(2 points)
Intent
To provide workspaces and classrooms that promote occupants’ well-being, productivity, and communications through effective acoustic design.
Requirements
For all occupied spaces, meet the following requirements, as applicable, for HVAC background noise, sound isolation, reverberation time, and sound reinforcement and masking.
HVAC Background Noise
Achieve maximum background noise levels from heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems per 2011 ASHRAE Handbook, HVAC Applications, Chapter 48, Table 1; AHRI Standard 885-2008, Table 15; or a local equivalent. Calculate or measure sound levels. For measurements, use a sound level meter that conforms to ANSI S1.4 for type 1 (precision) or type 2 (general purpose) sound measurement instrumentation, or a local equivalent. Comply with design criteria for HVAC noise levels resulting from the sound transmission paths listed in ASHRAE 2011 Applications Handbook, Table 6; or a local equivalent.Sound Isolation
Meet the composite sound transmission class (STCC) ratings listed in Table 1, or local building code, whichever is more stringent.Table 1. Minimum composite sound transmission class ratings for adjacent spaces
Reverberation Time
Meet the reverberation time requirements in Table 3 (adapted from Table 9.1 in the Performance Measurement Protocols for Commercial Buildings1).Table 2. Reverberation time requirements
Sound Reinforcement and Masking Systems
Sound Reinforcement For all large conference rooms and auditoriums seating more than 50 persons, evaluate whether sound reinforcement and AV playback capabilities are needed. If needed, the sound reinforcement systems must meet the following criteria:- Achieve a speech transmission index (STI) of at least 0.60 or common intelligibility scale (CIS) rating of at least 0.77 at representative points within the area of coverage to provide acceptable intelligibility.
- Have a minimum sound level of 70 dBA and must
- Maintain sound-level coverage within +/–3 dB at the 2000 Hz octave band throughout the space.
1 Adapted from ASHRAE (2007d), ASA (2008), ANSI (2002), and CEN (2007)
© Copyright U.S. Green Building Council, Inc. All rights reserved.
Comments
0 comments
Please sign in to leave a comment.