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6.5: Acoustic Comfort

Above Green
  • Updated

(26 maximum points possible)

6.5.1 Airborne Noise Isolation (6 points)

GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.1 - ANSI #11.5.1.1 Does the building design include at least one of the following acoustic design strategies?

References 

  • ASTM E1374-06 
  • ASHRAE Systems Application Handbook-2007, Chapter 47 
  • ANSI S12.60-2002

Recommended Documents 

  • Specification which includes Annex E of ANSI S12.60 – 2010 
  • Test Report indicating compliance with ANSI S12.60 – 2010 
  • Description of acoustic design strategies and all design targets 
  • Construction Documents

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.1.1 - ANSI #11.5.1.1.1

Toilets are located remotely from acoustically separated areas.

Assessment Guidance

Leave unchecked for N/A if there are no toilets.

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.1.2 - ANSI #11.5.1.1.2

Acoustically separated areas are located away from noise producing areas.

Assessment Guidance

Examples of noise producing areas are dance studios, music rooms, cafeterias, indoor swimming pools, mechanical rooms, and gymnasia.

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.1.3 - ANSI #11.5.1.1.3

Entry doors to rooms opposite each other on the same corridor are staggered.

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.1.4 - ANSI #11.5.1.1.4

Through-wall penetrations comply with Annex B of ANSI/ASA S12.60-2010/Part 1

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.1.5 - ANSI #11.5.1.1.5

Walls separating acoustically separated areas from other areas are constructed full height to underside of the next floor above or the roof deck.

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.1.6 - ANSI #11.5.1.1.6

Walls separating acoustically separated areas from other areas have all joints between wall panels and penetrations acoustically sealed.

Assessment Guidance

Fire-stopping and fire-rated assemblies comply with this requirement.

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.1.7 - ANSI #11.5.1.1.7

Areas with high floor impact activities are not located above acoustically separated areas.

Assessment Guidance

Examples of high floor impact activities are dance studios, shops, and gymnasia.

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.2 - ANSI #11.5.1.2 Does the design comply with minimum Sound Transmission Class (STC) ratings of floor/ceiling assemblies, walls and doors between acoustically separated areas (e.g. learning spaces), and adjacent spaces as follows and as applicable?

Recommended Documents 

  • Construction Documents

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.2.1 - ANSI #11.5.1.2.1

STC-45 where the adjacent space is a corridor, stair, office, or conference room

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.2.2 - ANSI #11.5.1.2.2

STC-50 where the adjacent space is a quiet area, speech clinic, health clinic, classroom, or an exterior wall

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.1.2.3 - ANSI #11.5.1.2.3

Floor Ceiling Assemblies: Designed to meet a minimum STC 50 rating

Assessment Guidance

Stacked non-critical spaces and spaces connected by an open stairway are exempt.

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6.5.2 Sound Masking System (6 points)

GREEN GLOBES #6.5.2.1 - ANSI #11.5.2.1 Does the building design incorporate a sound masking system that has an overall level specified to an A-weighted decibel (dBA) value within the following spaces and ranges? 

  • Offices: 
    • Open: 45-48dBA 
    • Enclosed: 35-45dBA 
    • Meeting/Conference: 30-45dBA 
    • Circulation: 45-48dBA 
  • Healthcare: 
    • Patient room: 40-48dBA 
    • Private offices and exam/treatment room: 35-45dBA 
    • Waiting area: 45-48dBA ◦ Corridor and public spaces: 45-48dBA 
    • Circulation: 45-48dBA 
  • Other: 
    • All other areas where speech privacy, concentration, or sleep/ relaxation is required: 35-48-dBA

Recommended Documents 

  • Sound level measurements taken at the property line 
  • Construction Documents 
  • Description of acoustic design strategies and all design targets 
  • Test Report indicating compliance with ANSI S12.60 – 2010

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.2.2 - ANSI #11.5.2.2 Is the measured overall level of the sound masking system within 0.5dBA of that specified?

