple reflections off hard surfaces which can give a feeling of spaciousness, warmth, and envelopment. Higher levels are generally good for music listening spaces, but not so good for speech intelligibility.