  • Yes (1 point)
  • No (0 points)

Recommended Documents 

  • Sound level measurements taken at the property line

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.2.3 - ANSI #11.5.2.3 Does the measured spectrum of the sound masking system conform to the National Research Council’s COPE Optimum Masking frequency range and 1/3 octave band levels, or the project acoustician’s specified 1/3 octave band levels, within +/-2.0dB?

  • Yes (1 point)
  • No (0 points)

References

  • GSA, Sound Matters, 2012 
  • GSA, Facilities Standards, P100, 2014 
  • Facilities Guideline Institute, “Sound & Vibration”, 2010 
  • FGI Guidelines, 2014 
  • ASTM E1374-06, Open Office Guide 
  • National Research Council’s COPE

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6.5.3 Structure Borne Noise Isolation (1 point)

GREEN GLOBES #6.5.3.1 - ANSI #11.5.3.1 Does the Impact Insulation Class (IIC) design of all floor-ceiling assemblies have a minimum rating of IIC-50?

  • Yes (1 point)
  • No (0 points)

References 

  • ASTM E989-2012

Recommended Documents 

  • FIIC value for flooring assemblies

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6.5.4 Reverberation Time or Ceiling Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) (4 points)

GREEN GLOBES #6.5.4.1 - ANSI #11.5.4.1 Does either the maximum reverberation time of the room (RT) or the minimum Noise Reduction Coefficient (NRC) rating of the ceiling comply with the following values? 

  • Offices: 
    • Offices (enclosed): RT 0.6 seconds or NRC 0.75 or NRC 0.70 if floor is carpeted 100% 
    • Offices (open): RT 0.4 seconds or NRC 0.90 
  • Schools: 
    • School classrooms: RT 0.6 seconds or NRC 0.80 or NRC 0.70 if floor is carpeted 100% 
    • Presentation and meeting spaces: RT 0.5 seconds or NRC 0.80 or NRC 0.70 if floor is carpeted 100% 
  • Healthcare: 
    • Patient/resident care areas: RT 0.5 seconds or NRC 0.90 
    • Medication safety zones: RT 0.5 seconds or NRC 0.90 or NRC 0.80 if floor is carpeted 100% 
    • Exam/treatment rooms: RT 0.5 seconds or NRC 0.90 or NRC 0.80 if floor is carpeted 100% 
    • Activity/waiting areas: RT 1.5 seconds or NRC 0.75 or 0.70 if floor is carpeted 100% 
  • Other: 
    • All other spaces where speech intelligibility, concentration, privacy or sleep/relaxation is required: RT 1.0 seconds or NRC 0.80

Assessment Guidance

If the average ceiling height exceeds 12 ft. (3.7 m), the reverberation time compliance path is used; the NRC compliance path is not permitted. If wall or floor absorption is present, the reverberation time compliance path may permit ceilings with lower NRC values.

Not applicable for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs).

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6.5.5 Mechanical Noise (2 points)

GREEN GLOBES #6.5.5.1 - ANSI #11.5.5.1 Does design comply with background sound levels associated with mechanical systems in accordance with ANSI/ASA S12.2 Standard “Criteria for Evaluating Room Noise” and as follows? 

  • Airborne sound power levels from HVAC unit do not exceed the Room Criteria detailed in ASHRAE Systems Application Handbook 2014. Chapter 8, Table 1 for listed spaces when HVAC units are in operation; use 2014 FGI Guidelines for Design and Construction of Health Care Facilities 
  • Spaces are designed such that room background noise using the Room Criteria (RC) ratings complies with ASHRAE Systems Application Handbook-2014, Chapter 48, Table1; use 2014 FGI Guidelines for Healthcare Spaces

Assessment Guidance

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1. Designers should also be sure to consult the additional guidance of the footnotes for this table listed in the ASHRAE Applications Handbook, 2007 version, Chapter 47, Table 42.

Not applicable for Multi-Unit Residential Buildings (MURBs).

References 

  • WBDG: DG 1110-3-122 Design Guide for Interiors, 1997 
  • WBDG: Federal Green Construction Guide for Specifiers: 01 57 19.12 (01353) Noise and Acoustic Management 
  • HUD Guide to Airborne, Impact and Structure Borne Noise 
  • CHPS –Collaborative for High Performance Schools 
  • ASTM E989-2012 
  • ASHRAE Systems Application Handbook-2007, Chapter 47 
  • ASA/ INCE/ NCAC Interim Sound and Vibration Design Guidelines for Hospital and Healthcare Facilities

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6.5.6 Airborne HVAC Noise (2 points)

GREEN GLOBES #6.5.6.1 - ANSI #11.5.6.1 Are sound attenuators and/or silencers, or ducts designed in a “Z” configuration where significant cross talk paths exist between two habitable spaces?

  • Yes (1 point)
  • No (0 points)

References

  • ASA/ INCE/ NCAC Interim Sound and Vibration Design Guidelines for Hospital and Healthcare Facilities 
  • ANSI S12.60-2010/Part 1
  • ANSI S12-2- 2008 
  • ASTM E336- 14 
  • ASTM E1374-2006(2011) 
  • ASTM E966- 10e1 
  • ASTM E413- 10 
  • ASTM E1686- 10e1 
  • ASTM E90- 09 
  • ASTM E1332- 10a

Recommended Documents 

  • Manufacturer’s specifications, cut sheets and performance documentation 
  • Acoustic mitigation measures for mechanical equipment and plumbing systems 
  • Construction Documents

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.6.2 - ANSI #11.5.6.2 Are HVAC grills and diffusers selected that comply with ANSI/ASA S12.60-2010/Part 1?

  • Yes (1 point)
  • No (0 points)

References 

  • ASA/ INCE/ NCAC Interim Sound and Vibration Design Guidelines for Hospital and Healthcare Facilities 
  • ANSI S12.60-2010/Part 1 
  • ANSI S12-2- 2008 
  • ASTM E336- 14
  • ASTM E1374-2006(2011) 
  • ASTM E966- 10e1 
  • ASTM E413- 10 
  • ASTM E1686- 10e1 
  • ASTM E90- 09 
  • ASTM E1332- 10a

Recommended Documents 

  • Test Report indicating compliance with ANSI S12.60 – 2010 
  • Specification which includes Annex E of ANSI S12.60 – 2010

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6.5.7 Structure Borne HVAC Noise (2 points)

GREEN GLOBES #6.5.7.1 - ANSI #11.5.7.1 Are fans and other powered HVAC equipment acoustically separated from the structure using vibration isolators?

  • Yes (1 point)
  • No (0 points)

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.7.2 - ANSI #11.5.7.2 Are ducts supported on resilient mounts to isolate them from the structural systems, and isolated using resilient material where they pass through walls?

  • Yes (1 point)
  • No (0 points)

Recommended Documents 

  • Manufacturer’s specifications, cut sheets and performance documentation

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6.5.8 Piping Noise (1 point)

GREEN GLOBES #6.5.8.1 - ANSI #11.5.8.1 With the exception of sprinklers and hydronic systems, is piping running directly above or adjacent to quiet areas and learning spaces avoided?

  • Yes (1 point)
  • No (0 points)

Recommended Documents

  • Manufacturer’s specifications, cut sheets and performance documentation 
  • Construction Documents

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6.5.9 Electrical System Noise (2 points)

GREEN GLOBES #6.5.9.1 - ANSI #11.5.9.1 Are low-noise ballasts installed in quiet areas and all other areas where speech intelligibility is important?

  • Yes (1 point)
  • No (0 points)

Recommended Documents 

  • Acoustic mitigation measures for mechanical equipment and plumbing systems 
  • Construction Documents

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GREEN GLOBES #6.5.9.2 - ANSI #11.5.9.2 Does noise from light fixtures and other electrical fixtures avoid exceeding values indicated in ANSI/ ASA S12.60-2010/Part 1?

  • Yes (1 point)
  • No (0 points)

Recommended Documents 

  • Specification which includes Annex E of ANSI S12.60 – 2010 
  • Test Report indicating compliance with ANSI S12.60 – 2010

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